In the last edition of the magazine, we asked alumni to share with us the keepsakes they have held on to since their time on campus. Most of those who wrote to us didn’t have to look far for their sentimental and quirky treasures: a nearby closet, on the wall of their man cave, and in the desk of their home office. Read on to find out what memorabilia fellow alums hold dear. No trash, just treasures.
I have a St. Bonaventure University trash can purchased in the bookstore in 1968. Who keeps a 50-year-old trash can?
Nancy Gloeckler Coughlin, ’72
A vinyl 45 record album commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the university. I maintain an Instagram account dedicated to cataloging vintage Bonaventure memorabilia. Updated regularly, it can be found at www.instagram.com/sbudennis or @sbudennis.
– David Ennis, ’07
The Bona Athletic Fund auctioned off banners from the RC. Being a member of the Class of 1995, it was important for me to win the auction for the original 1995 NIT banner to keep it in the class. I proudly display it in my home office.
– Alan Melohusky, ’95
(pictured with his son, Patrick, then 2)
On one wall in my man cave, I have four framed tickets to the Final Four games in 1970. Cost of the courtside tickets was $8 each. Without a doubt, the Final Four season was my favorite Bona memory.
– Glenn Keidel, ’72
Students from the School of Business made keychains from the gym floor after it was damaged by the flood in They sold out fast since it was from the floor of the famous 1970 Final Four team. Money made went to our student Marketing Club chapter. We couldn’t make them fast enough. I still have one and keep it in my desk as a reminder of our successful and fun student business.
– Connie Monteleone Whitton, ’73
While a student at SBU I participated in what was then an extracurricular activity: Garret Theatre (now Theater). In my final production (“Mary, Mary”) senior year I had the lead. During our post production strike of the set, I absconded with a small blue and while tin that was part of the set. It has been with me now for more than 40 years and every time I see it, I smile.
– Leigh A. Simone, Ph.D., ’77
I believe one of the original signs for the Skeller is hanging in my garage. My husband, Gary Clancy, found it in a load of scrap wood that was delivered to our neighbor’s house many years ago. The sign now proudly hangs in my garage. I have two grandsons (Nicholas Clancy, ’18, & Jonathan Clancy, ’21) who would like the sign themselves, but I’m keeping it!
– Barbara Endersen, ’75, ’87
My precious Skeller mug from Mug Club. We bought the mug for a nominal fee, and took it to the Skeller on Tuesdays for 35¢ draft beers. I have two sons who are Bona alums and they tell me I’ll have to put the future possession of this mug in my will, but how will I choose?! I think the best option will be some sort of shared custody plan.
– MaryEllen (Steiner) Felter, ’83
The Joys of “Bonaventure-ana” – My Collecting Journey
Alan Delozier, ‘91
My association with St. Bonaventure University dates back to 1989 when I was accepted for admission as a transfer student to the school. It was love at first sight and this feeling has not changed in 30 years. Therefore, the call for keepsakes and memorabilia that signify a deep bond with the Bona’s experience is one that really spoke to me on many levels.
Since I physically do not live in Western New York, my passion for the Brown and White has manifested itself in the building of a memorabilia collection that provides me with a way to respect tradition, relive fond memories, but also as a means of keeping a symbolic connection to my college years alive wherever I travel.
I still hold dear my acceptance letter to St. Bonaventure and prospectus book that led the way to my initial education about St. Bonaventure University and the Franciscan tradition by extension. This catalyst led to further momentum during my first days on campus in the purchase of my first sweatshirt and textbooks, but also a special Franciscan Crown rosary purchased that Father Mathias Doyle, O.F.M., who was president at the time, was generous enough to bless along with spending a nice moment telling me about his time as a friar and what the institution meant in the course of his own life.
This recollection and the rosary has since been joined by many other items from pennants to buttons, sports memorabilia, and publications, along with various objects that honor school history that have been collected prior to and after securing my diploma, which also hangs proudly on my wall.
Additional inspiration for collecting came through a life-changing internship under the direction of Ms. Lorraine Welch and Dr. Malcolm Wallace in the University Archives, where I worked with primary source documents and came to appreciate the traditions of St. Bonaventure University all the more. This experience also provided me with a vocation for life (current University Archivist at Seton Hall University) and a venue to display various St. Bonaventure memorabilia in my office to show ongoing support for alma mater.
In addition, a semester-beginning display of friar figurines exhibited within the foyer of Friedsam Library also inspired me to collect in this direction with an eye to appreciating them in my lifetime and passing them on to the school at a future date.
Other ties to the school that helped to fuel my collecting path came through my involvement as a student manager of the lacrosse team. The great respect shown by the thoughtful Rick Moore, head coach, along with the kind gentlemen who played on the squad and my days as an announcer on WSBU further added to my passion for assembling Bona’s-related artifacts. In subsequent years my thesis on famed alumnus Roi Ottley, current research on Father Plassmann, and learning from my author friends Dr. Mary Hamilton, Ms. Kathy Cecala, and the late Mr. Fred McCarthy “Brother Juniper,” have provided me with great artistic and autographed books that are valued and hold a great place on my bookshelf and will eventually find their way to the Archives at St. Bonaventure and my good friend Dennis Frank in due course.
The beauty of learning, preserving, and sharing have also made this a memorable exercise from day one forward. Along with others who share this passion, the beauty of collecting and honoring St. Bonaventure University not only in material form, but also in heart and memory is part of what makes our school special. Go Bona’s!
I still have my cheerleading jacket from 1983. People offer me a lot of money for it when I wear it to games. It’s priceless!
– Christoper Kinslow, ’85
Memorabilia that I have had in my den since my graduation in 1976.
– Rich Bucci, ’76
Purchased from a university auction 20 years ago.
– Mike Garilli, ’85
The 1966 black and white photo is of the 4-Goings singing group, featuring (from left) Craig Ross, ’66, Peter Nikolich, ’67, Eddie Brian, ’66, and Rick Bachofner, ’67. The new photograph is the same group 53 years later: (from left) Eddie, Peter, Rick and Craig.
– Rick Bachofner, ’67
Aside from the memories, which are priceless and everlasting, I do have a 1967 varsity letter for the rifle team. I’m sure there are not many of them floating around! It’s a standard varsity letter, with a bull’s eye instead of a basketball or other more traditional emblems.
– Jerry Monaghan, ’67
Even though I am hundreds of miles away, I always keep Bonaventure in the heart of my home, above the fireplace mantel. I pour my love of Bona’s into my artwork – the first lighted stained glass SBU mural I built, surrounded by two pin pictures of friends taken on Spring Weekend.
– Michael Post, ’10
In May of 1972, a group of students produced the Broadway musical “Man of La Mancha” under the direction of Rev. Crispin Maguire. Over the ensuing decades, many of those who worked on the show have “carried it forward,” leading to literally thousands of people being involved in shows from elementary schools to community theaters and beyond.
– William S. Locke, ’75, ’82, ’86
FOR THE NEXT EDITION
College Jobs: Whether you shelved books in Friedsam or washed dishes in Hickey, tell us in 100 words how you earned spending money during your college years. We’ll print a collection of responses in the summer issue. Email >> magazine@sbu.edu.
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