At 2014 Commencement Luncheon, Seniors Welcomed Into the Fold
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Gordy Rush (front and center) with some of his 1986 classmates, from left: Steve Perrien, Jimmy Huck, Dan Shea, Jim McCormick, Brad Murret, Brian Grenrood, Johnny Fitzpatrick, and Tommy Moran.
In His Inimitable Style, Gordy Rush ’86 Addresses Newest Jesuit Alumni
View the Photo Gallery of the 2014 Commencement Luncheon
Blue Jay Spirit abounded at the 13th annual Commencement Luncheon held on May 2 in the Bienville Club Room of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. A record-setting number of alumni, 255, joined the 260 graduating seniors to enjoy a midday gathering that included inspirational addresses, a delicious meal, and the passionate interaction of Blue Jays from classes ranging from 1939 to 2014.
Glenn Gillen ’85, who serves as president of Jesuit’s Alumni Association, formally welcomed the Class of 2014 into the Association. So impressed with the setting and the size of the audience, Gillen could not help but turn his back to the audience, hold up his cell phone, smile, and snap a “selfie” from his position behind the podium. Once his awe subsided, Gillen advised the seniors, “Stay connected, take pride in being a Jesuit grad, and make the Jesuit community proud of you through your success.”
This year’s alumnus speaker — Gordy Rush, who was a football standout at Jesuit and LSU — has done all three. Rush, a 1986 alumnus and father of three, manages a group of radio stations in Baton Rouge and serves as a member of the LSU football announcing team.
From the perspective of 28 years since walking the halls of Jesuit, Rush told the almost-alumni of the life lesson of the school uniform. “Jesuit took students from all walks of life,” he said. “I was a middle class kid from the West Bank sitting next to a wealthy guy from New Orleans on one side and on the other side a kid busting his behind at recess to make ends meet to help pay for his scholarship. But all wore the same uniform. Everyone is equal. That’s life.”
Rush also encouraged the seniors to embrace the spiritual lessons afforded at Jesuit.
“Coming from a private school, I had not discussed openly a spiritual relationship with God,” he said. “Jesuit gave me that opportunity. Here you talked with your peers and the Jesuits about that relationship and did not just memorize verses and history. That led to my personal relationship with God that has been so important to me throughout my life especially in getting through adversity.”
Galleries
Commencement Luncheon, Class of 2014, May 2, 2014
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Senior Charles Graham (second from left) with his father Michael Graham '77, grandfather Charles Glueck '40, brother Michael '06, and cousins Stephen Forcier '12 and Philip Forcier '82. -
Fr. Nick Schiro, S.J. '44 and senior Ian Calamari -
Evan Fitzpatrick with his dad Johnny Fitzpatrick '86. -
Br. Billy Dardis, S.J. '58 reminisces about the fire extinguisher adventures of a certain alumnus. -
Adam Waguespack and his grandfather Dooty Patron '51. -
Jesuit principal Peter Kernion '90 gave a brief address welcoming seniors and alums. -
Senior class president Quentin Marks welcomes guest speaker Gordy Rush '86 to the stage after introducing him to the audience. -
Gordy Rush '86 manages a consortium of radio stations in Baton Rouge and is a member of the broadcast team for LSU football. -
“Coming from a private school, I had not discussed openly a spiritual relationship with God," Gordy told his audience. "Jesuit gave me that opportunity. Here you talked with your peers and the Jesuits about that relationship and did not just memorize verses and history. That led to my personal relationship with God that has been so important to me throughout my life especially in getting through adversity.” -
Collin Phillips leads the singing of the Alma Mater after being introduced by student council president Christopher Dupre (far left). -
Alumni director Mat Grau '68 thanks everyone for attending the Commencement Luncheon. -
Gordy Rush (front and center) with some of his 1986 classmates, from left: Steve Perrien, Jimmy Huck, Dan Shea, Jim McCormick, Brad Murret, Brian Grenrood, Johnny Fitzpatrick, and Tommy Moran. -
John Carbo '90 and J.P. Escudier '95 -
Senior Henry Hingle with his uncle Daniel Shea '86 and grandfather John Shea '51. -
Senior Connor Gruntz with his dad Cory Gruntz '88, grandfather Louis Gruntz, Jr. '65, and uncle Louis Gruntz III '88. -
Senior Whit Porter is flanked by his grandfather Allen Porter '49 and dad Gregg Porter '76. -
Senior Vincent Bonadona with his uncle Richard Kuntz '83, and grandfather Dick Kuntz '46. -
Senior Ian Calamari flanked by his father Manuel Calamari '82, and grandfather Manny Calamari '57. -
Senior Brian Burvant (third from left) is flanked by, from far left, his uncle Gene SImon '80, father John Burvant '80, grandfather Kelly Simon '55, and uncles Chuck Simon '80 and Andre Burvant '87. -
Senior Mark Alvarez with his father Rene Alvarez '83 and grandfather A.J. Capritto '48. -
Senior Alex Rooney with his grandfather Mike Rooney '59 and dad Michael Rooney '84. -
Senior Ryan Cambias with his father Ron Cambias, Jr. '81 and grandfather Ron Cambias, Sr. '53. -
Five from the Class of '69: Kevin Heigle, Wayne Fontana, Woody Walk, Mick Quinlan, and Pierre DeGruy. -
Chris Taliancich and Luke St. Germain -
Jacob Stansberry, Evan Wolff, and Sean Dobies -
Tristan Culotta, Zack DeChristopher, Ian DeBautte, Rahul Mirpuri, C.J. Blagrove, Akshay Gopal, Michael Dwyer, Daniel Boudreau, and Brian Crosby -
Nick Tadros and Brian Burvant -
Moments before the honorees enter the Bienville Club Room to the sound of the Jesuit "Fight Song," this group of seniors appears relaxed. From left, Joe McAloon, Connor Gillen, Riley Conroy, Alex Brewster, Brett Spansel, Chase Eckholdt, Brandon Sequeira, Jack Hebert, and Will Tebbe. -
Scott Delatte '06, who teaches theology and is co-moderator of the student council, joins seniors Branden Besh and Adam Waguespack right before their entrance. -
A smooth and painless check-in for all was the good work of Wendy Schneider, Krista Roeling, and Logan Diano of Jesuit's office of institutional advancement. -
The 260 seniors entered the large room at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in only a few monutes using two entrances, converging at the back wall, and forming a "crescent" around the perimeter. Everyone was in near-lockstep with the "Fight Song." From left, Christian Ruppert, Carson Rigol, Jack Meehan, Alex Rooney, Spencer Smith, and Stephen Sigle line up along the back wall. -
Christopher Wilson, Thomas Nimmo, and Grady Burnett survey the 200-plus alumni who are giving them a hearty Blue Jay welcome. -
Nick David, Jacob Larriviere, Clay Deron, Michael Murray, and Matthew Brandt -
Will Thompson, Tyler Story, Kyle Moise, and Roy Messina -
A stripped down cavern under the Mercedes-Benz Superdome provides an interesting backdrop for seniors who casually lean against a rail while waiting for the start of the 13th annual Commencement Luncheon. From left, Zach Adams, Christopher Wilson, Kyle Holzman, Jonathan Blanchard, Corey Webb, Dominic Engolia, and Matthew Pettus. -
Cullen Walsh, Alex Anderson, Christopher Mire, Patrick Ryan, and Max Perret -
James Szeszycki and Andrew Prejean -
Anthony Genova, Taylor Ferris, and Leron Prout -
Stanley Dai enters the room followed by Liam FItzgerald. -
Billy Healy, Michael Frank, Nick Maggio, Ian Calamari, and Michael Hanley -
Will Myers, Connor Gruntz, Collin Roy, Mikey McCombs, and Brad Davis -
Fr. Raymond Fiitzgerald, S.J., president of Jesuit High School, leads alumni and the honorees of the Class of 2014 in grace. -
Alumni Mark Spansel '73, Erik Spansel '01, Kerth Gravener '97, and Chad Howat '92 prepare to welcome seniors to their table. -
Michael Dwyer and Charles Farley join alumni chaplain Fr. Norman O'Neal, S.J. and Ralph Cox '64 at their assigned table. -
Glenn Gillen '85 serves as president of Jesuit’s Alumni Association. He takes to the stage to formally welcome graduating seniors of the Class of 2014 into the Association.
