Reunited and it feels so good! Jeanette Leong ’84 greets a friend at Reunion 2024. / Photo by Cali Godley
A Celebration of Friendship and Memories at Reunion 2024
Alumni from across the generations rekindled old friendships, reveled in the spirit of the Gael community, and were dazzled by some of the latest developments on campus.
Saint Mary's College of California hosted a joyous and memorable Reunion Weekend from July 19 to 21, welcoming back hundreds of alumni to the campus. The three-day event was filled with activities that rekindled old friendships and celebrated the enduring spirit of our Gael community.
More than 400 people—including alumni and family—attended events throughout the weekend, with special celebrations for classes ending in 4's and 9's.
The festivities started Friday evening with a kick-off party in the lower townhouses, where alumni from various graduating classes mingled, shared memories, and enjoyed tacos. Some attendees who stayed on-campus overnight hosted parties on their townhouse balconies. The event set a vibrant tone for the weekend, with laughter and reminiscing filling the air.
After an early morning campus tour on Saturday, Anthony Musni ’69, a retired cardiologist, took a moment to reflect on his student years at Saint Mary's. “I made a lot of friends,” Musni said. “I grew up. I learned about different cultures. I studied a lot. It was a bit of a party campus—if you can imagine having 900 men in one place at one time. I have very fond memories of Saint Mary’s.”
Saturday’s schedule included multiple campus tours, allowing alumni to witness the growth and changes at Saint Mary's College since their graduation. The biggest “Wow!” moment was inside the the Joseph L. Alioto Recreation Center—with climbing wall, fitness rooms, and dazzling outdoor pool. Midday found alumni from throughout the years enjoying the family picnic in the Redwood Grove.
Rolling into the afternoon, every seat was taken around the table during Seminar to discuss “As I Walked Out One Evening” by poet W.H. Auden. And friends and family spilled out from The 1928 Pub onto the adjacent patio during Happy Hour.
Sergio Trejo ’08 and Malini Prasad-Trejo ’09 brought their 5-year-old daughter Marina along, to play with classmates’ kids. “My favorite thing is reconnecting with people in a similar moment of time and talking about the experiences we share,” Trejo said. “Even though we don’t live in the same area, it still feels like home.”
The College’s new president, Roger Thompson, addressed alumni at the conclusion of evening Mass in the Chapel. Later, he greeted and talked with many alumni. It was a start, in earnest, to his tenure that would officially begin the following Monday, July 22.
Saturday evening concluded with the iconic dinner on Chapel Lawn. Class photos were taken to commemorate the reunion, capturing the joy and camaraderie among the attendees. Alumni danced the night away, reconnecting with old friends and making new connections.
The oldest alumnus in attendance at the dinner proved to be a star! Albert Mossman ’59 received a big cheer during his class photo and spoke in deep conversation with Hannah MacLeod Mahrt ’14—sharing stories and wisdom across a 55-year age difference.
Sunday morning featured a farewell mimosa brunch, where departing alumni exchanged contact information and made promises to return for future reunions.
As the weekend came to a close, many expressed gratitude for the opportunity to reconnect with the College and each other, vowing to stay connected with their friends in the Saint Mary’s community. The atmosphere was filled with nostalgia and pride as alumni celebrated their shared heritage.
“Saint Mary’s does a great job of being very welcoming to past classes and bring us back into the community,” said Laura (Meyers) Lynch ’94, standing next to her husband and classmate, Dan Lynch ’94. “We’re thrilled to be here and see so many people we haven’t seen in a long time. And meet some new people, too.”
Reunion Weekend is also one of the most common times for alumni to pay forward the academic and personal experience they received. Alumni from reunion classes (those ending in 4’s and 9’s) have donated more than $843,000 to Saint Mary’s College over the past year.
The 2024 Reunion Weekend at Saint Mary's College was a resounding success, strengthening the bonds among its alumni and reinforcing the enduring values of community, service, and excellence that define the institution.
Plans for next summer’s Reunion are already underway, and alumni from classes ending in 0's and 5's should save the date for July 19, 2025!
