good old-fashioned Keds as we hit Vir-
ginia, Maryland, D.C., and NYC to
gather the stories of alums in the early
years of their professional careers or
graduate school.
sponses were identical, as if they'd lis-
tened in on a previous interview: "My
friends, the camaraderie, the close net-
work of faculty and staff."
alumni, of touching base with a former
faculty member, of weekend 5K
fundraisers and softball tournaments.
ships with the same care and enthusiasm
they had as students. They're living the
Bonaventure legacy.
office in Francis Hall. The few brittle
leaves still clinging to bare branches
rocked in the wind.
called out as we filled a cab's trunk with
our suitcases and equipment.
munications at St. Bonaventure.
N.C., firm Mindseeker. Pictured from left are Brendan Ryan, '00; Tom Lamendola,
'98; Joe Ryan, '96; Marty Ryan, '96; Sean Rickard, '06; Jason McCorduck, '96; and
Dan Bratys, '06.
our early morning flight to Char-
lotte, N.C., my two colleagues
been a necessity at 5 a.m. in Buffalo and
gladly drew in the warm September air.
with nearly two dozen young alums
(their stories start on Page 7).
sulting and staffing services to govern-
ment and commercial clients and also
boasts seven St. Bonaventure alums on
its payroll. Among its employees is Sean
Rickard, '06, president of the SBU
Alumni Chapter in Charlotte.
had put out a call to young professionals
in the city who would be willing to share
their stories with us -- and you. For six
hours, Bonnies faithful stopped by Mind-
seeker's offices located in a historic re-
purposed building that bears the
brickwork of another era, when the
building whined with the manufacturing
of tools.
seeker's office. When he was job hunt-
ing, he had an appointment with one of
their recruiters. Not knowing the firm's
Bona connections before he arrived,
Marc thought someone was playing a
joke on him when he stepped into the
office's waiting area and immediately
spied the Bonaventure paraphernalia
that takes residence.