About 30 members of the class of 1974 gathered in Hagan Arena Feb. 10 for their 50th class reunion. These alumni will be inducted into the Golden Hawks in September, which celebrates St. Joe’s alumni after their 50th class reunion.
St. Joe’s admitted women to enroll as full time students for the first time in 1970, making the class of 1974 the first cohort of women to graduate as a class. Janice Chamberlin ’74 said she remembers the difficulties that came with being part of the first women group on a previously all men campus.
“I don’t think we were well received by everybody,” Chamberlin said. “Some of the teachers were very old fashioned, and I think they didn’t really like having women in the classes.”
Becky Staffer ’74 shared a similar sentiment.
“I think we faced some scrutiny,” Staffer said. “But, we proved ourselves.”
Tony Burruano ’71, co-chair of an affinity chapter on the national alumni board, said he has enjoyed watching the university expand.
“I remember coming back on campus to volunteer, I had no idea where I was going because everything had changed so rapidly here,” Burruano said. “The interesting part, for me, was that the university only got better in every area.”
Lynn Langnas, director of alumni programs, said it is important to bring St. Joe’s alumni back to campus because many of them have called it home for four years.
“It’s exciting to see them point at different buildings saying, ‘remember when,’” Langnas said. “So if we can get them reconnected to St. Joe’s and make them feel part of the community again, it helps us keep them engaged and keeps them coming back for other events.”
Among the Golden Hawks was Frank Sharp ’67, who said he benefited from attending St. Joe’s, which helped him achieve his career goals.
“St. Joe’s gave me focus and direction and purpose,” Sharp said. “Those are my three words.”
Like Sharp, Burruano said he is grateful to St. Joe’s and all the instructors he had when he attended the university
“I’m in love with Saint Joseph’s, and that’s one of the reasons that got me to give back,” Burruano said.
