Seton Hall University Celebrates a Sunny Alumni Weekend Highlighting Connection, Integrity and Impact

Seton Hall University proudly welcomed nearly 1,000 alumni from across generations for Alumni Weekend on June 5–8. With summer heat and sunny skies, alumni experienced what it truly means to be part of the Seton Hall community. The weekend served not only as an opportunity to reconnect with fellow classmates, but also to support the First-Generation Scholarship Fund, which provides financial assistance to students through the Resilience, Integrity, Scholarship, and Excellence (R.I.S.E.) Program. The RISE Program remains near and dear to the hearts of the university community as it helps low-income students and students with disabilities persist and graduate from Seton Hall. Anthony D. Bellucci, M.B.A. ’18, associate vice president of Alumni Engagement and Philanthropy, shared, “Alumni Weekend is all about bringing the pirate community together. Whether alumni came back to reconnect on campus, celebrate at the Gala or enjoy a day on the golf course, there was truly something for everyone. The incredible support and Pirate pride shown will have a lasting impact on our students and the future of Seton Hall.”

Alumni Weekend kicked off on June 5 with the 39th Annual Many Are One Alumni Awards Gala. It was a beautiful evening at Maritime Parc in Jersey City as pirates came together to celebrate extraordinary alumni and the power of giving back. Nicole Mouskondis ’12 received the Most Distinguished Alumna Award, while Brian Fitzpatrick ’04 and Craig McGraw ’05 were honored with the Alumni Impact Award. The Young Alumni Council was also recognized for its continued dedication to Seton Hall. One of the most meaningful moments of the evening came from Jonathan Flores ’28, who shared how the support he received through the RISE Program helped him find confidence, community, and the belief that he can accomplish anything as a first-generation student. The generosity shown throughout the evening helped Seton Hall surpass last year’s total in support of first-gen, a powerful reflection of this community’s commitment to future pirates.

The weekend continued on Saturday, June 6 with Alumni Reunion, celebrating classes ending in ’1 and ’6, along with the newly inducted Golden Pirates from the Class of 1976 as they marked their 50th reunion. More than 300 pirates returned to campus to reconnect and take part in a full day of festivities. The morning began with the Mass and Vow Renewal, where alumni gathered to attend Mass and renew their vows with their significant others. At the Golden Pirates Brunch, guests heard from Cathy Flynn ’76 and other members of the Seton Hall community as they reflected on their memories and experiences from 50 years ago. The excitement continued on the Green as Shorty Long and The Jersey Horns kicked off an afternoon filled with music and celebration. Alumni enjoyed food trucks, the Business Bazaar, tours of signature spaces, a special appearance by men’s basketball coach Shaheen Holloway ’00, and the long-awaited return of the Pub. Before the thunder rolled in, guests closed out the evening with a performance by Slippery When Wet: The Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute Band.

The summer vibes and sunny skies continued on Monday, June 8 at the 2nd Annual Alumni Golf Outing at Basking Ridge Country Club. With 25 foursomes, more than 100 alumni in attendance, dedicated volunteers and expanded committee and sponsorship participation in year two, the outing proved to be another outstanding event. In addition to enjoying food, an open bar, 18 holes of golf and a cigar station, pirates also took part in auctions and raffles featuring prizes such as Big East Tournament tickets and rounds of golf at local clubs, all in support of the First-Generation Scholarship Fund.

Alumnus, co-committee chair and founder of the fund, Juan Agudelo, shared,

We'd be remiss if we didn’t recognize the incredible level of sponsorship support we received this year. This is only our second annual golf outing, and the outpouring of support from sponsors, many led by alumni and friends of the institution who believe in the mission of supporting first-generation students, has been remarkable.

Co-committee chair Dalai Fazio expressed gratitude to the Basking Ridge Country Club team for their outstanding efforts in quickly assembling their grounds crew after the storm, ensuring the course was ready to host the event.

Brandon Larmore, director of the RISE Program, highlighted the continued success of RISE, noting that, “year after year, students continue to persist, achieve and thrive, demonstrating the transformative impact of sustained support and opportunity.”

So much can be said about the passion and genuine care that lives within our Pirate community. This unforgettable weekend reflected the true meaning of pirate pride and aligned with the priorities at the center of For All, Forever: A Campaign for a Greater Seton Hall, the University’s $225 million comprehensive campaign. Supporting students through RISE remains one of its most urgent calls to action, and our alumni helped bring that mission to life. Learn more here.

Categories: Alumni