Best of the Week 2021-2022: Holy Cross Values

ST. ED'S 'LEANING ON ALUMNI' EVENT KICKSTARTS PROFESSIONAL MENTORSHIP PROGRAM FOR YOUNG ALUMNI

St. Ed's Alumni Mentorship Program launched with its first event of the year this week with "Leaning on Alumni," hosted by the President's Advisory Council, a group of young St. Ed's alums who work with President Jim Kubacki to strategically advance the mission of the school. With keynote speakers, panel discussions, and small breakout sessions, "Leaning on Alumni" provided junior and senior Edsmen with the opportunity to engage with industry-leading professionals, asking them questions and discussing the impact the St. Ed's community has after graduation. This week's first "Leaning on Alumni" event welcomed Yoshi Nakamura '97, the Founder and Managing Partner of NAKA Capital Partners and Galaxy Investment Partners, Pete Kahler '02, Director of Sponsorship Sales at JMI Sports, and Patrick Stack '02, Professor at Johnson & Wales University and the Co-founder & Executive Director at Sports Biz Camps. "The PAC have been focused on building relationships between students and alumni, trying to introduce students to the concept of relationship-building, why it's important and how it can benefit them throughout their lives. Learning to connect with alumni will help Edsmen unlock the true values of a St. Ed's education - we're a family that continues to support each other for a lifetime," says Head of PAC Bill Leimkuehler. "Our goal is to strengthen our student and alumni connection in a way that strengthens the St. Ed's family. Students offer an eagerness and inquisitiveness with which alumni love to interact with so they can help students in whatever endeavors they wish to pursue." "Whenever I speak to new students and their families, I always begin by talking about family. A Holy Cross education is about family, and they are joining the family of Holy Cross. Last night's event was a perfect example of that. It was great to see so many alums come back with the sole purpose of offering their gifts and talents to help their fellow Eagles," says VP of Mission Effectiveness Liam Haggerty '02. "Alumni can give back to the St. Ed's community in several different ways. Mentorship and helping current Edsmen understand life skills like relationship building are ways alums can give back to the brotherhood," says Pete Kahler. "I hope students take away that feeling of family and the willingness of St. Ed's older generations to teach them how to best utilize and learn from St. Ed's alumni community."