By Stan Slowick '74 President of the General Alumni Association

Before we've had the opportunity to stop and catch our breath, a look at the calendar tells us that the academic year of Holy Cross and the General Alumni Association (GAA) is at the halfway point. The board of directors of the Association met during Homecoming Weekend with Athletic Director Richard Regan '76 who served as the guest speaker. Committees of the board are now hard at work administrating the many programs of the GAA. This midpoint offers the opportunity to provide food for thought on some areas of interest to all alumni. 

Homecoming and Attendance at Athletic Events 
In his address to the board of the GAA during Homecoming Weekend, Dick Regan spoke of the decline in attendance among students, alumni and members of the local community at football games as well as men's and women's basketball games. To counteract this trend, the Athletic Association is planning an extensive marketing effort and is also looking into scheduling major games in men's and women's basketball to be played at the Worcester Centrum. As alumni, we must take some responsibility for the issue of attendance. At the Fall Homecoming football game against Cornell, the stands would have been twice as full if only those who were tailgating on the baseball field and Freshman Field had entered Fitton Field! It is not only the football players who deserve our support. Members of the band and cheerleading squad practice many hours in preparation for their Saturday afternoon performances. Tailgating is an integral part of the fall football experience; but it is only a part. Let's make an effort to show support for our student-athletes by tailgating with our friends and family before the game, cheering on the team inside the stadium, and then possibly attending a post-game reception in the Hogan Ballroom. Now is the time for all alumni to give our teams the support they deserve. 

Expansion of Continuing Education 
As many of you are aware, the General Alumni Association has sponsored a Continuing Education Day since the early '80s. The program, first chaired by Richard Onofrey '55, and now by his son Rick '87, was developed in order to give alumni the opportunity to spend a day back in the classroom and experience firsthand the world-class professors teaching at Holy Cross. The day includes a choice of classes, lively discussion, lunch, and Mass. Each year, approximately 100 alumni and guests attend the "Classroom Revisited." Thanks to the generosity of Joseph P. Donelan II '72, a pilot project designed to bring faculty and alumni together at regional club receptions will begin early in 1999. There will be four-to-five clubs involved the first year. The reception would include an informative presentation by a visiting professor as well as the opportunity for informal discussion. Donelan's gift provides funding for the faculty member's travel expenses. 

A Celebration of Diversity 
On Saturday, Nov. 7, I had the pleasure of attending the ALANA (Asian, Latin American, Native American) students' brunch sponsored by the Bishop Healy Committee of the GAA and the College. The Hogan Ballroom was filled with students, parents, mentors, faculty, staff, administrators, and alumni. Dean Esther Levine and Joe Reilly '55 served as masters of ceremony. Students representing Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Muslim organizations as well as the Bishop Healey Multicultural Society brought greetings and the message of acceptance and support to all present. The Holy Cross Gospel Ensemble took center stage and soon had the whole ballroom clapping along. It was quite evident that they were having as much fun singing as the audience was listening. Once again, the buffet luncheon was delicious and plentiful.

I had the good fortune to share this experience with the Jenkins family of Savannah, Ga. who were on campus for Parents' Weekend. While their son, James, a freshman member of the football team, was preparing for the game against Cornell, they chose to attend the ALANA brunch. In the span of five minutes, Mr. Jenkins had me convinced that my decision to attend Holy Cross 29 years ago was the best one I ever made! His enthusiasm for and gratitude to Holy Cross were boundless. He spoke of his son's positive experience during his first campus visit - not only did he receive a warm welcome, but he was made to feel that he was best for Holy Cross and that Holy Cross was best for him. Mr. Jenkins reserved his highest praise for the new "Gateways" program instituted this year by Dean Jaqueline Peterson. By participating in one of three day-and-a-half sessions held in June, first-year students and their parents have the opportunity to meet with faculty and advisors, get to know classmates, and pre-register for courses. The Jenkins traveled from Georgia to attend the program. As testament to its success, Mr. Jenkins felt that, because of "Gateways," in a few short days, a bond was forged between his family and Holy Cross that will endure forever. It was truly a wonderful experience to meet and share the ALANA brunch with the Jenkins. 

On behalf of the board of directors and senate of the General Alumni Association, I wish all of you a happy and healthy New Year!