Albright College
American University
Appalachian State University
Barton College
Bridgewater College
Catawba College
Catholic University of America
Christopher Newport University
Citadel Military College of South Carolina
Clark Atlanta
Clemson University
Coastal Carolina University
College of Charleston
East Carolina University
East Tennessee State University
Eastern Mennonite University
Embry Riddel Aeronautical University
Emory & Henry College
Ferrum College
George Mason University
Gettysburg College
Grambling State University
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampton University
James Madison University
Longwood University
Louisiana State University
Loyola University New Orleans
Marymount University
John “Jay” niChols ’74
Commencement Speaker
Messiah University
Morehead State University
Morehouse College
Morgan State University
Mount St. Mary’s University
Norfolk State University
North Carolina A&T State Univeristy
North Carolina Central University
North Carolina State University
Norwich University
Old Dominion University
Penn State University (University Park)
Pratt Institute
Radford University
Randolph College
Randolph-Macon College
Roanoke College
Saint Vincent College
Sewanee: The University of the South Shaw University
Shenandoah University
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Siena College
St. Bonaventure University
Tennessee State University
Towson University
United States Air Force Academy
United States Coast Guard Academy
University of Alabama
University of Kentucky
University of Louisville
University of Lynchburg
University of Mary Washington
University of Maryland (College Park)
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
University of Mississippi
University of Montana
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
University of Notre Dame
University of Richmond
University of South Carolina
University of Tennessee Knoxville
University of Virginia (Main Campus)
University of Virginia at Wise
University of Wyoming
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Military Institute
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Virginia State University
Wake Forest University
West Virginia State University
West Virginia University
William & Mary
Winston-Salem State University
Jay is the Vice President of Handcraft Services, sharing leadership and ownership decisions with his brothers Keith and Jeff. Jay is instrumental in Handcraft’s financing and banking relationships as they relate to capital expenditures, plant construction and real estate procurement as well as the management of all of Handcraft’s affiliates and related holding companies.
Like his four other siblings, from a very early age, Jay spent his summers and weekends working alongside his father, who founded Handcraft in 1956. Born the same year that the company was founded, Jay started his professional career with Handcraft in 1979.
Jay graduated from Benedictine High School in 1974. He then graduated from Virginia Military Institute in 1979 with a bachelor’s degree in economics. Since then, he has served on the board of trustees of Benedictine College Preparatory, the board of directors of Divers and Associates, and the board of directors of Richmond Area Fabri-care Association (RAFA) and has attended numerous industry courses with the International Fabric-Care Institute (IFI). He has served as president of the Richmond Shirt Company and was a member of the Great Lakes Management Bureau and the Foundation Board of Bon Secours.
A resident of Richmond, Jay is married to Cary C. Edel Nichols, and has three children: Curtis, Cameron and Anne Stewart. Jay and his wife have eight grandchildren.
BenediCtine fight song
Come fall in line you men of old B.C.
We’re going to win another victory
We’re going to beat that high school team today,
We’re going to win we say, we say, we say, we say.
We’re going to fight, fight, fight for every yard,
We’re going to hit that line and hit it hard.
We’re going to knock that team right off the field, Off the field - for old B.C. HEY!
May 31, 2024
Benedictine Schools of Richmond
McMurtrie-Reynolds Pavilion
CommenCement exerCises
Class of 2024
College aCCeptanCes for the Class of 2024
BenediCtine College preparatory
112th Annual Commencement
proCessional to highland Cathedral
Benedictine College Preparatory Pipe & Drum Band
WelCome
Mr. Drew S. Mugford ’86
Benedictine Schools of Richmond Principal
entranCe of the Colors
Benedictine College Preparatory Color Guard
national anthem
Benedictine Schola
invoCation
Fr. John Mary Lugemwa, O.S.B.
salutatorian’s address
Cadet Cristian M. Lugo
introduCtion of the 50th year
graduates, the Class of 1974
Mr. Jesse A. Grapes
Benedictine Schools of Richmond President
introduCtion of the speaker
Mr. Jesse A. Grapes
Benedictine Schools of Richmond President
address to graduates
John “Jay” Nichols ’74
presentation of aWards
Mr. Delos G. Smith IV ’01 and Mr. Drew S. Mugford ’86
Valedictorian Award
Salutatorian Award
Conferring of diplomas
Mr. Jesse A. Grapes, Abbot Placid D. Solari, O.S.B. ’70, and Mr. Delos G. Smith IV ’01
valediCtorian’s address
Cadet Clint T. Ellison
Closing remarks
Mr. Delos G. Smith IV ’01
BenediCtion
Abbot Placid D. Solari, O.S.B. ’70
Abbot of Belmont Abbey
dismissal of the Class of 2024
Cadet Clint T. Ellison
2023-24 administration
Jesse A. Grapes, Benedictine Schools of Richmond President
Drew S. Mugford ’86, Benedictine Schools of Richmond Principal
Abbot Placid D. Solari, O.S.B. ’70, Abbot
Delos G. Smith IV ’01, Benedictine Head of School
Ashley Lowry, Benedictine Schools of Richmond Dean of Faculty
Bryan Greene, Benedictine Dean of Students
Gray Walker, Commandant of Cadets
Class of 2024
Jacob Ryan Adair
Bryce Isaiah Adams *
William Mark Amonette
Brycen Johnny Arbogast
Fred Thomas Barber, IV
Jackson David Bevan *
William Morris Blatt
Leo Dorian Boehling
Robert Mehegan Bradley, IV
Trystan John Phillip Bryan *
Bryce Lindsey Bryant *
Ryder Harmon Buchbinder
Jordan Lloyd Callahan
Walker Hawes Campbell *
Christopher Dante Carlisle
Thomas J. Carter
Collin David Stroud Clarkson *
Sean Gleason Joplin Condon *
Elijah Michael Coston
Colin A. Dart *
Henry Basil Demyanovich *
Jude Max Drew
Luke Stephen Drew *
Clint Tobias Ellison *
Jacob Walker Erskin
Michael Richard Falcone, Jr.
Christian Alexander Ferrell
Nicholas Lawson Ferrell
Nicholas Gavin Garland
Miles Deforest Graham
Steven Campe Griles *
Conner Jackson Helm
William Henry Holland *
Antonio Del Ray Jackson, Jr.
Jacob Keller Janus *
John Paul Janus *
Christopher Grant Winston Johnson *
Garrett Andrew Joyce
Samuel Gerard Kaczmarek *
Class of 1974
Steven W. Anderson
Richard C. Baird, Jr.
Maynard O. Banton
Henry C. Barlow, Jr.
Charles E. Bialkowski
William D. Bien, Jr.
Donald J. Blewitt, Jr.
John Boyd
Robert William Loftin, Jr.
Cristian Mateo Lugo *
Tyler M. Markus
Colin W. Mitchell
Khalil Isaiah Moore
Justin Nathaniel Morris *
Pierce Charles Moten *
John Kegan McCallum *
Connor J. McGranahan
Brendan James McLaughlin
Huy H. Nguyen
Michael Ryan Nguyen
Donovan James O’Brien
Orlando Maximo Orellana-Duran *
J. Logan Parrish
Connor J. Pleasants
Luca Osvaldo Puccinelli
Michael R. Purcell, Jr.
Cristian Alexander Ramos *
Riley Edward Roarty
Benjamin John Rossi
James Cormac Russo *
Antonio Schoenborn
Timothy Andrew Semisch
Cody Joseph Shelton
Baylor George Stinson
John Corbett Talton, III *
Wilson James Toland
Jacob Andrew Tres *
Khamari Jaheim Veney
Kevin J. Villagrana
James Dacre Walker
Luke Alexander Whaley
Howard Vrooman Whitney
Hudson O’Neill Williams
Michael Allen Williamson
Michael W. Winstead, Jr.
* National Honor Society
John R. Fertitta
Michael L. Fisk
John N. Flaskas
John P. Franko
Stephen W. Gerloff
Paul E. Ginda
Charles W. Giovannetti
E. Christian Goetz
Edward Z. Boyle
Patrick F. Brower
William M. Bryant, III
John E. Byrider, Jr.
John J. Chevalier
Peter Christensen †
Alvin E. Collins, Jr. †
Brian J. Conron
James Ellis Cooksey †
James B. Cowan, Jr.
George Bryan Crist
David S. DeLaney
Dennis P. Dietrick
Philip J. Dolan
Paul J. Eichorn
Mark D. Ernsberger
Kevin W. Farrell
Jose A. Gonzales
Robert A. Gragnani
Arthur Edward Hald, III †
Raymond P. Harty
Kevin L. Harvey
Thomas A. Haskin
Gilbert G. Henley, Jr.
Mark B. Herrmann
A. Brooks Hock
David J. Huber
Charles A. Hudgins, Jr. †
James P. Humbard
William C. Hyman
George R. Irving, Jr.
John M. Ivan
Michael L. Jones
Michael W. Karn
Paul L. Kitchen
W. Jeffrey Kuhn
Mark J. LaFratta
William K. Lifsey, III
David J. Lydiard
Jerome P. Maddock
Joseph J. Mancuso, Jr.
Michael W. Matzuk, Jr. †
William A. McCracken
Thomas J. McNally, Sr.
Kevin M. McNamara
John R. Meyers
Willard P. Milby, III
William T. Morse
Robert C. Murphy
John “Jay” J. Nichols
L. Reed O’Brien, Jr.
Roberty A. O’Connor, III
John E. Pacer
Chris C. Pecci
Gordon C. Pennington
Charles Pollock †
W. Barry Proffitt
Thomas C. Richards
J. Patrick Ross
Robin Ryan
Volker R. Schrage
James S. Schultz
Richard M. Scott
William J. Shepherd
Tracy C. Shields
Robert W. Southall
Michael P. Spinella
Barry J. Stemper
L. Anthony Stouffs †
Alexander C. Sullivan, III
Glenn A. Suppe
K. Richmond Temple
Charles G. Thedieck, III
L. Scott Thornhill
J. Christopher Tichacek
Mike L. Wade
Randall G. Weeks
Thomas T. Weir
Peter W. White
Christopher J. Young
† Deceased
2023-24 BenediCtine sChools of riChmond Board of trustees
Mrs. Theresa Bahen ’76
Mrs. Debbie Berger ’87
Mrs. Bridget Ryan Berman ’78
Sister Joanna Burley O.S.B.
BG. Norvell V. Coots ’76
Mr. Buddy Gadams ’89
Mr. Rodney Ganey ’69
Mrs. Cheryl Goddard ’80
Mr. Michael Kehoe ’84
Mrs. Leslie Koenig-Stack ’74
Fr. Jonathan Licari O.S.B.
Mr. Kevin M. McNamara ’74
Mrs. Kelley Mulcunry ’91
Ms. Phillis Oeters ’75
Mr. Steve Reardon ’80
Mr. Richard E. Smith ’88
Mr. Ken M. Sullivan
Mr. Joseph R. Swedish ’69
Mr. Jock Wheeler
Monsignor John Williams ’56
2023-24 BenediCtine sChools eduCational foundation Board
Mr. Richard E. Dolan, III
Mr. Matt J. Gadams ’88
Mr. Geoff Gasperini
Mrs. Kelly Geary ’93
Mr. Jesse A. Grapes
Mr. Brian Haney
Mr. Chris Keegan ’03
Mr. Terrence W. Kerner ’86
RADM C. Adam Kijek ’91
Mrs. Shelley N. Kuhn ’75
RADM Allie Leslie ’81
Abbot Placid D. Solari, O.S.B. ’70
Mr. Geoff McDonald
Mrs. Evelyn V. McGill ’75
Brother Bead McKeon, O.S.B.
Mrs. Buni Neighbors
Mr. Toriano Phillips ’90
Mr. Randy Reynolds, Jr.
Mr. Todd D. Rogers ’83
Mr. Greg Stivers
Mr. George J. Strother, Jr. ’92
Mr. Matthew D. White ’83
