There’s a special bond among St. Bonaventure alumni, a loyalty to the institution and its graduates that only grows stronger through time. What better venue is there, then, for career-minded SBU students than a room full of devoted SBU alumni who have achieved professional success and want to help other Bonnies get there.

That’s why, for the second year, the Career and Professional Readiness Center (CPRC) has organized Bonnies4Bonnies, a career networking event aimed at connecting students and alumni. Students of all majors are encouraged to attend Bonnies4Bonnies, planned for 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, in Doyle Dining and Board of Trustees Rooms.

Registration for the networking event is now open at www.sbu.edu/Bonnies4Bonnies. The deadline to register is Wednesday, Feb. 22.

Following a keynote talk on the powerful St. Bonaventure alumni connection, students will have the chance to meet and mingle with alumni representing a broad spectrum of professional roles, from freelance writer to corporate executive.

“We are excited to continue to bring the opportunities of networking and potential internship and full-time positions through the Bonnies4Bonnies program. Once again, our alumni are stepping up to support our students, this time through their career development,” said Pamela Ferman, assistant director and employer relations coordinator at the CPRC.

Alumni participating in Bonnies4Bonnies represent many major urban cities and an impressive mix of companies.

The CPRC will have representation from New York City, Washington, D.C., Buffalo, New Jersey, Pittsburgh, Charlotte, Rochester and companies such as SiriusXM Radio, NFL Films, Toyota, Audi of America, Citi Group, M&T Bank and Mindseeker, said Ferman.

For students undecided about a career path, Bonnies4Bonnies is an opportunity to find out more about a particular profession from someone in the field who is willing to speak candidly about its pros and cons.

Addressing students and alumni in the keynote address will be Tom Cullen, co-founder of LaunchPad Lab, a Chicago-based web design and development firm.

A 2000 St. Bonaventure graduate, Cullen began his career in finance as a trader in the trading pits of the Chicago Board Options Exchange. After six years, he left the floor to start a high-frequency trading firm.

He became involved in building trading software, and increasingly aware that a lack of technology knowledge hampered many businesses. LaunchPad, started in 2012, aims to bridge that knowledge gap by designing and developing web and mobile applications for growing businesses.

Cullen served as president of Chicago’s St. Bonaventure alumni chapter for 15 years and recently completed a six-year term on the university’s National Alumni Association Board. He proudly notes that he is among some 40 family members who graduated from SBU.

For a list of participating alumni and the businesses and organizations they represent, visit www.sbu.edu/Bonnies4Bonnies.