Annual Frank J. O’Hara Award Recipients Honored
Five alumni were honored with the Frank J. O’Hara Award/Frank J. O’Hara Recent Graduate Award during Alumni Weekend. The University and its Alumni Society present this prestigious annual award each year. Honorees are selected based on their commitment to Ignatian values and their pursuit of professional and personal excellence. The O’Hara Recent Graduate Award is presented to an alumnus/a who has graduated within the past 10 years and has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to service for others in his/her personal or professional achievements and embodies Scranton’s Catholic and Jesuit values.
President’s Circle and Leadership Volunteer Reception
To celebrate our generous donors and faithful volunteer leaders, the University hosted an exclusive reception on the Galvin Terrace during Alumni Weekend.
During the event, a check totaling more than $1.2 million was presented to University President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J., and represented the gifts made by classes celebrating their milestone reunions this year. The donations support scholarships and various campus priorities. Alumni Society President retired army Col. Richard H. Breen Jr. ’77 offered heartfelt thanks to the volunteer leaders who gave their time to support the mission of the University. Speaker and recent graduate Katie DiPlacido ‘16 expressed her gratitude for the volunteers and donors who helped make her Scranton experience fulfilling.
“The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.”
DiPlacido continued: “You are leaders who not only provide exceptional educational opportunities for Scranton students, but — by your example — you teach us the importance of leading a generous life and planting trees so that others may have shade.”
Rudy DiGilio ’76 Rides to Reward
For Rudy DiGilio ’76 getting to his class reunion is a bit of a workout.
Every five years, the New Jersey resident tackles the Poconos by bicycle, following a 75-mile route from his home to Alumni Weekend festivities on campus. It has become as much of a tradition as attending the reunion.
“I started riding with my wife [JoAnn] in the late ’70s,” DiGilio explained. “In the beginning, I would look for any reason for a ride. I thought it would be fun to try once, so I started with my first reunion, and now I’ve done every one since.”
The route is not for the faint-hearted; the six-hour journey is anything but flat. But DiGilio stays fit and ready for the challenge by riding several times a week and keeping healthy. The avid cyclist, who is retired and now works at a bicycle shop in Easton says he always takes the trip solo, and his wife meets him in Scranton with a car for the return trip home.
“It’s a lot of hills — it’s one of the harder rides I do,” DiGilio said. “But I really enjoy it. I take pretty much the same route, so I know what to expect.”
And the reward for the hard work? "A really great weekend with his classmates, he said.
Scranton's Got Talent
Talented Royals treated their classmates to a night full of laughter. Steve Clark ’06, twice named “Best Storyteller in Philadelphia,” began the evening with a hilarious performance, followed by comedian Ron Babcock ’01 of Last Comic Standing fame.
What talent will we see at #ScrantonAW17?
A Piece of Scranton
Royals everywhere had the unique opportunity to take home a piece of Scranton history through the online Alumni Weekend auction. The hot-ticket items included the Nevils Hall and Gunster signs, as well as the lettering from the Loyola Science Center. More than 50 winners took home a piece of Scranton, all for a good cause. The silent auction brought in more than $13,000 for The Royal Fund, which supports student scholarships and campus priorities.
What did Alumni Weekend Attendees Think of the Events?
“Scranton always puts on a great Alumni Weekend, but this was easily the best I’ve ever attended.”
“Being in Scranton and catching up with old friends, it feels like we never left. What a great weekend!”
“I loved seeing the wonderful changes and improvements at the school.”
“After 30 years, it still feels like home in so many ways. So proud to say I’m a Scranton alumnus!”
“The Saturday picnic was wonderful and provided a great opportunity to reconnect with friends, while having enough activities for our kids to enjoy.”
“It was wonderful to reconnect with distant friends and classmates whom I don’t often see. Such a good vibe from everyone!”
“It was great seeing my friends and classmates, and connecting with those who work at the University. One of the best weekends!”
Visit scranton.edu/alumniphotos to view all photos from the weekend!
