Alumni Return to Campus

More than 1,200 alumni and community members returned to campus over the weekend of April 18-20 to celebrate Alumni Weekend 2024. Over the course of three days, alumni reconnected with their alma mater, rekindling fond memories of their time at 10600 Preston Road and making new memories with fellow classmates and former teachers.
 
“This weekend offers us the opportunity to reflect upon the experiences and people who molded us into the men we are today,” said Jamie Rogers ’85, Alumni Association president. “Whether you are a recent graduate or a Golden Lion, Alumni Weekend serves as a chance for us to celebrate our connections with one another as well as the School.”
 
The weekend began with the Alumni Golf Tournament, held at Cowboys Golf Club in Grapevine. The tournament was once again sold out as more than 120 alumni teed up in friendly competition for the Ivan Irwin, Jr. ’50 Cup.
 
On Friday, Marksmen representing eight decades returned to 10600 Preston Road to experience daily life on campus. Alums joined the Lower School for a special Alumni Chapel, with Damon Wright ’04 serving as homilist. Following chapel, the Middle School boys heard from 2020 Distinguished Alumnus Victor Vescovo ’84 in a special assembly where he outlined valuable advice he wishes he had known in Middle School. David Fisher, History & Social Sciences Department Chair, and Bryan Boucher, history and social sciences teacher, taught a special alumni class highlighting the economics curriculum at St. Mark’s. In the Winn Science Center, Dr. Michael Lane, Leonard N. “Doc” Nelson Alumni Master Teaching Chair, demonstrated all that the School's planetarium can do.
 
While students and graduates ate lunch on the Quad, the Golden Lions (Marksmen who graduated prior to 1974), enjoyed lunch with current students and administrators, sharing memories and learning about life on campus. In the afternoon, alumni and Upper School students had the opportunity to hear from Steve Winn ’64, this year’s recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award, in a special assembly moderated by Lucas Blumenthal ’24.
 
On Friday evening, guests gathered in the Great Hall for the 26th annual Spring Alumni Dinner. The Alumni Association honored several alumni and faculty, beginning with the three finalists for the Ralph B. Rogers Alumni Award: Dr. Gabby Reed, director of Marksman Wellness; John Mead, Eugene McDermott Master Teaching Chair in Science; and John Turek, head track and field coach.

Ross Crawford ’12 received the Young Alumni Service Citation and Thomas B. Walker III ’73 received the Alumni Service Medal. Retiring faculty members Kay Carrio, Ackerman Family Master Teaching Chair in Lower School; Rick Cerovsky, director of Media Services; Sandy Hall, piano studies teacher; Marietta Johnson, math teacher; Barbara Kinkead, Lower School librarian; Dan Northcut ’81, Director of Environmental Studies; and Ray Westbrook, Director of Communications, were recognized. Additionally, David Baker, Director of Admission & Financial Aid, and Marietta Johnson were recognized for 40 and 50 years of service, respectively.

Following the recognition of faculty and staff retirees and longevity, the evening turned to honor the selfless work of Matt Osborne ’90 who was named the second recipient of the Lee S. Smith ’65 Courage & Honor Award. Osborne was recognized for his career spent in public service as well as his dedication to eradicating human trafficking across the globe.
 
The culmination of the Spring Alumni Dinner was the presentation of the 2024 Distinguished Alumnus Award to Steve Winn ’64, who was recognized for his illustrious career at the intersection of technology and real estate, as well as his ongoing support of St. Mark's.
 
The downpour of rain did not deter families from gathering on campus for the Saturday family cookout. Alumni and their families enjoyed food trucks, a bounce house, face painting and campus tours, along with planetarium shows and makerspace demonstrations in the Winn Science Center. The weekend concluded that evening as alumni classes with years ending in ‘4’ and ‘9’, as well as the parents of the Class of 2019, gathered across Dallas for their reunion parties. 
 
As the Reunion Program grows and strengthens, alumni from reunion classes continue to demonstrate the power of philanthropy and their collective commitment to St. Mark's. This year, for the first time in School history, reunion classes contributed more than $1 million to the St. Mark’s Fund. 
 
“Alumni Weekend is about celebrating and giving thanks for the ever-present relationships between our graduates, the faculty and staff and St. Mark’s,” said Jack Mallick ’14, Ahlberg & Ribman Family Director of Alumni Relations. “Seeing our alums back on campus, laughing and telling stories, it’s incredibly meaningful. Every Marksman takes a piece of St. Mark’s with them when they graduate, and seeing how proud they are of this School years down the road is powerful. The buy-in and leadership from everyone across campus make this weekend happen, and we are already looking forward to Alumni Weekend 2025.”

For a comprehensive overview of the weekend’s highlights, please visit the Alumni Weekend 2024 webpage, which will be updated soon with more photos and videos.