Xavier Magazine: Spring 2015

Welcoming the World

The Immigrant Story at Xavier Spring 2015

Xavier MOMENT

KNIGHT FOR A DAY Program inspires record number of eighth graders to attend More than 500 eighth graders, like the one pictured second from left, got a taste of life at Xavier High School by participating in the 2014–15 Knight for a Day program. The aspiring young Knights (who hailed from all five of New York City’s boroughs, Long Island, Westchester, and New Jersey) had the opportunity to spend a full day shadowing Xavier students, attending classes, meeting teachers and coaches, and asking countless questions about high school life. The record number of visits—about 12 per day—means more young men than ever are inspired by the energy, brotherhood, and lifelong connections forged on 16th Street.

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From the PRESIDENT Dear Sons and Friends of Xavier, As this Xavier Magazine arrives in your mailbox, the school year has entered the home stretch. The Drama Society staged The Music Man just before Easter; it was nothing short of spectacular.

Watching Harrison O’Callaghan ’17 on stage, I repeatedly thought, “Matthew Broderick, watch out!” The entire cast and crew were terrific. The same is true of Nicole DiMarco, our director, and Martin Lopez, our producer.

This year’s rugby tour took the team to California over Easter break. It was a great trip. For those who were on the first tour to California with Tom O’Hara ’69, The Iron Horse I Transcontinental Railroad Tour in 1978, let it suffice to say that while the boys returned from San Diego with stories to last a lifetime, they were stories more easily shared with their parents and teachers than those of four decades ago!

The days ahead will see the service assembly, the junior liturgy, the Block X Awards, the Mother-Son Dinner, the Military Ball, the Faculty-Senior Dinner, our Baccalaureate Mass, and our return to St. Patrick’s Cathedral for Xavier’s 173rd graduation. These events are part of the fabric of life at Xavier.

This magazine celebrates another part of the fabric of life at Xavier, the story of immigrants and their sons on 16th Street.

Embedded in who we are as an institution is the story of recent arrivals to America and their children, shaped by their Jesuit education at Xavier.

Founded by an immigrant and welcoming immigrants from our first days, Xavier continues to be an institution with doors open wide to young men making America their home, young men pursuing opportunity and freedom, and growing to be men of competence, conscience, and compassion. This magazine provides but a glimpse of the immigrant story at Xavier, but what a wonderful glimpse it is. I hope it is a seed for a book to come.

Immigration is a hot-button issue and will be even more so as we enter the next presidential election cycle.

It often seems easier for us to celebrate immigration from days gone by than to welcome the immigrant of today.

The historian Patrick McNamara writes that the

“The people of God know as well what it means to be redeemed, to be saved, to be welcomed, and to be free to live in God’s love.”

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charism of the Catholic Church in New York City is the charism of welcome. We are and remain an immigrant church built by the Irish and Italians and constantly revitalized today by the Mexicans, the Dominicans, the Eastern Europeans, the Koreans, and others from far and wide. Our forefathers in faith knew what it was like to wander in exile, to be excluded, to be enslaved. The people of God know as well what it means to be redeemed, to be saved, to be welcomed, and to be free to live in God’s love.

The American bishops, across whatever ideological spectrum others impose on them, have for years called for comprehensive immigration reform. In doing so, they have invited each of us to welcome the stranger and to see in each of our brothers and sisters the face of God, wherever they are from or however they arrived. The work of Xavier stands as a witness to the gifts those from other shores bring to our community and to the good that happens when they are welcomed as our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Shaped on 16th Street by the truth of the Gospel and the mission of the Society of Jesus, we have welcomed families from near and far and sent them forth to transform the world for God’s greater glory for 168 years.

We remain a place of open doors and welcome for those from Africa to Astoria through the generosity of generations. We happily highlight in this magazine the generosity of Nancy and Tom O’Brien ’49, Tiro A Segno, the Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, and the Columbus Citizens Foundation, whose generosity, along with scores of others, makes the work of Xavier possible. We also welcome Shawna Gallagher Vega as our Director of Communications. Shawna’s work at Xavier is off to a great start.

I hope to see you in the months ahead at reunion, graduation, or along the water at our summer receptions in Rockaway, Spring Lake, Quogue, the Cape, and Coney Island, or in Tirelli Quad on 16th Street.

Please keep all at Xavier in your prayers. Be assured of mine. May the joy of this Easter season be yours, and may Xavier always be a welcoming home for young men from our shores and those distant.

God’s blessings,

Jack Raslowsky President

XAVIER

In this issue

Spring 2015

Spring 2015, Volume 18, Number 1 Xavier High School Jack Raslowsky President Michael LiVigni Headmaster Rev. John Replogle, S.J. ’51 Assistant to the President Joseph F. Gorski Vice President for Advancement Shawna Gallagher Vega, APR Director of Communications Editorial & Design Services Erbach Communications Group How to Reach Us Xavier Magazine Xavier High School 30 West 16th Street New York, NY 10011-6302 Email: editor@xavierhs.org

5. 8.

22. 8.

WELCOMING THE WORLD Many nations unite in the hallways on 16th Street

To submit a class note, email classnotes@xavierhs.org.

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FAITH MEETS JUSTICE Teaching the meaning of social justice—in class, in church, and in the world 24. FERNANDEZ-DUMINUCO HALL Designing a new space for learning

DEPARTMENTS 1.

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30.

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Xavier Moment From the President News from 16th Street Class Notes Back Story

On the cover: Since its founding, Xavier has welcomed generations of immigrants and immigrant children. A student ledger from 1881–82 showcases the names of sons of Irish and Italian families; today, Xavier students represent the world.

26. OPENING DOORS Making a Xavier education possible 28. HOMECOMING AT HOME COURT Alumni Basketball Homecoming honors Dr. George Kaftan ’45 and Dave Anderson ’47

Printed on Recycled Paper 10% Post-Consumer Recycled Fiber & 100% Responsible Resources

Xavier’s Mission

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ounded in 1847, Xavier High School is an academically rigorous, Catholic, Jesuit, college preparatory school in New York City that educates intelligent, motivated young men of diverse backgrounds and means. Xavier teaches students to take responsibility for their lives, to lead with integrity, to act justly in service of others, to pursue excellence in every endeavor, and to deepen their relationship with God. Ultimately, Xavier forms young men who will go forth to transform the world for God’s greater glory.

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News from 16th Street

News from 16th Street

ON BOARD! Xavier High School welcomed three new members to its Board of Trustees in 2014.

All are Sons of Xavier who share a mutual respect for the institution that shaped their lives.

“It’s an honor to serve,” said Joseph Buongiorno ’75, who considers his Xavier education “a blessing.” “Academics, discipline, and faith formation. Those principles become part of your DNA, and you carry them with you for the rest of your life,” he said.

Mr. Buongiorno attended Boston College and earned a graduate degree from Iona College. A CPA and commodity trading advisor, he retired in 2009 from UST Holding Company as senior vice president of operations and chief financial officer of a major subsidiary. He lives in New Canaan, Conn., with his wife, Rosina.

They have three children.

After a stint in the Merchant Marine, Dr. Michael Driscoll ’78 pursued a successful Wall Street career that resulted in a partnership at a hedge fund. The SUNY

Joseph Buongiorno ’75

Dr. Michael Driscoll ’78

Maritime College and Adelphi University grad then shifted career paths, earning an Ed.D. from the University of Pennsylvania.

He is now a clinical assistant professor of accounting, finance, and economics at Adelphi University. This summer, he will travel overseas on a Fulbright Scholarship.

Dr. Driscoll credits Xavier with teaching him to think critically, and he is dedicated to keeping the school as relevant today as it was 40 years ago. “Whether it means time, treasure, or talent, each of us is committed to giving back to Xavier what it gave to us,” he said. Dr. Driscoll and his wife, Melissa, reside in Manhasset, N.Y. They have two sons.

James Coster, Esq. ’83 said he feels a true affinity for Xavier: “Xavier did a lot

James Coster, Esq. ’83

for me.” Mr. Coster’s father passed away while he was a student, but a program run by the Father’s Club provided tuition assistance that allowed him to remain in school. “If there were ever circumstances where you would want to give back, those are the circumstances,” he said.

After graduating from Xavier, Mr. Coster attended Boston College and earned a law degree at St. John’s University. He is now partner, litigation department co-chair, and member of the executive committee at Satterlee Stephens Burke & Burke.

“I built on the foundation I got at Xavier, which allowed me to do everything,” he said. Mr. Coster lives in Rye, N.Y., with his wife, Jennifer, and two children.

ALUMNI IN RELIGIOUS LIFE

Above: Sean Hagerty, S.J. ’02 (far left) with his fellow vow men and the Jesuit Provincials of New England, New York, and Maryland.

Right: Novice Kieran Halloran, nS.J. ’10.

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Sean Hagerty, S.J. ’02 professed his First Vows at Holy Cross Church in DeWitt, N.Y., on Aug. 16, 2014.

His Xavier connection was integral on his path to the priesthood. “When I applied to become a Jesuit,” he said, “I had to ask my high school principal for a reference.” Coincidentally, Rev. David Ciancimino, S.J. ’77, who was Mr. Hagerty’s headmaster at Xavier, was the Provincial of the New York Province when he applied in 2010.

Mr. Hagerty, who served as a combat arms officer in Iraq, left a lucrative career in business to pursue his higher calling. He is currently a scholastic at the Bellarmine House

of Studies in St. Louis. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science at Fordham University and is now pursuing a master’s degree in philosophy.

Kieran Halloran, nS.J. ’10, who entered the Jesuit Novitiate of St. Andrew Hall in Syracuse, N.Y., last August, credits Xavier for “planting the seeds” of his vocation.

Mr. Halloran said Xavier’s Jesuit identity moved him to emulate the goodness he saw on 16th Street and ultimately set off his discernment process. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without Xavier, ” he said.

Mr. Halloran earned a bachelor’s degree in international development from Georgetown University.

BEARING HOLY WITNESS On Nov. 16, 1989, six Jesuits and two laywomen were murdered in El Salvador.

Last July, Director of Campus Ministry Kaija DeWitt, physics teacher Alex Lavy, and religion teacher Chris Napolitano were among 46 U.S. delegates who traveled to El Salvador to mark the 25th anniversary of the death of the Jesuit martyrs, exploring their lives and walking barefoot through the holy grounds where they died.

“It was a profound experience of being present to that holy witness,” said Ms. DeWitt.

Upon her return, Ms. DeWitt helped orchestrate a special Xavier community Mass to commemorate the martyrs last November. The service featured portraits

DIVISION I BOUND

of the victims painted by Xavier student volunteers and music from Guillermo Cuéllar’s Misa Popular Salvadoreña (a mass written for the Salvadoran people at the request of Archbishop Oscar Romero) performed by members of Manhattan-based vocal ensemble group the Ignatian Schola, the choir from the Church of St. Francis Xavier, and Xavier students. “It was a really beautiful time for us to remember the lives of the martyrs,” said Ms. DeWitt.

Track standout John Rice ’15 is headed for the University of Texas, while bowler Mike “The Hammer” Martell ’15 heads to Robert Morris University Illinois. Both join NCAA Division I teams.

ADVANCEMENT DEPARTMENT WELCOMES NEW AND FAMILIAR FACES Visit the Advancement Department on 16th Street, and you’ll be able to meet a new face and congratulate a couple of familiar ones.

Shawna Gallagher Vega, APR, has been named Director of Communications. She comes to Xavier from The Cathedral School of St. John the Divine. “When I learned about the opening at Xavier, I jumped at it, in part because of the school’s reputation, but also because of its Jesuit heritage,” she said.

Ms. Gallagher Vega earned a bachelor’s in history and a master’s in education administration from Boston College. In addition, she holds the prestigious Accreditation

Shawna Gallagher Vega, APR, Director of Communications

in Public Relations (APR) from the Public Relations Society of America.

Ms. Gallagher Vega is clear about her new mission at Xavier. “When people talk about the best schools in New York City, I always want Xavier to lead that conversation.”

Shane Lavin ’03, formerly Director of Alumni Relations, is now Director of Annual Giving. He said he is excited for a new challenge.

“Xavier is part of a great legacy of education. We need to safeguard that legacy and make sure it’s viable for the future.”

Mr. Lavin attended the College of the Holy Cross, double majoring in French and political science,

Shane Lavin ’03, Director of Annual Giving

James Cappabianca ’05, Director of Alumni Relations

and he earned a master’s degree in public administration from Villanova University. This is Mr. Lavin’s sixth year at Xavier. Previously, he served as Manager, Fund Development and Special Projects at the International YMCA. Taking over for Mr. Lavin as Director of Alumni Relations is former Associate Director of Admissions James Cappabianca ’05.

Mr. Cappabianca, who has worked at the school for six years, previously taught religion and coached baseball, basketball, and soccer.

Mr. Cappabianca is passionate about keeping the connection between alumni and Xavier strong.

“It’s easy for me to do my job. I believe in Xavier and its mission,” he said. Mr. Cappabianca attended the College of the Holy Cross, majoring in religion and minoring in philosophy. He is currently finishing a master’s in school administration and supervision at Fordham University.

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News FROM 16TH STREET FOUR STARS FOR NEW X CAFÉ These days, the X Café is the hot place to be on 16th Street. The new third-floor space offers students a place to meet for a snack, to study, or just hang out.

Many student clubs host meetings in the X Café due to its central, accessible location and comfortable, welcoming environment. “We can talk in the X Café,” said Jack DeFuria ’15, President of the Entrepreneurial Society and Secretary of the Student Concerns Committee. “It’s conducive

to working collaboratively.”

The question of how and where to create space for students to gather in different ways grew out of the school’s Master Plan. The solution was to convert the former Jesuit dining room into a new space for students. Where 60 Jesuits once came together to dine, now you’re likely to find 60 students interacting.

“It’s packed,” said DeFuria.

“There are days I’ll head down there and there’s not a seat in the house.”

NEWS FROM THE SOCIETY OF JESUS Provinces Unite The New England and New York Jesuit Provinces have united to form the USA Northeast Province.

The new Provincial is Rev. John Cecero, S.J., formerly Provincial of the New York Province. The USA Northeast Province will include eight states stretching from Maine to New Jersey with apostolates in Jamaica, Micronesia, and the Middle East.

36th General Congregation In December 2014, Father General Adolfo Nicolás, S.J., who has served as the Superior General of the Society of Jesus since 2008, announced his intention to resign.

He convoked the 36th General Congregation for October 2016 in Rome to determine his successor.

A TIME OF CHANGE This school year, Xavier has instituted major schedule changes designed to enhance the student learning experience. Most notably, class sessions meet less often, but for longer periods of time.

“Studies have found that more in-depth time helps students retain information better than repetition in a shorter period of time,” said Director of Student Activities and science and technology teacher Johanna Tanzman.

Longer class periods enable greater depth of instruction and different methods of teaching.

Xavier has also eliminated school bells, as research shows that students take longer to mentally acclimate to 6

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their next class when disrupted by a bell.

A new community period was introduced for club meetings, academic support, and advisement, creating opportunities for learning beyond the classroom and more student participation in co-curricular activities.

“We have a very special school. People really buy into our community,” said Ms. Tanzman, who sees the changes as overwhelmingly positive. “Students are being given the freedom to take more responsibility for their lives. I’ve seen a lot more student-driven initiatives, and I think it’s because students actually have the time to work on them.”

SONS OF SERVICE Xavier’s Alumni Volunteer Program offers recent college graduates the opportunity to serve their alma mater while learning professional skills and making valuable connections that can advance their careers.

Equal parts generous and industrious, this year’s four Alumni Volunteers are eager to give back to Xavier in any way they can.

Joining the Advancement Office is Peter Barbieri ’10, who graduated from Fairfield University with a major in communications and a minor in marketing. He hopes to enter the sports marketing/media field.

Michael Batten ’10, now with the Alumni Relations and Communications Departments of the Advancement Office, graduated with general honors from the University of Chicago with a major in history and a minor in Norwegian studies. Mr. Batten plans to attend law school and practice constitutional law.

The Admissions Department welcomed Michael Fiore ’10, who attended Loyola University Maryland, where he majored in English and minored in secondary education. Mr. Fiore is currently seeking a position teaching English for next year.

Matthew Hayes ’10 joined the Campus Ministry team

Xavier Alumni Volunteers Michael Fiore ’10, Peter Barbieri ’10, Matthew Hayes ’10, and Michael Batten ’10.

after double majoring in liberal studies and Italian at the University of Notre Dame. Mr. Hayes plans to attend law school at Georgetown University next year.

WORDS TO LIVE BY On the opening day of academic classes last fall, Lt. Col. Roy Campbell, USA (Ret.), Xavier’s senior army instructor, listened as the Senior Cadet Officers stood up, one by one, and recited the Cadet Creed.

He then challenged each Cadet to write three examples of how they had lived out the words of the Creed during their first three years in JROTC. Lt. Col. Campbell was impressed by the result. Here are just a few responses: “ The Regiment has helped me develop patience, and now I can lead others more fairly.” “ I stay extremely in tune with what is going on in the political world of the U.S. and generate my own opinions as a good citizen.” “ It has taught me manners and a gentlemanly code of conduct in social interactions with elders, teachers, peers, and ladies.”

Army JROTC

I am an Army Ju

Cadet Creed

nior ROTC Cad

et.

I will always co nduct myself to bring credit to m family, country, y school, and the C orps of Cadets.

I am loyal and pa triotic. I am the future of the United States of America.

I do not lie, chea t, or steal and w ill always be accountable for my actions and deeds.

I will always pr actice good citize nship and patriotism.

I will work hard to improve my m ind and strengthen my bo dy.

I will seek the m antle of leadersh ip and stand prepared to upho ld the Constitut ion and the American way of life.

May God grant me the strength to always live by this creed.

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Cover STORY

Welcoming the World

Xavier’s mission to educate intelligent, motivated young men of diverse backgrounds and means has created a remarkable legacy. For 168 years, Xavier’s doors have been open to any qualified young man seeking opportunity and a better life. In the early years, the school welcomed sons of Irish and Italian immigrants; now, in the 21st century, students, faculty, and alumni represent our diverse world. Jesuit, Catholic education on 16th Street has formed successful individuals who bolster Xavier with their accomplishments, gratitude, and support. Here are some of their stories.

Humbled by the Journey

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As a young boy growing up under Fidel Castro in Communist Cuba, Miguel “Mike” Benito Fernandez ’72 listened to the radio on the rooftop of his family home in the seaside town of Manzanillo.

He had built it from spare parts and liked to listen to The Lone Ranger, broadcasts from Havana, and other programs from the United States.

“That peaceful life I used to hear about on the radio— that was the life I was ultimately able to live,” said Mr. Fernandez, whose memoir, Humbled by the Journey: Life Lessons for

My Family…and Yours, recounts his extraordinary rise from immigrant to business magnate, juxtaposed with his experiences walking El Camino de Santiago, the 508-mile pilgrimage from France to northwestern Spain.

The years following the Cuban Revolution were surreal for Mr. Fernandez. He saw teachers and priests arrested. The business built by his father, Mario Fernandez P’72, was confiscated, he was taken out of school, and the family was ostracized for not cooperating with the government.

“My father chose to speak up, not because he was politically active, but because he thought what was happening was wrong,” Mr. Fernandez said.

On Christmas Day 1964, the family was exiled from Cuba. They arrived in Mexico City without passports, visas, or belongings. After six months, they made it to New York City.

Years later, while riding the subway, Mr. Fernandez spotted a boy in a military uniform. His interest was piqued.

“There was dignity in how he stood that spoke to me,” he remembered.

After learning that the boy attended Xavier High School, Mr. Fernandez applied and was offered a scholarship. But his father wouldn’t allow him to accept the scholarship “because I hadn’t earned it.” Instead, Mr. Fernandez worked two part-time jobs to cover half of the school tuition, and his father paid the other half.

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Cover STORY The four years Mr. Fernandez spent at Xavier were transformative, in large part because of the influence of then-Headmaster Rev. Vincent Duminuco, S.J.†, he said. “Next to my parents, Fr. Duminuco was the shining light that lit up my life. He never told me things like, ‘Do your homework.’

Instead, he talked to me about integrity and giving yourself to others.”

These lessons, coupled with those of his father and mother, Lieba Fernandez Gomez P’72, had a profound impact on the Son of Xavier. After serving in the U.S. Army, Mr. Fernandez sold life insurance and later founded MBF Healthcare Partners, a Floridabased private investment firm whose portfolio includes Navarro Discount Pharmacy and Simply Healthcare Holdings. In 2014, it sold for an estimated $1 billion to healthcare company Anthem.

“Fr. Duminuco was the shining light that lit up my life. ...He talked to me about integrity and giving yourself to others.”

Mr. Fernandez has experienced phenomenal success, certainly, but his ambition has always been tempered by his kindness and gratitude for life’s blessings.

When the family was stranded in Mexico City in 1964, Mario Fernandez took his son to stand by an airport fence every evening, to witness and assist the next wave of exiles from Cuba. “You have to take care of those who come after you,” Mario told his son. This value has informed Mr. Fernandez’s business dealings and philanthropy throughout his life.

He has given millions to support healthcare and education initiatives

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in Florida and elsewhere. He raised significant funds to benefit Miami Children’s Hospital with his journey along El Camino de Santiago.

In recognition of his generosity to Xavier, the school’s 33,000-sq. ft. addition on 15th Street will carry the name Fernandez-Duminuco Hall.

True to form, Mr. Fernandez insisted that his mentor also be honored in the building’s name.

Even Humbled by the Journey is an example of Mr. Fernandez’s giving spirit. Encouraged by others

Manzanillo, Cuba

to write his life story, he did— with all proceeds benefiting The Early Childhood Initiative Foundation, a Florida nonprofit.

The book has already sold more than 20,000 copies.

Mr. Fernandez’s spiritual journey is not over, either. This summer, he will make his fourth pilgrimage along El Camino, accompanied by family members.

“There’s a human equality that happens on the trails of Santiago,” he said. “Everyone is a pilgrim.

Everyone is equal. I go to be grounded and to recognize the goodness of people. And at the core of all of us is a tremendous amount of goodness.” † Deceased

Beirut, Lebanon

Medicine: A Family Tradition With two doctors already in the family, you’d think the decision to study medicine would have been a no-brainer for Dr. George Ferzli ’05. But Dr. Ferzli, who excelled in math and science at Xavier, waited until he was in college before finalizing plans to attend medical school.

Now a resident in otolaryngology, the study of ear, nose, and throat conditions, at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Dr. Ferzli never felt pressure to pursue a medical career. His parents, who emigrated from Lebanon in 1981, made sure their children received a rigorous education so they could make their own career choices. Xavier provided that rigor.

“It was important to them that we had a really good education so we could have opportunities in life,” recalled Dr. Ferzli, who went on to Georgetown University and SUNY Downstate College of Medicine after graduating from Xavier.

When he treats patients, Dr. Ferzli is guided by the values instilled in him by his parents and his Jesuit education. He

learned the importance of serving others on Companions of St. Francis Xavier service trips, including one building homes in Tennessee with Habitat for Humanity.

As a young child growing up on Staten Island, Dr. Ferzli spoke Arabic and French before he learned English. As a trilingual doctor, he’s now well-equipped to communicate with the diverse clientele he serves at SUNY’s five Brooklyn hospitals.

“The moral and life lessons taught at Xavier stick with you.”

Dr. Ferzli plans to combine the practice and teaching of medicine. He’d also like to be a resource for current Xavier students considering medical careers. “I think the idea of teaching and giving back really started for me at Xavier,” he explained. “They teach you to be a man for others. The moral and life lessons taught at Xavier stick with you. If you start that mentality at a young age, you’re definitely ready to be a man after graduation.”

International Game Before Issa Sylla ’13 enrolled at Xavier, his mother expressed concerns that he would have to convert to Catholicism.

The Admissions Department allayed her fears, and now her young Muslim son, born in the Republic of Guinea, said the welcoming spiritual community at Xavier High School is one of the memories he treasures most as he continues his academic and athletic achievements at Dartmouth College.

Mr. Sylla has always been a gifted multi-tasker. He ran track and played football and rugby at Xavier. When he arrived in the U.S., he spoke French and Fulani and added English within a year.

Now the polyglot plans to learn Arabic, which will prove useful as he pursues

a double major in Asian and Middle Eastern studies and computer science.

Mr. Sylla’s talents are many and varied, but his main passion will always be rugby.

“It made a huge difference in my life,” he said. It was while participating in the New York City Department of Education’s CHAMPS Middle School Sports and Fitness League that a representative from USA Rugby introduced him to Xavier. “He told me Xavier was a rugby powerhouse.”

After he arrived on 16th Street, his coaches and teammates were a constant source of inspiration. “My three AP classes were taught by my three rugby coaches,” he said. He credited Director of Rugby Joe Sweeney ’85 for shepherding his career as a student-athlete. “I wanted to go to a

Republic of Guinea

college where I could play rugby and get a great education. Coach Sweeney guided me toward Dartmouth.”

Mr. Sylla’s journey has taken him from Guinea, West Africa, to Brooklyn, N.Y., and from the brownstones of 16th Street to the rolling hills of Hanover, N.H. Next year, he hopes to take some time to reflect on his birthplace when he returns to Guinea to visit his grandmother.

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Cover STORY Completing the Circle For countless students of international descent, Xavier’s threshold has represented a doorway into the economic opportunity of America. For Ken Ng ’80, whose parents left China seeking economic opportunity, Xavier also meant a chance to return to China and share in the economic promise of Asia.

Mr. Ng’s father immigrated to the United States in 1945, his mother in 1961. “My parents did humble work,” said Mr. Ng. At various times his father worked in a laundry, at a restaurant, and behind the wheel of a taxi. His mother was a seamstress. The family lived in the Governor Alfred E. Smith Houses public housing development on the Lower East Side.

Mr. Ng and his sister attended public school until the city-wide strikes of 1968 disrupted classes for nearly 1 million students. “My parents could not see letting us stay home from school until the strike was settled,” he said. The siblings were sent to St. Joseph School in Chinatown, which provided more than just an academic education.

“We had no formalized religion growing up,” said Mr. Ng. “St. Joseph’s gave me and my sister a strong foundation and grounding in the Catholic faith.”

In 1975, Rev. D. Michael Flynn, S.J.†, visited St. Joseph School looking for young men to participate in the Higher

Achievement Program (HAP) at Xavier. Young Ken Ng enrolled in HAP, and then went on to attend Xavier for high school.

Xavier expanded Mr. Ng’s perception of the world’s diversity.

The people he had met in his neighborhood tended to socialize within their own cultures. “It was a confined neighborhood. Aside from Little League baseball, the groups did little intermixing.

Attending Xavier really expanded what I knew of New York City and other kids,” he said. “It exposed me to the world. The Xavier experience was strong and important to me.”

After graduating in 1980, Mr. Ng attended New York University and later landed a sales position at IBM. With his career gaining momentum, he reflected on the seeds of faith planted at St. Joseph’s and Xavier. He reconnected with Fr. Flynn, who was doing vocational work, elected to pursue the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults with Fr. Flynn as his sponsor, and was baptized into the faith. Fr. Flynn also performed the wedding ceremony for Mr. Ng and his wife, Lucy.

“The Xavier experience was strong and important to me.”

Soon after, the son of Chinese immigrants was offered a position with a company in Shanghai. “I didn’t speak Mandarin but they said, ‘Come work for us anyway.’ We’ve been in Asia now for 22 years.” So far the family has lived in Shanghai, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Sydney, and they are about to move back to Singapore, where Mr. Ng will become CEO of Asia-Pacific business for Electrolux. He also works with an NGO called You Dao Foundation, which was started by an Australian Columban Father and supports migrant workers in China.

“Migrants and their families are in a similar situation to my parents when they first moved to the U.S.,” said Mr. Ng. Ken and Lucy Ng raised three children in Asia. Christopher, 21, and Samantha, 19, attend college in the U.S., while Jonathan, 17, is about to graduate from an American high school in Shanghai.

“I feel we have completed the circle,” said Mr. Ng. “Our parents left China as economic immigrants. Now we have gone back to China to improve the lives of my family and to touch and improve those of the people that I work with in China.” †

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Shanghai, China

Deceased

The Best of Both Worlds Ryan Kennedy ’15 lives in the best of both worlds.

Born and raised in Maspeth, Queens, his school year is devoted to academics and basketball, while he spends nearly every summer in County Clare, Ireland. “It’s where most of our family lives,” said Kennedy, who was the sole returning starter to the Knights varsity basketball team and a member of the 2014 Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) city championship squad. “I have more family members in Ireland than here.”

“HAP really shifted my decision John and Catherine about where I was going to go to Kennedy P’15 met at a hurling match in 1994 at high school. I wanted to get away Gaelic Park in Riverdale. from the distractions and focus Mrs. Kennedy was born in the United States, on what’s really important.” but her family moved to Ireland when she was 4. Kennedy’s maternal grandparents own and operate a bed and breakfast in Lisdoonvarna, a small town famous for its music and festivals. Mr. Kennedy came to New York at 19, started working in construction, and then opened his own company.

For Kennedy, the road to Xavier began at Saint Adalbert School in Elmhurst, Queens, when the principal suggested he attend HAP at Xavier.

“HAP really shifted my decision about where I was going to go to high school,” he said. While his friends made plans to attend high school in Queens, “I wanted to get away from the distractions and focus on what’s really important.”

For Kennedy, that is school, basketball, friends, and family.

His parents rarely miss a game. Since Kennedy has verbally committed to a full scholarship to play basketball at Queens College, they can continue to cheer him on in person next year.

Jesuit education, Kennedy noted, has prepared him for the next step. “It’s made me want to be a better person. It’s also kept me more focused on what I want to do with the rest of my life as opposed to just having fun right now,” he said.

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Lisdoonvarna, County Clare, Ireland

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Cover STORY Flight to Freedom The incredible journey of Dr. Thao Nguyen ’77 from Saigon to 16th Street began with lives in the balance during the final days of the Vietnam War. “My parents had shielded us from the war as much as possible,” said Dr. Nguyen. “But near the end, the North was bombing the city. It was a very scary time.”

Dr. Nguyen’s father, Col. Han Nguyen P’76 ’77, commanded a battalion in the South Vietnamese Army. If captured, he would be jailed and likely die in prison. “All of us would have had a very dark future,” said Dr. Nguyen.

On April 29, 1975, Col. Nguyen made a surprise announcement. “He came and told us, ‘Get in the car,’” said Dr. Nguyen, who was 16 at the time. “We had no idea where we were going. Some friends in the military told my father if he went to a certain place we might get picked up.

As we arrived, a boat was leaving the dock. My father was yelling, and we were crying. All of a sudden, the boat came back. It was actually the last boat that left Saigon Bay.” Later that night, they learned that South Vietnam had surrendered. Fearing capture, the captain steered the flat-bottom riverboat out to sea, where it was picked up by a South Vietnamese Navy ship. The refugees were taken to Subic Bay in the Philippines, and from there the Nguyen family made its way to the United States.

On July 1, 1975, Dr. Nguyen, his brother Hoan ’76, sister My-Hang, and their parents arrived emptyhanded in New York. Dr. Nguyen’s parents quickly found jobs—Col. Nguyen as an assistant manager at McDonald’s and his mother My-Han Nguyen P’76 ’77 at a pre-elementary school nursery.

The family of five crammed into a one-bedroom apartment on the corner of Third Avenue and 12th Street.

Both parents spoke English, but their children didn’t.

An American military colleague introduced the Nguyens to some Jesuits at Xavier. Dr. Nguyen met Rev. Donald Devine, S.J. ’51†, and former Presidents Rev. Patrick

Sullivan, S.J., Rev. James Keenan, S.J., and Rev. William Wood, S.J.† “They really took an interest in us and helped us on many, many fronts,” he said.

That fall, the Nguyen brothers received full scholarships to Xavier and enrolled. The Jesuits helped the family with the bigger picture, as well as the little things.

“They came to our house,” Dr. Nguyen said. “They asked us, ‘What TV shows do you watch?’” And we told

“Jesuit education is really excellent.

It not only teaches you the fundamental skills but also the ethics that you need to live.” them we had no TV. The next day, Fr. Devine brought us a 13-inch black-and-white TV. They told us to watch the news to improve our English. We watched Walter Cronkite every day. Fr. Devine took us to Coney Island, and he probably used up all his stipend for the month to feed us and buy us ice cream. I still remember that.”

Dr. Nguyen, who was known as Thao Han at Xavier, struggled with English but excelled in science and math.

He graduated in 1977 and attended Boston College. In 1987, he earned a Ph.D. in materials science from MIT. The Xavier alumnus went to work in Silicon Valley, where he is now vice president of the Head Component Group at HGST, a Western Digital company with more than 13,000 employees at four sites in the U.S., Japan, the Philippines, and China.

Dr. Nguyen has established two Xavier scholarships honoring Fr. Devine and Fr. Sullivan “for the help that they gave to me and my family.”

“Jesuit education is really excellent,” he continued. “It prepared me very well for life. It not only teaches you the fundamental skills but also the ethics that you need to live well. Xavier allowed me to live very successfully.” †

Many Vietnamese families were desperate to leave Saigon during the closing days of the Vietnam War. Some, like the Nguyens, fled by sea, some by air.

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Saigon, Vietnam

Deceased

Following the Family Footsteps Like generations of brother acts that preceded them, Mariusz ’13, Robert ’15, and Adrian Chelminski ’18 came to Xavier High School in search of greater opportunity.

“Our parents sent us here so we could get the best education and have a better life,” said Adrian. “I am really grateful for that.”

Weronika and Stanislaw Chelminski P’13 ’15 ’18, their parents, were both born in Poland but met in New York City.

She had come to visit her mother, he to run the New York City Marathon. They settled in Far Rockaway to raise their family.

The boys grew up in a Polish-speaking household. Robert recalled struggling during his early years in elementary school at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Academy “because I still didn’t know the language that well.” Adrian learned English from Mariusz and Robert, and, like many immigrant families, their parents now rely on them as translators for everything from routine doctor appointments to speaking with police after a car accident last summer.

The Chelminski brothers are involved in many school activities, including JROTC and basketball, and they appreciate the rigor and care that come with the Xavier experience. Mariusz is now a sophomore at Fordham University, and Robert hopes to attend a Jesuit university as well. “Going to a Jesuit school makes me feel secure about my future,” said Robert. “It’s not just about academics; it’s about community and the other people around you. They really care about you and want you to succeed.”

“Our parents sent us here so we could get the best education and have a better life.”

Mariusz ’13 (inset), Adrian ’18, and Robert Chelminski ’15

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Cover STORY A Family Focused on Education Anthony Muentes ’16 can recall the exact moment his older brother Dennis ’14 became a true role model.

He was in the second grade at P.S. 130 in the South Bronx, and one day he left class to goof off with a friend in the bathroom. “My brother came in and said, ‘What are you doing?’’’ Anthony recalled. Dennis then dragged his younger brother back to class, and the simple act made a lasting impression.

“I knew then and there that Dennis wanted a way out of the South Bronx, and he wanted me to be with him on that path,” said Anthony.

Dennis still remembers the reason for setting his brother straight that day. “From a young age, I was taught the values of respect and loyalty,” he said. “I always took school very seriously.”

The Muentes’ parents, Javier and Blanca Muentes P’14 ’16, instilled those

values in Dennis, Anthony, and their youngest son, James.

Born in Ecuador, the couple was separated for several years when Javier moved to the U.S. to pave the way for the family’s resettlement in New York.

“Education was the biggest thing my father stressed since I was little,” Dennis said. The family seized the opportunity to send the boys to St. Ignatius School, a Jesuit-sponsored middle school founded in 1995 in Hunts Point. “Both of my parents gave up a lot to help us find a great education,” said Anthony. “My father worked long hours, from 7 a.m. until midnight.”

Dennis went on to attend Xavier High School on a full scholarship and continued to look out for his younger brother. “There was one point in middle school where I sort of gave up,” said Anthony. “My older brother had a lot of faith that I could pull out of it and come to Xavier.”

Both brothers made their mark at Xavier as members of the JROTC Saber Guard. “I really appreciate Xavier because it’s basically what you make of it,” Anthony continued. “You’re given the tools, and you have to build your way up.”

“All of those Jesuit values I learned at St. Ignatius and Xavier, being a ‘man for others’ and magis, going the extra mile, have helped me,” said Dennis. During senior year he was offered a generous financial aid package to his first-choice school, Providence College. Then, a letter arrived informing Dennis he was the recipient of a full academic scholarship. Everything the Muentes family had worked for was coming to fruition. “[My brothers] could see that all of the hard work paid off,” said Dennis, who now studies psychology and sociology at Providence. “It gave them a boost.”

Anthony agreed. “My brother set the bar, and I want to go past that bar.”

Dennis Muentes ’14 with parents Blanca and Javier Muentes P’14 ’16

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Quito, Ecuador

Courage Forged in War, Leadership Tempered at Xavier Luis “Lou” del Rosario ’52 came to Xavier High School from the Philippines because of a promise made by his parents in the midst of World War II. “My folks said that if we survived, they would take us around the world,” Lou recalled.

They survived—but just barely. Lou’s brother, Alberto ’57, and his sister, Alice, nearly died at their family home in Manila during a bombardment that obliterated most of the city and left some 100,000 people dead.

A local newspaper reported that 5-year-old Alberto was left with a gaping hole in his skull, which was surgically repaired during the chaos of the attack.

Three-year-old Alice was also hit with shrapnel. Though terrified, Lou was spared injury.

After the war, the del Rosario family embarked on their promised trip. But the global journey took a detour when their father, who had been educated by American Jesuits, decided to enroll the boys at Xavier.

Despite the unexpected stop, both brothers were destined to continue their travel on the world stage.

Today, Alberto del Rosario is Secretary of Foreign Affairs for the Philippines, the equivalent of the U.S. Secretary of State. Lou is the director of Gift of Life International, a Rotarian-based organization that helps children from emerging countries receive life-saving surgeries. He and his wife, Barbara, live in Westchester County and own Elmsford Raceway, a slotcar racing center.

Both Alberto and Lou said the Jesuits prepared them well. “At Xavier, I learned to survive in what I considered a challenging environment,” said Alberto, who has also served as Philippine Ambassador to the United Nations and was inducted into the Xavier Hall of Fame in 2006.

“I recall the strict discipline, but mostly I cannot forget the academic challenge.”

Luis del Rosario ’52, Alberto del Rosario ’57, and Eduardo del Rosario ’62 at Xavier’s 2012 reunion.

Lou del Rosario called his time at Xavier “lifechanging.” He recalled Prefect of Discipline Rev. Charles Lehmkuhl, S.J.†, in particular. “He scared the heck out of us. He was a very imposing figure.”

Both brothers continued their education at New York University. Their younger brother, Eduardo “Eddie” del Rosario ’62, also attended Xavier.

Lou and Alberto sometimes work together, as they did recently after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit the Philippines—followed by a catastrophic typhoon.

“The devastation was complete,” said Lou. “Roads were covered, bridges down.” While his brother Alberto worked to bring in emergency assistance from foreign countries, Lou worked with local Rotary Clubs to get food and water to outlying areas.

Today, the del Rosario brothers face daily challenges in service of their fellow Filipinos and children around the world. Secretary del Rosario must approach international disputes with “nuanced and preventive” diplomacy; he is currently taking a firm position against China in the Philippines’ dispute in the South China Sea. Meanwhile, Lou works tirelessly to help children around the world get medical treatment.

Secretary del Rosario approaches the work with gratitude and humility. “I truly appreciate the many gifts that my brother Lou and I enjoy through the generosity of Our Lord,” he said. “I am so happy for my brother who has, no doubt, brought blessings upon our whole family through his altruistic work.” †

The del Rosario family

Deceased

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Cover STORY Perpetual Motion Man As Luxembourg-born Al Nilles travels throughout the U.S.—he has visited 47 states so far—he’s noticed that, for all of its diversity, the entire nation has one common feature. “Jesuits are everywhere! I find them all over the place,” he exclaimed.

Mr. Nilles, now retired after teaching French and German at Xavier High School for 31 years, remembers fondly his arrival on 16th Street.

“I came to the school as a foreigner,” he said, “and the support I received was amazing. In other work environments, I have seen backstabbing, unhappiness, and rivalry. Never at Xavier. They treated me like a family member. I felt very welcome.”

Mr. Nilles came to the U.S. in 1961 to attend New York University. In 1965, after earning a bachelor’s degree in German with a minor in French, he became assistant to the dean at NYU. Ten years later, with master’s degrees in German

Path to the American Dream Teddy Boateng ’15 carries a lot of responsibility on his shoulders. As co-captain of the varsity football team this year, he sets the standard of hard work and discipline for teammates to follow.

Off the field, the middle linebacker has something else to prove. “I’m the only one of my brothers who goes to a Catholic private school, and I have to show that I can make it and be able to help people out,” he said.

Boateng’s parents, Emilia and Benjamin Boateng P’15, came to the U.S. from Accra, the capital of Ghana, in search of economic opportunity.

They also wanted the best educational opportunities for their children.

“Coming to Xavier, I knew it was going to be a hard road because the

curriculum here is pretty tough,” said Boateng, who is a four-year recipient of the Franklin N. Caesar, Ed.D. ’72 P’00 Scholarship as well as the McTiernan Family Scholarship during his senior year. “I knew that I had to push myself.”

In addition to maintaining his grades, Boateng received the Block X (MVP) Award for football in 2014 and played in the Catholic High School Football League (CHSFL) All-Star game.

The Hollis, Queens, resident plans to attend SUNY Stony Brook on a full scholarship this fall.

“My parents knew where Xavier could get me to,” said Boateng. “They put me on a path to help live the American Dream where they could have a stable life and support their family. Hopefully, I can support my family in the future.”

“My parents knew where Xavier could get me to. They put me on a path to help live the American Dream.”

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Accra, Ghana

and political science, he was hired to teach languages at Xavier. He also served as chairman of the Department of Modern and Classical Languages for eight years. “It was nice running the department,” he recalled. “Frankly, the members did all the work.” He said he appreciated the tremendous cooperation offered by then-Headmaster Rev. David Ciancimino, S.J. ’77.

A man perpetually on the move, Mr. Nilles has not slowed a bit in retirement. One of his passions is aviation, and he has recently flown in a B-17 four-engine bomber as well as a Douglas DC-3. When he’s not roaring through the clouds, you can often find him roaming art museums or running through the streets with the New York Road Runners’ Club.

Since arriving in New York, Mr. Nilles has returned to Europe many times, but his travel plans have shifted since retirement. “Now it is time to continue to discover the United States!”

A World Away, but Right at Home Beirut is a world away from Forest Hills, Queens, where Georges Abikaram ’04 grew up. Yet Mr. Abikaram felt right at home when he studied at the American University of Beirut during the summer of 2005 when he was an undergraduate at Georgetown University.

That’s because Mr. Abikaram spent time as a boy and during his high school years visiting a tiny village north of Beirut where his father grew up. These trips abroad allowed him to spend time with his family in Lebanon while making international contacts that remain important to his career today. Mr. Abikaram also had the opportunity to meet Vincent M. Battle ’58, the United States ambassador to Lebanon from 2001 to 2004, during these trips.

In addition to studying abroad in college, he strengthened his résumé with a double major in finance and international business and a minor in Arabic from Georgetown.

“I think having that diverse background has made me a better and more well-rounded person,” explained Mr. Abikaram, whose father emigrated to the United States

Luxembourg

in the 1970s and married Mr. Abikaram’s mother, an American of Irish, Scottish, and Welsh descent.

Now a vice president at Credit Suisse, Mr. Abikaram adopted a strong work ethic watching his father build their family business, a wine shop on Long Island. He still spends his free time assisting his father at the shop, which is open seven days a week.

“That definitely gave me an appreciation for what it takes to put a dollar in your pocket,” said Mr. Abikaram, who is one of three children.

He says choosing Xavier was a “fantastic decision” because of the close bonds between the school’s alumni.

“I think there’s a community you build up at Xavier,” he noted. “I go to an alumni event, and there’s an instant camaraderie with people who are two, if not three times my age.”

Cover STORY Journey of Fate Xavier Spanish teacher Mayce Makani believes in fate.

Twenty-four years ago, her family left Iraq on an extended trip to the United States to seek medical care for Ms. Makani’s mother. They were in San Diego when the Persian Gulf War began in 1991.

“My dad was considered a defector because he was not in the country when the war broke out,” said Ms. Makani, who was born in Baghdad. “If he had gone back, he would have been tortured and killed.”

The U.S. granted the family asylum. Ms. Makani, who was 4 years old, accompanied her mother everywhere and learned English in the process.

Though both of her parents spoke English, “there’s a big difference between conversational English and buying a home, enrolling in school, and getting a job,” Ms. Makani said. “Figuring out the logistical things necessary to live—that’s what my family found difficult.”

Having family members nearby certainly helped. The San Diego region is home to an estimated 70,000 Iraqis.

The Makani family’s daily life centered around the local church.

Ms. Makani as a toddler in Baghdad, with her father.

Baghdad, Iraq

“My family is Catholic. There is a lot of persecution against minorities in Iraq,” Ms. Makani explained.

The targeting of Chaldean Christians intensified with Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, and the majority of her extended family and friends have since immigrated to the U.S. “My entire community and most everyone I’ve ever known lives in San Diego,” said Ms. Makani.

After completing undergraduate work at the University of California, San Diego and a master’s degree in education at New York University, Ms. Makani was hired for a leave replacement position at Xavier in 2012.

Fate, she said, had intervened once again.

“There was an intense hiring freeze at the time,” she recalled. The Jesuit Secondary Education Association ( JSEA) employment website listed no openings in New York or California for Spanish teachers, but Ms. Makani posted her résumé anyway. “I put myself out there and I found Xavier,” she said. “Or, I should say, Xavier found me.”

While living 3,000 miles away from her close-knit family presents challenges, Ms. Makani’s parents were pleased that their daughter landed at a Jesuit, Catholic school. “My mother was taught by Franciscan nuns, and my dad was super excited because he was taught by Jesuits in Iraq. ‘You’re going to love the Jesuits,’ he told me.”

The prediction came true. “As the kids say, I drank the Kool-Aid,” said Ms. Makani, who became a permanent hire in 2013. “I really do believe in this school’s mission.”

Music is a Universal Language Before Israel Salvador, chairman of the Department of Modern and Classical Languages, came to Xavier, Xavier came to him.

In 1994, Xavier’s Blue Night Band traveled to Mexico City, Mr. Salvador’s home. As a lifelong aficionado of American Big Band music, Mr. Salvador leapt at the opportunity to help them find local gigs. “My first contact with America was through music,” he said. “Count Basie. Duke Ellington. I connect with anyone from that era. They represented Americans in such a magnificent manner and created a powerful image through their art.” When he first heard the Blue Night Band playing his favorites, he said, “I fell in love with those guys!”

On vacation a few years later, he renewed his acquaintance with his friends from 16th Street. At the time, Xavier was trying to fill a Spanish teaching position and offered him four classes.

Mr. Salvador resigned his teaching position in Mexico and moved permanently to the U.S. “When I met the people from Xavier, I didn’t speak a word

of English,” he said. Mr. Salvador turned that limitation into a learning opportunity. “You develop body language,” he said, “and become more aware of listening.”

The experience of learning English “on the job” also shaped his approach to teaching. “I am more appreciative of the challenges of learning a foreign language. I try to be more compassionate to my students because I understand what they go through.”

Mr. Salvador gives the credit for his success to those who took a leap of faith in bringing him on board at Xavier.

Then-Headmaster Rev. David Ciancimino, S.J. ’77, “gave me the opportunity without really knowing who I was,” he said.

“I am so grateful that America gave me the chance to teach its children.”

From South Africa to 16th Street Rugby may be the second religion of South Africa, the homeland of Assistant Athletic Director Justin Hundley and biology teacher Greg Norris, but their passion for the sport didn’t bring them to America.

Mr. Hundley moved to Columbus, Ohio, with his family when he was a teenager.

Fortunately, the high school he attended had a rugby program. Mr. Hundley went on to Penn State, where he played with future USA Rugby team member and Xavier science teacher Mike Petri ’02, and later to West Point, where he became an assistant men’s rugby coach.

Love brought Mr. Norris to the U.S. Ten years ago, in church, he met Tierney Eichelmeier, who was spending a year in Durban, South Africa, with the Augustinian Volunteers. When it was time for Ms. Eichelmeier to return home, Mr. Norris followed. He found a teaching job at

Marist High School in Bayonne and joined the Xavier science department in 2008, the same year the couple married.

“I thought I’d stay in Durban all my life,” said Mr. Norris, who is also head coach of the varsity rugby team. “But the day I walked into the Xavier hallway, I told my wife, ‘I think I’m home.’”

Both men embrace the opportunity to be Ignatian educators and coaches.

“We’ve been working on goals outside of winning games, like hard work, dedication, and brotherhood,” said Mr. Norris. “Ways to bring it through the whole season, the whole year, whether it’s at practice or in the offseason. It’s important, and it’s why we try to mold more than just the rugby player, but the man.”

“We really make sure these kids are growing as athletes along with the Xavier mission,” said Mr. Hundley, who is also

“I thought I’d stay in Durban all my life, but the day I walked into the Xavier hallway, I told my wife, ‘I think I’m home.’”

Justin Hundley and Greg Norris

head coach of the junior varsity rugby team. As an administrator, he (along with other members of the Athletic Department) is committed to ensuring all student-athletes can participate in team activities, regardless of finances.

“We go out of our way to make sure all our kids are given the same opportunity to play. If a student can’t afford a trip, we’ll do all we can to make sure they can go. Our role is making sure that every athlete can have that experience.”

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Feature STORY

Faith Meets Justice Learning about immigration, from church to classroom to the U.S.-Mexico border

F

or Krist Sokoli ’15, a full semester spent researching U.S. naturalization and immigration policies during his senior year social justice class was just the beginning. Sokoli then gained firsthand insights into immigration policy when he, nine classmates, and two faculty members spent Holy Week on the Mexican border with the Kino Border Initiative (KBI) as part of the Companions of St. Francis Xavier (CFX) program. The CFX program, a longstanding part of Xavier life, also continues to organize service trips to Tennessee, Maryland, Alabama, and Mexico.

Based in Nogales, an area that includes communities in Arizona and Sonora, Mexico, the KBI’s mission is to promote just immigration policies that build binational solidarity and affirm human dignity.

Sokoli, whose parents emigrated from Albania, said the paper he wrote on naturalization opened his eyes to a difficult and challenging legal process. “It was my preparation,” he said. “The trip to Nogales is my chance to dive into a subject that I’m studying.”

For the greater student body at Xavier, learning about social justice issues involves directly experiencing them, according to Director of Ignatian Service Programs and religion teacher Paul Wendel. Students come to a deeper understanding of issues through the Christian Service Program, the growing CFX service and immersion trips, and the annual Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice in Washington, D.C.

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The Ignatian Family Gathers In November, a group of 20 Xavier students and faculty members joined 1,600 delegates from Jesuit secondary schools and colleges at the 17th annual teach-in sponsored by the Ignatian Solidarity Network, a national social justice organization inspired by the spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

The three-day conference brings students from nearly every Jesuit high school and college in the country together to learn and advocate for positive social change on global issues ranging from immigration to climate change and institutionalized poverty. It is an inspiring display of faith and solidarity that is grounded in Catholic social teaching.

Catholic social teaching and the link of faith to justice were dramatically renewed during the 1960s and 1970s, said Rev. Fred Kammer, S.J., director of the Jesuit Social Research Institute at Loyola University New Orleans and a board member of the Ignatian Solidarity Network.

“During this time, the Church and the Jesuits discerned that our faith requires working for justice,” said Fr. Kammer. “We came to see injustice as not just a denial of human dignity, but as a denial of the very existence of God, who created and loves all people.”

Greater dialogue on social justice issues drew Charlie Lambert ’15 to this year’s teach-in. “There’s a wide variety of people there,” said Lambert, who was particularly struck by speakers who shared personal accounts of mass kidnappings in Mexico. “For people

Real logo, high res. Can re-configure.

Page 22: The Kino Border Initiative logo. This page: (Clockwise from left) Xavier students on a CFX trip to Ecuador; Paul Wendel, Director of Ignatian Service Programs and religion teacher; students at the Ignatian Family Teach-In; Krist Sokoli ’15 with Ecuadoran children.

who are looking to put social justice issues to practical use, it’s helpful and interesting.”

“Getting that firsthand account of injustice is something our boys really latch on to, and it stays with them,” said Mr. Wendel. “It makes them want to learn more and to continue to have experiences that teach them about the lived experiences of others in the world.”

Examining Root Causes The KBI offers one way for Xavier students to experience the contemporary realities surrounding migration and border policies.

Since 2008, the Catholic ministry has provided humanitarian assistance to migrants on the border, spearheaded educational programs, and conducted research and advocacy. “We realize that if we are going to work on this reality of migration, it’s important to address the root cause as well,” said Rev. Sean Carroll, S.J., executive director of the KBI. For group visits like Xavier’s, dialogue is a big part of the immersion experience. “Groups have the opportunity to dialogue with migrants,” Fr. Carroll said. “It helps them reflect on the issue of migration in light of the people they’ve met.”

In Nogales, students met with and learned the life stories of deported individuals. They examined the conditions of migration in the desert and walked the border alongside a border patrol officer and a migrant to better understand the effects of border policies on people and communities. They also asked, “What’s next?”

“We asked some of those bigger questions of immigration, how it fits into our faith, and what we’re called to do as Catholics,” said Mr. Wendel.

This consideration is rooted deeply in the tradition of Jesuit and Catholic education that has welcomed generations of immigrants and provided spiritual, intellectual, emotional, and financial support to help them adapt to the U.S. and lead successful lives. Xavier’s social justice curriculum is also informed by a long history of advocacy for human dignity by the leadership of the Catholic Church and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The call to action is an ongoing question for Rene Rodriguez ’15, who (along with Sokoli and other members of the Class of 2015) spent a week immersed in a community in Ecuador last summer as part of the CFX program. He joined Sokoli and Lambert on the Nogales trip.

“I now better see the value in community and building relationships, whether in Ecuador or in our own communities,” said Rodriguez. “I’m stepping back to see where I find God and trying to bond more with people.”

Student interest has spurred the growth of the CFX program, which now encompasses immersion experiences in Camden, N.J., and Ecuador as well as Xavier’s inaugural journey to Nogales. Building on classroom learning and previous experiences, these trips add a significant dimension to students’ understanding of immigration and its context within the larger Catholic Church.

“It’s getting to the root of the problem,” said Lambert.

“Seeing the rationale of both sides, from the immigrants who are coming here and the reasons they are sent back.”

Rodriguez agreed. “We were able to get a firsthand perspective of what’s going on—and what can change.”

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Alumni FEATURE Advancing XAVIER

Fernandez-Duminuco Hall

Marching to Completion

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1

Fernandez-Duminuco Hall to enhance campus and student life One year from now, Fernandez-Duminuco Hall will be alive with student activity, from computer coding and filmmaking in high-tech classrooms and labs to music production in a state-of-the-art recording studio and impromptu Blue Night Band performances in new common areas.

“It is going to open up great possibilities to enhance life for the campus and student body.”

These educational and co-curricular possibilities are all the result of careful, intentional design. Plans have been finalized for the six-story facility within 35XV, the high-rise condominium adjacent to the Xavier campus.

The build-out of the 33,000-sq. ft. space is expected to commence shortly.

“It is a fabulous building on so many fronts,” said

Xavier President Jack Raslowsky. “It is going to open up great possibilities to enhance life for the campus and student body.”

A master planning process spearheaded by the Xavier Board of Trustees drove the $25 million capital project. The new building’s flexible, innovative design supports Xavier’s current programs while creating opportunities for new initiatives and improvements to existing facilities.

While Mr. Raslowsky acknowledged that 33,000 square feet is a “gold mine in New York City,” he also noted that plans for the mixed-use facility capitalized on every inch of available space. “The design of Fernandez-Duminuco Hall invites greater possibility for Xavier because we’ve maximized the use of space and maximized the improvements to campus life.”

Fernandez-Duminuco Hall is expected to open during the 2015-2016 academic year. The new building is being funded by the school’s partial sale of its air rights and generous contributions that included a major gift from Mike Fernandez ’72 in honor of his mentor, former Xavier Headmaster Rev. Vincent Duminuco, S.J.† †

Deceased

1. Fernandez-Duminuco Hall will feature collaborative open spaces, such as the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) room represented in this rendering. With advanced robotics tools and expansive space for individual and group work (not shown), the STEAM room will encourage project-based learning.

2. A state-of-the-art recording studio will allow dedicated space for Xavier’s young student musicians.

3. The addition of a flexible, multi-use space—which will accommodate everything from the spring musical to assemblies and class year meetings—will raise the quality of student and faculty life at Xavier.

4. Ultramodern music facilities, like the band room seen in this rendering, will unleash creativity and strengthen Xavier’s performing arts programming.

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Advancing XAVIER

Opening

Doors

Peter McKee ’16 and Matthew McCabe ’15 received scholarships from cultural organizations.

In 1847, Rev. John Larkin, S.J., set out with 50 cents in his pocket to found a school that would educate New York City’s immigrant sons. With nothing but boundless faith, Fr. Larkin raised the funds to open the school that would one day become Xavier High School. Today, fraternal organizations Tiro A Segno, the Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, and the Columbus Citizens Foundation continue Fr. Larkin’s mission by providing scholarships that open doors for a new generation of Xavier students.

Marc Corea ’79 and Rich Battaglino ’67 have been associated with Tiro A Segno of New York, an Italian heritage organization based in Greenwich Village, for most of their lives. The Tiro began as a sporting club and evolved into an organization dedicated to strengthening the Italian-American community.

Anthony Corea P’72 ’73 ’76 ’79 ’82, Mr. Corea’s father, was a member for years. The day after the elder Mr. Corea passed away in 1984, the Tiro accepted his son as a member.

Two decades earlier, Mr. Battaglino, who grew up in the Village, played on a baseball team sponsored by the club. The team’s championship picture still hangs on the wall of the MacDougal Street supper club.

Last year, the pair sparked the Tiro’s members to establish a scholarship at Xavier High School. The first recipient is Peter McKee ’16.

Mr. Corea, now president of the Tiro, explained that the organization exists to raise money for scholarships as well as area hospitals and homeless shelters.

“We’re small, and we’re quiet. We go where the help is needed,” said Mr. Corea, one of five brothers in his family to attend Xavier. A native of Hoboken, N.J., Mr. Corea grew up with Xavier President Jack Raslowsky.

“We give the money to Jack with no strings attached,” Mr. Corea explained. “We want him to disperse it to the most needy students. We don’t do this for any accolades. We’re very fortunate, and we want to see that the help gets where it needs to be.”

Mr. Battaglino knows full well the difference a scholarship can make for a Xavier student. The son of a letter carrier, he almost turned down his acceptance to Xavier for financial reasons. Then Rev. John McDonald, S.J. ’45†, a former headmaster who passed away in 2011, offered him a half scholarship through an Italian heritage club that has since disbanded.

“I couldn’t afford Xavier,” recalled Mr. Battaglino, who was one of five children. “It made the difference for me.”

Mr. Battaglino’s story convinced the Tiro’s Foundation Committee to establish the scholarship at Xavier.

The city’s other fraternal organizations have also recognized the life-changing value scholarships bring to Xavier students. The Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick in the City of New York has provided a scholarship for the past four years to Matthew McCabe ’15. †

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Deceased

“The fact that Xavier offers a great educational product to so many students who might not otherwise afford to go there was a deciding factor for us in establishing the scholarship.”

“The purpose of our organization is to help the needy of Irish descent in the City of New York,” noted treasurer Thomas Sullivan, Esq. ’62. “The fact that Xavier offers a great educational product to so many students who might not otherwise afford to go there was a deciding factor for us in establishing the scholarship.”

In selecting schools to receive scholarship funding, the organization considers the mission and academic record of each institution. Mr. Sullivan was pleased to personally attest to the standard of excellence that has guided Xavier for many years.

“Xavier makes sure these young men are very sincere and focused on what they are doing. It’s an important endeavor,” he explained. “I’m proud to say I’m a graduate of a school that still operates as efficiently as Xavier does.”

Mr. Sullivan has met McCabe several times and describes him as “an impressive young guy who will definitely go far in this world.”

Since 2007, the Columbus Citizens Foundation has also awarded scholarships to Xavier students. The foundation presents approximately $2.2 million in competitive, need-based scholarships to more than 500 Italian-American students, according to foundation president Angelo Vivolo. This year, eight of those scholarships went to Xavier students.

Like Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Vivolo has had the opportunity to meet with some of the scholarship recipients, including those from Xavier, at the organization’s annual scholarship awards ceremony.

“It’s a heartwarming experience,” he said. “The students are so grateful, and the parents are crying. It’s very moving.”

DR. TOM O’BRIEN ’49 ENDOWS SCHOLARSHIP When Xavier alumni speak of sharing a journey, few mean it as literally as Dr. Tom O’Brien ’49 when he recalls the time he shared with his dear friend Paul J. Curran, Esq. ’49. The two accomplished men first met while commuting to school together in 1945.

During those commutes, they forged a friendship that endured for nearly 70 years. In honor of Mr. Curran, who died in 2014, Dr. O’Brien made a generous commitment of $250,000 to establish the Thomas F. O’Brien, Jr., M.D. ’49 Scholarship in Memory of His Friend and Classmate Paul J. Curran, Esq. ’49. Timothy Burkhart ’18 is the initial recipient of the scholarship; during his time at Xavier, Burkhart’s financial aid package will be funded by Dr. O’Brien’s gift.

Once established, an endowed scholarship provides annual financial aid to students and is managed as part of Xavier’s overall endowment. These scholarships help the Xavier endowment grow, which in turn provides the resources to maintain Xavier’s commitment to educating intelligent, motivated young men of diverse backgrounds and means.

Mr. Curran served as Lieutenant Colonel in the Regiment.

He was described in the May 23, 1949, issue of The Review as “Xavier’s foremost exponent among the public—the student whose enthusiasm for this school is undying.” The Georgetown and Fordham Law graduate served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force and was elected to three terms in the New York State Assembly. President Nixon appointed him U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York in 1973.

While Dr. O’Brien was primarily moved by his long friendship with Mr. Curran, he was also inspired to endow the scholarship by his friend Gaspar “Chip” Cipolla ’49, who dreamed of attending Xavier as a 14-year-old in 1945. The driven young man sought work door-to-door at downtown shops in order to cover the cost of tuition, and one of his jobs was working as a delivery boy for a grocery store on 16th Street. One day, while making a delivery to a neighborhood woman, he told her he was working so he could afford to go to Xavier. She spoke to her husband about paying for Chip’s tuition, and he agreed. They sponsored Chip’s education in honor of their own son, James H. Appleton ’43, another Son of Xavier, who had just given his life at the Battle of the Bulge.

“That’s why I thought of the scholarship,” said Dr. O’Brien. “I wanted to help the next Chip Cipolla.”

Scholarship recipient Timothy Burkhart ’18

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Maroon AND BLUE

Homecoming ON HOME COURT

Alumni Basketball Homecoming honors Dr. George Kaftan ’45 and Dave Anderson ’47 Xavier reinstituted its Alumni Basketball Homecoming tradition on Jan. 30 by honoring two sports luminaries, Dr. George Kaftan ’45, the starting center who led the College of Holy Cross to the NCAA championship in 1947, and Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times sportswriter Dave Anderson ’47.

The event coincided with a tripleheader against Monsignor Farrell. Before their game, varsity basketball team members posed questions to the alumni during a panel moderated by Xavier President Jack Raslowsky.

Dr. Kaftan, who played for the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks before becoming a dentist, college professor, and C.W. Post basketball coach, said he was thrilled to be back at 16th Street 70 years after graduation. His advice to current students was to make the most of every opportunity. “Work hard and apply yourself,” he said. “Any success you might have in the future, the basis for that success is right here at Xavier.”

Mr. Anderson, who also attended Holy Cross, 28

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stressed that the event presented an extraordinary opportunity for Xavier students to meet an athlete who not only led the Crusaders to their sole NCAA title, but was also named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, a singular achievement earned by NBA players Bill Bradley, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Patrick Ewing during their respective college careers.

“George Kaftan is basketball royalty in this country,” Mr. Anderson said. “It was a great night, and I’m glad the students got to know him. This guy was the best player in college and in that tournament, and he came from Xavier.”

In recognition of their outstanding contributions to their chosen professions, Xavier presented letter sweaters to both men. It was the first varsity letter sweater for Mr. Anderson, who covered sports for The Review. “I got a kick out of that,” he said. “They don’t give varsity letters for writing on the school newspaper.”

The evening was capped off with a celebration of the varsity team’s 53–47 win over Monsignor Farrell.

Right Side HEADLINE

EBANKS WINS STATE TITLE Dylan Ebanks ’17 became Xavier’s first individual state champion since 1999 with his triumph at the Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) Individual State Wrestling Tournament, held on Feb. 14 and 15 at Monsignor Farrell High School in Staten Island.

The No. 1-seeded wrestler in the 99-lb. weight class, Ebanks also won first place honors at this year’s NYC Mayor’s Cup Tournament, CHSAA Divisional Tournament, Ironman Invitational Tournament, and the Clipper Classic Tournament.

“When it comes to wrestling, Dylan has an outstanding work ethic. He trains six days a week, eats healthy, and is always refining his moves. He has tremendous potential, and I am very honored to be one of his coaches,” said guidance counselor and wrestling coach Joseph Guglielmo.

16TH STREET KEEPS TROPHY

TRACK TEAM DEDICATION PAYS OFF IN THE LONG RUN The Xavier track and field team made history on Feb. 8 by bringing home the coveted CHSAA Intersectional Track and Field Championship for the first time.

“For the past 87 years, every Xavier track team has dreamed of winning this championship,” said track and field coach Patrick Dormer P’17. “This achievement has been the culmination of many years of hard work for the kids.

It’s a shared accomplishment, not just for the guys who are here, but for the alumni as well.”

Charlie Lambert ’15 tied the league long jump record with 24’6” (second-best in the United States this year), earning the meet’s co-MVP honors. John Rice ’15 took home the state 1600-meter title, and the 4x400-meter relay team of Oliver Moe ’15, Frank Clarke ’15,

Charlie Lambert ’15, and Andrew Kiarie-Mumbi ’17 also won gold.

The turning point for the team, said Mr. Dormer, may have been the acquisition of two new coaches, guidance counselor and sprints coach Jordan Temkin and math teacher and freshman coach Evan Bernstein ’04.

“Both are integral to the success of the program,” said Mr. Dormer.

“They have challenged me to become a better coach and attracted even more kids to the program.” An average of 200 Xavier students now runs at least one season, with 100 running all three seasons. The accolades, said Mr. Dormer, “go to all the coaches as well as this really special group of juniors and seniors who are committed to the principles of hard work and dedicated to the program.”

XAVIER HARRIERS POST RECORD SEASON

For the second year in a row, the Xavier varsity hockey team won the New York City Catholic High School Hockey League (CHSHL) championship, defeating St. Francis Prep on Feb. 28.

With only 5:40 to go in the third period, the Knights took a 3–2 lead. With seven seconds remaining, captain Tyler D’Agostino ’15 scored on an empty net, sealing a 4–2 victory.

Xavier’s cross country team raced to its best season ever, finishing fourth at the New York State Federation meet with John Rice ’15 setting a school record for the course.

“He has times faster than guys who have gone on to the Olympics,” head coach Patrick Dormer P’17 said of Rice, who has signed to run at the University of Texas.

Rice became the first Knight to dip below 16 minutes for the 5K trek at Bowdoin Park on his way to

a sixth-place finish. The team, which also included Christian Raslowsky ’16, Garrison Schwer ’15, Louis Vazquez ’15, Giancarlo Cipri ’17, Dominick Ronan ’16, and Raphael Oettl ’18, set a school record for the five-man average on the course.

Earlier in the season, the Knights placed second in the CHSAA Intersectional Cross Country Championship, the team’s highest finish since 1931.

“This was our best cross country season ever,” Mr. Dormer noted. “The kids just ran so well.”

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Sons of Xavier

Hall of Fame

Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers • November 7, 2014

Class Notes With more than 11,650 living graduates, the Xavier alumni network is strong and active. Sons of Xavier have distinguished themselves in every imaginable industry, in every corner of the globe—but they remain united in their lifelong loyalty to 16th Street. Here are the latest updates from our graduates.

1940 Francis Mascola still has his Xavier football uniform, which he often shows off to the delight of his nine grandchildren.

1942 Thomas Drennen and his wife, Pat, have lived in Mission Viejo, Calif., since 1947. They have four children: Tara, who lives in Tustin, Calif.; Aileen Reilly of Houston, Texas; Michael, who also lives in Mission Viejo; and Rev. Christopher, OSA, who resides in Malvern, Pa.

1.

1. The family of honoree Hon. Thomas N. Lyons ’67†, Rev. Jim Keenan, S.J., Rev. Vin Biagi, S.J. ’67, members of the Class of 1967, and friends.

2. Janet Cubero, honoree Brigadier General Ruben “Randy” Cubero ’57, and Jack Raslowsky.

3. Michael Chiafulio, Headmaster Michael LiVigni, Tim Morenzoni, Kelly Quigley, and Margaret Gonzalez. 4. Mike Ford ’63, Hall of Fame Dinner Chair. 5. The Class of 1970 with former teacher Henry Woehling ’55. †

Deceased

1945 Samuel Falvo, Jack McGoldrick, and their wives recently had dinner in Hendersonville, N.C. The Falvos live in Hendersonville, while the McGoldricks live in nearby Brevard, N.C.

2.

1946 James O’Connor reports that he, Ed Heiskell, Dr. Jim Doyle ’47, Jack Hetherington ’47, and Bill Darmody ’47 plan to attend the upcoming Xavier reunion.

1948 Daniel FitzGerald published his sixth novel, The Third Son, with AuthorHouse Publishing last May. In August 2014, his Wealth of Stories was also published by AuthorHouse.

3.

4.

Vincent Vella writes to say he is alive and well and sends regards to all his classmates.

1949 Edward Atnally writes that he is still working.

1950 Dr. Allan Ahearne writes that he is still enjoying “Paradise North” in Cooperstown, N.Y., where he is an avid golfer and crosscountry skier.

Kenneth Austin is retired and living in Lakewood Ranch, Fla. 5.

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Joseph Brostek has been installed as a trustee of the Queens Historical Society and also serves on the executive committee of the

Class NOTES Queens College Retirees Association.

He encourages his fellow Sons of Xavier to give of their time as well. “Many religious institutions, alumni groups, civic organizations, charities, youth clubs, etc. can really use talented volunteers,” Mr. Brostek writes. “In my experience, you don’t have to make a massive commitment. Perhaps you can just join a committee and see how you like it. Why not give it a try? I think you will be glad you did.”

1951 Robert Kramer took his family to Munich last summer to watch Germany win the World Cup. He and his family later climbed the Austrian Alps and visited his old haunts in Switzerland.

Dr. John Maher retired from medical practice on Sept. 30, 2013. He is now active in the Veterans Association and tutors his grandson, John.

1952 Rev. Robert Lauder is in his 30th year of teaching philosophy at St. John’s University in Queens, N.Y. His book, Pope Francis’ Spirituality and Our Story, has just been published by Resurrection Press.

1955

1957

Wilbur Ross, chairman and chief strategy officer of WL Ross & Co. LLC and chairman of the Japan Society, was honored for his contributions to U.S.Japanese relations at the New York home of Japanese Ambassador Sumio Kusaka on Feb. 2. Ambassador Kusaka presented Mr. Ross with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star (the secondhighest honor bestowed by Japan) on behalf of the Japanese government. In November 2014, the American Irish Historical Society also honored Mr. Ross with its 2014 Gold Medal, the society’s highest honor, given to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to Irish-American life.

Leonard Dwarica retired as senior counsel at the Bayer Corporation and is now the director of the Center for Health and Policy at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn.

Col. F. Paul Spera, USA (Ret.) and his wife, Peggy, will celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary in September 2015.

Michael Toner and his record-setting Holy Cross teammates (including Dr. Frank Bongiorno ’61) recently commemorated the tenth anniversary of their swimming the English Channel.

1956 Nelson Deusebio reports that the “Grain House Gang” met for their 130th consecutive luncheon in January. Many members of the Class of 1956 have participated in the monthly lunches since they began in April 2004. (See photo below.)

Silvio Resciniti had heart valve surgery in September 2014 and is back at work again.

Kevin Powers retired as the chair of the science department at Cardinal Ritter College Prep in St. Louis, Mo., and now teaches physics at Harris-Stowe University, also in St. Louis. He received the Commerce Bank Community Service Award recognizing his volunteer work.

Ed McCarthy is still active in ministry as a permanent deacon at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Naples, Fla. He welcomed his fourth great-grandchild in December.

Rev. Daniel Gatti, S.J., Fordham University’s alumni chaplain, enjoyed an Antarctic cruise from Dec. 17 to 29, 2014.

Harry Hasselmann, Esq., reports that he is retired from the credit card business after 35 years. He lives in Aurora, Ill., near most of his grandchildren.

Dr. Albert Rosa has published a new edition of The Analysis and Design of Linear Circuits.

1962 Ken Padgett has joined the law firm of Ferguson Cohen, LLP. The firm concentrates in the fields of trusts and estates and real estate transactions.

1963 Dennis Mallardi retired from Lummus Technology in December 2014.

Col. Ernest DeWald, USA (Ret.) was appointed to the Tennessee Board of Dentistry and to the Southern Regional Testing for Dentistry and Hygiene.

1953

1954

1959

Dr. Thomas Nipper recently retired from orthopedic surgical practice and is now an expert witness in New York City.

1965 The “Grain House Gang” at their January 2015 lunch.

Standing (L to R): Jay Gallagher, Dr. Gerry Foye, Lenny Weg, Frank KiIkenny, Charlie Ferrara, Nelson Deusebio. Sitting (L to R): Dr. Emil Signes, Art Fricke, Joe Laferrera, Pat Rouse, Dr. John McGrade ’57.

Dr. Robert Posteraro has been promoted to associate professor at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Allied Health Sciences and is the interim program director of the clinical practice management program.

Corrections Kevin P. Cuddihy ’86 was omitted from the Honor Roll of Donors in error. He should have been listed with the Class of 1986 as a member of the Loyola Associates.

Thomas Maher ’80 was incorrectly identified in the article “Sons of Xavier Rally” in his former position as the Principal and Chief Financial Officer at Eastern Development Company Jose A. Aquino, Esq. ’77 P’07 was Dr. William M. Duffy ’59 was omitted in Woburn, Mass. He is currently the listed as a member of the Knights Club from the Honor Roll of Donors in error. owner of Pisgah Investments, LLC, in Asheville, N.C. but should have been listed with the He should have been listed with the Class of 1977 as a member of the Class of 1959 as a member of the Mr. & Mrs. Sal J. Scalice P’14 were President’s Council-Laureate.

Loyola Associates. omitted from the Honor Roll of Donors Xavier wishes to acknowledge the following errors and omissions in the 2014 Xavier Annual Report. We apologize to our loyal donors and thank them for their continued support.

in error. They should have been listed with Class of 2014 Parents as members of The Knights Club.

Francis J. Stella, Jr. ’57 was listed as a member of the Xavier Society but should have been listed with the Class of 1957 as a member of the President’s Council–Laureate. His gift was made in memory of his wife, Grethes.

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Sons of XAVIER

Beefsteak 2015

the division of alcohol and addiction psychiatry and co-director of the Dan L. Duncan Institute for Clinical and Translation Research. He previously served as professor and chief of psychiatry at Yale University and VA Connecticut Healthcare System for 25 years. He is a member of the faculty at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Xavier High School • January 16, 2015

1971 2.

1. Jim Scott Jr. ’79, Nick D’Agostino III ’79, Phil Kolb ’79, and Paul Millus ’79. 2. Robert Macpherson ’01 and Rocco Iacovone ’62. 3. Members of the Class of 2007 with Bernard Harrigan ’58. 4. Rev. Lou Garaventa, S.J., and John Giachetta ’08.

1.

3.

4.

1966

1969

Texas-based alumni from the class of 1966 gathered for a mini-reunion last August.

Members in attendance were Dr. Edward DeSimone, Vince Panzera, Dennis Diorio, Ray Dittrich, Jim McDonough, and Jim’s wife, Jody.

Dr. Greg Belli is a “professional grandpa.”

He teaches bilingual pre-kindergarten in Austin schools and remains a member of the graduate adjunct faculty of Concordia University Texas.

Joe Fiore and his wife, Agnes, are retired and living in Davidson, N.C.

John Flood retired in March and relocated to Bradenton, Fla.

1967

Dr. Thomas Kosten is the Jay H. Waggoner Chair and professor of psychiatry, neuroscience, pharmacology, and immunology at Baylor College of Medicine, where he serves as director of

The second annual Xavier Myrtle Beach Golf Outing took place in May 2014. The attendees were Joe Maher, Joe Garvey, George Brix, Jim Rich, Dr. Charlie Mallon, Jim Angelone, Bob Kresofsky, Rich Layton, Dr. Randy Emond, George Dwyer, Bill Montanaro, and John Wuensch. Joe Maher reports that a great time was had by all.

Dr. Ralph Jozefowicz received the Merentibus Medal from Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland, in October 2014 for his distinguished service running a medical exchange program between the United States and Poland. He is now professor of neurology and medicine and associate chair for education in the Department of Neurology at the University of Rochester, where he also serves as director for the neurology residency program, the second-year medical student “Mind, Brain and Behavior” course, and the third year neurology clerkship.

John Frank produced his latest one-act play, Talking with My Dad, with his wife, Carolyn. It played to sold-out crowds in Evanston, Ill., in November 2014.

Robert Hynes completed his seventh New York City Marathon in November 2014, but finished in the dark (after more than six hours on the course!).

Lt. Col. Eric Hoffmeyer, USA (Ret.) is still at the Pentagon, where he ensures that Army aviation is properly outfitted with the right maintenance equipment.

Robert Robotti was inducted into the Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens Hall of Fame. Variety is where Mr. Robotti first learned to swim in his youth. He and his wife, Suzanne, have served as board members and have been generous supporters of Variety’s work.

1968 Dr. James Tucci has retired from his role as president of Spectrum Health Medical Group in Grand Rapids, Mich. He has resumed the practice of neurology.

Wesley Van Wallendael is enjoying retirement and traveling through Peru and Germany.

He still spends a lot of his time in Florida.

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Robert Robotti ’71 hosted the Xavier cross country team at the New York Athletic Club All Sports Dinner on Nov. 17, 2014. Students met the dinner’s guest of honor, 2014 Boston Marathon winner Mebrahtom “Meb” Keflezighi. Above (L to R): Charlie Lambert ’15, Christian Raslowsky ’16, Louis Vazquez ’15, Giancarlo Cipri ’17, John Rice ’15, Mr. Keflezighi, Dominick Ronan ’16, head coach Patrick Dormer P’17, and Ben Karam ’16.

RightClass Side NOTES HEADLINE 1973 Steve Kuklin retired from the U.S. Army in April 2014.

William Belli recently retired from the Marine Corps, was received into the Episcopal Communion, and returned home to Charleston, S.C. Bob Citelli began his eighteenth year as the principal founder of @Sales & Marketing in January 2015.

Antonio del Valle works as an executive coach with Lee Hecht Harrison in New York.

1974 Philip Whalen’s older daughter, Lindsay Marie, is a junior at the Catholic University of America. His younger daughter, Jenna, is in high school.

1975 James Carney is currently the global head of data centers and technology operation for Citigroup Technology, based in Manhattan.

1976 On July 26, 2014, a group of players from the 1974 championship football team gathered at the home of Frank Apicella in Mountainside, N.J. (See photo below.)

Rev. Mark Hallinan, S.J., is now in his third year as pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel-St. Benedicta and St. Mary of the Assumption in Staten Island, N.Y. Stephen Bratichak is the director of finance and human resources for Brookdale Senior Living in Leawood, Kansas.

1977 Michael Gargiulo, co-anchor of NBC 4 New York’s Today in New York weekday morning broadcast, is part of the WNBC

team that won a national Emmy® Award for courage during Superstorm Sandy.

Dr. John Young was elected president of the New York Academy of Dentistry.

RECORD-BREAKING ROKERTHON

1978 Dr. Frank Lacqua has been appointed vice chair of the Department of Surgery at Lutheran Medical Center in Brurley, N.Y. Dr. Carmine Morreale and his wife, Ellen, recently celebrated 30 years of marriage.

They are blessed with two grandchildren.

1979 Dr. Daniel Kerr recently earned his doctorate in biology from the Graduate Center at the City University of New York.

1980 James Zerilli achieved accreditation as a Certified Information Security Auditor (CISA).

1984 Timothy Comerford is now managing director of public finance at BNY Mellon Capital Markets.

1985 Jeff Wilkins was promoted to vice president, global quality at COMET Technologies USA, Inc. which supplies the semi-conductor and broadcast industries. He lives in California.

1986 Thomas Jackman and his wife, Michelle, wrote to say how much they enjoyed the article by Dave Anderson ’47 about Dr. George Kaftan ’45, Frank McGuire ’33†, and the 1945 basketball team (20 wins and five losses), which included Nick Jackman ’46†.

Today Show weather institution Al Roker ’72 set a new Guinness World Record for the longest uninterrupted live weather report broadcast—a remarkable 34 hours on Nov. 13 and 14, 2014. He was spurred on by a phone call from Vice President Joe Biden.

1989 John Ferretti is a detective in the New York Police Department’s 52nd Precinct.

1992 Joseph La Ferlita was recognized as a 2014 New York Metro Rising Star in the field of estate and probate by Super Lawyers.

He lives in Locust Valley with his wife, Lea, and their daughter, Mary Elizabeth.

Michael Reardon was appointed Head of School at The Meadowbrook School in Meadowbrook, Pa., in July 2014.

He previously served as Director of Admissions at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy in Philadelphia and Head of School at The Phelps School, an all-boys boarding school in Malvern, Pa. He began his career in education at Georgetown Preparatory School in Bethesda, Md. He is a graduate of Fairfield University.

1995 Louis Maione works for the City of New York and is currently completing his New York State teaching certification to teach in city schools.

1996 Christian Scalercio recently accepted a position as an employee development/ business development officer at Cross County Savings Bank in Queens.

1998 On July 26, 2014, a group of players from the 1974 championship football team gathered at the Mountainside, N.J., home of Frank Apicella ’76. Standing: Phil Barbieri ’75, Thomas Tramutola ’76 P’06, John Cavoores ’75, Mr. Apicella, Coach Tom Carpenter, Jim Palumbo ’75 P’04, Peter Tuohy ’76, John Kirk ’75, Angel Figueredo ’76. Front Row: Kim Corea ’76, Bhrett Pizza ’76, Ken Colangelo ’75, Leo Gorynski ’76.

Edward Katta currently lives in Brooklyn with his wife, Amanda, and his daughter, Sloane. He works in sales for a security industry contractor in New York City. †

Deceased

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Sons of XAVIER 1999 Robert McGee lives in Corning, N.Y., with his wife, Rachel, and son, Caleb. He and Rachel celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary in May 2014. He teaches high school math and coaches football.

2003 Joseph Guster was named Director of Athletic Communications at the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point in October 2014. He previously spent five years as the sports information director at SUNY Maritime College in Throggs Neck, N.Y.

2005 R.J. Peterson is now Global Digital Marketing Manager at Michael Kors.

2006 Alfred Ragone works as a producer at Sirius XM Radio.

2010 Robert Bruns earned a spot on the Dean’s List at the State University of New York at Cortland during the spring 2014 semester. He was a member of the varsity basketball team.

Patrick Nilsen graduated summa cum laude from the Catholic University of America in May 2014 and received the Distinguished Accounting Graduate Award during the commencement ceremonies. That same month, he was named Catholic University’s sole representative on the Sportsmanship Team for the Old Dominion Athletic Conference.

John-Michael Colef received his Bachelor of Science degree in physics with a minor in mathematics from New York University in May 2014. He is enrolled in a master’s degree program for electrical engineering at NYU-Polytechnic.

Andrew Murano graduated from Franklin and Marshall College in May 2014. He wrestled in the NCAA’s Division I all four years and served as co-captain of the school’s team.

2011 Adam Duignan, Joe Wolfer, Brendan Murphy ’10, and Jimmy Wolfer ’13 played

Engagements Christian Scalercio ’96 was engaged to Nina Corvino in November 2014 and will be married at St. Gregory the Great Church in Harrison, N.Y., on Oct. 24, 2015.

Marriages Alfred Ragone ’06 married Michelle Pinto at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Queens, on Sept. 20, 2014.

Patrick Sullivan ’71 married Anne Finnerty in November 2014 in Taneytown, Md.

Births Deacon Walter Dauerer ’55 just baptized his tenth grandson, Sean Michael Stutman.

His first great-grandchild, Charlotte Rose Monahan, was born in February 2015.

2.

1.

1. Sons of Xavier at the Alumni Reception in Phoenix, Ariz.

2. Young alumni in Washington, D.C.: (L to R) Nick Strautman ’14, Daniel Heesemann ’12, Lt. Col. Roy Campbell, USA (Ret.), John Sciancalepore ’12, Bailey Caliban ’12, Daniel Donahue ’12, Jack Raslowsky, Christopher Cole ’14, and Patrick Bylis ’13. 3. Young alumni at the Chicago Reception with Xavier rugby founder Tom O’Hara ’69 P’04 ’06.

XAVIER MAGAZINE

2012 Vincent Martello, a junior at the College of the Holy Cross, will participate in a medical immersion service trip to Honduras this summer.

Gabriel Spooner leads Georgia Tech’s Division I rugby team in tries while maintaining a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Edward Wagner ran the third-fastest 400meter hurdle time in Dartmouth College history at the spring 2014 Penn Relay.

Mileposts

Alumni Receptions

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rugby for an undefeated St. Joseph’s University team.

3.

Thomas Keane ’58 welcomed his fifth grandson, Deklan, on Oct. 7, 2014.

John O’Shaughnessy ’72 welcomed his first grandchild, a girl named Kennedy, on Nov. 3, 2014, in Los Angeles, Calif.

John Ferretti ’89 and his wife welcomed Ainsley in February 2013.

Mark Morison ’89 and his wife, Katie, welcomed their son, William Francis, on April 10, 2014. He joins his sister Juliet.

Eric Eschenauer ’95 and his wife, Meghan, welcomed Bridget Margaret on July 2, 2014. She joins her sisters, Colleen and Nora.

Michael Ferretti ’95 and his wife, Dawn, welcomed their son, Lucas Jake, on May 19, 2014.

Class NOTES In Memoriam Alumni Robert J. Lahey ’33, 6/27/99 Dr. Michael J. Arden ’34, 6/23/14 Richard A. Cordani ’35, 2/17/13 Raymond Keyes, P.E. ’37, 7/13/14 Eugene C. McGuire ’39, 5/29/14 Dr. John K. Guck ’40, 6/25/14 Dr. David M. Carberry ’41, 4/17/14 John C. Zack, Jr. ’41, 9/16/14 Robert T. Brady ’43, 7/12/08 Edward T. Caswell, Jr. ’43, 1/24/14 Howard D. Dolan ’43, 4/24/14 Francis B. Duffy ’43, 12/10/14 Peter F. Matera, Esq. ’43, 6/1/14 Daniel F. McCarthy ’43, 11/13/14 Edward P. Reid ’43, 12/22/14 Walter S. Cramer ’44 P’80, father of Walter Cramer, Jr. ’80, 2/12/15 Dr. Bernhardt Hausheer ’44, 3/12/14 Dr. S. Stephen Schiaffino ’44, 4/3/14 Henry Quinn Sabel ’45, 6/5/14 Dr. Joseph P. Dineen ’46, 9/19/14 Thomas D. Guerin ’46, alumnus and Xavier faculty member from 1952–1956, 11/25/14 Dr. Francis J. Lane ’46, 11/24/14 Herman Methfessel ’46, 8/21/14 Francis E. Gobes ’47, 4/5/14 Dr. John Kennedy ’47, 10/17/14 Col. Thomas G. McConnell, USAF (Ret.) ’47, 9/11/14 Rev. Edward J. McMahon, S.J. ’47, 7/16/14 Daniel L. Fitzgerald, Jr. ’48, 11/12/14 Edward F. O’Reilly, Jr. ’49, 12/24/12 Joseph J. Reilly ’49, 9/9/14 Frank Squitteri, Sr. ’49, 9/25/14 Robert H. Tyrka ’49, 7/11/14 Erwin Luecke ’50, 10/22/14 Anthony Malatestinic, Esq. ’50, 12/28/13 William L. McCarthy ’50, 2/11/15 Dr. James T. Bradley ’51, 5/7/14 Dr. Maurice J. Cotter ’51, 2/8/09 Harry McNamara ’51, 3/20/14 John P. Stump, Jr. ’51, brother of Rev. David X. Stump, S.J. ’58 and Dr. Robert W. Stump ’60, 2/10/15 Joseph A. Lacqua ’52, 1/19/13 Nicholas Malatestinic, Esq. ’52, 9/2013 Walter C. Reid, Esq. ’52, 6/6/13 William J. Carter ’53, 5/15/14 Thomas Burke ’54, 5/21/13 William J. Donnelly ’54, 6/23/14 James J. Cotter ’55, 9/13/14 Lawrence J. Iannuzzelli ’55, 4/26/12 Neal J. Fink ’56, 9/22/14 J. Patrick Hickey, Jr. ’57, 7/14/14 Capt. William John Naldrett, Sr., USN (Ret.) ’57, 2/22/15 Carl F. Nardone ’57, 3/19/14 John J. McCabe, Jr., Esq. ’58, 8/15/14 Kenneth J. Roberts ’58, 5/22/14 Henry J. Sgrosso, Jr. ’58, 1/19/15 Francis X. O’Brien, Esq. ’59, 10/30/14 John W. Cavallaro ’60, 8/7/14 William J. Mossay ’61, 4/22/13 Rev. Edward J. Coughlin, S.J. ’62, 6/25/14 William J. Kacuba ’63, 1/2/15 Frank A. Lopez ’63, 3/22/13 Richard Miller ’63, 6/3/14

Stephen W. Murphy ’63, son of Gordon D. Murphy ’33†, brother of Gordon D. Murphy ’59†, George T. Murphy ’67, and Robert D. Murphy ’69, 2/13/15 Philip DiBelardino ’64, 11/13/14 Thomas Agers ’65, 2/1/15 Charles Kuruc ’68, 1/8/10 William Carbone ’70, 10/22/12 Richard J. Griffin ’70, 12/13/14 Louis J. Pini ’70, 6/15/14 Garrett Keegan ’78, 10/14/14 William J. McCarthy ’82, 8/26/14 Charles Arcidiacono ’85, 2/20/15 Hon. Andrew J. Dalton ’90, 1/8/15 MarcIs Braunfelds ’95, 6/15/14 Bryan Vetell ’95, 1/26/15 Trevor Duffy ’13, brother of Colman Duffy ’15 and Terrence Duffy ’17, 11/16/14 Parents Jerome Murray P’65, father of Timothy Murray ’65, 8/8/14 Lillian Strasser P’65 ’67, mother of Richard Strasser, Jr. ’65 and William Strasser, Esq. ’67, 2/7/15 Laurence Costiglio, Esq. P’66, father of Peter Costiglio ’66 and uncle of Kevin McLaughlin ’74, 11/25/14 Eleanor V. Kelly P’67 ’72, mother of John Kelly, Esq. ’67 and Robert Kelly ’72, 11/3/04 Irene Kuruc P’68, mother of Charles Kuruc ’68†, 12/28/14 Alfred Puglisi P’68, father of Michael A. Puglisi ’68, 6/23/14 Joan Kirk P’70 ’71 ’75, wife of Edward Kirk ’44†, mother of Leo Kirk ’70, Edward Kirk ’71, and John Kirk ’75, 6/2/14 Walter Sidlowski P’71, father of Ken Sidlowski ’71, grandfather of Michael Sidlowski ’05, 8/5/14 Stella Berny P’71 ’72, mother of Dr. James Berny ’71† and Robert Berny ’72, 8/27/14 Angel Menendez P’71 ’72 ’75 ’81, father of Thomas Menendez ’71, Capt. Jack Menendez, USN (Ret.) ’72, Raymond Menendez ’75†, and James Menendez ’81, 11/5/14 Camille Corea P’72 ’73 ’76 ’79 ’82, mother of Anthony Corea ’72, David Corea ’73, Kim Corea ’76, Marc Corea ’79, and John Corea ’82, and grandmother of Anthony Corea ’11, 11/15/14 Shelagh Saxon P’72, mother of Dr. James Saxon ’72, 8/9/14 Jan Sierant P’72, father of George Sierant ’72, 11/27/14 Arthur E. Devlin P’73, father of Jeffrey Devlin ’73, 11/15/14 Edward Kuklin P’73, father of Steve Kuklin ’73, 8/22/14 Gloria Scaglione P’75 ’79 ’83, mother of Col. Steven Scaglione ’75, Dean Scaglione ’79, and James Scaglione ’83, 6/28/14 Alfred E. Zampella P’76, father of Walter Zampella ’76, 2/2/14 Henry A. Eaton P’77 ’78 ’90, father of Mark Eaton ’77, Craig Eaton ’78, and Glenn Eaton ’90, and grandfather of Christopher Eaton ’06 and Vincent Eaton ’12, 11/30/13 Loretta Eaton P’77 ’78 ’90, mother of Mark Eaton ’77, Craig Eaton ’78, and Glenn Eaton ’90, and grandmother of Christopher Eaton ’06 and Vincent Eaton ’12, 8/14/13

Helene Warren P’77, mother of James Warren ’77, 1/20/14 Casper C. Orlando P’78, father of Anthony Orlando ’78, 7/23/14 Maria Giovanna Margolies P’79, mother of Alberto Margolies, Esq. ’79 and Xavier faculty member from 1979–1980, 11/13/14 James B. Meehan P’79 ’84, father of James Meehan, Jr. ’79 and David Meehan ’84, 2/1/15 Edward G. Heibert P’83, father of Louis E. Heibert ’83, 4/28/11 Joseph Dell’Olio P’86, father of Andrew Dell’Olio ’86, 2/21/15 George P. O’Malley P’89, father of Christopher O’Malley ’89, 9/12/14 Nuno Rodrigues P’89, father of Kenneth Rodrigues ’89, 8/29/14 Louis Tuorto P’89 ’92, father of Greg Tuorto ’89 and Paul Tuorto ’92, 10/4/14 Michael T. Carew P’90, father of Paul M. Carew ’90, 8/17/12 Jorge Eckardt P’97, father of Derrick Eckardt ’97, 12/1/14 Vincent Misseri P’07 ’08, father of Joseph V. Misseri ’07 and Marc V. Misseri ’08, 8/22/14 James Capuano P’10 ’14, father of Daniel Capuano ’10 and Brandon Capuano ’14, 11/3/14 Veronica Onwubuya P’15, mother of Jeremiah Onwubuya ’15, 1/5/15 Rita Saverino-Romeo P’17, mother of Luca Romeo ’17, 11/20/14 Spouses Geraldine Mary Dinnhaupt, wife of Kenneth J. Dinnhaupt ’54, 9/21/14 Paulette Gallagher, wife of Thomas Gallagher ’56, 7/15/14 Jane Rainis, wife of Eugene Rainis ’58, 9/12/14 Grethes Stella, wife of Frank Stella ’57, 2/15/14 Faculty Thomas Baker, 44-year Xavier faculty member, 11/7/14 Felipa Castro, mother of Xavier faculty member Cindy Castro, 10/4/14 Rev. Robert Richard Dorin, S.J., Xavier faculty member from 1977–1980, 11/13/14 Dr. Francis Halpin, Xavier faculty member from 1956–1959, 1/22/15 Joseph Moore, 1970s basketball coach, 9/9/14 Yau Yung SooHoo, father of Rev. Anthony SooHoo, S.J., trustee and former faculty member, 10/20/14 Extended Family Donald G. Aldridge, father-in-law of Kevin McLaughlin ’74, 2/5/15 Thomas Carroll, grandfather of Thomas Carroll ’06, Sean Carroll ’13, Daniel Donahue ’12, and Aidan Donahue ’18, 2/3/15 Peter D’Agostino, son of Walter D’Agostino ’81, nephew of Nicholas D’Agostino III ’79, and grandson of Nicholas D’Agostino, Jr. ’56 P’79 ’81, 11/20/14 Greg Salamone, boyfriend of Tracy Tong, Xavier’s Library Media Specialist, 10/14/14 †

Deceased

XAVIER MAGAZINE

35

Back STORY

Novel Inspiration Acclaimed novel takes inspiration from Irish-American family, teaching at Xavier

T

he accolades keep coming for We Are Not Ourselves (Simon & Schuster), the debut novel by former Xavier High School faculty member Matthew Thomas.

Based loosely on Mr. Thomas’ experiences growing up in Queens, the multi-generational novel is a portrait of one Irish-American family that paints a broader picture of immigrant families in mid-century America.

The novel follows Eileen Tumulty, daughter of Irish immigrants, her marriage to Ed Leary, and the family’s pursuit of the American Dream. The story has resonated with multiple ethnic groups. “Readers have responded to the notion that hard work, education, and dedication to family actually yields some fruit,” said Mr. Thomas, who spent more than a decade writing We Are Not Ourselves.

“I never intended it to be an Irish-American book, per se. I wrote about Irish-Americans because I grew up in an Irish-American family and had some perspective on that milieu,” he added. “Ultimately, it was my entrée into writing about the middle class.”

The New York Times bestseller was short-listed for the Flaherty-Dunnan First Novel Prize and long-listed for both the Guardian First Book Award and the Folio Prize.

The Washington Post named We Are Not Ourselves one of the Top 50 best fiction books of the year and Esquire called it one of the five most important books of 2014. Times book reviewer Janet Maslin described it as “big, honest, mesmerizing, painful, and impossible to put down,” listing it among her “10 Favorite Books of the Year.’’

The book has also been lauded for its telling details of day-to-day life that reveal deeper emotional truths about families, loyalty, and faith. Mr. Thomas has great empathy for his characters. “It’s very easy to see what looks like someone’s flaw and think that’s the limit of the person,” he noted. “But people want things for deep psychological reasons that are not immediately obvious. I hope the book encourages readers to reserve judgment about others and see that there is capacity for growth in everyone.”

Mr. Thomas spent seven years as an assistant admissions counselor and English and creative writing teacher at Xavier. His experience makes it into the novel,

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XAVIER MAGAZINE

particularly during the telling of the adolescent years of the Leary’s only child, Connell.

“Because I had access to a generation of teenagers, I was better able to understand boys at that age,” Mr. Thomas said. Moreover, Jesuit values and ideals informed the novel’s portrayal of Ed, a brilliant neuroscientist who places students above money and prestige. “Ed has a selfless attitude toward teaching,” the author continued. “I was given access to understanding that way of thinking by being in a Jesuit environment, where the vocational aspect of teaching is paramount.”

Despite the heartbreak endured by the Leary family, Mr. Thomas hopes readers will take away a positive message about cultural assimilation among immigrant families. “Younger generations, those who’ve grown up in America, are able to take so many things for granted,” he said. “There are so many things they blissfully assume— opportunity for advancement, sensitivity to difference, respect for plurality—that previous generations might have had little access to. That’s a wonderful thing.”

We Are Not Ourselves is available at most booksellers.

A paperback edition will be published in June. For further information, visit matthewthomasauthor.com.

Matthew Thomas, former Xavier faculty member and author of We Are Not Ourselves.

Larkin Legacy Society Aspiring to create a more just and hopeful world, the Jesuit Volunteer Corps engages passionate young From the Emerald Isle to 16th Street, Fr. Larkin’s legacy carries on in the society that bears his name. To find out more about a planned gift to Xavier, please contact Director of Development Mark A. Mongelluzzo, Esq.,

people in vital service within poor communities fostering the growth of leaders commiied to faith in action.

at mongelluzzom@xavierhs.org or (212) 901-5151.

How are you being called to serve?

For information about the vocation of Jesuit Priests and Brothers contact:

Director of Vocations 212-774-5500 vocations@nysj.org

www.JesuitVocation.org

learn more at jesuitvolunteers.org

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Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage

PAID

Permit No. 85 Bridgeport, CT

30 West 16th Street • New York, NY 10011-6302

Xavier Summer Events 31st Annual Golf Outing June 16, 2015 Knickerbocker Country Club Tenafly, NJ Awards Dinner and Presentation of the Rev. William J. McGowan, S.J. Spirit Award to Dave Anderson ’47

PRESENTED BY

Paul J. Scariano, Inc. Building Integrity and Professionalism

Rev. Dennis Baker, S.J., Mass of Thanksgiving Xavier @ Brooklyn Cyclones Spring Lake/ Jersey Shore Reception College BBQ @ Xavier Rockaways Reception Cape Cod Reception

Thurs., June 18 Fri., June 26 Tues., July 7 Wed., July 8 Thurs., July 9 Sat., Aug. 22

Quogue Reception

Thurs., Aug. 27

Alumni Drinks @ Xavier

Wed., Sept. 2

To register, contact James Cappabianca ’05 at cappabiancaj@xavierhs.org or (212) 924-7900, ext. 1435.

Visit www.xavierhsalumni.org/events for more information.

2016

HALL of FAME

Call for

NOMINATIONS

Xavier High School is pleased to announce that the President’s office is now accepting nominations for the Xavier Hall of Fame with induction to take place in November 2016.

The nominee should have a history of exemplary service to others, his or her country, and community in the tradition of St. Ignatius Loyola and St. Francis Xavier.

Qualifications for admittance require For a nomination form, please visit the that the person be a graduate, a former alumni page on the Xavier High School faculty member, or former administrator. website or call (212) 901-5152.