Santa Clara University

Reunion Weekend

By Larry Sokloff '92

Photography by Nancy Martin

Bonnie MacNaughton hadn’t been back to Santa Clara University in the 25 years since she’d graduated from the School of Law in 1982. But she had good memories of the friendships she’d forged and the legal skills she’d learned there.

Jeanne HuangLi ’02, co-chair

“Twenty-five years is a pretty big milestone,” said the affable alumna, who is a senior attorney for Microsoft in Redmond, Wash. (see page 20). “I was wondering what had changed around campus and wanted to reconnect with old friends. It seemed like a good time to make the trek.”

So MacNaughton joined 425 alumni and guests for the Law Reunion Weekend 2007, held on campus Sept. 7–9. In a whirlwind of weekend activities, SCU law graduates bonded over sporting activities, visits to the Hut, tours of the campus, a CLE presentation, a banquet and an inspirational closing Mass.

“It was fabulous,” MacNaughton said. “The reunion made me feel more connected. It reminded me how much of my professional success I owe to Santa Clara.”

Matthew Wayman ’97, co-chair Mark Boling ’82 and Tim Schmal ’82, co-chair (also coordinated Fun Run)

Events on Friday, Sept. 7, included golf at Cinnabar Hills and a fun run on campus, which were followed by individual class receptions in various buildings and scenic spots on campus. Alumni saw the changes that have transformed the campus over the years. Gone are large parking lots and the Alameda bisecting the campus—in their place are gardens and new buildings.

“Since I live locally, I am able to enjoy the SCU campus as it improves every year,” said Maureen Tabari ’87. “Those who haven’t visited the campus in 20 years, however, expressed amazement at the beauty of the campus. I definitely was proud of the University’s accomplishments as reflected in the eyes of those who haven’t seen it since we last strolled the campus together 20 years ago, having to negotiate the perils of the Alameda to attend our graduation.”

Cole Cannon ’72, Dean Polden, and Bobbie Cannon

“The campus is gorgeous,” said Bill Pursley ’72, a workers’ compensation attorney in Sacramento. “I love the architecture and the landscaping. It is true class.”

On Saturday, September 8, MacNaughton and other alumni gathered to hear Professor Bob Peterson present his CLE lecture on “The Bard and the Bench: Content, Context and California Evidence Code Section 356.” In the entertaining hour-long talk, Peterson looked at how lawyers are portrayed in Shakespeare’s works and how attorneys and judges have used the Bard’s words in their own legal writing.

Julie Grijalva ’97 and Jessica Blitchok ’97

Across campus, Pursley gathered with classmates from the class of 1972 for a game of softball. “We had a law school intramural team called the Rats. Some of us wore our old caps and shirts to the reunion game,” he said. “Instead of playing, we relaxed and talked,” he said.

Another sports tie brought alumni together over the weekend. MacNaughton said she gathered with friends who had played women’s intramural football on the Eleven Easy Pieces team. MacNaughton joined former players Lynne Thaxter Brown ’82, Molly Long ’82, and Professor Kandis Scott in reminiscing about the team.

Paul Caputo ’88; Lisa Caputo ’92; co-chair, Jill Passalacqua ’92; guest Ron Mathews; and Bonnie MacNaughton ’82

Saturday evening’s event, a reception and class dinners, was a high point for many of the alumni at the reunion. Over three hundred alumni and guests attended the evening’s events, in and around Benson Center.

The class of 1987 had a great time, thanks in part to the efforts of class member Barry Kinman, who provided wine from his vineyard, Bear Cave Cellars, in Paso Robles. Two other highlights of the evening, according to Maureen Tabari, were seeing former professors, and meeting at the Hut, the proverbial watering hole for generations of SCU students.

Dean Don Polden, Marv Peixoto ’57, co-chair, and University President Paul Locatelli, S.J.

About 120 alumni volunteered for the nine class reunions, participating in meetings to plan the events and calling their classmates to encourage them to attend. MacNaughton was on the committee for the class of 1982. It added to an even better reunion weekend experience, she said.

“It gave me a chance to re-familiarize myself with some of my classmates, and made me feel connected before the reunion,” she said. “It also helped me get to know Dean Don Polden and his staff.”

Hon. Raymond J. Davilla Jr. ’72 and Rich Roggia ’72

Maureen Tabari co-chaired the 1987 reunion with her husband, Cy. Her summation of her class probably holds true for all graduates.

“Most people we found had not changed dramatically,” she said. “There are a few more wrinkles and a few more gray hairs (and lots more children) than when we graduated. But for an aging population of attorneys, the group exuded youthful energy!”

Visit www.scu.edu/law/alumni/reunion-weekend-home.cfm for a link to more photos from the 2007 reunion.

Save the date for Reunion 2008!

We hope you will join us for the 2008 Reunion on Sept. 5-7, which will feature celebrations for the following classes: 1958, 1963, 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, and 2003.