Enthusiasm and Excitement Build Around ‘Golden State Gaels’ Tour

In an August video message to the SMC campus community, President Roger Thompson said he was “looking forward to getting out and meeting our alumni, friends of the institution, and supporters. We’re going to do that not just in the Bay Area, but all across the Golden State.”

Even before coming on board on July 22, President Thompson sent a video greeting message to current students, met with alumni at the College's annual Reunion event, and engaged with new students during orientation activities in August.

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Now, still just weeks into his new job, President Thompson will soon embark on a series of events—starting in California but then moving to other states throughout the year—to connect with Gael alumni, families, high school and college administrators, and prospective students. He has dubbed this fall’s visits the "Golden State Gaels Tour.” 

“I cannot wait to meet folks all across the great state of California,” said President Thompson, noting that most Saint Mary’s alumni reside in the Golden State. 

Beginning in Pasadena and including stops in Long Beach, Laguna Beach, and other Southern California venues, the Golden State Gaels presidential tour aims to build excitement, solidify support, and raise critical scholarship funds for current and future Gaels. The tour will head north to the Bay Area in early October—during SMC Homecoming and Family Weekend—and will include a Parent Reception at the President’s Residence on the SMC campus; that event will be co-hosted by Roger and his wife, Debbie. 

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For both Southern and Northern California legs of the tour, current members of SMC’s Board of Trustees, as well as other Gael alumni, will host receptions, dinners, and even a breakfast meeting at the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) annual conference. The NACAC Conference 2024 is a premier event for college admission counselors, with more than 6,000 attendees expected as well as networking opportunities, exhibits, and educational sessions.

For a full listing of current Golden State Gaels Tour stops, including RSVP information, a dedicated website has been set up. Alumni and others interested in attending an event are encouraged to sign up early. Confirmed events include the following:

Southern California

• Tuesday, Sept. 24 | Pasadena | The Rose Bowl
• Wednesday, Sept. 25 | Long Beach | Long Beach Yacht Club
• Thursday, Sept. 26 | Los Angeles | The Palm—NACAC annual conference (for admissions professionals) 
• Friday, Sept. 27 | Laguna Beach | Home of Elizabeth Phelan ’92, MSN ’97 and Jeff Phelan (by invitation only)

San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California

• Tuesday, Oct. 1 | Los Altos | Los Altos Golf & Country Club (by invitation only)
• Tuesday, Oct. 1 | South Bay | Home of Carolyn Lindstrom ’88 and Andrew Bradvica ’88
• Wednesday, Oct. 2 | Napa Valley | Silverado Resort
• Thursday, Oct. 3 | Sacramento | Home of Rena Zellars ’99
• Saturday, Oct. 5 | Moraga | President’s Residence, Saint Mary's Campus (for Gael parents)
• Saturday, Oct. 5 | Hillsborough | Home of Kathy ’85 and Kevin ’86 Flynn
• Tuesday, Oct. 8 | Oakland | Home of Terry '85 and Kristine '87 Kvochak

Find more information and RSVP for events here.

Additional events, including those beyond the Golden State, will be announced later this academic year. Watch for news about those—along with a new name for the tour as visits reach states outside California.

"Our alumni, donors, and other supporters are critical to the future of Saint Mary’s,” said President Thompson. “We will reach and realize all of Saint Mary’s potential only with the support of our loyal and dedicated alumni and others. With this kickoff tour and others coming in the future, we want to demonstrate how important those supporters are to us as we shape the future of Saint Mary’s.”