Arriving from all across the country and around the world, Catholic Law School graduates, friends, and family attended Reunion Weekend 2022. The busy weekend of events, held September 30-October 2, helped old friends and classmates reconnect, stay up to date with recent Law School developments, and engage with new opportunities to support their law alma mater in the future.
Twelve class years were invited to participate in Reunion 2022: 1962, 1967, 1972, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007, 2012, and 2017.
The weekend began on Friday afternoon with a Memorial Mass for deceased Catholic Law alumni in St. Vincent De Paul Chapel. In the evening, attendees enjoyed a Reunion Kick-Off Event. In the Louise H. Keelty and James Keelty, Jr. Atrium and the Knights of Columbus Courtyard, alumni enjoyed a new twist on an old favorite — the SPIL auction. Raising money to fund stipends for Catholic Law students to take summer public interest jobs that they otherwise could not afford to accept, alumni bid on fantastic trips and experiences with their favorite faculty and Catholic Law family. Guest “celebrity” auctioneers kept it a lively event, with appearances made by Elizabeth Kirk, Director of the Center for Law & the Human Person, Research Associate, and Lecturer; Professor Robert Destro; Stuart Schept, Assistant Dean for Academic Services and Registrar; and Heather Doerr, Associate Director for Student Life.
Saturday’s events began with an academic panel, “International Law Practice in a Turbulent World,” held in the Walter A. Slowinski courtroom. The program was held as part of the continued celebration of the 30th anniversary of the International Business and Trade Summer Law Program (IBTSLP), a joint venture between Catholic Law and the Jagiellonian University (JU) in Kraków, Poland. All Reunion attendees were welcomed for this panel of CUA-JU program alumni who explored what factors in the last five years have most affected cross-border practice and how those are likely to affect the future. Click here to view the program on Catholic Law's YouTube channel.
As the day continued, alumni and friends were invited to attend an alumni community picnic. Due to the rain the picnic was moved into the Pryz's great room. While eating and conversing, guests enjoyed hotdogs, hamburgers, lawn games, and live music.
After an optional tour of the University, where interested alumni could see the growth happening across the entire campus, alumni returned to William J. Byron S.J. Auditorium for a State of the Law School address from Dean Payne. The address included a frank discussion of the school’s U.S. News school ranking (Catholic is at its highest ranking in the last eight cycles), the Law School’s strategy for supporting a positive trajectory for the school (such as new faculty hiring and upcoming programs), and the role of Catholic tradition in the law. Dean Payne also took questions from those in attendance.
Concurrent afternoon sessions allowed alumni to participate in an interactive mock trial where alumni sat as jurors for opening statements made by current students (Alexa Calomaris (4E), Mary Delaney (4E), and Rachel Moorin (4E)), which was moderated by Professor Daniel Attridge, or join a book discussion about "My Seven Black Fathers" with author Will Jawando ’07 and Professor Veryl Miles.
Saturday evening featured the presentation of Distinguished Alumni Awards and Class Awards to recognize outstanding members of the Catholic Law community and the achievements of the reunion classes.
The Class of 1977 won the Robinson Bowl for the most money raised out of those celebrating their 40th, 45th, and 50th anniversaries. The Class of 1992 was awarded the Leahy Bowl for most money raised for a class, not in the Robinson Society. The Class of 1992 won the Alumni Cup for the highest attendance registration. Finally, the Class of 2017 won the Dean's Cup for the highest donation rate of all the classes. After the presentations, individual class dinners were held for each class in Heritage Hall.
The Distinguished Alumni Awards presentation during dinner honored nine of the reunion years’ most distinguished alumni; whose individual achievements, contributions to their industries and professions, service to their community, and demonstrated loyalty to Catholic Law set them apart. The recipients represent a talented group of people who have contributed significantly to their professions and the communities they serve. Joined by alumni, family, and friends, Dean Stephen Payne announced each of the 2022 recipients during dinner.
Robert Bundelman ’62 was presented with the William Callyhan Robinson Alumni Award. Scott Flesch ’97, Michael Heyl ’02, Andrew Palmieri ’87, and John Wefing ’67 were presented with the Columbus School of Law Distinguished Alumni Award. Christine Goo ’07, Andrea Vavonese ’97, and Denise Whisenhunt ’97 received the Distinguished Public Service Award, presented to those who have translated their Catholic Law experience into notable achievements in public service. Finally, Joseph Saka ’07 was presented with the Distinguished Recent Alumni Award for alumni who have graduated in the last fifteen years.
Click here to view photos from the weekend.