Ave Atque Vale

July 15, 2006

When reunion weekend occurs each June on the Georgetown campus, I am reminded of the graceful line from the Roman poet Catullus, "...ave atque vale." Hail and farewell, or more colloquially, hello/goodbye. It actually feels that abrupt at five-year interval reunions when you renew old friendships one evening and bid adieu the next.

This past June, I marked my 25th year working on the Hilltop. Nine jobs ago, I began my serial Georgetown career as the Executive Director of Hoyas Unlimited. In many ways, it was the best job I ever had. Very few of the Hoyas programs and services had existed previously, so whatever I touched, I created. It was marvelous. I thought all jobs were like that. What a wonderful world!

Asst. director of Hoyas Unlimited Tim Hogan '04 and head soccer coach Brian Wiese and son

Head track & field mentor Ron Helmer was among the many coaches to address former athletes returning for their reunion last June

Track alums at the Hoyas reunion brunch: Steve Stageberg '69, John Peyton '56, Joe Deady '51, Ed Kirk `54

Head swimming & diving coach Bethany Bower was on hand to answer questions from alumni

After I moved on to my next Georgetown position, I was followed over the next 22 years by a succession of seven different individuals who served in the Hoyas directorship with distinction. I have known each director as a colleague and a friend and was always saddened when the inevitable came and he/she left for greener pastures.

Outgoing Hoyas Unlimited president Maura Devaney '76, with Georgetown AD Bernard Muir, returned for her reunion

Golf team alums Brian Devaney '76 and Gerry Kenny '71 visited with golf coach Tom Hunter and former golf coach Steve Stageberg

Returning alum Sean Mullen '01 chatted with head football coach Kevin Kelly

Incoming president and rowing alum David Don '91 at the reunion brunch in McDonough

So as I reached my quarter century of service at Georgetown last month, it turned bittersweet for me upon learning that the eighth director of Hoyas Unlimited, Jennifer Shaheen Montgomery was soon to depart the hallowed halls of McDonough Memorial Gymnasium. Jen and her predecessor, Dan Cohen '98, at the time were among the youngest staff members ever to take the reins of the organization, but they were also among the most talented. I still miss Dan, and now I will miss Jen just as much.

I join with thousands of fellow Hoyas to salute Jen for her time and good work with Hoyas Unlimited. Ave atque vale!

Volleyball alum Catherine Shea Robinson '81 joined classmate and basketball alum Geoff Rochester '81 at the Hoyas-sponsored brunch

Head basketball coach John Thompson III provided some light moments as he talked to the crowd of former athletes

AD Bernard Muir welcomed basketball alums Jim Brown '66 and Jake Gibbons `66

Robert Brooks '66 spoke with head volleyball coach Arlisa Hagan

Fitz Corr '56 met with assistant women's lacrosse coach Michi Ellers `04

Coach Helmer provided an update to former trackmen Nick Spiradakis '66 and John Moreland `66

Asst. track coach Scott McLeod '96 caught up with a former teammate

Former men's lacrosse players PJ Coughlin '86 and Chris Kiernan '86 at the reunion picnic outside McDonough

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