The alumnae office and alumnae board strive to keep graduates involved with Xavier through different events and resources.
Polly Fitz-Gerald has been the head of the alumni office since 2002. She graduated from Xavier in 1968 and returned as a substitute teacher and later a U.S. History and Government teacher.
Sarah Wilson ‘03 is the president of the alumnae association board which holds thirty members from all different classes. After Wilson graduated from Xavier she returned as a Xavier Mock Trial coach and eventually joined the board.
General members’ of the alumnae association responsibilities include participating in board meetings, planning and attending alumnae events and working to keep past students connected to Xavier.
The office and board have responsibilities to keep alumnae involved and connected with other alumnae, to host Xavier graduate-related events and to keep archives.
“Xavier is a great community to be a part of and it truly is impactful to your life whether you realize it while you’re at Xavier or after,” said Wilson.
Fitz-Gerald is in charge of the alumnae archives located in the Guidance Center. This office includes history from Xavier such as yearbooks from all classes and brochures and diplomas dating from all the way to 1947.
The alumnae office hosts events to keep alumnae involved, like class reunions, panel discussion and presentations, pickleball contests, alumnae happy hour and the X Breakfast.
On September 12, 2024 Xavier hosted its 17th annual X Breakfast. Chelsea Keller Kundle ‘03 and Sarah Calfee Shannon ‘87 were this year’s speakers.
Classes will return to Xavier on reunion nights with other classes in order to reconnect with past peers. This year classes ending with 4 and 9 returned.
“I think alumnae return for various reasons whether it’s to reconnect with the community, to give back or to support the school,” Wilson said.
Friday night reunions are at Xavier and Fitz-Gerald described these as a “girls’ night out,” while Saturdays are often morning community service with Brophy graduating classes.
“The most rewarding thing is seeing how successful the graduates are and how much they are contributing to society,” Xavier president Joan Fitzgerald said.
At all these events, alumnae return to Xavier to see the new buildings such as the VPC built in ‘92, the PAC built in 2002 and Founders Hall in 2010.
Fitzgerald recognizes the importance of the alumnae board at Xavier, saying, “It keeps the history of the school going.”
“There are Xavier graduates all over the world. I feel like no matter where you go, sometimes you run into someone who has a connection to Xavier,” Wilson said.
