2025 Washington, D.C. & NYC Alumni Receptions

From November 9-13, Head of School Brendan Sullivan made his annual trip to connect with alumni in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and New York.  In each location, Sullivan, Jenny Callahan - Dean of Advancement, Rich Arms - Senior Director of Advancement, and Mike Melley - Executive Director of Advancement, gathered with dozens of alumni to bring the St. Sebastian’s spirit on the road. 

Sullivan’s first stop was the Villanova campus, where he attended mass celebrated by Villanova President, Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, with St. Sebastian’s alumni. Following mass, Sullivan and the alumni enjoyed each other’s company over dinner. In Washington, D.C., alumni gathered for a reception to hear an update on St. Sebastian’s and the opportunity that the recent acquisition of the East Campus presents. Following the reception, alumni joined the junior class, who were in town for their annual visit to our nation’s capital. This was a great opportunity for today’s Arrows to hear from St. Sebastian’s alumni who have made their careers in and around DC, Ken Mateo ’05 and Sean Frazzette ’12. In addition, Eddie Ryan ’23 shared his experiences at Georgetown with the Class of 2027.
 
After graduating from St. Sebastian’s, Mateo attended the United States Naval Academy and currently serves as a Major in the United States Marine Corps, piloting the CH-53 Super Stallion helicopter. Mateo imparted the importance of military service to the juniors, “God called me into a life of military service. The state of the nation in 2005 was characterized by a literal war, and three of my classmates and I responded to the call to serve in the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps, and I wouldn’t trade my ride for anything. As we approach Veterans Day tomorrow, I would ask you to reflect on and consider the past service of those who similarly responded to the call. If you know any veterans, whether they are family, friends, or acquaintances, please thank them for their contributions to the United States. For any of you considering a life in the military, whether through one of the service academies or through an ROTC program, please let me know. I wish you well on your journey, and hope that you get as much out of it as I have.”  

Following his graduation from St. Sebastian’s in 2012, Frazzette attended Harvard University before continuing on to law school at the University of Chicago.  Upon the completion of two judicial law clerk positions and a stint in the Office of the Attorney General of the District of Columbia, Frazzette is now an Assistant Public Defender in Baltimore.  Frazzette took the opportunity to share the importance of the public defender and what he has experienced in this role, “…our clients are much more than the things they are accused of. They often try their best to love God, work hard, and take good care of one another. They will pray before Court—sometimes asking me to join them. They will beg me to get them a bond, so they can return to their job and put food on the table. I have too many stories to count of single moms, accused only of stealing diapers and formula, while living at a shelter with a baby, unable to find work. No one is as bad as the worst thing they have done.”

Sullivan, Callahan, Arms, and Melley made their way up to New York City, where they hosted a reception at the Gordon Reading Room in the Harvard Club of New York. A large contingent of alumni was on hand to reconnect with each other and get updated on life on Greendale Avenue. We were honored to be joined by Trustee Emeritus, David Gately ’73 and Alumni Association President, Ryan Fitzpatrick ’92. 

Have you recently moved? We’d love to see you when we are on the road!  Please update your alumni profile so we can include you in events like these.