Letters to the class of 2020

Dear members of the Class of 2020, A hearty welcome to you as you enter the ranks of SBU alumni. This message comes with mixed emotions. The student-to-alumni transition should have happened at multiple celebrations — such as Spring Weekend, senior send-off, Senior...

Anthony Ingrassia Major: Bachelor of Business Administration Current Job: President of Ingrassia Family Funeral Homes  To all the class of 2020: It is with very mixed emotions that I write this letter to all the graduating seniors. I am sorry that you will not have a...

Emily (Knitter) Knapic Major: Psychology  Current Job: Counseling Psychology Ph.D. Student at University at Buffalo  Last year, I was only days from graduating with my bachelor’s degree, just like you. I am 29 years old. Six years ago, I was preparing for a different...

Scott Verrenti Major: Education Current Job: Constituent Engagement Director at University of Rochester Medical Center Advancement To the members of the Class of 2020, Congratulations on an amazing accomplishment and tremendous journey. Welcome to one of the warmest...

Adelyn Graf Major: Sport Studies & MBA Current Job: Medical Device Sales Representative at Symmetry Surgical  CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2020! Although it feels like the best years of your life have come to an end - this is just the beginning. Your memories at...

Kathy (Neumeister) Danahy Major: Elementary Education (N-6) Current Job: Retired Teacher of the Deaf from Erie #1 BOCES Dear graduates of St. Bonaventure University 2020, I am speaking to you as a '76 graduate. Although we all hear that this is a tough experience for...

Nancy (Gloeckler) Coughlin Major: Psychology Current Job: Retired Dear Class of 2020, Congratulations on your graduation from St. Bonaventure University. I am so sorry that you may not be able to experience the excitement of receiving your diploma at SBU among your...

Mary (Lederman) Sutton Major: English/Secondary Education Current Job: Writer at 3M Dear fellow Bonnies, I remember my senior year. I remember my dorm (Francis), I remember the basketball games (friends and I road-tripped to Milwaukee to see us play in the NIT), I...

Mary Teresa (Sullivan) Smith Major: French Current Job: U.S. delegate to the World Trade Center at the Office of the United States Trade Representative, Geneva, Switzerland Congratulations to the Class of 2020! We are very proud of you and are so happy to have you as...

Jeanne Annunziato-Swol-Simanek Major: History/Teaching and Religion Current Job: Retired Business Owner I graduated almost 50 years ago so here are the highlights I remember from my senior year. Finished my thesis & 6 weeks of student teaching. Then I got to enjoy...

John Quinn Major: Physical Education  Current Job: Retired Teacher Congratulations to the entire class. You are now always a Bonnie and will stay connected to those who you spent the last 4 years with. I am on the campus as a basketball season ticket holder and the...

Rene (Poochingian) Pochop Major: Finance Current Job: President, Registered Investment at Pochop Financial Management, Inc.   Dear Class of 2020, As May arrived, I know you are all sad that you are not getting that final spring to celebrate and end your college years...

Richard Pardi Major: Accounting Current Job: Retired  Now you come out of the light back into the darkness. Just like you did when you came to Bonaventure not knowing what this new life will be like: Will my classmates like me, will I have a nice roommate, etc....

Alexandra (Fioravanti) Novak Major: Journalism and Mass Communication & MBA Current Job: Lead Instructional Designer at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Class of 2020, congratulations on joining the best club ever: Bonaventure Alumni! I'm so sorry the end of your senior...

Kelsey Mulligan Major: Political Science/Business Administration Current Job: Assistant Project Manager at L.K. Cornstock Dear Class of 2020, You have all just experienced the best 4 years of your lives as St. Bonaventure Bonnies. You have received the best education...

Dennis K. McDormott Major: History Current Job: Retired NYS County Court Judge from the NYS Unified Court System Dear fellow alumni: Congratulations not only on your graduation but on your selection of St. Bonaventure in the first place. I hope you look back on that...

Patrick Doyle Major: Economics Current Job: Security Sales Rep at Oracle  To the St. Bonaventure graduating Class of 2020: You could go back as far as Nicholas Devereux and St. Bonaventure's College in 1858 and you wouldn't find a set of circumstances like the ones...

Kevin Cleary Major: Marketing Current Job: Senior Manager - Commercial Innovation at Diageo Dear seniors, During this time, I hope you have had time to reflect on your journey and that you are proud of everything you personally accomplished during your time at St....

Claire Mangine Major: Journalism/Mass Communication Minor: Marketing Current Job: Sr. Marketing Associate at University of Rochester Medical Center  Congratulations, graduates!! While this is not the ideal end of your senior year that you looked forward to, expected...

Steven Barry Majors: Finance and Accounting Current Job: Partner/Certified Public Accountant at KPMG LLP   Dear Class of 2020, It is with a tremendous amount of joy and pride that I offer my congratulations and sincere wishes for good health, happiness and...

Katelyn Chiccino Major: History/Secondary Education Current Job: eLearning Content Analyst at Antech Systems    Class of 2020, I am so sorry for this loss. You have truly been robbed of what is the best three months of the whole Bonaventure experience. Just know...

Nicholas Clancy Major: Sociology Current Job: 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Class of 2020, Congratulations on all your achievements! I hope by now, you've started to realize how amazing of an experience it is to attend St. Bonaventure. The people you've grown to...

Peter M. Gigliotti  Major: Journalism Current Job: Founder/CEO at CrissComm LLC You are graduating during a turbulent time for our nation and the world, but you facie these new challenges from a position of strength: Your Bonaventure experience. Like the thousands of...

Maddison Appel Major: Sports Studies Current Job: Safety Coordinator/Foreman at Watsion Farms LLC Although your time was cut short, nothing can take away the memories, friends, family, knowledge and experiences that Bonaventure has given you. It will always be your...

Michelle Wahl As a parent of a junior and freshman, I can see the love that both of my kids have for SBU. It was heartbreaking for them to have this year cut short. The seniors - I cannot imagine the heartache. I have NO DOUBT that the delayed graduation ceremony will...

Kimberly Kociencki Parent of a Current Student Current Job: CEO of SPLiCE YOU did it! YOU made a difference with your Bona's family! YOU will be the leaders to keep us connected as you find creative ways now to replace that onsite experience. YOU are, and will...