SXU Celebrates Reunion: Welcoming Back the Classes of 1965 and 1975
Saint Xavier University (SXU) recently welcomed the Classes of 1965 and 1975 back to campus for a memorable day of reminiscing. Celebrating their 50th and 60th reunions, attendees joined campus tours, senior leadership presentations, a special liturgy, and a Golden Graduate luncheon. In addition to those celebrating their reunions, many other alumni joined to connect and enjoy camaraderie.
Hosted by Alumni Relations, the events aimed to create opportunities for renewing friendships and creating lasting memories.
Two attendees, Caroline Gomez '75, who majored in nursing, and David Gomez '74, who majored in music, met at Saint Xavier and recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. The two have six children and 26 grandchildren. They are grateful to Saint Xavier for being a big part of their lives.
"Our values were enhanced at Saint Xavier and carried out throughout our lives. Saint Xavier offers a place of peace and harmony, where you can really discover who you are. The memories we've established throughout our lives, starting here, are cherished. There are a thousand reasons to come here, but I found the right one, and I married her," said David.
"We want to thank Saint Xavier and all the people here who helped us develop our faith and our education. It's led all the way through our family. We're so happy to be here to celebrate today," added Caroline.
Margaret Sullivan '71 majored in education. She taught at Queen of the Universe for nine years and then returned to Saint Xavier to teach business to women who wanted to return to school. She was especially thankful for her Saint Xavier professors and peers.
"I had a wonderful array of professors who taught us the meaning of teaching the whole child, not just the academics. Our class was a special class of women returning to school while raising a family or taking a hiatus from the business world, and it was a special group with a lot of camaraderie. When I had free days, some of the students would offer to watch my children while I had class. It has been a marvelous, historical memory for me being in Saint Xavier, and I treasure it very much," said Margaret.
Janine Rossi '75 was a nursing major who returned to Saint Xavier after graduating to earn a master's degree.
"Without the support I received from the professors at Saint Xavier, I never would have made it through once, let alone twice. My time here really made my life. I stayed in the nursing profession for 45 years and I reinvented myself along the way. The thing I loved the most about my professors is that their hearts were really in it. I didn't have one professor who I didn’t respectfully hold in my heart for the rest of my career," said Janine.
Theresa McKeown '62 majored in chemistry and considered Saint Xavier as a second home and the faculty as her family. She even came back to Saint Xavier the day she got married so the Sisters could be part of her marriage.
"The nuns did a wonderful job of educating us. I went on to get a master's degree at Northern Illinois University in teaching and education and taught chemistry, physics, and math at various schools in the western suburbs. SXU is a wonderful place," said Theresa.
Betty Lewis '75 came to Saint Xavier to pursue a bachelor's degree in nursing.
"I've had a really vast array of employment over the years, but I spent 23 years at Prairie State College and retired from there in 2001. I was accepted into Saint Xavier's program with nine other nurses, and the program was wonderful," said Betty.
Joan Smith Cooper '65 majored in psychology and found the program to be fantastic. She appreciated the department's experimental psychology lab and the hands-on work she got to do studying the relationship between anxiety and pain thresholds. She also valued the volunteer experiences she participated in.
"The volunteer experiences influenced my life later, especially at Misericordia, which led me to my special life work of mental health services for people with developmental disabilities -- and that's just one of my specialties. Saint Xavier helped to make me an activist and go into public aid, working for welfare rights. I am the first Black person to receive the Ph.D. from the University of Illinois. I am so happy to be back home in Chicago and on the Saint Xavier campus," said Joan.
Cynthia Hughes '75 pursued a bachelor's degree in nursing at SXU, and she believes her education at Saint Xavier equipped her in every way for success on her journey.
"My heart is filled with so much love and gratitude for Saint Xavier. The mission carries on the tradition of living in Mercy. Thank you to Saint Xavier University, the faculty, and every part of this experience," said Cynthia.
Each attendee brought valuable insight and cherished memories to the Saint Xavier campus, and their presence was truly a gift to the community.