By Julia Goodwin

A cornerstone ceremony during Homecoming Weekend this month will celebrate the near-completion of the Edward J. Pryzbyla University Center, which will open in March as the centerpiece of Catholic University.

The entire CUA community is invited to the Oct. 18 ceremony, which "speaks to the strong university foundation that paved the way for the building," says Dean of Students Margaret M. Higgins, chair of the university center building committee.

"For me the laying of the cornerstone reflects the persistence and determination of the CUA community — administrators, students, faculty, staff and alums," says Dean Higgins.

CUA Homecoming 2002 is expected to draw even more alumni than last year's event.

The cornerstone — a block of pre-cast concrete that measures about 12 inches by 36 inches — will be unveiled at the 4 p.m. ceremony at the edge of the construction site adjacent to Hannan Hall. The Benjamin T. Rome School of Music brass band will perform and a reception will follow at 5 p.m. in front of Hannan.

The Very Reverend David M. O'Connell, C.M., university president, will speak and pull away a purple cloth to reveal the beige-colored stone inscribed with the year 2003. William Wegrzyn Jr., a nephew of the late Mr. Pryzbyla, the CUA benefactor for whom the center is named, also will speak. Mr. Wegrzyn is a member of the class of 1988 and of the CUA Alumni Association Board of Governors.

The ceremony marks another milestone in the construction project. Back in October 2001, when the first concrete footing was poured, members of the CUA community and others threw 15 Sacagawea dollar gold coins into the wet cement. Last May, university administrators, other members of the CUA community and representatives of the Clark Construction Group signed the last piece of steel installed in the center, part of the atrium skylight at the west end of the building.

Now a substantial building with floors and a roof, the center will serve its first meal to CUA students when they return from spring break on March 9, 2003. Details of the dedication ceremony for the building will be announced at a later date.

Over the next few weeks, trees and other landscaping will replace the mud and trailers near the Pryzbyla Center. All the windows should be in by the end of the month, which will enable the university center staff to give informal tours to students, faculty and staff.

In February and March, offices and student organizations will begin moving into the center. Administrators hope the bulk of the moves will be completed over spring break. "Our goal is to have everything in place and in working order before we officially open the building," says William Jonas, director of the university center, student programs and events.

When finished, the $25.6 million building will be three stories tall and longer than a football field. The center — a gathering place for students, faculty, staff and visitors — will house an atrium lounge, a ballroom, six meeting rooms, a food court, a campus bookstore and other amenities.

Steve Koppi, director of the CUA Office of Alumni Relations, and Marion Gosney, associate director, check on events listed in the CUA Homecoming 2002 brochure.

"The Pryzbyla Center will be a place of high activity where members of our university community, including alumni, can drop by to view an art or architecture exhibit, enjoy a cup of coffee while listening to a string quartet or engage in discussion following a philosophy lecture," Susan D. Pervi, vice president for student life, told CUA Magazine earlier this year.

Besides the Pryzbyla cornerstone ceremony, other highlights of the weekend include the Homecoming football game, the Alumni Achievement Awards Reception and Banquet and breakfast with "Blue's Clues" creator Angela Capobianco Santomero, B.A. 1990, this year's Young Alumni Merit Award Winner. (See schedule below for details of the Blue's Clues breakfast and football game.)

At the awards reception, the CUA Alumni Association will present the James Cardinal Gibbons Medal to singer and four-time Grammy Award winner Aaron Neville and alumni achievement awards to nine CUA graduates. The reception is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. Dinner follows at 8 p.m. (See http://publicaffairs.cua.edu/news/03mainalumniawardrelease.htm for details.)

This year's Homecoming schedule includes several new events that reflect CUA's efforts to create "a festival of university life," says Steve Koppi, executive director of the Office of Alumni Relations. With the Blue's Clues breakfast, an admissions open house and additional events sponsored by CUA schools and departments, "we're trying to appeal not only to alumni but also to their families," he says.

Mr. Koppi says that with increased outreach efforts by his office and alumni volunteers he has seen higher attendance at Homecoming events in recent years. Last year, about 250 alumni attended the pre-football game tent party; this year he expects more than 350 alumni will attend.

In the past year, the alumni relations office has reinstated its national alumni chapter program and now has branches in eight of the largest U.S. cities. "With more alumni involved around the country, we're likely to see more of them coming back to CUA," he says.

The following schedule includes detailed information about Homecoming events. Unless otherwise noted, alumni, faculty, staff and students are invited to attend.

Friday, Oct. 18

CUA Baseball Alumni Golf Tournament
• Needwood Golf Club, Rockville, Md., 8:30 a.m.
Baseball alumni and friends are invited to tee up at the ninth annual tournament. Shotgun start at 8:30 a.m., lunch following tournament. Call Ross Natoli at 301-586-1336 for more information.

Department of Psychology Luncheon
• Life Cycle Institute, 12 p.m.
Luncheon with Alumni Achievement Award recipient James Youniss, Ph.D. 1962, professor of psychology. R.s.v.p. to Kim Pace by Wednesday, Oct. 9, at 202-319-5757 or e-mail pace@cua.edu.

The CUA community will gather Oct. 18 for a cornerstone ceremony at the Edward J. Pryzbyla University Center, which is scheduled to open in March.

School of Engineering Luncheon
• Pangborn Hall, Scullen Room, 1-3 p.m.
Luncheon with this year's Alumni Achievement Award recipient Charles O. Heller, Ph.D. 1968. R.s.v.p. by Friday, Oct. 4, to Peggy Wheeler, 202-319-5160 or e-mail wheelerp@cua.edu.

Rededication of The American Catholic History Research Center and University Archives (formerly the Department of Manuscripts, Archives and Museum Collections)
• Life Cycle Institute foyer, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
The CUA community is invited to the rededication of the newly renovated American Catholic History Research Center and University Archives. A reception follows. R.s.v.p. by Oct. 4 to 202-319-5065 or e-mail morgan@cua.edu.

Department of Biology Program and Reception
• McCort-Ward building, 2 p.m.
Mini-symposium, "Biology: The Essence of Life," in honor of Alumni Achievement Award recipient Carol A. Nacy, B.A. 1970, M.S. 1975, Ph.D. 1977, the founder and chief executive officer of Sequella Inc. The program will include an address by Nacy, as well as brief presentations by department faculty. A reception will follow. Please R.s.v.p. to Marion B. Ficke by Wednesday, Oct. 9, at 202-319-5870 or e-mail ficke@cua.edu.

School of Nursing Educational Program, Meeting and Dinner
• Caldwell Auditorium, registration 3:45 p.m., business meeting (board elections) 4:15 p.m., program 5 p.m., dinner 6 p.m.
Program in honor of Alumni Achievement Award recipient Joyce F. Johnson, M.S.N. 1976, D.N.Sc. 1982, senior vice president of operations for Georgetown University Hospital. The cost is $35 payable to the CUA Nursing Alumni Chapter. For details, call Sister Maria Salerno at 202-319-6545 or e-mail salerno@cua.edu.

School of Philosophy Lecture and Reception
• Herzfeld Auditorium, Hannan Hall, lecture 2 p.m., reception 4 p.m.
Special segment of the 2002 Fall Lecture Series on "Truth." Professor Jan A. Aertsen of the Thomas-Institut der Universität zu Köln will speak on "Truth in the Middle Ages: Its Essence and Power in Christian Thought." Those unable to attend the lecture are welcome at the reception in the foyer of Hannan.

School of Library and Information Science Annual Lecture and Homecoming Reception
• Marist Hall, Room 109, lecture 5:30-6:30 p.m., reception, Marist Foyer, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
R.s.v.p to Bill Turner by Oct. 4 at 202-319-5085 or e-mail turnerjr@cua.edu.

Columbus School of Law Reception
• Columbus School of Law, The Louise H. and James Keelty Jr. Atrium, 6-8 p.m.
Reception to honor Alumni Achievement Award recipients Mary Anne Gibbons, J.D. 1980, general counsel and vice president of the United States Postal Service, and Thomas Scully, J.D. 1986, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The law school also will pay tribute to Assistant Dean Natividad Garcia, who will retire at the end of the year. Reservations required. R.s.v.p. by Oct. 4 to 202-319-5670 or e-mail cualawalumni@law.edu.

School of Architecture and Planning
• Crough Hall, Locraft Room, 6-8 p.m.
For more information, call Linda Harer at 202-319-5784.

Honors Program Reception
• McMahon Hall foyer, 2 p.m.
CUA Honors Program alumni and students should contact Vice Provost Ingrid Merkel or Barbara Nickens for more information at 202-319-5220.

D.C. Alumni Chapter and Friends Happy Hour
• The Ratt, University Center lower level, 6-8 p.m.
Alumni are invited to stop by for $2 beers, music and free food.

Saturday, Oct. 19

Eighth Annual Alumni and Friends Baseball Game and Picnic
• Robert J. Talbot Field at the Raymond A. DuFour (athletic) Center, 10 a.m., rain or shine
For more information, call Ross Natoli at 301-586-1336.

Breakfast with Blue
• Blue's Clues tent, DuFour Center parking lot, 10-11 a.m.
Alumni, their families and other members of the CUA community are invited to have breakfast with Angela Santomero, B.A. 1990, one of the creators of Nickelodeon's "Blue's Clues," the hit TV show for preschoolers. She'll read and sign books and provide a special treat for each child. Cost is $8 per person. Register in advance by calling 202-319-5608.

This year's Homecoming football game will pit the CUA Cardinals against the Bobcats of Frostburg State University.

Homecoming Football Game
• Cardinal Stadium at the DuFour Center, kick-off 1 p.m. The Cardinals will take on the Bobcats of Frostburg State University. A tent party will precede the game from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the DuFour Center parking lot.

National Catholic School of Social Service Program
• Hannan Hall lobby, brunch 9 a.m., welcome 9:30 a.m., series of brief lectures 9:45-11:15 a.m.
Hannan Hall, Hertzfeld Auditorium, break 11:15-11:30 a.m., first formal meeting of the New NCSSS Alumni Association 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Brief lectures on innovative trends in social work by the NCSSS faculty. Dean James R. Zabora, who joined NCSSS this fall after 20 years at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, will give the lead lecture. CEUs will be available to alumni at no cost. For more information or to register, contact Janet Rosenkrantz at 202-319-5454 or e-mail her at rosenkrantz@cua.edu.

Homecoming Mass
• Omni Shoreham Hotel, Hampton Room, Washington, D.C., 6 p.m. Father O'Connell, C.M., will celebrate Mass.

Homecoming Banquet
• Omni Shoreham Hotel, reception 7 p.m., banquet 8 p.m. Blue Room

Sunday, Oct. 20

CUA Alumni Association Board of Governors Meeting
• Caldwell Auditorium, breakfast 9-10 a.m., business meeting 10 a.m.-noon. All alumni are welcome. R.s.v.p. by calling 202-319-5608.

Reunions Weekend 2003 Volunteer Committee Meetings
• Classes of 1953, 1963, 1978, 1983
Leahy Hall conference room, first floor, 10 a.m.
To register in advance, which is required, call 202-319-5608.

Alumni Admissions Network Training Program
• McMahon Hall, Room 112, 12:15 p.m.
To register in advance, which is required, call 202-319-5608.

Admissions Open House
• McMahon Hall, prospective students are invited to meet with students, faculty and staff to tour the campus and learn about the admissions and financial aid processes. Information about the Alumni Grant Program also will be available. For more information or to register for the program, call 202-319-5305 (toll free 800-673-2772) or visit http://admissions.cua.edu/visit.

CUA Debate Team Capitol City Tournament Reception
• 8 p.m. — approximate time to coincide with the award ceremony for the college debate tournament, which will be held on campus Oct. 18 and 19.
Alumni and friends are invited to join the CUA Debate Team at a reception honoring the debate tournament winners. For more information and location, call Ron Bratt at 202-319-5447 or e-mail bratt@cua.edu.

Young Alumni Reunions

Class of 2002: Meet at the Homecoming Pre-game Tent Party for the first time as alumni.
• Saturday, Oct. 19, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., DuFour Center parking area. Alumni and their families are invited to enjoy the pre-game party for $2.02 each. The menu includes all-you-can-eat barbecue, burgers, desserts, soda and beer. Alumni who haven't contacted CUA since graduation can update their contact information at http://alumni.cua.edu/update/.

Class of 1997 5th Reunion Reception
• Saturday, Oct. 19, 7-9 p.m. Alumni are invited to the upper floor of the Capitol City Brewing Co., 2 Massachusetts Ave., N.E., across from Union Station. Tickets are $30 per person and include a buffet and open bar. For more information, e-mail cua-alumni@cua.edu.

A member of the CUA community and his children enjoy a moment with the Cardinal, the university's mascot.

Class of 1992 10th Reunion Celebration
• Friday, Oct. 18, 6:30 p.m.-closing. Happy Hour at The Front Page, 1333 New Hampshire Ave, N.W.
• Saturday, Oct. 19, 7-9 p.m. 10-Year Reunion Reception at the Hyatt Regency, 400 New Jersey Ave., N.W. Cost is $35 per person.
• Sunday, Oct. 20, 12:30 p.m. Reunion Mass, St. Vincent de Paul Chapel. For other gathering spots, visit the reunion Web site at www.cua1992.com or e-mail cua-alumni@cua.edu. Special rates are available at the Hyatt Regency. For information, call 202-737-1234.

Class of 1987 15th Reunion Party
• Saturday, Oct. 19, 4-5 p.m. Reunion Mass at St. Vincent de Paul Chapel.
• Saturday, Oct. 19, 5-7 p.m. Party at Catholic University's Rathskellar. Tickets are $25 per person, which includes appetizers and an open bar, or $17 for food only. For more information, e-mail cua-alumni@cua.edu.