Alumni Weekend 2022

SPRING ALUMNI EVENTS

Marksmen Connect on Campus

Marksmen gather on campus

Alumni Weekend 2022

For the first time in three years, alumni returned to campus for the spring Alumni Weekend.

More than 1,100 graduates and families participated in three full days of activities, including the annual Alumni Golf Tournament at Brookhaven Country Club, the Spring Alumni Dinner, Family Cookout, and, for the classes ending in 2 and 7, reunions at homes and venues throughout Dallas.

At the Spring Alumni Dinner, honorees from the previous three years were recognized, including alumni award winners, retirees, and faculty celebrating milestone anniversaries at the School. On Saturday, a special tribute was held for legendary faculty member Tom Adams, who passed away in 2020, followed by a reception on the baseball field.

Lee S. Smith ’65 Courage and Honor Award

Recognition to honor the School’s first Black graduate.

Lee S. Smith ’65 speaking to student members of the Diversity and Inclusion Council

This year’s Alumni Dinner introduced the Lee S. Smith ’65 Courage & Honor Award. Presented by the Alumni Association, this new award will recognize a member of the St. Mark’s community who demonstrates courage, honor, perseverance and/or justice in the communities to which they belong by using his or her voice and actions to affect measurable change to elevate humanity. Smith was the School’s first Black graduate, and has visited the campus several times in recent years. He served as Cum Laude speaker and has visited with student publication editors and organization leaders. The first recipient of the Lee S. Smith ’65 Courage and Honor Award will be presented during the 2023 Alumni Weekend. Here are some of his remarks given at the Spring Alumni Dinner.

“I’ve lived my life to make a difference with people and institutions. And the fact that this will carry on in a special way to inspire other people is wonderful. The word courage is a heavy word. Honor is something I live by. Life presents you with opportunities. There are two kinds of people in life — there are people who will just roll up their sleeves and do it and those who shirk responsibility. And I’ve always tried to be (the former). And that’s how I’ve tried to live. I can’t thank you enough to be recognized in this way.” — Lee Smith ’65

A TRIBUTE TO TOM ADAMS

Members of the Marksman community honored their beloved teacher and coach during Alumni Weekend.

RALPH B. ROGERS ALUMNI AWARD

RECIPIENT

Michele Santosuosso

FINALISTS Scott Hunt Glenn Stroh

YOUNG ALUMNI SERVICE CITATION

2020 Hill Perot ’05 2021 Mark Butler ’08 2022 Luke Kline ’07

ALUMNI SERVICE MEDAL

2020 Mike Warnecke ’87 2021 David Sammons ’76 2022 David Campbell ’86

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS AWARD

2020 Victor Vescovo ’84 2022 Clark Hunt ’83

Alumni Weekend 2022

‘Alumni Weekend gives us all the opportunity to reconnect with classmates, faculty and friends who were such a big part of our lives during our most formative years.’

—SANDY CAMPBELL ’76 Alumni Association President

(far left) A tribute to Tom Adams

(above) Marksmen enjoy the day on campus

(left) A student assists David Sammons ’76 on a project in the Makerspace

(top) Marksmen and their guests celebrate at Spring Alumni Dinner

(above and right) The Family Cookout on campus (above, top to bottom) Clark Hunt ’83, Victor Vescovo ’84 Lee S. Smith ’65

(above) Members of the Class of 2022 attend Graduate Luncheon prior to their Commencement

Young Alumni

Shortly after Alumni Weekend, the Office of Development and Alumni Relations welcomed the Class of 2022 into the Alumni Association at graduate luncheon. Each graduate received a double photo frame featuring their first and final yearbook photos, symbolizing each boy’s path to manhood and the years of dedication by each family. The gift was especially poignant for Alex Nadalini, who is the youngest of four brothers to graduate from St. Mark’s. “Looking at my frame brought back so many nostalgic memories from not only my Lower School days, but from my entire time as a Marksman,” Nadalini said. “The look on my parents’ faces when I handed the frame to them made the tough days and long nights at St. Mark’s all worth it.”

In the weeks following Commencement, the Class of 2022 and other young alumni were invited back to campus for the Young Alumni Community Service event. Graduates from the last 15 years joined forces with current faculty and staff members to create snack bags and serve more than 400 McDonald’s meals to the residents at Austin Street Center. The Blues Club provided an upbeat soundtrack for the day. “Playing at Austin Street Shelter is one of my favorite events throughout the year,” said Xander Bowles ’22, Blues Club guitar player. “It is such a cool experience to see the happiness on their faces that our meals and our music bring to Austin Street.”

In keeping with St. Mark’s focus on supporting the broader community, the Alumni Association hosted a National Day of Service in August for alumni and their friends all over the world. This year, the National Day of Service supported children’s health at Ronald McDonald Houses across the nation.

Photos: Daniel Sanchez ’21

(above) Young alumni offer food and music to the residents of Austin Street Center