Meet the New Director of Alumni & Development
Rich Feitel here. I’m baaaack! Never thought that I would return to the same position and same office I left when I retired from Xavier nearly 26 years ago. But when President and alumnus Rick Misenti ’72 and Board member Ron Cozean ’81 reached out to me a few weeks ago and asked if I would fill the vacated position of Alumni & Development Director, I just couldn’t say no. This school has been such an important part of my life for nearly 56 years and next to my immediate family, there is nothing I love more. The years I spent here from 1968 to 1997, whether in the classroom, coaching, or as the Alumni & Development Director, are filled with so many fond memories. And most of my closest friends today are ones that I established during my years at Xavier High School.
I am thrilled to join Rick, Assistant Alumni & Development Director Greg Jaskot ’00, and Office Manager Suzanne Berry and look forward to working with them going forward. All share my passion for this incredible high school, and we vow to work tirelessly to rebuild the Alumni Association to better serve your needs and to get financial support back to the levels achieved in the ‘80’s and ‘90’s.
Greg and I will be reaching out to you in the weeks ahead for your physical and financial support. We would like to reestablish the “Class Reps” system and hopefully get at least 2 alums from each class to serve in these positions. We would also like to form Reunion Committees for those classes that will be celebrating reunions this year or next year. Please let us know if you are interested in serving in either of these positions. Just call the Alumni & Development Office at 860-346-7735, ext. 737 and we’ll put you to work. Most of all, we will need your financial support to fund educational and athletic programs and provide additional financial aid so Xavier can continue to flourish in the years ahead.
I look forward to reconnecting with many of you now that I’m back and meeting many of the younger graduates from the Class of 1998 to the present. Please feel free to drop by or give me or Greg a call. Greg can be reached at 860-346-7735, Ext.733. I can be reached at Ext. 732.
AROUND & ABOUT
- Xavier celebrated the beginning of Lent with a special Ash Wednesday Mass earlier this week. Click here to view some photos from the day on Facebook.
- Xavier Announced our SECOND QUARTER HONOR ROLL last week! Congratulations to the 294 students that earned recognition for their hard work in the classroom! Click here to learn more.
- The 32nd Annual Black & White Auction sponsored by the Xavier Home & School Association will take place on March 23, 2024 in the Kohs Gymnasium.
- On Friday, February 2, we held our annual Junior Ring Ceremony. Click here to view a photo gallery of the special day for the Class of 2025!
- The Wrestling team won their seventh straight SCC Championship this past Saturday!
- The Indoor Track and Field team captured their third consecutive Class L State Title last weekend!
- Ticket sales for the 25K Cash Raffle have begun! Click here for more information and to get your tickets today!
ALUMNI UPDATES
- Congratulations to Anthony Caramanica ‘16 on his marriage! Anthony tied the knot with Hannah Theriault on January 13. His Xavier classmate Kevin Lawrence ‘16 was the best man!
- Vincent Cervoni ’86 was elected as the Mayor of Wallingford!
- William Kaye ‘20, George Luke ‘20, and James Dickman ‘20 traveled to the Vatican over Christmas break and attended the pontifical mass for the nativity.
- Emmett Coughlin ’13 graduated with a medical degree from University College Dublin in 2023 and is now working at Galway University Hospital. Dr. Coughlin recently presented joint research at the Metabolic Surgery Conference in Dublin, Ireland.
- Michael Celentano ’19 graduated from Marist College in 2023 and is currently working as an Undergraduate Admissions Counselor at Iona University in New Rochelle, New York.
- Connor Dwyer ’19 graduated from Fordham in 2022 and he is currently working for the Houston Astros as a Coordinator of Baseball Operations.
- Joshua Fazzino ’18 graduated from Bryant University with a degree in Business Administration in 2022. He is currently a Financial Advisor for LPL Financial.
- Carson Waldron ’20 is the President and Editor-in-Chief of MODE Magazine, Fordham University’s Fashion & Lifestyle Magazine. He will graduate from the Fordham Gabelli School of Business this spring.
- Andrew Miano ’17 graduated from UConn Law School in 2023 and he is working in the Attorney General’s office in Connecticut.
- Jalen Jones ’11 is going to be a contestant on Family Feud tonight (February 16) at 6:00 pm EST! Tune in and support a fellow Falcon!
NEW Alumni Spotlight: Provide some detail on you or a classmate, your family, career and accomplishments. Your info will be shared with students in the main hallway and on other school media outlets. Click here to submit your spotlight today! For more information contact [email protected].
IN MEMORIAM
Thomas Kennedy ’67. To read the obituary, click HERE.
Scott McEnaney ’80. To read the obituary, click HERE.
Each month we remember those who have died recently and those who are called to our attention. Please keep them, their families, and friends in your prayers. The full list of alumni faculty and staff memorials is on the webpage at MEMORIALS.
MORE XAVIER NEWS & CONNECTIONS
Go to xavierhighschool.org, and follow Xavier High School on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For sports news, go to XavierFalcons.com.
XAVIER HIGH SCHOOL PRAYER - read at the close of school each day
Loving Father,
We ask you to protect the students, faculty and staff at Xavier High School.
Guide us to salvation by following the example of Jesus Christ, your Son.
Inspire us with your grace, to seek both academic success and spiritual wisdom as we use your gifts and talents in service to others.
Help us to find the strength and passion to be leaders and pioneers like Theodore James Ryken, the Xaverian Brothers and those who founded our school.
May we, in turn, accept the challenge to spread the Word of God and make the world a better place for all people.
We ask this, through Christ, our Lord. Amen
Saint Francis Xavier pray for us.
- Chris Danko ’11 and Francis Rowland ’11
Xavier High School is part of the Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools (XBSS) network of thirteen high and middle schools in the United States. To learn more about the XBSS Network go to xbss.org.
CONTACT US
Xavier High School Alumni & Development 181 Randolph Road Middletown, CT 06457
Rich Feitel, Director, 860-346-7735 x732, [email protected]
Greg Jaskot ’00, Associate Director, 860-346-7735 x733, [email protected]
Suzanne Berry M ’83, P’18, Office Manager, 860 346 7735 x737, [email protected]
