Jim Bendel - Director of Alumni Relations 
I recently returned to the college to begin my final tour at Saint Vincent. Recalling my first contact with the Benedictine Community in 1948, I remember well as a young boy visiting my distant cousin, Sister Brigita, as she labored tirelessly in the kitchen, peeling potatoes and apples, with her gnarled and calloused hands moving rapidly so that the evening meal would be ready on time. All of us have a memory of the Benedictine community, the people that have helped sustain the strong academic community for the monastery, the seminary, the prep, the scholasticate, and the college. After completing grade school and high school at Saint Peters in McKeesport, my mother and father brought me to the college to begin a four-year journey that would culminate in graduation with the college class of 1960. Those four years at Saint Vincent were filled with excitement and energy as all of us experienced the challenging academic environment provided by the monks. How fortunate we were to have them guide us through those difficult years! After spending several years in the Navy, and then teaching high school at Serra Catholic, I was fortunate in being able to return to the college to work in the Development Office from 1968 to 1974. Working with those Benedictines after being a student gave me an even stronger appreciation for their commitment to the Rule of Saint Benedict and their mission of working with youth. It was probably that education at Saint Vincent that led me to working with dependent and delinquent youth at Adelphoi Village for three decades after leaving the college in 1974. There is no doubt that the values given to me in those early years had a positive impact as I aided Adelphoi in creating one of the most dynamic programs for troubled youth in the country. After completing two earlier “tours of duty” at Saint Vincent, I entered my third “tour of duty” in the rejuvenated role as a member of the Institutional Advancement Department. Know that my respect for the Benedictines and their lay associates is just as strong, today, as it was in those first two stops at Saint Vincent. Their commitment to the Benedictine values of community, care, hospitality, and stewardship are the magnets that aid all of us in our individual journey through life. My primary role was to encourage “planned gifts” for the college. This was a position that I enjoyed, but I recently accepted the position of Director of Alumni Relations. This gives me the opportunity to help all Alumni to feel welcome here at Saint Vincent. I want your fond memories to be as strong as mine. Often, I recall my days at Saint Vincent and think about the impact that others had on my life. The Benedictines are still solidly involved in the leadership of the college, and their lifetime commitment is crystal clear. In order to keep this college moving forward, we must remember the importance of our successful alumni. My love for the college has only grown stronger through the years. I suspect that you share many of those same positive memories. The future is bright for Saint Vincent! Let us continue to keep it vibrant. | Upcoming Alumni Events.... Are you from the Triangle (Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill) Area?
Your opinions and comments matter!If for any reason you should need to contact our office, please call us at (724) 805-2568 or email alumni@stvincent.edu. Saint Vincent College
Alumni Office
300 Fraser Purchase Road
Latrobe, PA 15650-2690
Voice: (724) 805-2568
Fax: (724) 532-5029
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