•   Summer Send-Off Preview
•   Save the Date: 2011 Prep-Holy Name Reunion Weekend
•   Saint Leo University Honored for Community Service
•   Connect with Alumni on Social Networks
•   Alumni Spotlight: Antonette Lyken '11
•   Thanks to Our 2011 Tassel Turners
•   Share Your Success Stories with Us!
•   Exceptional Alumna Holly Smith '09
•   Two Tampa Events to Connect with Saint Leo!
•   First Graduate with Specialization in Logistics Management
•   Update Your Information

This summer, the Office of Alumni Relations is teaming up with the Office of Parent Relations and Admissions to launch a new initiative, welcoming incoming University Campus students to the Saint Leo family with regional summer send-offs. The events will be picnic-style gatherings hosted by Saint Leo alumni and parents and allows incoming students and their parents to meet other families in their local area who will be attending Saint Leo this fall. The Summer Send-Offs also allow alumni to connect with current students in their region and share their Saint Leo experiences.

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Save the date for the annual Saint Leo College Prep and Holy Name Academy Reunion Weekend.  This year’s celebration will be held October 28-30, 2011.  The weekend will celebrate the heritage of Saint Leo, especially recognizing the Classes of 1951 (our 60th year reunion class), 1956 (our 55th year reunion class), and 1961 (our 50th year reunion class).

For more information about the Saint Leo College Prep and Holy Name Reunion Weekend, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at (352) 588-8667 or alumni.relations@saintleo.edu.

The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) honored Saint Leo University as a leader among institutions of higher education for Saint Leo’s support of volunteering, service-learning, and civic engagement. Saint Leo was admitted to the 2010 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for engaging its students, faculty, and staff in meaningful service that achieves measurable results in the community.

The Corporation for National and Community Service, which has administered the Honor Roll since 2006, admitted a total of 641 colleges and universities for their impact on issues from literacy and neighborhood revitalization to supporting at-risk youth. Of that total, 511 were named to the Honor Roll, 114 received the recognition of Honor Roll with distinction, 11 were identified as finalists, and six received the Presidential Award. Saint Leo is in the Honor Roll category.

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During each of Saint Leo’s commencement ceremonies, a member of Saint Leo University’s Alumni Association leads the degree candidates in a longstanding tradition, the turning of the tassels.  The “tassel turner” directs the candidates to move the tassel that hangs from their mortar boards from the right side to the left, signifying each student’s transition from degree candidate to graduate.  The tassel turner then welcomes the graduates to the Alumni Association.  Many thanks to these tassel turners for giving their time to welcome our newest alumni. 

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Holly Smith '09 became an exceptional alumnus by combining her passion for archery with her passion for Saint Leo University resulting in a unique way for her to give back to her alma mater. Become an exceptional alumnus by making your gift today.

Holly Smith ’09 has made her personal quest to qualify for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London a positive for Saint Leo University.  Smith, who began archery about a year ago, has pledged to donate $1 to the Saint Leo University Annual Fund for every “X” and “10” she shoots during archery tournaments both locally and nationally.

Smith continues to fine tune her skills, and is building toward the ultimate goal of qualifying for the 2012 Olympics.  The Olympic Trials will take place in September, and Smith will compete in several events next month, including the National Field Archery Association (NFAA) National Field Championship, the USA Archery National Target Championship and the Hoyt World Open where she will compete against Olympic and World Cup archers.

Following graduation in 2009, Smith began working for her alma mater as a Technical Support Specialist for University Technology Services.  Her experience as a student and now employee has enhanced her relationship with her university, and for this she wishes to give back.

Nearly 700 graduates received their degrees from Saint Leo University during a commencement ceremony held at Hampton University’s Convocation Center in Hampton, VA, on May 21.  However, one graduate became a pioneer, as Ramone Pierce became the first to receive his Bachelor of Arts degree with the new specialization in logistics management.

Pierce attended the Fort Eustis Center at the Herbert Bateman Education Center at Fort Eustis, VA, and has been a full-time student at Saint Leo since 2007.  He balanced a full-time job, being a husband and father of five children, and remaining active in his community while earning his degree.

After joining the U.S. Army at the age of 17 as an Automated Logistical Specialist, Pierce has been working in the logistics specialization field his entire adult life.  He initially started the pursuit of a degree in business administration with a specialization in management.  However, one day he walked into the Fort Eustis Center and learned of the B.A. with specialization in logistics management.  He was immediately interested and switched his major to the new degree program.

“Through it all, I realized that the door of opportunity will always be in front of me,” Pierce said.  “But education will be the key that opens that door to success.”