Alumni Return to Campus

More than 1,300 alumni and community members returned to campus over the weekend of April 25-27 to celebrate Alumni Weekend 2019. Over the course of three days, alumni reconnected with their classmates and their alma mater, rekindling fond memories of their time at St. Mark's and making new memories with fellow classmates and former teachers.

"Alumni Weekend serves as a platform for all of us to connect and reconnect with people in our lives that will always hold a special place in our hearts," said Jeff Genecov '77, President of St. Mark's Alumni Association, at the start of Friday's Spring Alumni Dinner. "This weekend, Marksmen have traveled from across the country and around the world to celebrate our formative experiences as young men. Tonight, we say thank you to those who make St. Mark’s the place we all love."

Alumni Weekend began on Thursday, April 25, with the Alumni Golf Tournament held at Cowboys Golf Club. On Friday, Marksmen representing eight decades returned to campus to experience daily life on campus. JT Sutcliffe, Suzanne and Patrick McGee Family Master Teaching Chair in Mathematics, and David Brown, Victor F. White Master Teaching Chair in English, hosted morning classes in the new Science Lecture Hall. Golden Lions, Marksmen who graduated prior to 1969, enjoyed lunch with students and administrators, sharing memories and learning about current life on campus. In the afternoon, students heard an Alumni Panel Discussion on Engineering and Technology featuring Ed McCullough ’99, Alexander Sobey ’04, and Alex St. Claire ’04. Immediately after, internationally renowned pianist Jeffrey Swan '69 delighted the audience with a special concert.

On Friday evening, guests entered the Great Hall for the Spring Alumni Dinner. The Alumni Association honored several alumni and faculty, starting with the three finalists for the Ralph B. Rogers Alumni Award, Kay Carrio, David Cox, and Michele Santosuosso. Noah Bricker '10 received the Young Alumni Service Citation and Jon Mosle '79 received the Alumni Service Medal. Finally, retiring faculty members Frank Jordan and JT Sutcliffe addressed the audience, reflecting on their combined 86 years teaching Marksmen.

A beautiful Saturday was the perfect setting for the Family Cookout, where a record number of alumni and their families enjoyed BBQ, games, fun, and live music from the student band, along with planetarium and chemistry shows in the new Winn Science Center. The weekend concluded that evening as alumni classes with years ending in 4 and 9, as well as the parents of the Classes of 2014, 2009, and 2004, gathered across Dallas for their reunion parties. 

As the Reunion Program grows and strengthens, alumni from reunion classes continue to demonstrate the power of philanthropy and their collective commitment to St. Mark's. This year, reunion classes contributed nearly $900,000 the St. Mark’s Fund, with five reunion classes raising more than $100,000. Additionally, the Class of 1964 set a 55th Reunion record for giving raising more than $175,000. 

"Whether an alumnus graduated last year or 60 years ago, St. Mark’s will always be home to us all," said Alex Eshelbrenner '04, Ahlberg & Ribman Family Director of Alumni Relations. "It’s the incredible educators that continue to shape our storied history, and Alumni Weekend is about celebrating lifelong friendships with both teachers and classmates. To everyone who attended Alumni Weekend 2019, thank you for your active engagement in the Alumni Association, thank you for continuing to make St. Mark’s a priority in your life, and most importantly, thank you for coming home.”