Xavier Magazine: Winter 2013

Deeply Jesuit Winter 2013

Xavier moment

Above: Sons of Xavier cheer at the 89th annual Turkey Bowl Rally. The Knights gratified their fans, winning the Turkey Bowl and going on to capture the CHSAA AA-Division Championship. Right: the championship team huddles at Turkey Bowl on November 22, 2012.

>> Knights Rally Xavier spirit is typically off the charts for the annual Turkey Bowl rally, but during this year’s pre-game tradition an even greater sense of purpose filled the gym. Three weeks after Hurricane Sandy displaced 93 Xavier students from their homes — 11 of them Varsity football players — the Knights rallied to become an inspiration for the school and the entire city.

First the Knights toppled No. 1 seed Mount St. Michael in the first round of the AA playoffs. The upset victory put the Knights up against their rivals Fordham Prep in the AA Semifinal playoff game, which for the first time in history would also be the annual Turkey Bowl game. The Knights marched to a 38–21 victory and went on to defeat St. John the Baptist 35–14 for the CHSAA AA-Division Championship.

The season is best remembered for the lessons in camaraderie demonstrated by 43 team members who refused to quit. “In the beginning of the season I was teaching boys how to play football,” Head Coach Chris Stevens ’83 said when the entire team appeared on “Good Day NY” following the championship win.

“By the end of the season, I was inspired by men who were teaching me how to persevere.”

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From the President Dear Sons and Friends of Xavier, St. Ignatius begins the Spiritual Exercises with the First Principle and Foundation. In “Draw Me Into Your Friendship,” a contemporary translation of the Spiritual Exercises

by David Fleming, S.J., the First Principle and Foundation concludes, “Our only desire and one choice should be this: I want and I choose what better leads to God’s deepening life in me.”

When we first began rewriting the Xavier mission statement to make sure it best reflected who we are, what we do and why we do it, all in a way that was clear and concise, Tony Paolozzi suggested that the First Principle and Foundation be our starting point, because the Spiritual Exercises are one of the foundations of the Society of Jesus and all her works. And as we worked through many writes and rewrites, the Exercises guided our work.

During my recent trip to Florida visiting alumni in the Sunshine State, the First Principle and Foundation provided an important lens for my reflections on the year. We have seen our share of death and destruction this year. We lost faculty members, Jesuits, parents, alumni and alumni parents. And the effects of Sandy on our community are well known. Yet through it all there have been countless moments of God’s grace present to me at Xavier “I want and I choose what better leads in the response of students, faculty, alumni, parents to God’s deepening life in me.” and friends. In acts of great compassion, generosity, thoughtfulness and care. In all these acts of love, God’s presence has been made real. And it is clear to me that all the work in the classroom, the field of competition, the band room, the Church, the regiment and places near and far has indeed led to “God’s deepening life in the Xavier community.”

What we do and how we do it — all that makes Xavier deeply Jesuit, including our pedagogy, our prayer, our retreats, our spiritual and philosophical foundations, our faith, our commitment to excellence ­— invites us, hopefully compels us, to want and choose what better leads to God’s deepening life in us.

This edition of Xavier Magazine focuses on all that keeps Xavier deeply Jesuit. From the cover photo of members of the community representing students, faculty, alumni, trustees, administrators and parents who embody all that we hope for in Jesuit education, to articles about formation, governance, the mission statement and the recovery after Sandy, I hope the magazine helps all to understand more clearly how the work of Xavier is the apostolic work of the Society today, work that remains deeply Jesuit in the lives of those now at 16th St. and their commitment to mission, and work that is carried on in the lives of all those we have sent forth since Fr. Larkin first opened our doors in 1847.

Thank you for all you do to keep Xavier deeply Jesuit. Be assured of my prayers.

For Xavier,

John R. Raslowsky

President

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In this issue

>> Winter 2013

Winter 2013, Volume 16 Number 1 Xavier High School John R. Raslowsky President Michael LiVigni Headmaster Rev. John Replogle, S.J. ’51 Assistant to the President Joseph F. Gorski Vice President for Advancement Michael L. Benigno ’00 Director of Communications and Managing Editor of Xavier Magazine Editorial & Design Services Erbach Communications Group

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Leave the Light On 100 days after Sandy, Xavier Magazine checked in with the Dunne family.

They’re back in Breezy Point and hope that others will return soon.

10. Examining OUR Xavier Mission Statement Introducing the new 80-word mission statement that guides everything from day-to-day operations to long-term planning.

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

12. Deeply Jesuit The people who keep Ignatian spirituality at the center of the educational enterprise at Xavier.

16. Upholding Our Mission Trustees reflect on what it takes to sustain the character of an institution that shaped their lives.

18. Advancing Xavier A new facility is quickly rising on 15th Street; meet Rosemarie and John A. Tokar ’51, who established a scholarship in their son’s memory; HAP’s Greatest Believer.

How to Reach Us Xavier Magazine Managing Editor Xavier High School 30 West 16th Street New York, NY 10011-6302 e-mail: benignom@xavierhs.org To submit a Class Note, e-mail classnotes@xavierhs.org

On the cover: 1) John C. Meditz ’66; 2) Margaret Gonzalez; 3) Rev. Jack Replogle, S.J. ’51; 4) James Cappabianca ’05; 5) Issa Sylla ’13; 6) Jackie Matthews P’15; 7) James Morgan, M.D. ’82 P’12; 8) Owen McVeigh ’14

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News from 16th Street

News from 16th Street New Rector for Xavier Jesuit community

CFx Coffeehouse a success

Hot java and great entertainment mix to fuel Xavier’s service immersion trips The CFX (Companions of St. Francis Xavier) Acoustic Coffeehouse, held on December 7, 2012, raised nearly $2,000. The proceeds help underwrite travel and operating expenses so that Xavier students, faculty and staff can put Catholic social teaching into action in service projects in Tennessee, Alabama, Maryland and Mexico.

A Xavier tradition since 2004, the event is held twice each year and provides students and staff the chance to display their musical talent in solo acts or with bands. Recent events have also included poetry readings and DJ performances.

Cadets Take the Next Step

A number of former Xavier JROTC cadets are following through on their promise to serve the nation.

Earlier in the year, Xavier’s senior army instructor, Lt. Col. Roy Campbell commissioned 2LT Charles Galletti ’08 aboard the USS Intrepid. Lt. Galletti served as Cadet Colonel while a member of Xavier’s JROTC Regiment and is serving in Fort Huachuca, Ariz., as a military intelligence officer.

Two other Xavier graduates — Aadit Patel ’08 and Christopher Chua ’08 — heard an address from President Obama at the U.S. Air Force Academy when they received 4.

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their commissions last May. A week later, Anthony Maldonado ’07 was commissioned as an ensign at Annapolis.

At the close of the 2011–2012 academic year, Lt. Col. Campbell traveled to West Point to commission 2LT Michael Kipp ’08 upon his West Point graduation. Lt. Kipp set out to Fort Benning, Ga., as an armor officer.

After a record-setting five Xavier graduates were accepted to West Point’s Class of 2015, four more Sons of Xavier entered the Academy last June: Jared Jerrick ’12 and three 2011 graduates, Kieran McMahon ’11, John Noh ’11 and Randy Valencia ’11. Two Sons of Xavier are currently enrolled in West Point Prep School and hope to enter the Academy shortly: Teddy Perretti ’12 and Luigi Cortez ’11.

Finally, three current Xavier students have received appointments to the U.S. Naval Academy: Pat Danylchuk ’13, Bryan Laboy ’13 (current Cdt. Col. of the Regiment) and Mario De La Ossa ’13.

Rev. James Croghan, S.J., is the new rector of the Xavier Jesuit community. Fr. Croghan served for many years as head of Xavier High School, Micronesia.

As rector, he is responsible for the spiritual and physical well-being of the 16-member Xavier Jesuit community.

He currently serves as the Director of Ignatian Identity at Regis High School.

“It’s a community of highly dedicated, very intelligent, committed, prayerful Jesuits who want to be of service to others, and that’s very exciting,” Fr. Croghan said. “This is a wonderfully generous group of men. It’s a pleasure to be with them.”

IN ALL THINGS The history of the Church of St. Francis Xavier and its extensive renovation is the subject of a new documentary, “In All Things.” The Jesuit church was built in 1882, and the feature-length film chronicles a decade-long restoration that was completed in 2010, as well as the church’s long history of mission and service to the community.

“In All Things” premiered at the Church of St. Francis Xavier last fall. It was written, directed and produced by the Church’s director of stewardship, Patrick Brewis.

Ignatian Scholars Welcomed to Xavier Xavier extended a warm welcome to Ignatian Scholars from the incoming Class of 2017 on January 22.

Recognized for their academic and scholastic achievements thus far, the incoming Sons of Xavier heard from current students, faculty and administration about the aims and opportunities of the Xavier High School honors program.

Each year, Xavier awards more than 100 scholarships to academically motivated young men who want to maximize their high school learning experience. Ignatian Scholars pursue a rigorous course of honors study and partake in extracurricular enrichment that utilizes New York City cultural institutions for experiential learning.

Xavier continued to be a top choice for high school applicants in the five boroughs and beyond. More than 1,200 applications were submitted during admissions season for the 280-member Class of 2017.

WELCOME HOME, MAJOR GENERAL MG General Anthony Cucolo U.S. Army ’75, a true leader who has served his country since 1979, said he was honored to address the JROTC Regiment at Xavier on November 15, 2012. Gen. Cucolo, the 49th Commandant of the U.S. Army War College, spent 10 months as the director of force development for the deputy chief of staff, G-8, at Headquarters, Department of the Army, in the Pentagon.

During his most recent operational assignment, he deployed the Division Headquarters to Iraq and served as commander of U.S. Division North/Task Force Marne, responsible for all U.S. forces in the seven Iraqi provinces north of Baghdad.

“Gen. Cucolo has been one of this nation’s exemplary leaders. As a military officer, husband and father, he is a Son of Xavier that we hold up as a model for all, ” said Xavier President Jack Raslowsky in his welcoming remarks to Gen. Cucolo, who was accompanied by his wife, Ginger.

In The spotlight Xavier Dramatics Society presents two fall productions Eleven of the school’s most talented freshmen presented an evening of skits and a one-act play as part of the Xavier Dramatics Society on December 6, 2012.

The freshman actors, alongside female actors from Dominican Academy and Notre Dame, presented “All the Bases”

by Alan Haehnel and “Teens Helping Teens,” “Politically Correct Pre-School” and “Lifestyle Feud,” all by Edith Weiss.

“This is a great chance for students who are new here to push themselves outside of their comfort zone,” said Margaret Gonzalez, freshman drama director. “It’s a light-hearted treat for everyone, and the students really enjoyed putting the show together.”

The Xavier Dramatics Society presented Arthur Miller’s “All My Sons” December 14– 16, 2012. Set in 1946, the prize-winning drama examines the moral consequences of pursuing success at any cost.

The Xavier Dramatics Society will present the musical “Urinetown” on April 12 and 13 at 8pm and April 14 at 2pm.

Shaping Retreat Leaders Xavier seniors who have participated in retreats also play a crucial role in leading them. Last fall, 19 seniors joined five faculty members for the new Ad Majorem retreat, a two-day program for retreat leaders aimed at honing skills that will provide the best possible experience to others.

When the retreat ended, religion teacher Bob Reinhart ’60, P ’94, ’99 reported that the seniors formed an Ignatian core for all the retreat teams. “They understand God’s role as the true retreat giver,” he said, “[They] are focused on the experience of their retreatants, are more confident in being able to respond to the call to this ministry and recognize the importance of their own prayer life in this work.”

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Xavier feature

Leave the Light On

By Michael Benigno ’00

In the 100 days since Hurricane Sandy decimated the East Coast, Xavier students like Dennis Dunne ’14 have changed their routines, re-routed their commutes and seized the opportunity to show their resilience.

The buzz of generators is still heard each evening.

Destroyed homes lean on one another or lay in piles of rubble. By late winter, Judy Dunne, mother of Dennis Dunne ’14, estimated that only 10 percent of the 1,500 displaced Breezy Point households were back for good.

Yet those who haven’t come back permanently are still taking part in a comforting tradition that has spread through much of town: leaving a light on until they return. “It feels like there are more police in Breezy than residents right now,” Mrs. Dunne said. “Some neighbors are keeping their porch lights on and it makes me feel better. It’s keeping the light on until someone comes home. I see more and more lights on, and even though I know my neighbors may not be there, it brings comfort.”

February 6 marked 100 days since Hurricane Sandy sacked communities up and down the East Coast.

Flooded cars have been replaced, but many families are still out of their homes and must make decisions about their storm-stricken properties. Communities are deciding whether to re-open beaches in summer 2013, and what those beaches will look like. For the 93 Xavier students displaced by the storm, cleanup is moving more slowly than anticipated, and many families still search for the silver lining amidst a tragedy.

Facing the Damage

“It’s keeping the lights on until someone comes home.

I see more and more lights on, and even though I know my neighbors may not be there, it brings comfort.”

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The first time Dennis Dunne laid eyes on Breezy Point following Hurricane Sandy was the Wednesday following the storm, after his family had evacuated to Stuy Town. The Dunne family knew about the Breezy fires. They saw the reports and read repeated text messages from their concerned daughters who were studying out of state.

However, seeing the burn zone, the still-flooded streets and the walkways covered with sand was surreal.

“The entire neighborhood was pretty much destroyed,” Dennis said. “We were the lucky ones. Our house wasn’t burned.”

The Dunne’s basement had filled with water to just below the top step; outside, their porch was badly

The Dunne Family back in their Breezy Point home. (L to R): Dennis, Sr., Judy, Dennis ’14 and Kelly.

damaged and there were two cracks in the home’s foundation. With the help of friends, family, emergency workers and volunteers like the hundreds of Xavier students and staff who organized and took to the streets in the storm’s immediate aftermath, they joined droves of neighbors who emptied their waterlogged homes and sought shelter elsewhere.

On the Move Dennis and his parents moved their lives and their essential possessions to his grandfather’s home on 1st Avenue, in Manhattan, then later to his grandmother’s home nearby.

On the one hand, the relocation made for the easiest Xavier commute Dennis had ever known. Judy, also, had an easier time getting to the Lower East Side school where she works, while Dennis, Sr., who is retired, spent most days driving out to Breezy for the cleanup.

While the apartment provided a temporary refuge, the Dunnes missed some of the normal comforts of home. School work was difficult to do without WiFi. There was no convenient place for Dennis to work on his assignments, so he spent many after-school hours

at Xavier, where the school’s library and learning center held extended hours to accommodate displaced students.

During Thanksgiving break, Dennis, his two sisters, Kelly and Christine, and both parents were all cramped into the one-bedroom apartment.

New Visions of Home Dennis had a glimpse of life back home each weekend when he would wake early to help with the cleanup.

First, walkways were cleared of sand and debris.

Then, washed-out cars were towed to a nearby lot. Due to the high water table, the Dunne’s basement kept filling with water. When it was pumped out for the final time, Dennis and others shoveled out the sand in buckets until the floor was clear. Power was back; the following weekend the gas came back.

In mid-December, the Dunnes received the good news that their new boiler would be delivered by the end of the week. With it would come heat, hot water and the essence of a fully functioning home. On December 14, Dennis accompanied his father as they waited for the delivery.

The next day, they were back home. That same Xavier Magazine

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weekend Kelly and Christine arrived for winter break.

“When they came back to the house, it felt like home again. It wasn’t empty anymore,” Dennis said. “After everything that happened, I was glad to see them.”

The Silver Lining Despite the hardship, Mrs. Dunne has already seen the silver lining. “I saw a side of my son that I’d never seen before,” she said, recounting the family’s first day back in Breezy. Before checking on his own home, Dennis walked to a nearby community center and helped distribute supplies and water to those in need. “My husband and I both said, ‘We didn’t give that to him.

Xavier instilled that in him.’”

“I thought I had a son who was not capable of even hanging his wet towel,” she continued. “But he worked from the time we got here to the time we left.

It showed me that he’s not at all a lazy person. He’s extremely capable of getting the job done.”

With many locals still displaced, Mrs. Dunne said she has also had a rare glimpse into her son’s social life. She is thankful for the way Dennis and his friends helped one another and helped others in such dire circumstances. “They say in the worst of times, you see nothing but the best in people. I saw that.”

Ninety-three Xavier students were displaced from their homes following Hurricane Sandy. The Dunne family will rebuild their damaged home as more neighbors return to Breezy Point in the upcoming months. The homes of 20 current students were damaged beyond repair.

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TRIAL BY FIRE Hurricane Sandy struck just eight weeks after Paul Wendel started his position as director of Ignatian service programs at Xavier. A native of Los Angeles, Calif., he mobilized 250 students and staff who were ready to help families in New York’s hardest-hit neighborhoods. Xavier Magazine asked him about the response to the crisis.

What made planning the Sandy relief effort different than anything else you’ve encountered this year?

“The immediacy of the need to respond was something you don’t find in any other programs we have here at Xavier. There was such a student fervor as Sandy hit that much of the work was to mobilize their passion and find opportunities for students to get out and do the work.”

How did the service groups come to be?

“Mr. LiVigni called a meeting with senior administrators and he delegated the student service work to me. As someone who didn’t even know where Breezy Point or Rockaway was, it was a trial by fire. We said we wanted to get something together for the next weekend to attend to the most pressing needs. We organized a database of families in need, along with their addresses. Eighty seniors volunteered for that Friday’s service work, and over the next seven service days, a total of 250 students and staff went out.”

Right XavierSide feature Headline Sandy Relief Fund Surpasses Goal We asked. You responded with grace and generosity.

Twelve weeks after the Office of Advancement established the Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund to assist current Xavier families impacted by Hurricane Sandy, more than $550,000 was raised. Gifts came from loyal Sons of Xavier and complete strangers, Jesuit universities and Catholic grammar schools, parents of current SOX and elementary school students from as far away as New Mexico and California.

Director of Development Mark Mongelluzzo said the effort exceeded its initial goal by 50 percent. The

funds provided tuition assistance to students severely impacted by the storm.

Contributions also helped replace athletic equipment, uniforms, computers and other academic necessities.

“More than 700 people responded with great love and generosity,” Mr. Mongelluzzo said. “For the students affected by the unprecedented devastation wrought

by Hurricane Sandy, Xavier will remain a place of hospitality, hope, love and learning for the remainder of their time here.”

EMPOWERING THE XAVIER COMMUNITY service days brought relief to more than 50 homes; Xavier volunteers helped untold others.

“When I first went out with the Xavier service groups, I wasn’t expecting to see what I saw. It was real devastation,” said Michael DiNofrio ’16, a current freshman.

DiNofrio was among dozens of Even before the effects of Hurricane first-year students who started Xavier Sandy were fully known, Xavier careers a month before Sandy hit, and students were making plans. The were ready to join the volunteer lines day after the storm, while power was once the call went out. “I met a lot of still out in much of the city, Zachary friends who lived in Rockaway at the Fuerst ’13 posted comments on the start of the year. A lot of their houses Xavier Peer Ministry Facebook page, and basements were destroyed. I’ve asking about ways to help. The next had a strong bond with them since I day, Giovanni Rocco ’13 e-mailed came to Xavier, and I wanted to make the school to say that Xavier seniors an impact and show my support as a were willing to do whatever it took to Man for Others.” help with the cleanup efforts.

No one needed to explain the call That sense of responsibility to help to people like Thomas and played a large part in organizing Eileen Carroll P ’13, of Beach 140 the school’s response. Beginning on in Belle Harbor. Two floors of their November 3, 2012, and for the next home were destroyed, but they quickly four weeks, hundreds of students and finished demolition and hosted lunch staff members were dispatched to the for volunteer groups during the homes of Xavier families and recovery. Their son, Sean Carroll ’13, neighbors who suffered major losses. worked with a Xavier cleanup crew The volunteer teams accomplished at the house next door. “There was in one day what would have taken no stopping to question whether we individual homeowners weeks. Eight would get food for the cleanup crews,

or how it would be paid for,” Mrs. Carroll said. “They were putting what they learned at Xavier into action.”

“I think we were really able to make an impact on those communities affected by Hurricane Sandy,” said Paul Wendel, director of Ignatian service programs. “In the same way that Hurricane Katrina efforts were needed for years, recovery efforts related to Hurricane Sandy will be needed well into the future.”

Now that cleanup is nearing an end, Mr. Wendel said the focus is on rebuilding.

“New York City has endured tragedies before,” he continued. “But, in the midst of such widespread loss, there has never been a chance for so many young people at Xavier to feel empowered to help their peers in such a real and direct way. Xavier students were challenged in a unique way this past fall, but through this challenge they demonstrated their strength, resilience and compassion.

We are proud to see these qualities in our Xavier students and are proud of how they used their gifts and talents from God in service to their fellow brothers and sisters.”

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Eighty Words

Founded 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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Right Xavier Sidemission Headline Last year, a Xavier task force was commissioned to update the school’s mission statement. With 80 meaningful words crafted into three sentences, the updated statement conveys our identity, way of proceeding and fundamental purpose. Here, we unfold the mission statement, revealing principles deeply rooted in the global Jesuit mission and brought to life in Xavier’s distinctive way.

Examining Our Xavier Mission Statement 1847 Xavier has stood the test of time. Through wars, natural disasters, financial crises and terrorist attacks; through scores of political and ecclesiastical leaders; through generations of New Yorkers, we have educated immigrants and their descendants since James Polk was president. Our history — a history of faith, resilience, character, integrity and service — is our strength.

Academically rigorous Forming young men who know how to think is the foundation of all we do. Across every academic discipline in the college preparatory curriculum, students examine issues from multiple perspectives, construct and deconstruct arguments and learn to develop well-reasoned opinions. Equipped with highly trained minds, 99.5 percent of Xavier graduates enroll in four-year colleges, including Ivy League institutions, selective liberal arts colleges and public universities and renowned Jesuit and Catholic schools.

Catholic, Jesuit Since its founding in 1540, the Society of Jesus has put herself at the service of the Church and the Roman Pontiff. Today Xavier continues as an apostolic instrument of the Church sponsored by the Jesuits. Faith in God, the Sacraments, a Christo-centric worldview that understands that God is present and active in the world, prayer rooted in the Spiritual Exercises, cura personalis, a faith of which work for justice is an absolute requirement, partnership, service rooted in the gospels and an active life of communal worship all define the Xavier experience and shape Sons of Xavier in their lives beyond 16th Street.

Intelligent, motivated young men Earning a Xavier diploma isn’t easy, but that is what makes the achievement so special for the young men that graduate at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Demonstrating academic skills and earning high scores is the starting point. The desire to overcome obstacles and the courage to take risks in the pursuit of success are traits that set Xavier students apart. Battling the commute to 16th Street, balancing the demands of coursework and extracurricular activities, traveling for team practices and assuming leadership roles in JROTC and other programs are just some of the ways a strong sense of purpose is lived every day at Xavier.

Diverse background and means Like the Catholic Church and the City of New York, diversity has always characterized Xavier. Talented young men — rich, poor or middle class; sons of policemen and firemen, postal workers and sanitation men, doctors, lawyers and architects — have always studied side-by-side. Today, third-generation Xavier students, whose ancestors arrived from Ireland years ago, study alongside the sons of recent arrivals from Africa and Eastern Europe. And the Jesuits, faculty and loyal Sons of Xavier have always made this possible. Thus has it always been and thus will it be.

Responsibility for their lives Character formation is an essential part of a Xavier education. Students are taught to understand that decisions and actions have consequences that will impact their lives, and the lives of others.

Students are expected to be young men who possess selfdiscipline and an inner sense of what is right and just. The high standards set by teachers and coaches, serving JUG and one-on-one conversations with the Dean of Students are some of the common ways that Xavier students learn the importance of honesty, integrity and responsibility.

Act justly in service of others Service takes many forms at Xavier. Students travel hundreds of miles on CFX in Mexico, but also serve the homeless right here in New York City. With each act of service, students reflect and derive meaning from the experience to better understand themselves and what God is calling them to do.

Pursue excellence The constant pursuit of excellence, Magis, is another defining characteristic of education in the Jesuit tradition. In the classroom, on the playing field or in competition with the Raider Unit of JROTC, the question we continually ask is, “What more can I do?”

Deepen their relationship with God 95 percent of Xavier students participate in at least one retreat before graduation. Throughout their four years, students are entrusted with freedom to question and explore issues of faith on a deeper level. As students near graduation, it’s why so many feel they have made their faith their own.

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Right Xavier Sidemission Headline Lay faculty and staff love and embrace the mission of the Society of Jesus. They are the visible face of Xavier, who keep Ignatian spirituality at the center of the educational enterprise.

Years before Joe Petriello, Ph.D., set foot in a Jesuit high school, a Catholic grammar school nun raised his awareness of Ignatian values and spirituality.

“Back in fourth grade, Sister Mary Andre would make us write ‘A.M.D.G.’ on the top of all our homework,” he recalled. The Latin motto for the Society of Jesus was foreign to the then nine-year-old Petriello, but Sister Mary Andre explained its meaning. “That was the first time I encountered ‘For the Greater Glory of God’ and it was from someone who was not a Jesuit, who was not a priest, and who was not a man,” continued Dr. Petriello, chair of the Religion Department at Xavier High School. “When I look back on that, I think it shows how pervasive Ignatian spirituality is and how it enters into different segments of our lives.”

Dr. Petriello often shares this story with Xavier parents to illustrate the virtue of a Jesuit education and how Ignatian values are inculcated from one generation to the next by men and women who embrace the vision of a world graced by God. At Xavier, that means students interpret the first principle and foundation from the Spiritual Exercises with Rev. James Hederman, S.J., and test Newton’s three laws of motion in freshman physics classes taught by Mr. Rodolfo Casals, S.J., scholastic in Regency. They also construct well-reasoned arguments under the guidance of history teacher and dean of faculty Joseph Sweeney ’85, examine the ideology behind Dostoyevsky’s Notes from the Underground in English classes taught by Margaret Gonzalez, and wrestle with hard truths applying

Catholic social teaching to the 21st century economy in senior religion classes with Dr. Petriello.

This shared responsibility, along with the concerted effort by lay leadership to form teachers, administrators and staff in the charism of the Society of Jesus, continues to keep Xavier a deeply Jesuit institution.

Assistant to the President Rev. Jack Replogle, S.J. ’51 observed that faculty and staff assume this responsibility with great gusto. “By and large, people feel flattered,” he said. “Not only are we asking them to teach Ignatian pedagogy, we’re asking them to hand on an Ignatian world view. We want them to treasure it the way we do and pass it on to others.”

Building Ignatian Character Over the last 15 years, Xavier has intensified its formation efforts. There are now formal programs for new employees as well as continuous opportunities for teachers, administrators and staff to grow in Ignatian spirituality. Faculty members, many of whom attended Jesuit high schools and colleges, say they are better educators and better people as a result of these experiences.

“I was in Jesuit education for eight years before I came to Xavier,” said Dr.

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Petriello, a graduate of Fordham Prep and Holy Cross College. “But I only had limited teaching experience with the HAP (Higher Achievement Program), so it really helped me fine tune my understanding and practice of Ignatian pedagogy. What I attempt to do in the classroom every day really needs to be inspired by the Gospel and the underlying mission and spirituality that we all share.”

Laity Step Up That spirituality is bolstered by Xavier’s membership in the Jesuit Secondary Education Association ( JSEA), a national network of 60 Jesuit and Catholic high schools that provide resources to sustain Ignatian mission and vision. JSEA membership is instrumental to Xavier’s formation effort; faculty and staff regularly participate in JSEA professional development programs and have multiple opportunities to meet, collaborate and learn from educators that share a similar commitment and passion for Jesuit education.

Ms. Gonzalez, a 20-year faculty member who also serves as chair of the English Department, is a participant in Seminars in Ignatian Leadership, a program that occurs in two weeklong sessions over a three-year period through the JSEA. A graduate of Loyola High School in Manhattan and Georgetown University, she credits the program with strengthening her Ignatian character.

“There’s a compassion component to being a leader in an institution that is fueled by Jesuit identity,” she said.

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that I’m really much more aware of how I think about and how I treat members of my department and the students in my classroom. It’s certainly helped me in being a better leader and a stronger one. I’m also wiser in dealing with different personalities, meeting them where they are and realizing that they are here for a mission as well.”

Xavier educators also participate in JSEA symposiums and colloquia; gatherings that present opportunities to improve teaching and learning while connecting Xavier educators with Jesuit leaders and a larger Ignatian community.

Last summer, five Xavier faculty and administrators attended the JSEA Symposium 2012 at Marquette University in Milwaukee. More than 500 Ignatian educators from the U.S., Canada, England, Ireland and Latin America are expected to participate at the 2013 Jesuit Colloquium at Saint Louis University.

Xavier will have a strong presence at this gathering as well; 15 staff members will be immersed in timely issues affecting Jesuit secondary schools, ranging from mission accountability to the meaningful integration of technology in classrooms.

Additionally, Xavier Director of Campus Ministry Kaija DeWitt is the New York City regional director for Contemplative Leaders in Action (CLA), a program of the Jesuit Collaborative which provides spiritual formation and leadership development to a cohort of emerging young adult leaders each year. The initiatives of the Jesuit Collaborative are rooted in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola and help strengthen Xavier’s connection to other works in the Society while deepening our understanding of Xavier’s Jesuit mission and Ignatian character.

Spirit of the Place Along with the wide breadth of formation programs, the Jesuit charism is very much ingrained in day-to-day life at Xavier.

Fr. Replogle calls it “osmosis,” noting that daily

Right Xavier Sidemission Headline

“There is a sense that God is at work here already and we’re participating in that work... that really does motivate us to continue to do what we do.” rituals are a way to model Ignatian spirituality and ideals.

“Each day the school begins in prayer,” he said. “It’s a time when everyone stops and takes a minute. Half of the student body might be thinking about something else in that moment, but we stop. Bit by bit, that begins to work itself into people’s lives. Faculty and students catch on that this is the way we do things here.”

“I think one way to look at it is the spirit of the place,” said Dr. Petriello. “There’s a sense that God is at work here already, and we’re participating in that work. That really does enliven us and motivate us to continue to do what we do.”

Accompanying Sons of Xavier in their spiritual journey can be as beneficial for the adults as it is for students. “I feel the retreats are a form of formation for us,” Ms. Gonzalez said. “When we go on the Kairos or the Magis retreat with the students, we’re going through it with them, and that’s a really wonderful type of Ignatian spirituality.”

In fact, Headmaster Michael LiVigni has a waiting list of faculty members who want to participate in retreats and work side-by-side with students on CFX (Companions of St. Francis Xavier) service trips. “Ignatius stressed that we should be in service to each other,” he explained. “Teachers actively want to model that for students, and want to be a part of that aspect of their education.”

Ultimately, sustaining Xavier’s deeply Jesuit character is up to the people who truly have a vibrant and practical sense of what Jesuit education is all about.

“We fall into the trap, I don’t think consciously, of lamenting the number of Jesuits there are today,” Mr. LiVigni observed. “Their number may be smaller, but they remain incredibly dedicated models of Christ’s love in this world. There are teachers in this school who are not Jesuits, who embrace and love the mission of the Society of Jesus because it is their own as well. So I think quite the opposite.

Jesuit education is very, very strong. Probably the strongest and most Ignatian since its founding.”

“The Jesuits I know are quite pleased with the way things are going,” Fr. Replogle added. “As long as we continue this effort we’ll be in good shape.”

APPLY THE MISSION THROUGH STUDENT EYES When Clark Gentile ’13 first walked through the doors of Xavier four years ago, he expected strong academics and was ready to work hard. What the Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, native wasn’t expecting, however, was to discover the ways his academic experiences would tangibly impact his perspective on life, learning and discipline.

Before Gentile began Latin studies his freshman year, he’d heard mixed reviews. Some students said it was too hard; others said it was manageable. “I knew I had to check it out for myself,” Gentile said. “And it was difficult, but through the difficulty and the stress Dr. Caliendo applied to us — to study every day and take the lessons seriously — I learned that you need discipline and self-control to do certain things you set out to do.”

By his junior year, when he was assigned to read Plutarch’s Roman Lives, Gentile didn’t just read the text in class — he absorbed the lessons between the lines, and even questioned how those lessons applied to his own life. “It is more than history or just Latin. It’s studying what kind of people figures like Mark Antony and Caesar were, understanding the successes and failures in their lives, and their attitudes. You can apply that to your own thoughts and actions, and judge what traits we should idolize today and which we should not.”

Gentile has paired his academic experience at Xavier with a robust array of out-of-classroom experience, like the Kairos and Magis retreats. After four years, he’s built a firm personal and intellectual foundation that will put him on solid ground for college.

“It’s about the whole person,” he explained. “As a freshman, you see the workload and understand you need to do study and do the work. As time progresses, you build relationships and go through different experiences that help you realize you’re not just learning about books, you’re learning about yourself — where you want to go and who you want to be — and your bonds with people and with God are strengthening.”

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Xavier governance

Upholding Our Mission They are stewards, benefactors and champions for Xavier. Since 1847, the Board of Trustees has been entrusted with overseeing the operation of Xavier High School and upholding its mission to send forth leaders for the city, Church and nation. Now, new and veteran trustees reflect on their responsibilities to Xavier and sustaining the Catholic and Jesuit character of an institution that shaped their lives.

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n many ways, Xavier’s Board of Trustees functions like any other school board. The 21 trustees have a fiduciary responsibility to make sure the institution succeeds. What distinguishes the Xavier Board from its secular counterparts is that all of its decisions are grounded in upholding Xavier’s mission as a Catholic and Jesuit institution.

“We as Board members must be prepared to assume responsibility, collectively as a Board and individually as trustees, for the mission of the school,” Chairman of the Board of Trustees Richard Nolan, Esq. ’83 explained.

“Does this impact the decisions we make? Absolutely.

Our goal is to have the concept of mission underlie, influence and inform every decision we make.”

Xavier and the Society of Jesus The Board operates under the auspices of a formal Sponsorship Agreement between Xavier High School and the New York Province of the Society of Jesus.

The most recent document was signed in 2011 and lays out in detail the responsibilities and duties of both the Board and the Province. It also commits Board members to ongoing formation in Ignatian spirituality, Jesuit education and good governance procedures.

“We operate with a committee structure,” Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., associate pastor at Church of St. Ignatius Loyola and a Xavier trustee, said. “The Governance Committee makes sure the Board itself runs smoothly.

We have a school life committee, which pays attention 16.

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to the kinds of programs and projects that are going on in the school that speak to mission and identity. There is a school plant committee, which has been working very, very hard the last few years on major capital projects, like the new school building going up on 15th Street.”

One of the newest trustees, Ray Whiteman ’77, echoed the sentiments of all alumni Board members when he reflected on how membership is a way of giving back to the school that means so much to him. “Life sometimes goes full circle, and this is one of those full circle moments. I still remember my first few days at Xavier, and how awed I was of the place. I remember being a kid on the streets of Brooklyn, and now to be a member of the Board of Trustees is a privilege and an honor,” he said.

“Our goal is to have the concept of mission underlie, influence and inform every decision we make.”

For Kenneth Nolan ’65, another newly selected trustee, the road to service on the Board began with membership on the Xavier Finance Committee. “I knew some current Board members, as well as some past members, and they encouraged me. I’ve also stayed friendly with some of the Jesuits I met when I went to Xavier. So it was an easy decision when I was asked to

Back row (l to r): Dennis J. Langley ’70, Joseph P. Muriana, Esq. ’71, Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., Gerald P. FitzGerald ’58, Kenneth R. Nolan ’65, Susan D. Conniff.

Front row (l to r): Daniel J. Denihan ’65, Richard T. Nolan, Jr., Esq. ’83, John R. Raslowsky, Peter Seccia ’85, William P. Kelly ’91, Paul M. Enright ’91. Not pictured: Rev. Vincent L. Biagi, S.J. ’67, Rev. James P. Croghan, S.J., John R. Duffy ’78, Michael N. Ford ’63, Robert A. Haskins ’77, John C. Meditz ’66, Rev. Anthony P. SooHoo, S.J., Francis X. Tirelli ’71 and Raymond A. Whiteman ’77.

serve,” he explained.

Members of the Society of Jesus continue to maintain a presence on the Board. Today, five Jesuits serve as trustees. While some might perceive increased participation of the laity as a threat to the very character and nature of Xavier, Fr. Marina looks at the situation differently.

“It’s often assumed the more Jesuits you have in a school, the stronger its mission and identity will be. At one time I think that was true,” he explained. “I don’t believe it is true anymore, because so many wonderful lay teachers and lay staff members today are really taking the whole message to heart. While they are not Jesuits, obviously, they embrace the mission and are exceptionally knowledgeable about Jesuit education and Ignatian spirituality.”

Mr. Whiteman found similarities with the corporate world. “It is comparable to when I look at a company; it’s not the product, it’s the process. That’s what I look at. As long as we continue to have the processes, I think Xavier will still reflect Ignatian values and principles.”

“I fervently believe that Xavier is as Jesuit today as it ever was in its history,” Chairman Nolan observed. “And I say that with great confidence, because the fundamental elements of Ignatian spirituality have been absorbed into every element of the life of the institution. I have had conversations with students who can cite, with specificity, elements of the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius that they have experienced on a retreat.”

What Makes a Jesuit School Jesuit?

A key reference tool for Board members is “What Makes A Jesuit School Jesuit?,” a document first published by the Jesuit Conference Board in 2000 and updated periodically. It delineates the characteristics that verify the Jesuit nature of a school, and provides practical ways for schools to better understand and live their mission.

Jesuit schools also use the document to confirm their sponsorship agreements with the Society of Jesus and to demonstrate how they authentically function as apostolates of the Society.

At an orientation session for new trustees from schools throughout the New York area, Kenneth Nolan saw how the principles outlined in that document translate into a Jesuit education. “It was very interesting to listen to what former students of other institutions said. They had only one or two Jesuits as teachers during their four years, yet felt they still received a great Jesuit education,” he said.

Fr. Marina observed, “There are 21 members of the Board of Trustees. We wouldn’t get very far if we had 21 points of view. In part, that’s why increased emphasis has been placed on the spiritual formation of new Board members. If we are to uphold Xavier’s identity and mission, they need to have a deep knowledge and understanding of them.”

It’s a commitment Board members freely accept. As Mr. Whiteman put it, “It’s so critical to become involved with this school, to ensure that Xavier continues into the 22nd century.”

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Advancing Xavier

Rising Higher

Hall of Fame Inductees

In 2011, Xavier announced plans to significantly expand the school’s footprint and create purpose-built space at 31-35 W. 15th Street to further improve the academic and extracurricular experience. Construction is well underway and Xavier students will be able to take advantage of the new facility beginning fall 2015.

Jack Raslowsky, Xavier president; Margaret Kittinger, partner, Beyer Blinder Belle, architect and master planner; Ken Horn, president, Alchemy Properties; Michael Tierney ’69, former trustee and co-chair of the Union Building Task Force.

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xcavation is complete, the concrete cellar has been poured and the superstructure is now heading skyward. Work is well underway on 31-35 W. 15th Street, the new 27-story building adjacent to the Xavier campus.

The new edifice will provide space for amenities that will make an excellent Jesuit and Catholic educational experience at Xavier even better.

Part of what makes this ambitious project so innovative is a mixed-use design that will see Xavier High School own and occupy the first six floors of the new building, while the 21 upper floors will contain

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residential condominiums. In 2011, the Xavier Board of Trustees approved an agreement to sell the school’s air rights to real estate developer Alchemy Properties, Inc., while keeping the bottom six floors of the new structure.

Xavier Trustee Daniel J. Denihan ’65 called the project a “watershed event” for the institution. “It will provide us with a sustainable, competitive advantage well into the 21st century,” said Mr. Denihan, managing director at Tenth Avenue Holdings and a member of the Plant Committee at Xavier. “It will help us acquire outstanding students and retain outstanding faculty.”

This new construction isn’t a prelude to an increase in

the 1,000-plus member student body. Rather, the driving force behind the project is the need to create the best possible environment to fulfill Xavier’s historic mission.

Currently, some classrooms are doing double and even triple duty.

“...the new addition will help keep the Xavier tradition alive. It will enhance the academic opportunities for our student body and will stabilize the Jesuit brand for many years to come.”

As the owner’s representative, architect Thomas McGinty is responsible for the day-to-day management of Xavier’s consultants, architects and engineers. He also serves as liaison with the project developers. “The 15th Street building will include 12 to 14 new classrooms. It will also incorporate a multi-purpose music and theater space, as well as a second multi-purpose space for gym and sports activities,” he stated.

The 15th Street Task Force, a group of Xavier alumni and alumni parents appointed by the Board of Trustees, is overseeing the design and construction management phase of the project. Gerald P. FitzGerald ’58, a Xavier trustee and co-chairman of the task force, said that the preliminary design is complete and construction of the

Jack Raslowsky and Margaret Kittinger

interior space should begin later this year. “It’s coming together nicely,” he said. School officials anticipate that Xavier will occupy the new space during fall 2015.

The addition of the 15th Street building will increase the size of the Xavier campus by nearly 23 percent, adding approximately 35,000 square feet of space.

The expansion is part of a larger strategic planning effort for Xavier. “This is not a stand alone project, “ Mr. FitzGerald said. “It’s a major component on how to properly maximize available space for the school curriculum and activities.” In fact, the addition of space may also trigger updates on the existing campus. “[The expansion] will provide a great opportunity to restore and renovate various sections of the older buildings, some parts of which have not been renovated in more than 100 years,” Mr. Denihan noted. The master planning process conducted by the Plant Committee also identified opportunities for potential renovation of existing space such as the basement underneath the Church of St. Francis Xavier. Once the Music Department is relocated to the new facility, the basement could be transformed into a student lounge to accommodate dining, workspace and other activities.

Yet, as dramatic as these changes will be, Mr. Denihan noted, in one crucial aspect they don’t change anything. “I feel the new addition will keep the Xavier tradition alive. It will enhance the academic opportunities for our student body and will stabilize the Jesuit brand for many years to come.”

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Planting Seeds SCHOLARSHIP CHANGES LIVES “These are special people,” John Tokar ’51 said. And he meant every word.

While there are many named scholarships at Xavier, The Rosemarie and John A. Tokar Endowed Scholarship in memory of Mark A. Tokar, was established to benefit students who were orphaned, adopted or raised by single parents or grandparents — people who often face limited educational opportunities due to financial constraints.

Since 1996, the four-year grant has benefited five Xavier students. But there’s a twist.

“We didn’t want to just sit here and write checks,” Mr. Tokar said. “That’s not what this endowed scholarship fund is about. It’s about giving these special people the opportunity to pursue their dreams for a full and rewarding life.”

The Tokars nurture the growth of each recipient by meeting and mentoring them, while arranged gatherings allow the scholars to meet one another and recognize their common bonds. The Tokars recently made a gift to the scholars by sponsoring a reunion in 2014, when all the Xavier Tokar scholars — led by Matthew Sgritto ’08 — will meet with the four Tokar scholars from the University of Notre Dame, where the couple set up a similar endowed scholarship.

The end vision is a perpetual fraternal group of scholars. The Tokars hope that the current group, and future Tokar scholars, will carry forward and pass on the spirit of purpose: supporting and mentoring one another, assisting the progress of one another and fostering good will. In their lifetimes, the community will grow to at least 40, possibly 50 members.

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As part of their estate plan, the couple arranged for John Fahy, a Notre Dame Tokar scholar, and Mr. Sgritto to fulfill their role regarding the scholarship programs and endowed funds.

Education was transformative for Mr. Tokar who left his family in western Pennsylvania at an early age so he could attend Xavier. He went on to Notre Dame, and married Rosemarie. Together, they adopted three children. Mark, their adopted son, passed away at age 29 due to a heart condition. This inspired the couple to establish the endowed funds in his memory to give similar individuals the opportunity to expand their world.

The Tokars have strong feelings about their defined spirit of purpose and work diligently to inspire the scholars to perpetuate this mission. They devote a lot of time and attention to the scholars they’ve selected, but recognition is not what this couple is after.

“They’re a diverse group of very special people, and they are bright and hardworking,” Mr. Tokar said.

“Their success is our thanks.”

To learn more about the Rosemarie and John A. Tokar Endowed Scholarship, visit tokarscholars.org.

Rosemarie and John Tokar ’51

Advancing Xavier

HAP’s GREATEST BELIEVER Rev. D. Michael J. Flynn, S.J. 1941–2012 More than 30 years after he left 16th Street, the legacy of the late Rev. D. Michael Flynn, S.J., endures at Xavier High School. The Jesuit who was synonymous with Xavier’s Higher Achievement Program (HAP) passed away on July 27, 2012.

“He embodied the HAP program. It had no greater believer,” said Rev. Donald Gannon, S.J. HAP provides academic and extracurricular enrichment for 7th and 8th graders regardless of financial status. Its mission fit Fr. Flynn’s gifts and talents perfectly.

HAP was founded in 1964 at Saint Peter’s Prep in Jersey City, N.J.; its spread would dramatically reshape the socioeconomic makeup of Jesuit secondary schools. At Xavier and many other schools, HAP is a life changing experience. Last summer, more than 200 young men took part and were introduced to Xavier teachers, students and fellow participants throughout New York City.

A gifted and loving pastor, Fr. Flynn headed numerous parishes serving primarily Hispanic communities. He spent many summers in Santiago, Chile immersed in the culture and Spanish language, which supported his outreach work in New York.

Fr. Flynn was also a member of Xavier’s religious education department from 1972–1980, and he witnessed the way HAP opened Jesuit schools up to diversity.

Countless alumni like Joe Nardiello ’80 recalled the Jesuit’s compassion, humor and concern for young people from underprivileged backgrounds. “He was incredibly personable,” Mr. Nardiello said. “He had the perfect balance of goodness and humility.”

Ken Ng ’80 was recruited by Fr. Flynn into Xavier’s HAP program prior to attending Xavier. Years after graduation, he and his wife, Lucy, reconnected with Fr. Flynn. The friendship led to Mr. Ng’s baptism in the Catholic Church, with Fr. Flynn as his sponsor. A familial relationship continued until Fr. Flynn’s passing.

“Lucy and I discovered that he made everyone feel special and loved,” Mr. Ng said. “Fr. Flynn was a wonderfully concerned and loving man with enormous capacity to care for others.”

Fr. Flynn left Xavier in 1980 and served as director of vocations for the New York Province of the Society of Jesus until 1986. He was named director of the Hispanic Lay Leadership Program in 1997. He also served as pastor of Nativity Church on Manhattan’s Lower East

Side and St. Mary of the Assumption and Our Lady of Mount Carmel-St. Benedict on Staten Island. In 2011, he began a new assignment at Our Lady of Loretto Church in Hempstead, Long Island.

“A few years ago, during one of our short visits, Mike shocked me,” Mr. Ng said.

“After having run three parishes, Rev. D. Michael J. Flynn, S.J. attending to the vocation of others, establishing numerous programs, and teaching at Xavier, he wondered if he was doing enough with his life.

Fr. Flynn changed my life completely.”

Fr. Flynn was memorialized at Xavier High School with a scholarship founded by Ken Ng ’80. To learn more about the Fr. Flynn scholarship, visit xavierhs.org/Flynn.

REACHING OUT TO RAISE FUNDS 2013 Phonathon raises $125,000 for Annual Fund More than 2,000 calls went out to alumni, donors and friends during the annual Xavier Phonathon, January 29–31 and February 12-13. For the volunteers that make calls on Xavier High School’s behalf each year, the effort is about more than raising money. “After Beefsteak, it’s my favorite alumni event,” said Jim Gildea ’70. “I look forward to re-connecting every year with classmates and raising awareness of Xavier’s financial needs.”

Phonathon volunteers play a central role in helping Xavier reach its Annual Fund goal of $2.1 million. Calls to date raised $125,000 in pledges — a significant percent of the overall Annual Fund goal. “The work these SOX do really makes a difference in the opportunities for our young men here at Xavier,” said Director of Development Mark Mongelluzzo.

“And the enthusiasm of our parents is just great.”

This year also marked the return of Frank Leahy ’41, who has volunteered for nearly every Phonathon since the inception of the Annual Fund in 1982. “He’s 89 and the epitome of ‘loyal son and true,’” Mr. Mongelluzzo added. “You gotta love a guy like that.”

Wrap-up Phonathon will take place March 19. E-mail mongelluzzom@ xavierhs.org for more info.

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Maroon and blue

Twenty Years Running Track and Field Coach Patrick Dormer nurtures runners while instilling ethics

Mr. Dormer and the indoor track squad in the Xavier Commons in December 2012, on a day when the team was practicing in three separate locations.

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hroughout the 20 years of Patrick Dormer’s coaching career at Xavier, the school’s track and field program has grown from just 11 runners in 1993 into a powerful force. Twohundred-twelve unique individuals took part in at least one of the three track seasons — indoor, cross country or outdoor track — and the teams represent a vast collection of students that hail from every part of the New York area.

But Mr. Dormer avoids calling the team “democratic” or “inclusive.”

Instead, he refers to his team in bigger terms. “It’s Christian,” he said.

Mr. Dormer ran during his own high school career and was captain of his team at Fordham University. He got his start coaching at Fordham Prep in 1987. At meets throughout the Bronx, Brooklyn and all over the

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tri-state area, he would frequently rub shoulders with Jim Scott, the patriarch of Xavier’s track program who shaped what would go on to be known as the larger New York Catholic High School (NYCHS) track league. Mr. Scott’s Xavier career spanned five decades, from the 1950s to the 90s, but by the 1980s Xavier’s team had shrunken considerably and the coach was on the lookout for an heir apparent.

He found a worthy successor.

Mr. Dormer took over the Xavier squad and, like his predecessor, joined the history department. The coaches continued to speak regularly until Mr. Scott’s death in 2008.

The conversations weren’t so much about workout regimens and training methods as they were about how to be a coach at Xavier, specifically.

“He knew the pressure that a young coach might be under to take

short cuts in order to win, and he instilled ethics in me,” Mr. Dormer said. “If you sacrifice your honor as a coach, you never get it back.

That was something Mr. Scott consistently said to me.”

When a freshman who was absent from school earlier in the day showed up to run at the 2005 freshman sectional championships, Mr. Dormer refused to run him, sticking to the NYCHS charter.

Xavier ran an empty slot, losing by two points. Later, when those young men would go on to be Xavier senior athletes, more than one said that he understood the significance of that action. “They said it was a defining moment, because they realized it was more important to do something right, rather than something that would just make them win,” Mr. Dormer said.

“Working hard and trying your best. That’s the hallmark of Xavier’s track teams.”

“The kids at Xavier have to overcome so many obstacles, but they don’t know it,” Mr. Dormer said. One day in 2012, indoor shot put was practicing in the Xavier Commons, while distance runners ran in Central Park and sprinters hit the Brooklyn Armory. “It can take 45 minutes to get to practice. We overcome these obstacles and the

focus is on being competitive.”

Today’s track program at Xavier nurtures the talents of young runners from year to year. Freshmen focus on personal improvement; sophomores strengthen the bond between coach and athlete; juniors and seniors have made a serious commitment toward their sport and take on leadership roles, mentoring younger runners and organizing their own warm-ups at meets. Mr. Dormer is a coach — and a teacher — whom students aim to please. When they do, they realize that they themselves have been the driving force behind their success.

Mr. Dormer’s track athletes continue to successfully walk a fine line between ethics, academics and physical performance. In all but one of the last 20 years, Xavier runners have qualified for cross country state

championships; in 1999, all seven senior varsity runners qualified.

During a meet in March 2005, five runners completed the shuttle hurdle relay and earned All-American status. In a back-to-back meet in Maryland the next day, they earned All-American again. In May 2012, Xavier beat Fordham Prep by 30 points, taking the archdiocesan championship for the first time, in a meet where freshmen through seniors scored in 16 of 19 events.

This year, the cross country team continued the tradition of sending athletes to the New York State Federations by qualifying all seven varsity runners. During the indoor season, the 4x800 meter relay — with two seniors, a junior and a freshman leading off — ran a school record of 8:01.91 and qualified for

Pins Perfection!

For the first time in Xavier history a Knight has achieved the holy grail of bowling: the perfect game. On December 17, 2012, Brooklyn native Mike “the Hammer” Martell ’15 hit 12 strikes in succession for a flawless score of 300.

“Before I left my house that morning, I told my mom that I was going to bowl 300 that night. I just knew it when I woke up,” Martell said. A crowd of more than 250, including President Jack Raslowsky, Headmaster Michael LiVigni and Lt. Col. Roy Campbell, cheered him on. “I was confident and only a little bit nervous on the last frame.

Each frame I kept thinking to myself ‘I’m a little bit closer now. Just keep going,’” he explained.

After slaying the last set of pins, the Knight was mobbed by

the prestigious Millrose Games.

The varsity runners were also able to capture the Indoor NYCHSAA title for the first time in school history, enjoying a close win over Fordham Prep in the 17-team meet.

Nine Xavier graduates are running Division I track and field in college.

One has started a blog that follows former Xavier runners through their college careers on the field.

“Track has always been about a hard-working kid who is willing to sacrifice to make himself better,” Mr. Dormer said. “Working hard and trying your best. That’s the hallmark of Xavier’s track teams.”

Mr. Dormer will be awarded the Bene Merenti medal for 20 years of service to Xavier at the 2013 Commencement Exercises on June 13.

by Rory Harris ’08

the crowd. “My teammates were going crazy,” he said. “It was a great experience.”

While this impressive feat was a first for Xavier Bowling, it was actually Martell’s fifth perfect game.

He bowled his first on July 25, 2011 at the age of 13. The avid bowler spends most weekends and holiday breaks practicing or participating in tournaments, in and out of school.

Martell earned highest average game (231) in the league, highest scratch game (300), scratch series (547), handicapped game (300) and handicapped series (547). His hard work and talent has even earned him national recognition. Last summer he placed 20th at Nationals, drawing the attention of the bowling coach at Saginaw Valley State University in Michigan. Martell

Lt. Col. Roy Campbell, Mike Martell ’15, Xavier President Jack Raslowsky, Headmaster Michael LiVigni.

has received commitment papers from Saginaw, which he intends to sign once eligible. For now, he is focused on leading the Knights to a championship.

The Knights finished 7th in the CHSAA Varsity Bowling League behind Head Coach Chris McCabe, who has high hopes for the team’s future. “The team has a talented squad of underclassmen, there is no reason that we won’t see great improvement in the upcoming years,” Mr. McCabe said.

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Standing Tall for Jesuit Education Gerard Walker 1953–2012

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erard Walker may have been a Brooklyn Prep graduate, but there is no doubt that after spending seven years at Xavier High School as director of athletics, he had become a true Son of Xavier.

The Xavier community continues to mourn the loss of Mr. Walker, who died at his home in Belle Harbor on September 25, 2012 after a brave battle with cancer.

“Many times at Xavier, people get promoted from within, but he came from the outside and became a part of the community with fresh ideas,” track and field coach Patrick Dormer said. “It was great to have someone like him so passionate about Xavier.”

“Rod just embodied the Jesuit mission,” said Xavier President Jack Raslowsky. “He got the Jesuit world view of God being present in the world.”

Mr. Walker’s true place in the Xavier community was validated when he was chosen to deliver the graduation address at the 169th Commencement of Xavier High School on June 9, 2011 in St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Mr. Walker was marking his 40th year as a graduate of Brooklyn Prep’s Class of 1971 when he delivered the Commencement Address. Prep closed in 1972, but Mr. Walker drew a parallel from his time there in his speech to graduates.

“Prep planted all the seeds that we now refer to as

Gerard Walker speaking at 2011 Commencement.

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‘the profile of the Graduate at Graduation,’” he said.

“We weren’t taught what to think, we were taught how to think, to be reflective, to be open to growth, to take positions and defend them intelligently. We learned to recognize justice, or the lack of it. That’s a Jesuit education, whether it’s 1971 or 2011.”

It wasn’t the first time Mr. Walker’s alma mater was invoked at Xavier. In 2010, Xavier’s cross country team wore Brooklyn Prep t-shirts in a race at the New York City Jesuit Championship in honor of the school. Mr. Walker was there at the finish line to support not only his former school, but Xavier as well.

“I did that for him. Everyone was talking about Xavier, but maybe it was time to talk about Brooklyn Prep,” Coach Dormer said. “The Xavier community has always been a great supporter of Brooklyn Prep. It meant a lot to him to be able to go to a meet and cheer for his high school, years after the school closed.”

Mr. Walker, known to friends and family as Rod, was born on July 31, 1953 in Brooklyn. After he graduated from Brooklyn Prep, he went on to Fordham University and then a long career in health care administration.

“Rod just embodied the Jesuit mission. He got the Jesuit world view of God being present in the world.”

He joined the Xavier football staff as a freshman coach in 2004. In what he always referred to as “an improbable miracle,” he became the athletic director and head junior varsity football coach at Xavier in 2005, work to which he enthusiastically dedicated the second phase of his professional life.

“Rod’s wit and his generosity allowed him to be very effective with all those he encountered,” said Tony Paolozzi, who worked with Rod in the athletic department for eight years. “I think he really liked Xavier because, in many ways, it’s a throwback: self-discipline, a sense of responsibility, dedication and hard work are still expected of Xavier students. I also think he respected our student-athletes and was impressed by their resilience and ability to stay focused despite obstacles. To him, coming to Xavier wasn’t coming to work. I think his only regret was that he found Xavier late in his life, and that he

wished he’d worked here for much longer, much sooner.”

“He was a great guy, very easy to work with,” said former Regis soccer coach Vinny Catapano, who often worked with Mr. Walker in his role as a CHSAA league chairman. “He always went above and beyond what was asked of him. He touched a lot of people with the work he did. ” Mr. Walker always felt it was a privilege and a blessing to be at Xavier: it was where he belonged. He often said, “thank God for my time at Xavier; the boys, their families, the coaches, faculty and staff were just the best people I ever met.”

He expanded on his feelings about Xavier in his 2011 Commencement speech: “Xavier is the real thing. Your diploma did not come easily. It’s something of real value, which I promise will serve you well the rest of your life.”

“I know it’s a cliché, but we just don’t know what we have until it’s gone,” Mr. Walker concluded. “Forty years ago we all thought places like Prep and Xavier would just be there forever. I really envy Xavier alums who return for Beefsteak Dinners and Turkey Bowls, who work here or who send their sons and grandsons here. Keeping Xavier alive and strong is a responsibility for all of us.

And as of tonight, you are as much a part of Xavier’s future as anyone.”

Mr. Walker is survived by his wife, Joan; three children from his first marriage, Kristen, Lindsay and Matthew; his father, Gerard Sr.; his sister Mary Grace Savage; his godfather Henry Bryan; and a host of family and friends.

Mr. Walker, shown above on a rented Harley-Davidson, was an adventurous traveler.

Xavier Magazine

25.

Sons of Xavier

Hall of Fame 1.

1. Chris O’Brien ’74, Bill McKiernan ’74, Bob Howley ’74 and Rich Scheller ’74. 2. The family of Grace Lamour, including John ’82, Jaqui, Hank and Tiffany, with Jack Raslowsky. 3. Mike Ford ’63, Hall of Fame Dinner Chair. 4. Jack Raslowsky with Margaret Glover, mother of LCPL Michael Glover ’97. 5. Very Rev. David S. Ciancimino, S.J. ’77 and family. 6. Bill McKiernan ’74 (center, with basketball) along with members of the Class of 1974 and President Jack Raslowsky. 7. Mike Tolkin ’85, Michael LiVigni, Xavier headmaster, and Mrs. Jean Sherman, director of guidance. 8. Jack Raslowsky with Tom O’Hara ’69, Roger Kirwan ’60, Bill McKiernan ’74 and Very Rev. David S. Ciancimino, S.J. ’77.

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1938

1949

1953

John Caffrey writes to Xavier, “Carry On!”

Steven Conti retired from the Lehigh Acres Planning Board in Florida. All classmates are welcome to visit.

Frank Hanigan is living in Montgomery, Texas and traveling the world where and whenever possible.

1950

1954

Pat Murphy celebrated his 80th birthday on November 29, 2012 at the Homestead Resort in West Virginia with his eight children and their spouses.

Ed Shalhoub survived the hurricane in Sea Girt, N.J.

1946 James O’Connor has four greatgrandchildren (three girls and one boy) and keeps in contact with Jack Hetherington ’47 and Ed Heiskill ’46.

Dan McNulty is happily retired with 17 children and 60 grandchildren. His first wife, who passed away in 1998, was the mother of eight, and his second wife is the mother of nine.

1947 Peter Smith attends Mass nearly every day and always on Friday in memory of Xavier’s KBS (Knights of the Blessed Sacrament).

1948 Dan FitzGerald has published his fifth novel, The Teacher, the story of a young high school math teacher with a learning disability.

Tom Kennedy, Ph.D. is enjoying good fishing and square dancing in the Pacific Northwest. He is looking forward to meeting with classmates this May. 26.

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Xavier Magazine

Allan Ahearne writes, “From Xavier to Saint Peter’s to Cornell Veterinary School to retirement in Paradise North, Cooperstown, N.Y., but it all started with Xavier.”

Bob Riese is still healthy and sends greetings to all and offers hospitality to anyone traveling through Kansas.

1952 Sil Resciniti is still practicing law and living in midtown Manhattan.

Anthony Kaspar retired and spends six months in New York City and six months in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Frank Notaro sends a big hello to his ’52 classmates.

Robert Gmelin sends greetings to ’54’s faithful class rep Franklin Piasio.

Richard Caime celebrates 54 years of marriage in 2013. His son, James, is a Jesuit and is in Beijing, China on a three-year assignment.

George Rioseco, D.D.S. is mostly retired from dentistry and enjoying his eight grandchildren. His son, Robert, also a dentist, runs the practice. George will spend the winter in Naples, Fla.

1955 William Murphy is now a snowbird living five months in Chicago and seven in Southwest Florida.

1956 Lt. Col. Mike Burke, USMCR (R) and his wife, Barbara, celebrated their 41st

Class notes Eight individuals who put Xavier ideals at the forefront of their actions were inducted into the Xavier Hall of Fame on February 1 at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers. The friends and family members of Very Rev. David S. Ciancimino, S.J. ’77, Rev. Vincent Duminuco, S.J., LCPL Michael D. Glover ’97, Roger T. Kirwan ’60, Grace Lamour, Rev. John J. McDonald, S.J. ’45, William S. McKiernan ’74 and Thomas J. O’Hara III ’69 were present to recognize these remarkable men and women.

Collectively, they have impacted Jesuit education, held leadership roles in the Society, given all defending our nation, been major philanthropic forces for dozens of institutions, empowered others to realize their own gifts, been compassionate role models for students, overcome adversity with internal courage and provided opportunities that have led generations of studentathletes to success.

“I have continually been inspired by the strength, faith, grit, generosity and genuine goodness of the Xavier family,” said Fr. Ciancimino, former Xavier headmaster and current provincial of the New York Province of the Society of Jesus. “What great people. And great people make for a great school.”

wedding anniversary.

Kevin Donohue and his wife, Mary Anne, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by taking the entire family (29) to Florida for a week last June.

Ernie Valera, Ph.D’s youngest grandson was baptized in November 2012; his oldest granddaughter will be married in May. Anthony Cusumano is celebrating 52 years of marriage to Rosemarie. He has five children, 12 grandchildren and a wonderful life in Pennsylvania.

1960 Sal Scarpato and his wife, Mitty, are living in Southern California. Sal is the commodore of the Westlake Yacht Club.

Fred Grannis M.D. (l.) and Raja Flores M.D. ’84

Conference for Lung Cancer Screening at Mount Sinai Hospital, November 4–5, 2012. Raja is a thoracic surgeon at Mount Sinai and Fred practices at City of Hope in Duarte, Calif.

1962 Rocco Iacovone is active composing and performing around the New York City area and continues to run the Xavier Alumni Band, “The Band of Brothers.”

He can be contacted at iacovoner@ xavierhs.org.

1963 Jack Mahon has earned a master’s degree in Religious Studies at Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Conn.

Thomas Nipper is retiring after 35 years of orthopedic surgical practice.

1964 Brian Kavanagh welcomed grandson Kieran James Kavanagh Ferdinand on October 12, 2012.

1967 John Murray D.M.D. became a fellow of the American College of Dentists at its meeting in Orlando, Fla. He celebrated with Greg LaMorte D.D.S. ’71, who has been a fellow for several years. Both are graduates of Saint Peter’s University in Jersey City.

1968 James Tucci, M.D., MMM, is currently president and CEO of the Spectrum Health Medical Group, a 700-provider, multi-specialty medical group organized in a Mayo clinic-like model.

1969 Nicholas DelBueno, Ph.D. retired after 37 years as a school psychologist with the Lodi Board of Education in New Jersey.

Fred Grannis M.D. and Raja Flores M.D. ’84 participated in the 27th International

Scott O’Connell writes, “Twilight Times Books has just published the first novel in a series I am writing about espionage and military intelligence during the American Revolution. The series is called Yankee Doodle Spies and Book One is The Patriot Spy.”

1971 Robert Hynes lives in Norwell, Mass., with his wife, Mary Beth, and five children. He expects to be working until he is 100 to send them all to college.

John Frank has published a new book, Always Be Job Hunting, and writes a blog of the same name.

1972 Al Roker recently published Never Goin’ Back, an inspiring, candid, and often hilarious story of self-discovery.

1973 Paul Rivera is vice president of project management division, GKC Industries, Inc., Whitestone, N.Y. Rene Medina had a great time at the annual post-Turkey Bowl class reunion at Tracks, an establishment in Penn Station owned by Bruce Caulfield ’73. They were joined by Mr. Raslowsky and Mr. Moroney. Rene will be sending his son, Marco, to Xavier in the Class of 2018.

Scott Cameron was inducted on November 15, 2012 as a fellow into the National Academy of Public Administration.

Richie Krajewski is in a toxicology degree program at Michigan State, applying what he is learning to his understanding of severe autism.

Joseph Pfeifer III, M.D. is currently director of trauma and surgical critical care at Berkshire Medical Center in MA. He is also an associate professor of surgery at UMass Medical Center.

Bob Citelli has entered his 16th year as principal founder of @Sales & Marketing.

Raphael Martinez is returning to higher education at the University of Miami for a second degree.

Robert Howley testified at a Congressional hearing on November 29, 2012 on the need for long-term housing solutions for the autistic population.

Tom Kosten is doing well at Baylor making vaccines for addictions.

1961

O’Donnell, writes that Dennis suffered a heart attack and stroke on November 11, 2011. He is in long-term care.

1970 John Lee Kapner, attorney-in-fact and health care proxy agent for Dennis

1974

James Weatherall’s son, James Owen, just released a new book, The Physics of Wall Street: A Brief History of Predicting the Unpredictable. Last November, James and his wife became grandparents of twin girls.

Xavier Magazine

27.

Sons of Xavier

Beefsteak 2013

The 2013 Xavier Beefsteak, held Friday, January 18 in Xavier’s Larkin Hall and the school gymnasium was an occasion for camaraderie, school spirit and plenty of laughs. See you at Beefsteak 2014, which will be held January 14, 2014.

Photos left: More than 700 grads from eight decades packed Larkin Hall and the school gym this past January.

Join in the fun next year — we’ll see you there!

1975 Jack Oliva reports that his son, James, is a sophomore at Virginia Tech and is a member of the ROTC. Tim Giambrone was appointed chairman of the Southeast Convention for the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) held October 2012, in Atlanta, Ga. The convention attracted the highest attendance (including more retailers) since before the economic downturn.

1976 Louis Papa, chair for the Class of ’76 writes to say it was great seeing everyone last year at the Reunion and he is happy to remain as class chair.

Michael Butler is the chief human resources officer for Ensign-Bickford Industries. He and his wife, Ginny, live in Ridgefield, Conn.

1977 Reid Muller retired after 25 years in the Air National Guard/USAF. His daughter, Aislinn, is studying at 28.

Xavier Magazine

Cambridge and his son, Reid, is a junior at RIT on a MSMC/NROTC scholarship.

1978 Sean Murphy’s daughters, Morgan and Sarah, have followed their mom, Eileen, GU’85 and dad, GU’82 to Georgetown University, keeping up the Jesuit tradition.

1981 Paul Brin sends greetings to all at Xavier.

Paul Carroll is still living in London and welcomes visitors.

1983 Col. Leo Buzzerio graduated from the US Army War College in June 2012.

In August he was assigned to the Netherlands.

1984 Eric Wakeham moved to Poughkeepsie, N.Y. This March he marks his 22nd year with the NYC Emergency Service.

1985 The entire Corbett family of Breezy thanks the Xavier volunteers who came to help them deal with the results of Hurricane Sandy.

1986 Due to an injury sustained in Iraq during Operation Iraq Freedom, Robert Suarez moved to Florida for its warmer climate and will begin his new law practice in Tampa.

Tony Gonzalez recently transferred to the Operational Projects Unit at the FBI Laboratory in Quantico, Va. He and his wife, Elizabeth, recently celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary.

Mark Jannone was recently appointed director of planning and system development for Atlantic Health System in New Jersey.

1987 Marlon Hosang earned Honor of Tenure in September 2012 as principal of P.S. 64. His two-year-old son, Maxwell, is preparing for the Class of ’28.

RightClass Side notes Headline 1988

1999

Giuseppe Ianni has a new job with Kohler Ronan Consulting Engineers.

Robert McGee is now living in Corning, N.Y., with Rachel and Caleb. A beautiful area!

1989 George Brennan finished his third CD release of original music. He appeared on WSJU Radio at St. John’s University in a live Internet simulcast on January 25.

1990 Francis Creighton was named chief of staff for the newly elected Connecticut Senator Christopher Murphy.

1991 Lt. Col. John C. Giordano is in his third tour of duty in Kuwait.

1992 Thomas Lee, senior partner at 451 Marketing, opened a new office in Santa Monica, Calif.

2000 Louis and Linda Benigno, parents of Michael Benigno ’00, write to thank Xavier faculty and students for all their help after Hurricane Sandy.

Pasquale DeAngelis writes, “2012 was a happy and sad year for me. On a happy note, I was married on June 30, 2012 to Danielle Gerard, and on a sad note, Sandy demolished the house I grew up in…displacing my entire family.”

2001 Enrique Gonzalez III has returned from an overseas internship in the Trade Department at the American Embassy in Madrid. He is earning an MBA in International Business.

Dominic Fareri earned a Ph.D. in psychology (cognitive neuroscience) in January 2013 from Rutgers University.

Dr. Robert Bruno and Kevin Corbett had a chance to catch up with Robert (Bobby) Howell while in San Diego for a golf trip in December.

1993 Mark Perry is teaching 10th and 11th grade religion at Christ the King High School, Newark, N.J. The North American Business Unit of Novartis Vaccines named John Minardo head legal counsel. He recently ended a four-year term as the chairman of the board of directors for Interpersonal Development, and remains a member of the NYCID Board and the board of directors of Mt. Manresa Jesuit Retreat House, Staten Island.

1996 J. P. Stathis lost his uncle, George Stathis, in Rockaway due to Hurricane Sandy.

He was 92 and a US Air Force veteran.

J.P. is now working as a sales/trading assistant for Converts and Equities at BNP Paribas.

1997 B. Gregory Onza completed the Napa Valley Marathon last spring and the San Francisco Marathon in 2011.

Teig Lynster was awarded a Master of Arts in Communications from Fairfield University in January 2013. He is working as new products manager at Fujifilm USA and is living in South Norwalk, Conn.

2002 Francis S. Elman has been promoted to the rank of staff sergeant in the US Air Force. His tour in Germany ended in January 2013, and he is now stationed at Hill AFB, Salt Lake City, Utah. He and his wife, Nadine, spent their leave time with his parents in Jersey City.

Zachary Stackell is currently an associate with the Corcoran Group. Based in SoHo, he specializes in residential sales in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

2003 Joe O’Brien is serving as assistant principal of Our Lady of Sorrows School, McAllen, Texas.

Kevin Pohlman and his wife, Jessica, are expecting their first child in May 2013.

2004 Matthew Salber is in the second year of a two-year Presidential Management Fellowship in Washington, D.C. He spent several weeks in Africa working with people applying for refugee status and is currently on a six-month rotation

at the State Department as a foreign affairs officer in African Relations.

2005 Steven Elman or “M” just returned from a deployment in Afghanistan with the US Marine Corps and was promoted to corporal on November 1, 2012. He is still assigned to Hq. Co., 1st Marine Regiment, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Lembo write to publicly thank their son William Lembo ’05 for his service to our country. “We are proud of you,” they write.

Andrew Mittiga teaches science at an allgirls public high school in East Harlem.

He also runs a summer field research program in partnership with Columbia University’s Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory.

Chris Jung is happy to note that he recently graduated from Suffolk University Law School and passed the July New York Bar Exam.

2006 John T. DeMarinis established his own financial advisory practice at MetLife and has achieved the LUTCF and CLTC designations.

2008 Artem Derkatch completed a Master of Fine Arts from Boston University. He majored in creative writing and studied under National Book Award recipient Ha Jin. John Whelan graduated as valedictorian from St. Francis College, Brooklyn, in Spring 2012. He is a first-year law student at the Benjamin Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University and is looking for a summer internship.

2009 Peter Kouretsos is in his senior year at Loyola University, Md. He was inducted into Phi Alpha Theta for history and continues to run Loyola’s new student orientation program. He is also looking forward to the Xavier Alumni Reunion.

Christopher Coll is studying Japanese Studies through the CUNY Baccalaureate Program and will be at Kansia Gaidai University in Hirakata City, Japan until June. During his stay he will continue his training in Kyokushin Karate.

Xavier Magazine

29.

Sons of Xavier

Mileposts Engagements Matthew DiVeglio ’98 announced his engagement to Jessica Welsh in November 2012.

REMEMBRANCES right: Angel Figueredo ’76, Hugh Brennan ’76, Michael Byrne ’75 and Bradford Pizza ’75.

Marriages Christopher Jaick ’86 married Kayla McDonald on September 15, 2012, at Guardian Angel Church, Kansas City, Mo. Pasquale DeAngelis ’00 married Danielle Gerard (pictured below) on June 30, 2012.

Thomas Downing ’95 and his wife, JoCurtis, welcomed a daughter, Clara Mary, on April 19, 2011.

Hugh Golden ’86 and Winter Woods welcomed son Hugh Xavier Golden on May 1, 2012.

David Fagan ’01 married Jordan Racavich on August 5, 2011.

Births Joe O’Brien ’03 and his wife, Clarissa, welcomed a daughter, Ella Maureen, on May 25, 2012.

Bhrett J. Pizza ’76 and wife, Terrie, welcomed the birth of their first child, Carmen Rene Pizza, on Sept. 2, 2012. They celebrated her baptism on December 30, 2012, in Atlanta. Several Sons of Xavier, part of the Atlanta alumni group, were in attendance. Pictured below, left to

Patrick Grady ’88 and Lindsay welcomed their third daughter, Brynn Anne Grady, on September 27, 2012. She joins her identical four-year-old twin sisters, Hannah and Noel.

Aaron Fries ’85 and his wife, Sharon, welcomed son John (pictured below) on October 17, 2011.

David Fagan ’01 and his wife, Jordan, welcomed a son, Liam Michael, on September 20, 2012.

Thursday, June 27, 2013 29th Annual Xavier High School Golf Outing North Hempstead Country Club, Port Washington, NY

In Memoriam

Alumni Mr. William J. Hynes ’31 9/9/12 Mr. John A. Winter ’32 7/29/12 Rev. John J. Gerhard, S.J. ’35 7/18/12 Mr. Hugh M. Bower ’36 10/16/12 Mr. Joseph P. Cunneen ’38 7/29/12 John J. Dennelly, Esq. ’41 6/25/11 Lt. Gen. Dennis P. McAuliffe, USA (Ret) ’41 7/31/12 Mr. Henry R. Alexander ’42 3/16/12 Mr. Donald C. Dawkins ’42 12/10/12 Rev. Vincent M. Novak, S.J. ’42 8/6/12 30.

Xavier Magazine

Contact Shane Lavin ’03 for sponsorship opportunities. lavins@xavierhs.org or (212) 924-7900, ext. 1611

Mr. John F. Canning ’43 6/7/12 Mr. Donald A. Chandler ’43 9/1/11 Edward J. Cibulay, Esq. ’43 8/27/12 Henry J. Molinari, M.D. ’43 12/18/11 Mr. Pearse E. Nolan ’44 7/2/12 Mr. Martin J. Faber, Jr. ’45 8/6/12 Mr. Ferdinand A. Mandato ’45 11/16/12 Mr. George Q. Quenzel ’45 4/11/12 Mr. Robert F. Klein ’46 1/10/13 Mr. John M. Conroy ’47 7/7/12 Mr. Arthur J. Dalton ’47 6/12/12 Mr. Joseph G. Farrell ’47 2/21/12 William R. Golterman, D.D.S. ’47 11/26/12

Rev. Gerald J. Chojnacki, S.J. The Xavier community mourned the death of Rev. Gerald J. Chojnacki, S.J., who passed away on November 6, 2012. Fr. Chojnacki, know to many as Jeff, was the rector of the Xavier Jesuit Community and a member of the Xavier High School Board of Trustees. He served as provincial of the New York Province from 2002 to 2008.

Xavier President Jack Raslowsky recalled a Jesuit who impacted people’s lives through his leadership, friendship and spiritual guidance. “Jeff had a certainty of God’s presence, love and care, and that gave him a wonderful sense of freedom. He had a deep and lasting affection for our work at Xavier and for the work of Jesuit secondary education as an important apostolate for the Church and the Society. I will always be grateful for his friendship, his wise counsel, his humor and his real commitment to partnership in all he did.”

Fr. Chojnacki entered the Society of Jesus at St. Andrew-on-Hudson,

Mr. John Moriarty ’47 7/23/12 Mr. William F. Thomas ’47 1/8/12 Mr. John F. Wagner ’48 11/4/12 Mr. Harold R. Cronin ’49 12/15/11 Mr. William E. O’Mara ’49 3/11/12 Mr. William E. O’Brien ’51 8/25/12 Rev. Brendan V. Sullivan ’51 4/30/11 COL Richard Coulter, USAF (Ret) ’52 12/17/12 Mr. William Lenard ’52 10/3/12 Mr. William L. Adikes ’53 8/19/12 Mr. John Kreppein ’53 5/2/12 Mr. Kenneth J. Dinnhaupt ’54 11/28/12

Class notes

Poughkeepsie, N.Y., in 1961 following his graduation from Brooklyn Prep.

Over the years he served in a variety of apostolates. He was rector of Ciszek Hall at Fordham University, a member of the faculty and administration at the Colegio San Ignacio in Puerto Rico and held teaching posts at Fordham Prep and Saint Peter’s Prep.

In a homily delivered at his funeral, Rev. Donald Gannon, S.J. remembered an influential leader who was a source of counsel and advice. “Classmates, struggling with their vocations, would seek him out to talk,” Fr. Gannon said. “They would tell me, ‘Chojnacki says…’ often with more respect than conferred on the words of our official guides. They sensed his care, spiritual wisdom and even his willingness to criticize them for their own good.

He was only 19 but already had those qualities that made him invaluable for a lifetime.” Fr. Chojnacki is survived by two sisters, Eileen Correll and Gladys Pfeifer.

Rev. Vincent M. Novak, S.J. ’42 passed away on August 6, 2012.

Fr. Novak was a renowned Jesuit religious educator.

He served much of his priestly life on the Fordham University campus, first as a

Mr. Virgilio R. Rosalez ’54 5/6/10 Edward F. Weiss, Esq. ’54 11/2/12 Mr. Albert K. Dowski, Jr. ’56 2/5/11 Mr. Bruce J. Losurdo, Sr. ’56 8/6/12 Paul J. Madden, Esq. ’60 11/19/12 Mr. William F. Sullivan ’62 10/20/12 Thomas M. Bifulco D.P.M. ’67 6/20/11 Mr. Louis A. Ippolito, Jr. ’67 11/8/12 Mr. Brian T. Lenihan, CFP ’68 9/27/12 Mr. William J. Schettini ’68 10/14/12 Mr. Kenneth G. McKenna ’71 12/15/12 Ralph G. Del Colle, Ph.D. ’72 7/29/12 Mr. Ottmar Hedemus ’73 6/24/12 Mr. Eugene Valentino ’74 12/4/12

faculty member at Fordham Prep, where he taught Latin, English and Religion, then at the University, where he served in numerous positions.

In 1964, after researching international religious education models and organizing summer training institutes, he and two others, including his brother, Rev. Joseph Novak, S.J. ’44, established a graduate school at Fordham. This work was deeply influenced by the work and spirit of the Second Vatican Council. The school was designed to meet the need for degree programs in religious education that focused on deep spiritual experiences and their application in life within the tradition of the church. He would go on to serve as founder, administrator and teacher of what would become the Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education at Fordham, an institution that, today, offers Ph.D. and M.A. degrees in a variety of pastoral ministries, while training priests and laity from overseas, especially from Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe..

In 2004, Fr. Novak became Dean Emeritus of the graduate school. He devoted several years to pastoral ministry in California before returning to Fordham’s Loyola Hall.

Lt. Gen. D.P. (Dennis) McAuliffe (Ret) ’41 died on July 31, 2012. He was

Mr. Robert A. Kwasnik ’06 11/18/12 Mr. Dylan P. Smith ’07 12/24/12 Mr. Nicholas J. Barrett ’08 12/27/12 Parents Mr. Louis Capezza P’74 ’73 9/13/12 Mr. Daniel Heidt P’87 12/22/12 Mr. Ralph Eodice P’73 4/18/12 Mr. John McConnell P’81 ’83 ’89 5/6/12 Mr. Edward T. Fox P’82 7/14/12 Mr. Arthur Smallman P’84 1/14/12 Dr. Frank J. Macchiarola P’94 12/18/12 Mrs. Michele N. Rice P’09 ’16 12/13/12 Ellen L. Dominguez, Ph.D. P ’15 12/30/12

remembered as one of the first U.S. soldiers to enter and liberate the Ohrdruf concentration camp, part of the Nazi Buchenwald camp network. He was Lt. Col. at the time, serving with the 89th Infantry Division, having graduated the U.S. Military Academy in 1944.

Later in his career, Gen. McAuliffe served as commander-in-chief of the U.S. Southern Command in Panama.

After retiring from the Army as a threestar general in 1979, he was named administrator of the Panama Canal Commission by President Jimmy Carter; he was given the task of managing the transition of the canal to Panamanian control as mandated by treaty.

Gen. McAuliffe’s military distinctions include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Distinguished Service Medal, three awards of the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross and two Bronze Star Medals. He is survived by three children, three brothers, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Remembrances of Rev. D. Michael Flynn, S.J., and Gerald Walker appear on pages 21 and 24 respectively.

Spouses Mrs. Nancy McCarthy 10/14/12 Mrs. Carol Brostek 11/9/12 Virginia Marie McAleer Uber 10/16/12 Children Ms. Katherine Cella 8/18/12 Mr. Kevin McEwen 1/12/13 Jesuit Community Rev. Gerald J. Chojnacki, S.J. 11/6/12 Former Faculty Mr. Gerard Walker 9/25/12 Rev. D. Michael Flynn, S.J. 7/27/12 Xavier Magazine

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Back story

Coming Through ‘Big Time’ Cristo Rey and Xavier

X

avier alums are going to bat for Cristo Rey New York, one in a network of 25 Catholic college preparatory schools that serve young people with limited educational options in urban communities across the country.

In addition to rigorous academics, Cristo Rey schools employ an innovative work-study program: every student works one day a week at a corporate partner site to help fund their education. That’s where Xavier alums come in.

Gene Rainis ’58, partner at Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., Jack Galbraith ’61, retired president and CEO of the Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB), Dan Denihan ’65, managing director at Tenth Avenue Holdings, John Meditz ’66, co-founder of Horizon Kinetics, Rudy Cecchi, Esq. ’69, principal of Rudy Cecchi & Associates, Inc., Bob Robotti ’71, president of Robotti & Company and Michael Conway ’86, director at Deutsche Bank Securities, are just a few of the Xavier alumni who have played a pivotal role in securing job sponsorships and other opportunities for

Cristo Rey success story. As a Cristo Rey student, Jessica Vargas (right) worked at ExecComm. She continues to work at the company full-time while pursuing a college degree.

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Xavier Magazine

students attending Cristo Rey New York.

“The Xavier community has been extraordinary,” said Rev. Joseph Parkes, S.J., the founding president of the East Harlem school and current chairman of the Cristo Rey Network Board of Directors. “It’s been a really, really great relationship. Xavier men have come through for us big time.”

Cristo Rey students hired through the program work in a number of capacities from switchboard operations to clerical duties like data entry. Last year, students in the 25 schools earned nearly $44 million. According to Fr. Parkes, the jobs are more than a funding mechanism for the schools. The placements boost the students’ selfworth, foster new relationships and expose them to life changing opportunities. Employers, too, benefit from the program.

“The companies love us and want to see our students succeed,” Fr. Parkes said. “Employers have found that having Cristo Rey students in their workplace has been good for employee morale and many have been hired back for the summer. It becomes a relationship.”

Cristo Rey New York retains approximately 90 percent of job sponsorships from year to year. Therefore, the school must secure 10 new job placements each academic year to keep 50 students on the path to graduation and college. “Jobs are the life blood of the school,” said Mr. Cecchi, a member of the Board of Trustees. “There are a lot of us in a position to employ students. We give these students a real work experience.

It’s not charity or a gift. They will work for their services.”

Fr. Parkes hopes the Xavier community will continue to support job sponsorships. He encourages alumni to investigate the opportunity for their own organizations.

“We’re still relatively new,” he said. “The more people we have involved, the better shape we’ll be in.”

To learn more about job sponsorships in New York City, visit cristoreyny.org. To see if a job sponsorship program is available in your area, visit cristoreynetwork.org.

X

“My Xavier is a loving community.”

Warith Rassac ’16 has found a home at Xavier.

A freshman from downtown Brooklyn, Warith has learned to work hard in order to reinforce the

lessons learned in class. “Xavier is a place that gives you a lot of freedom and opportunities and offers help to those in need. This is a loving community.”

With your support, Xavier can continue to instill Jesuit ideals in Warith and 1,050 other students. To make your gift to the 2013 Annual Fund, call (212) 901-5151, or visit xavierhsalumni.org.

Xavier High School

2013 2 A nnual F und

Xavier

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage

PAID

Permit No. 85 Bridgeport, CT

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

Reunion 2013 May 3 and 4, 2013

Reunion Gala celebration honoring the 50-year CLASS OF 1963 and all years ending in 3s and 8s.

2008, 2003, 1998, 1993, 1988, 1983, 1978, 1973, 1968, 1963 and all 50+ Golden Knights.

School tours, a special Mass, special faculty guests and more...

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Xavier Magazine

Alumni News Calendar Father/Son March Madness

March 22, 2013

Philadelphia Reception

April 16, 2013

Boston Reception

April 18, 2013

Reunion Weekend May 3–4, 2013 College Alumni Gathering Baccalaureate Mass and Senior Dinner

May 21, 2013 June 8, 2013

Graduation

June 13, 2013

Volunteer Reception Golf Outing

June 20, 2013 June 27, 2013