Since the first of the year of my Presidency at McNamara I have had the opportunity to travel to several cities to meet with alumni and alumnae from both Bishop McNamara and La Reine.  My visits this year have included New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, Austin and Dallas, TX.  We have also hosted several happy hours at locations in the Maryland/DC/Virginia area and even held a reception for young alums attending the University of Maryland at College Park.  I always return from these trips inspired and invigorated by the life and careers that our alums are leading.  From reminiscing about the past to talking about the present and future of Bishop McNamara, it is clear to me that graduates from McNamara and La Reine are grateful for the impact the school has had on them and are excited about the future opportunities available to our students today.  I am so inspired by how many of our alums have taken the valuable lessons they learned during their years in school and have made it their life's passion to carry those lessons forward.  From running a private academy with a focus on social justice to teaching college students ethical responses to today's challenges, from aiding third world nations in their economic development efforts to counseling at-risk youth, and from running successful businesses to becoming a world renowned author/creator/movie producer, our graduates are truly making a difference in this world!

During my most recent trip to Dallas and Austin, TX, I had the opportunity to meet with Tim Byrne '75 President & CEO of U.S. Lime & Minerals, Inc. as well as Greg Schaub '78, Executive Vice President with CHASE Paymentech.  In Austin, I met up with George Glaser from our first graduating class, '67, who is a noted psychotherapist in the Austin area as well as Dr. Patricia Shields LR '69 who is a a Professor of Political Science and Director of the Master of Public Administration Program at Texas State University.  She is also the current editor of the journal Armed Forces & Society. Dr. Shields is notable for her publications focusing on research methods, civil-military relations, gender issues, and the importance of classical pragmatism in public administration.

On my recent trip to Boston, MA, I had the opportunity to meet up with Father Kevin Spicer, '83 C.S.C. who is the history department chair at Stonehill College, also founded by the Congregation of Holy Cross.  Wow, Fr. Kevin Spicer is quite an impressive individual.  He is a committed Catholic educator who is a living testimony to Holy Cross education which emphasizes that the mind must not be cultivated at the expense of the heart.  I also had the chance to meet with Father Larry Jerge, C.S.C. who served as the Campus Minister at McNamara from 1981-1985.  That was an awesome visit!  Fr. Larry had such an enormous impact on my life when I was a student at McNamara.  

I also traveled to Nashua, New Hampshire to meet with Kathy Hoffman Nelson LR '69, founder and executive director of The World Academy, an award winning private school which educates students from six-weeks through eighth grade.  I found this visit to be extremely inspirational!  Kathy is doing such wonderful work in preparing her students to be leaders in the 21st century.  She also pointed out that much of the philosophy that the school is based on traces to her roots with the Bernadine Sisters at La Reine with a special emphasis on social justice, diversity, globalization, inquiry-based learning and progressive education.  

Later in the week I had the opportunity to meet with Jeff Kinney '89, author and executive producer of The Diary of a Wimpy Kid book and movie series.  Remaining ever humble, Jeff credits his teachers for allowing him to develop his creative abilities and the opportunities presented to him at Bishop McNamara.  A world-renowned author and movie producer, Jeff's humble and gracious approach to his success is vintage Holy Cross.  Jeff is truly a great tribute to his family, his teachers and to the Brothers of Holy Cross.  Finally, I closed out my evening with a happy hour in Boston in which he met with Bob Korycansky '71, John Baer '89, Kathy Shaughnessy LR '85, former Religion teacher from 2006-2008 "Cappy" Russell, and former Campus Minister from 2007-2010 Jodi Dean.

I am putting together my travel schedule for next year and am currently planning return trips to Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Austin and Dallas and has added a trip to Houston, TX.  If you'd like for me to visit a city near you and would love to network with other La Reine and McNamara alums in your area please send us an email.


Meeting with alums provides me with so many teachable moments...not the least of which how important it is to always remember where we come from and to pursue life with a passion!