2011
- SHP Class of "61" 50th Reunion
After
much anticipation and preparation, reunion weekend was finally
upon us.
Below is a listing of the various events in chronological
order,
and URL links for the corresponding pictures.
Friday
Nite, June 3, 2011: Reception/Mixer at Cryans of South Orange
The
reunion committee kicked off the weekend festivities with
a casual reception at 6:30 PM. Together with Rich Koles
of the Prep alumni office, picture nametags were prepared
and the reception room was configured to accommodate in
excess of 50 grads and guests. All grads and guests were
met with an open bar and buffet dinner.
At 7:30 PM, the reunion weekend commenced with a formal
introduction by Joe Knapp who put the preceding 50 years
in historical perspective. He reminded the gathering that
the class of 61 has spent the last 54 years together commencing
with freshman year in 1957. Class President Vince Lupo,
who together with his son-in-law put together a memorabilia
laden PowerPoint presentation, welcomed the grads to the
50th reunion weekend. Highlighting the value of a Seton
Hall Prep education, Reunion Chairman Jeff Gausepohl outlined
the importance of the class Jubilee fund raising gift. Recognizing
the exponential escalation of tuition costs at the prep
over the last 50 years, Chairman Gausepohl encouraged his
fellow grads to consider assisting those less fortunate
to enjoy the same prep experience as the class of 61.
Concluding the formal introduction,
Joe Walsh who would subsequently be honored at commencement
as the "Alumnus of the Year", outlined the following
days activities including a return trip/tour of the Seton
Hall University campus in South Orange. Joe reminded everybody
to be on time for the bus which would depart at 10:30 AM,
Saturday morning from the Hilton Hotel in Short Hills.
It
was wonderful to see so many classmate friends after so
many years. Plenty of spirits, plenty of food, lots of memories
discussed. It went all too quickly! Before we knew it, 9:30
PM had arrived, and it was time to wrap up for a full day
on Saturday.
Click here to see pics at Cryans Friday Nite
Saturday
Morning, June 4, 2011: Tour of Seton Hall University/Prep
Campus
At 10:45 AM, the bus departed
from the Hilton Hotel, arriving at the Student Union Building
on the Seton Hall University campus. Assembling at the Student
Union Building and after being met by the tour guide assigned
to us from the Seton Hall University alumni office, we ultimately
wound up in front of Mooney Hall. Thankfully the SHP logo
is still in the lobby however much about Mooney Hall has
changed since it has been taken over by the university.
We were given the opportunity to tour carte blanche through
the building for about 10 to 15 minutes. Many of the old
offices are still there however under different names, and
interestingly enough the ROTC has an office on the 4th floor.
Duffy Hall looked very much the same however the senior
lockers were missing from the 2nd floor. We basically went
in one door and out the other, peering into the classrooms
as we went. Perhaps the biggest change was Walsh Auditorium
where notably the swimming pool has been moved from the
lower level to the same level as the gymnasium. Lots of
trophy cases, certainly lots of memories. The tour terminated
at the new Walsh Library, ascending to the Rotunda Room
room where we had a tastefully prepared lunch, lots of opportunities
to chat among us, and a briefing from the University Alumni
Office.
After
lunch, it was back on the bus for our return trip to the
Short Hills Hilton. All in all it was quite a day and the
day was far from over.
Click
to see pics of SHU/Prep campus tour
Saturday
Reception/Dinner/Dance at Short Hills Hilton:
Time
to put the formal attire on and meet once again for a pre-dinner
reception. With the cooperation of the hotel, we were able
to get Vince Lupo's nostalgia PowerPoint up and running
on one of their portable LCD units. After a brief introduction
from Joe Knapp, Class Pres. Vince Lupo and Reunion Chairman
Jeff Gausepohl formally welcomed the class of 61 and guests
to that evening's festivities. Vince Lupo presented the
reunion committee with commemorative plaques signifying
their tremendous contribution to the overall success of
the reunion weekend. Chairman Gausepohl briefly outlined
the importance and value of our class solidarity and Jubilee
gift to the prep. After the reception, it was onto dinner
with the invocation being offered by our own Fr.Bill Morris.
After a terrific sitdown dinner, it was onto spirits and
dancing, and a great time was had by all.
Click
to see pics of Saturday nite Reception/Dinner/Dance
Sunday morning, June
5, 2011 at the Prep:
On
Sunday morning the "61" grads convened once again
in the chapel at the new Seton Hall Prep in West Orange.
Prior to the commemorative mass, graduates had an opportunity
to tour the unfamiliar facilities of the new Prep. The commemorative
mass was celebrated by our own Fr. Chris Beirne, with Fathers
Pagnotta, Morris, Carlson, Hanrahan and Msgr. Kelly as co-celebrants.
What a thrill and joy it was to see our guys, whom many
of us hadn't seen in 50 years, celebrating mass. After mass,
we had an opportunity to ask Msgr. Kelly questions about
the direction of the prep, and during that discussion and
answer period one of our guys reminded the group about the
tremendous stewardship and guidance that Msgr. Kelly has
provided over the last 28 years. Those comments and the
ensuing rounds of applause certainly ratified the feelings
from the 61 grads and guests. After the class assembled
in front of the Prep for group pictures, it was onto the
bookstore to load up on memorabilia.
At
noontime, we convened at Rock Spring Country Club. The luncheon
was sponsored by Msgr. Kelly and the Prep, and needless
to say the accommodations and food were superb. the opportunity
to sit with fellow grads and be brought up-to-date was more
than appreciated.
Sunday
Afternoon Commencement:
Late
in the afternoon, we convened at the Cody Auditorium in
South Mountain, West Orange for the commencement ceremonies.
Meeting in a pre-commencement room, Rich Koles and staff
from the Prep alumni office presented each graduate with
a 50th anniversary diploma. What a nice surprise! At 5 o'clock
the "61" grads proceeded down a hallway as the
contemporary 2011 graduates were lining each side. By the
time we got to the end of the hallway, the 2011 graduates
figured out who we were and gave us a hearty round of applause.
It was indeed heartwarming! After being seated in the arens,
we were asked to stand as our names were called to be recognized
by those in attendance. Our own Joe Walsh was recognized
as the "Alumnus of the year" for his outstanding
contribution to the prep since our graduation, and our fellow
grad Fr. Bill Hanrahan delivered the commencement address.
Commencement
was indeed a stirring and uplifting experience. After the
ceremony had concluded and we exited the auditorium into
a sea of contemporary grads and their guests, it was over.
It all went too fast.
Click
to see pics of Sunday at Prep, luncheon, commencement
Joe
Walsh "61" honored By SHP as "Alumnus of
the Year": 
And
for good reason! Since graduation 50 years ago, Joe has
been intricately involved in a number of support projects
most notably the Thomas J. Griffin Bridges Program. Founded
as a formal program in 1993, the Thomas J. Griffin Bridges
Program provides educational, financial, and social support
to enable academically talented, financially limited young
men. Specifically designed to meet the needs of inner-city
young men, regardless of race or creed, this program provides
them with an environment where they can learn, develop,
and become productive citizens. Seton Hall Prep alumni volunteer,
provide guidance, and are readily available to scholars.
Joe
has provided outstanding leadership for many other projects
designed to benefit Seton Hall Prep and the Seton Hall Prep
experience. Joe personifies the Prep spirit and tradition
of "giving back" and is truly worthy of the award
of "Alumnus of the Year". The class of "61"
is truly proud to have Joe as an honored member during our
golden anniversary year.
Class
Pres. Vince Lupo honored with Lifetime Achievement Award:
The
reunion committee voted unanimously to award Pres. Vince
Lupo this award, personifying his 50 year dedication and
commitment to the class of 1961. Since graduation, Vince
has been intricately and passionately involved in all ensuing
class reunion activities. When Vince campaigned for class
president in 1960, he did not, thankfully, campaign on a
platform of term limits, and to this day he continues to
faithfully fulfill his obligations and responsibilities
as our president. The class of 1961 is proud to have Vince
as our class president.
To see the commemorative
letter in honor of this award, click here:
Acknowledgments
Reunion
Committee: the Class of "61" would like
to thank the reunion committee members for their dedication
and enthusiasm in planning and coordinating our
50th reunion weekend. Most notably, the class appreciates
reunion chairman Jeff Gausepohl for his outstanding
leadership and Tom Gould for his steadfast dedication
in locating and contacting as many classmates as possible.
This was an arduous task and Tom was certainly up for the
challenge. The
class also recognizes the superb contribution made by Joe
Walsh in coordinating the Seton Hall University Saturday
tour.
Seton
Hall Prep Alumni Office: Kudos
to Rich Koles for his outstanding contribution to the overall
success of our reunion weekend. Thanks Rich, we couldn't
have done it without you!
Seton
Hall University Alumni Office: Our heartfelt thanks
to Nick Sena and the entire staff who assisted Joe Walsh
in coordinating and conducting the Saturday tour and Walsh
Library luncheon.
SHP
Headmaster, Monsignor Mike Kelly: in the 28 years
since Father Mike has assumed stewardship of Seton Hall
Prep, it has enjoyed unprecedented and unparalleled success
as an educational and spiritual institution. Unquestionably,
under Father Mike's guidance, the Seton Hall Prep brand
has never been more valuable or revered. Thanks Father Mike
for your outstanding leadership and friendship. The class
of 1961 truly salutes you!
Attn:
61 Grads:
We will be adding pictures and other memorabilia from the
50th reunion to the web site as it becomes available. Please
forward all pictures you would like posted on the web site
to the URL link listed below. Any info regarding the picture(s)
including names, locations, and events would be helpful.
Click
to send pics here
Click
to see pics at Cryans Friday Nite: June
3rd, 2011
Click
to see pics of SHU/Prep campus tour: June
4th, 2011
Click
to see pics of Saturday nite Reception/Dinner/Dance: June
4th, 2011
Click
to see pics of Sunday at Prep, luncheon, commencement: June
5th, 2011
Click
to see class pic at West Orange Campus: June
5th, 2011
The
superb slide presentation compiled by Vinny Lupo and his
son-in-law and shown at the dinner dance on Saturday evening
June 4th, can be downloaded here: SHP61Reunion.ppt
(requires MS Power point)
Note:
Twice a year the "Golden Knights" ( SHP grads
50 years and beyond), meet over lunch at Rock Spring CC(May)
and Spring Lake CC (Oct 26, 2011). We will be receiving
an invitation directly from the Prep. This is another venue
to foster and perpetuate the good will and "esprit
de corps" with not only our classmates but previous
year's grads as well.
