ALUMNI
Forever a BLUGOLD
Welcome to Aquinas' alumni network. As Blugolds, our bonds don't end with graduation. Whether you graduated last year or fifty years ago, Aquinas alumni are 'Blugolds for Life,' and we invite you to stay connected.
The Aquinas alumni network, is over 10,000 strong stretching from coast to coast in the United States and abroad. On this website, you can be an active and engaged member of the community, stay in touch and reconnect with your classmates, and keep up to date about alumni events happening throughout the year.
If the Alumni Relations office can be of any assistance to you, please don't hesitate to contact our Development Director, Brad Reinhart '00.
Go Blugolds!
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Aquinas Oral History Project - A partnership with PCI
Tell Us Your Story
The Aquinas Foundation & Aquinas High School are collaborating with trusted partner PCI, the company that already produces our alumni directory on a new project. The goal of the Aquinas Oral History Project is to collect the stories of alumni like you in your own words and preserve them in a book that celebrates the impact Aquinas has had on your lives and who you are today. Every year that we don’t capture and preserve these stories feels like another opportunity lost, so we’re excited to get started today!
PCI Partnership
For this project, Aquinas is partnering with PCI, which gives us access to their trained staff who are looking forward to hearing your stories of your time at AHS. PCI will also assemble and create a book filled with your stories. Please note that we have only shared your contact information with PCI in conjunction with this project. We have NOT sold your contact information, or otherwise used it for outside marketing purposes.
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It's Really from Aquinas
You have probably received a postcard like the one pictured below, from our trusted partner PCI, asking you to participate in the Aquinas Oral History Project. You can call the number on the card confident that this effort will result in a wonderful document that will paint a great picture of life as an Aquinas student through the years. We are so looking forward to hearing your stories and hope that you will consider participating in this wonderful project.
So what Blugold story will you tell?
• Did a special faculty or staff member have a profound impact on your life?
• Did you meet your sweetheart while at Aquinas?
• Can you trace your career path back to a defining moment as a Blugold?
• Have connections you made on campus turned into lifelong friendships?
• Were you at Aquinas during a historical moment?
Have you moved?
As part of this project, we are also taking this opportunity to help make it easier for you to stay connected to Aquinas. PCI will help us to collect updated contact information from those of you who may have moved and inadvertently lost touch with your alma mater. Take this opportunity to help us keep you informed of upcoming class reunions, school and alumni events that might be happening in your region, community celebrations, and more!
Do I have to buy something?
No. This project is being done at NO COST to Aquinas. The project is completely funded by the alumni who CHOOSE to purchase the book that will be produced at the end of the project. The book, which will be available in hardbound and digital formats, is offered at $149.98. PCI will also offer you the option to purchase other Aquinas branded merchandise such as a hat, t-shirt, sweatshirt and a travel bag. You are welcome to purchase these items, but you are not required to do so to (a) participate in the project or (b) order the oral history book. Again, we’d never be able to embark on a project like this without the support of our amazing alumni and the partnership with PCI. So we sincerely thank every person that participates and chooses to purchase the book. Aquinas does not benefit in any way financially as apart of this project. We simply want to hear your story.
What's next?
Soon you will be receiving (or may have already received) email and postcard communications from the PCI team with instructions on how to participate. We’d like to invite you to share one of your stories with us, and take part in this first of its kind project to honor the experiences and voices of our alumni.
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We look forward to hearing from each and every person about how Aquinas changed your life.
Aquinas Alumni Directory
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We have a limited supply of copies still available both digitally and in hard cover. If interested in receiving one, a donation of $50 for a digital copy or $100 for a hard copy would be appreciated. Please contact Brad Reinhart or Holly Gerling at the Development & Alumni Relations Office by phone at 608-784-0707 or through email at brad.reinhart@aquinasschools.org.
Upcoming Alumni Events
Class Gatherings
Class of 1947
Meets the 2nd Monday of each month at 8:00am at The La Crosse Family Restaurant, 2120 Rose Street, La Crosse
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Class of 1954
Meets the 1st Monday of each month at 9:00am at Tom Sawyer's, 136 Clinton St, La Crosse
Contact: Donna (Zellmer) Puent - 608-788-4137
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Class of 1955
Meets the 2nd Tuesday of January, April, July & October at 9:00am at Tom Sawyer's, 136 Clinton St, La Crosse
Contact: Grace Binner Smith - 608-667-6085 or gracemi80@gmail.com
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Class of 1957
Meets the 2nd Monday of February, April, June, August, October, and December at 9:00am at Tom Sawyer's Bar & Grill - 136 Clinton St. La Crosse, WI 54603
Contact: Phil Hess - 608-788-9417, James Schams - 608-784-3316 or Mary Ferguson Wakeen - 563-529-9071
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Class of 1960
Meets the 4th Tuesday of each month
Contact: Micki (Bicha) Banasik - 608-788-2817 for location and time
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Class of 1964
Meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month
Contact: Sue King - smasking_suzanne@aol.com or JoAnn La Fleur - 608-399-3129
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Class of 1975
Meets the 1st day of each month at 12:00pm at Schmidty's Restaurant, La Crosse
Contact: John Dvorak - 608-526-6090
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Class Reunions
Class of 1961 - 62nd Class Reunion
October 13, 2023 - Schmidty's Bar & Restaurant 11:30am - Please RSVP by September 29th, 2023
Contact: Jim Dockendorff at jimdox42@gmail.com of 920-336-9119
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Class pf 1963 - 60th Class Reunion
September 9th, 2023 - Boot Hill Pub
Contact - Dee Paque at dpaque2020@outlook.com
Cash Bar, heavy appetizers
$50 per person
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Class of 1973 - 50th Class Reunion
August 18, 2023 - Earl's Grocery & Saloon (back room with snacks) at 5:00pm
August 19, 2023 - Freighthouse (happy hour, pictures, hors d'oeurvres and live music by the "Fabulous Balogna Skins" at 5:00pm, Pictures at 6:00pm
August 20, 2023 - Pettibone Boat Club
Contact: Mary Jo (Gorman) Bilot at mjbsimba@hotmail.com
Karry Kratt Auby at laxrunners@gmail.com
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Class of 1983 - 40th Class Reunion
August 4, 2023 - Earl's Grocery & Saloon (casual night with DJ) at 7:00pm
August 5, 2023 - Trolley Rides throughout La Crosse with Kelly Krieg Sigman Dark La Crosse Tour
- Golf Games, Aquinas Tours, Aquinas Mass at 5:00pm, time capsule set up
- Homecoming Dance (Costume Encouraged) 80's DJ, Small Gym at 6:00pm
Contact: Chris Zobin at chriszobin11@gmail.com for more information, to RSVP and cost of events
- Facebook page
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Class of 1998- 25 Class Reunion
Friday, October 6, 2023: Bar/Bike Crawl + Football Game
- 5PM Bluffside Tavern (bring bike if possible, we will be biking to Aquinas game as a group)
- 7PM Aquinas vs Viroqua at Veteran’s Memorial Stadium
- Post-Game: The Eagle’s Nest, then bike back to Bluffside
Saturday, October 7, 2023: Aquinas Tour + Night Out
- 4PM-5PM Aquinas Tour
- 5PM-8PM Pizza and Drinks at South Lanes Pizza
- 8PM-10PM Freight House (back patio)
- 10PM Earl’s Grocery and Saloon
Sunday, October 8, 2023: Family Day
- 9AM Mass at Blessed Sacrament
- 10AM-12PM Bluffview Park (bring your kids/dogs/etc!)
Check out the Aquinas Class of '98 class reunion Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/330231787056942
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**If you would like your class reunion to be added here or to begin your planning process, please contact Brad Reinhart at 608-784-0707 or email brad.reinhart@aquinasschools.org.
The Aquinas Reports
The Aquinas Report is an Aquinas Catholic Schools magazine for families, friends, and alumni. Issues are printed two times a year.
If you would like to be added to our mailing list, please contact Holly Gerling at 608-784-0707, ext.5126 or email holly.gerling@aquinasschools.org.
Check out the Current Version of the Aquinas Report
2023 Fall Issue
Update Your Contact Information
Please email Brad Reinhart to update your contact information to ensure you are informed about upcoming events, receive the Aquinas Report, and your classmates can contact you for reunion planning purposes.