The President’s Report - Winter 2025
94th Annual Luncheon
On November 9th, 2024, alumnae celebrated each other and the golden anniversary class of 1974 with a gathering at The Manhattan Penthouse. One hundred eighty-eight graduates registered and everyone who was interested was able to be accommodated this year. Even last-minute requests were granted as several persons had cancelled in advance, freeing room for additional attendees.
As the luncheon is the designated annual business meeting required by our by-laws, we provided a power point presentation on the state of our Alumnae Association. Introductions were made of the current Board and committee members, a short financial report, committee updates, the proposed slate of officers for the next Board of Directors, and the 2025 goals were discussed.
During the financial portion of the meeting, alumnae members were informed that the Association subsidizes over $15,000 for costs related to the annual mass and luncheon, including church service fees, administrative expenses for supplies, A/V tech and support, photography and venue fees and gratuities. As a result, association members are given priority for attendance at the luncheon.
At the conclusion of the business meeting, a video interview with Sister Kevin was shared with all. Sister looked very well and talked about her life growing up in Greenwich Village before becoming a nurse at St. Vincent’s and then entering the Sisters of Charity. What a special treat! This interview, as well as pictures and videos from the luncheon, are now available on our website.
The highlights of the day included the Class of 1974’s video presentation prepared by Marybeth Forcina, which was shown during the cocktail hour. Later in the program, the recitation of their commencement address, offered by Dr. Arthur Kaufman at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on 5/31/74, was read by Catherine McWeeney Crimmins.
Mary Gilmartin Luongo gave the class address, accompanied by a second picture slide presentation. The afternoon festivities concluded with a showing of a parody of the Billy Joel song “Always a Woman” with words changed to “Always a Nurse.”
In planning the luncheon for next year, we will enforce a policy that refunds will not be automatically applied if the notification of cancellation is given after the headcount is finalized with the venue. This is a problem every year when people are unable to attend at the last minute and request a refund. Since the final head count is given to the luncheon venue 7-10 days ahead of the event, we are required to pay for that number of guests at that time.
Mark your calendars for the 95th annual mass and luncheon on November 8, 2025.
Marilyn Lynaugh Strafer, President
Class of 1980