The event began Friday night with a reception at the Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See to the United States, where guests were welcomed by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the Holy See.
Saturday morning, a campus tour allowed guests to see growth and upcoming changes on campus, including the new dining commons that is currently under construction. They even had the opportunity to sign a support beam that will be part of the finished building. Plans for the new nursing and sciences building were also revealed.
At lunch, Judi Biggs Garbuio, vice president for Student Affairs; Rob Specter, vice president for Finance and Treasurer; Aaron Dominguez, provost; and President John Garvey updated everyone on the state of the University, how the community coped with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the recovery process, which includes a full return to campus in the fall.
“We were killing it just before COVID arrived,” Garvey said. “Our plan is to return to that state of affairs.”
The Society’s first co-chairs, Eileen and Jim Rullo, P ’20, were also introduced during the luncheon.
“We are a vast number of individuals, all from different areas, but we have one thing in common: we love the Cardinals.”
—Jim Rullo, P ’20, 1887 Society co-chair
The group then split for three exciting excursions featuring a number of deans and faculty experts: a cruise along the Potomac River, a lecture on the University’s contributions toward coronavirus research at the U.S. Navy Memorial, and a chance to hear about University programming at the International Spy Museum — complete with demonstrations by a sketch artist and handwriting analysis expert. Thomas Smith, the dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, also gave a talk on “The Art of Adulting.”
Saturday evening, His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan, M.A. 1981, Ph.D. 1985, was the keynote speaker during a dinner reception at the Museum of the Bible.
“From 1887, to 2021, here we are, folks. I’m delighted to be with allies and colleagues who love our University as deeply as I do.”
—Cardinal Timothy Dolan, M.A. 1981, Ph.D. 1985, 1887 Society member
The weekend came to a close with Mass and brunch on Sunday.
“Every event was so well-planned,” one attendee said. “We loved everything.”
Plans are already in the works for next year’s 1887 Weekend, to be held June 3-5, 2022, in Washington, D.C.
Published on: Wednesday, June 30, 2021
Tags: 1887 Society
