The General Alumni
Association (GAA) was established to assist in the promotion
of the welfare of the College of the Holy Cross and all
alumni are invited to join in this effort by participating
in the activities of the GAA. The GAA has numerous committees
to achieve this goal as well as serve the specific needs
of alumni. Some committees are for the management of the
business and routine affairs of the GAA and others are service
or event oriented
Also,
some committees specifically serve current Holy Cross students
such as the Bishop Healy Committee or College departments
such as the Admissions Office by the Book Prize Committee.
GAA events and Regional Club activities are just two areas
through which Alumni can become involved, assist the GAA
, further the mission of the College and meet many other
active Holy Cross alumni. All alumni are members of the
GAA and are encouraged to become involved in its committees.
To join one of the GAA committees or to inquire about a
specific committee's activities please contact one of the
GAA Officers or the Alumni Relations Office.
Bishop
Healy Committee
The Bishop Healy Committee was established by
the GAA in July 1979. Its name was taken from James A. Healy
class of 1849, an African-American, the valedictorian of
the first graduating class of Holy Cross and the second
Bishop of Maine. Its purpose is to "discover and implement
means of alumni/ae participation in efforts to foster interracial
understanding, interaction and friendship within the Holy
Cross community." The three basic objectives of the committee
are 1) to assist in increasing the recruitment and enrollment
of ALANA students, 2) assist in the retention of all ALANA
students by initially welcoming, then encouraging and facilitating
the achievement of their full potential at Holy Cross and
3) increasing the involvement of ALANA alumni/ae in Holy
Cross activities such as regional clubs, reunions, General
Alumni Association activities, functions and leadership
and in the recruiting of ALANA students to the College. Click HERE to visit the Bishop Healy Committee Website.
Continuing
Education Committee
For over 20 years the Continuing Education Committee
has sponsored a daylong program of classes on a Saturday
in the spring, taught by some of the top Holy Cross faculty
members. The "mini-courses" are designed to appeal to the
interests and intellectual curiosity of a wide range of
alumni. The day's schedule allows alumni "students" to select
three of nine classes offered by professors from various
departments, providing flexibility in the choice of subject
matter. The day starts off with coffee and registration,
morning classes, lunch, afternoon classes and is closed
with a mass and social hour.
Summer
Fellowship Program Committee
The function of this committee is to encourage
meaningful public service and socially responsible projects
for Holy Cross students in regional club areas during the
summer. The projects should assist needy "not for profit"
agencies in the name of Holy Cross, while providing regional
clubs with an activity/program that either provides an opportunity
for community outreach or supplements their existing programs.
In 1992 the Summer Fellowship Program was inaugurated whereby
Holy Cross Regional Clubs began to sponsor fellowships in
conjunction with the GAA. Currently the fellows each receive
a stipend towards their tuition for their eight weeks of
work in the amount of $2,400, contributed by the GAA, the
regional club and the benefiting agency. A number of regional
clubs are participating in this successful program and the
GAA is encouraging and assisting other regional clubs to
sponsor Summer Fellowships.
Alumni
Admissions Program
In 1974, the GAA established the Alumni Admissions
Program, which is composed of alumni volunteers who assist
the Admissions Office in locating and attracting top candidates
for admission to Holy Cross. An Alumni Admissions volunteer
represents the College at local college fairs, providing
a source of helpful information to high school students
and their parents. Alumni Admissions volunteers also interview
students in their local areas and in April contact accepted
high school students to answer questions and encourage them
to enroll at Holy Cross.
To get involved
with the Alumni Admissions Program, contact:
Jim Richardson
Alumni Admissions Coordinator
Admissions Office, College of the Holy Cross
1 College Street, Worcester, MA 01610-9973 jrichard@holycross.edu
(508) 793-2443;
The
Holy Cross Book Prize
Inaugurated in 1973, the Holy Cross Book Prize
is presented each year to outstanding juniors in some 500
high schools located throughout the country. The Prize is
sponsored directly by a Holy Cross graduate, a friend of
Holy Cross or a regional alumni club. The recipient receives
a Deluxe Reference Desk Set, which includes a dictionary
and a thesaurus in an open-ended jacket. Each volume is
leatherette bound and carries the Holy Cross seal in gold
on the front cover. There also is a special bookplate signifying
the names of sponsor and recipient on the inside cover.
Book Prize winners
are chosen by their high school faculty. These students
represent exceptional academic achievement in rigorous college
preparatory programs. Recipients have also exhibited a strong
commitment to their school and community through specific
actions, sincere concern for others and responsible attitudes.
They are selected without regard to religion, race, sex
or ethnic background.
In
Hoc Signo Award
Each year at the June Reunion, Holy Cross honors
three graduates with the GAA 's highest honor, the In Hoc
Signo Award. Winners have distinguished themselves by their
dedicated, outstanding and lengthy service to the College,
regional clubs, or their class, and often all three. First
presented in June 1960, the award is an expression of respect
and admiration for those alumni who have given most generously
of their time and talents to Holy Cross. Click here
for a list of past recipients.
Order
of the Purple Knights
Since 1974, this award has been presented annually
to those alumni who have been members of the GAA for 50
years. A Scroll and Crusader lapel pin are presented each
year to each 50th reunion class alumnus at a special dinner
during Reunion Weekend.
