Saint Mary's College Alumni Association

Thanks to President Roger Thompson for welcoming new students who have generations of alumni behind them!

“President T” had a full schedule during Move In Day yet still made quality time to talk to individual families at the Legacy Family Luncheon.

He spoke about the many people here who are ready to support students in this new chapter of academic and personal growth. And encouraged students to say yes to the many opportunities ahead of them at SMC!

A great welcome for EVERYONE in their first year at Saint Mary’s (including you, President T and Ms. Deb)!

Legacy Family Luncheon! Welcomed new students and their parents or grandparents who are also Gaels. President Roger Thompson greeted these new students and families who are “starting this journey with me.” No greater vote of confidence than when a student follows in their families footsteps, and continues the tradition of a Saint Mary’s education! Welcome, class of 2028!❤️💙

Gael Hoops games in Nov and Dec! The Men's Basketball team announced its non-conference schedule today. Cannot wait to pack into UCU and cheer on the Gaels this season!🎉

One of our absolute favorite stories from last year was on Move In Day when freshman Cooper moved into the same exact dorm room that his mother Amanda lived in years ago! Mitty 227 through the generations!

Earlier this month, our alumni and friends gathered for the Business of Beer event, hosted by the Saint Mary’s College - School of Economics and Business Administration. 🍻

A smart and fun event with alumni who are industry experts sharing insights and celebrating the dynamic beer industry. We are immensely grateful to our panelists for their valuable discussions on the latest market trends and opportunities. And appreciate all the interested attendees for creating such a vibrant atmosphere during the Q&A session.

Immediately before the Summer Wine & Beer Fest, it was a great appetizer before the Cheers to many more events like this! 🍺

Moraga Moonrise 🌕 Alumna Stephanie Becker ‘99 photographed this stunning scene of the moon peeking above the grassy hills and observatory circling our campus.

Day or night, there’s nowhere as beautiful as Saint Mary’s!

New students move in this week! What's a favorite memory from moving in to your freshman dorm?

Meet SMC’s new chaplain, Father Kwame Assenyoh

“No matter the path, the goal for all of us should be humanity, humanity, humanity. As far as I'm concerned, if we want to solve the problems facing us, we should take care of human beings.”

Sunday read: https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/news/their-own-words-father-kwame-assenyoh-restoring-humanitys-inherent-diversity-ghana-louisiana

A few favorite pics from Summer Wine & Beer Fest last weekend! 🍷🍻 Our happy guests who enjoyed wine, beer, bites, and helped raise $25,000+ for all-important student scholarships! Full gallery coming soon...

Homecoming is back! See you back at Saint Mary's on Saturday, October 5th! ❤️💙

All alumni are invited to return to Moraga on to celebrate our shared traditions and proud history at the place that always feels like home! Expect a full campus with plenty of events for Gaels of all ages, including a soccer doubleheader in Saint Mary's Stadium.

And we're proud to partner with University Credit Union as the presenting sponsor for this year's Homecoming festivities!

Full schedule to be announced soon and we look forward to seeing you this fall!

Music on the Lawn - Friday, 9/6🎵
Enjoy a free community concert for Gaels and friends of all ages! Food and drink—including beer, wine, and cider—from our friends Calicraft, Canyon Club, and the Gael Food Truck. Bring a lawn chair, blanket, and picnic. Get ready to enjoy great tunes, a beautiful backdrop, and the company of friends! 🧺😎🌲

Painting the SMC is a timeless tradition during Weekend of Welcome! The new students in the class of 2028 will make their mark next week.

Did you paint the SMC? Got any stories or photos to share? Tell us in the comments!

Miyako Tanaka-Oulevey MA ’95 won bronze in synchronized swimming at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul. It was her graduate study at Saint Mary’s later that set her on a career trajectory as a sports psychologist.

"I remember that I was always in the library—studying forever until midnight, it seemed. I was slow at reading textbooks, so it would take many hours to finish assignments. But studying in the library was fun! There were always so many students studying late. I was surprised to see many college students working so hard.

I learned sport psychology and coaching philosophy in the graduate program in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation at SMC. One time, in the library, I found a textbook on sport psychology. The last chapter was on athletic retirement, and that chapter included an explanation about athletic identity. I started crying as I read the sentences: "Many top athletes struggle to come up with an answer to the questions, Who am I if I can’t compete?" That was me. I was so happy that I was not alone. I was not the only one who felt so sad over loss of the sport and loss of self-identity.

"Learning sport psychology and coaching philosophy from Dr. Craig Johnson really saved me at that time, which was during my career transition as an ex-athlete. Not only that, but that was the start of my new career.

Miyako talks about winning an Olympic medal, becoming a sports psychologist, and her continuing involvement in the Olympics—from broadcasting, coaching, and on the business side.

Here’s your Sunday long read: https://bit.ly/3WZAEGe

This week's Young Alumni Networking Mixer, hosted by UCU, was a huge success! 🎉

Alumni from the classes of 2020-2024 met up in Dryden to connect, share experiences, and build their professional networks.

As you know, sometimes it's these loose connections that make the biggest difference in your career—especially love to see Gaels helping Gaels!

Big shoutout to University Credit Union for hosting this event and thanks to the young alum who joined us!

We're looking forward to more career-oriented and mentorship events like this in the future! Look for those details in the next few weeks... 👀

Uncork the fun this weekend! 🍷🍻 Savor unlimited tastings from 30+ wineries, breweries, and vendors at Saint Mary's!

Open to all—neighbors, families, friends, anyone 21 and older!

Tickets still on sale online and walk-up registration will be available as space allows. $80 to taste fine wines and beers from Napa and the Bay Area.

Cheers! 🍾

Saint Mary's first Olympian was Joseph Lang '33 who boxed in the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles. 🥊

The 117-pound boxer slugged his way to the semifinals, but after an injury, ultimately forfeited the bronze to Jose Villanueva of the Philippines.

He qualified for the Olympics as the runner-up for the bantamweight division at the 1932 Amateur Athletic Union Championships.

After the Games, Lang went pro for a few years, competing in and winning tournaments in California and Nevada.

All set for Summer Wine & Beer Fest this weekend! 27 gift baskets packed with goodies for the silent auction. Gifts include golf outings, wine tastings, SF Giants field passes, and treats to eat, drink, savor. All guests will take home this picnic-friendly wine glass! Plus our raffle is filled with lovely items to take home, like this double magnum of Schramsberg. Hope you can join us Saturday afternoon at Saint Mary’s!

From walk-on to the Lakers and beyond! 💜💛

Looking forward to seeing alumni at these WCC games this winter!🎉🏀

Congratulations to Ky Bush on making his first MLB start tonight! He'll debut nearby, through the tunnel in Oakland.

Bush becomes the 5th Gael currently in the bigs and the 70th all-time.

Go get 'em, Ky!⚾️

Welcome to the bigs, Ky Bush!

96 years ago today, 10,000 people(!) came to Moraga for the dedication and blessing of Saint Mary’s College campus in its new home. ⛪️

We're just a few years away from celebrating a full 100 in Moraga! ❤️💙

Here’s your Sunday read: Jian Bumatay ’21, PSM ’24, the child of two nurses, reflects on being in the inaugural biotech masters program at SMC

https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/news/their-own-words-jian-bumatay-21-psm-24-saint-marys-new-masters-biotechnology-was-leap-faith

Sierra Nguyen '18's home hunt was featured in "The New York Times"

The article details how Sierra made a bold career choice—giving up a long-held vision in favor of a deeper passion and found career success in the arts. She gained that confidence at Saint Mary's, she says.

"All of my professors said, ‘Whatever you do, you’re going to be really successful,’” Sierra recalled. "So I felt supported in whatever decision felt best for me.”

(Photo credit: Marissa Leshnov / The New York Times)

What's a Saint Mary's activity that feels like it could be Olympic sport?

Had an incredible time at the 5th Quarter Picnic last weekend! 🏈 It was amazing to reconnect with Football Alumni Chapter and share stories from the field and beyond. Thanks to everyone who came out and made it a memorable reunion!
(Full photo gallery coming tomorrow...)

Talavera flair: At the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, gymnast Tracee Talavera ’90 was part of the team that won silver.

By age 14, Talavera had already won the all-around title at the American Cup, qualified for the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow, and was the subject of a biography. A Mexican-American gymnast who grew up in San Francisco, she largely charted her own course. “There’s just some drive in me that has to work hard at gymnastics,” she said.

She wouldn’t get to showcase that drive in Moscow, however; the US boycotted those Games, protesting the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan. But given the chance to compete in 1984, Talavera and her team garnered the silver medal at the Los Angeles Olympics, thanks in part to her trademark “Talavera flair.”

She soon retired from gymnastics and enrolled at Saint Mary’s in 1986, earning a BA in Communication. In 1998, Talavera was inducted in the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame.

(Photo by Diane Johnson/Alamy)