The Mount’s Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) Reunion drew dozens of HEOP alumni on Saturday, October 5.
Hundreds of successful grads, spanning 60 years of Mount Saint Mary College history, journeyed back to their alma mater from October 4 to 6 for the college’s annual Alumni Weekend.
Alumni and their families celebrated their accomplishments, caught up with old friends and professors, and saw what’s new at the college that launched their careers.
Following in the footsteps of St. Dominic, the Dominican Sisters of Newburgh established Mount Saint Mary College as a four-year institution 60 years ago. The Mount continues its rich tradition of academic excellence and dedication to community, more than 18,000 graduates later.
The reunion of the Classes of ’64 and ‘69 was one of many highlights of the weekend. They celebrated their 55th and 50th anniversaries respectively on Friday night with a trip down memory lane and a renewal of friendship. A cocktail hour and dinner in the elegant James Finn Cotter Villa Library followed the next night.
Also on Friday night, the Athletic Department inducted the five newest members of its Hall of Fame: former student-athletes Lindsay (Searle) McHugh ’11 (Women's Tennis), Jacqueline Mancini ’14 (Women's Soccer), and Tara McDermott ’14 (Women's Soccer), as well as former Athletic Directors William Lahar (professor of Chemistry) and Thomas Sarro (professor of Biology).
On Saturday morning, Nicholas Shannon ’03 was presented with the college’s Distinguished Alumni Award, recognizing his contributions to society through professional and volunteer work. In addition, Corri Nicoletti ’10 MSED ’15 was honored with the James V. McEnery Alumni Service Award for her continued service to her alma mater.
Afterward, a Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) Reunion reception drew dozens of HEOP alumni to the college’s James Finn Cotter Villa Library for food, fun, and the chance to meet the Mount’s new director of HEOP, Kelvin Herrera-Hassan.
In the afternoon, alumni and their families enjoyed a carnival, where they mingled with classmates and former professors, played games, and enjoyed barbecue and carnival foods. A dunk tank, which featured volunteers like Dr. Jason N. Adsit, president of the Mount, raised about $1,600 for the college’s new Student Emergency Fund. This fund will benefit students facing temporary emergency expenses.
Also throughout the weekend, successful Mount grads reconnected with classmates, took in a baseball game on campus, enjoyed class dinners and other reunions, attended a remembrance Mass, and more. Alumni said farewell to the weekend with a brunch cruise on the Hudson River on Sunday morning.
Mount Saint Mary College is ranked a Top-Tier Regional University by U.S. News & World Report, and offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs for careers in Nursing, Business, Education, and more.