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A National Marquette Day reunion

By Tim Cigelske, Comm '04

Left to right: 1973 Marquette alumnae Kathy Lavin O'Connell, Patsi Justin-Bridgman, Kate Mooney-Cahill, Barbara Harmon and Mary Louise Harmon Neugent pose with Mary Louise’s noggin — January 2010

When Mary Louise Harmon Neugent, Arts '73, entered the first National Marquette Day contest last year, it turned into a reunion extravaganza for her lifelong college friends.

"All the stars aligned to make our reunion weekend happen," she says.

The group of five friends met the first week of college in 1969, and some had not been back since graduation. But they all reunited for National Marquette Day to walk around campus, eat at Real Chili and parade Neugent's noggin around at the game.

"It was great to see that the students have the same spirit that we had," said Kathy Lavin O'Connell, who made the trip from Atlanta. "I have a lot of great memories of going to Marquette games and celebrating Marquette victories by running to the lake on Wisconsin Ave. in the Al McGuire era."

Neugent's photo was one of five winners selected from more than 300 submissions in the first National Marquette Day contest last year. (There's time to get your photo submission in this year before January 21! Enter for a chance to win airfare, men's basketball tickets, hotel accommodations and other prizes related to the January 29 game against Syracuse. Upload photos at nationalmarquetteday.com.)

In an e-mail interview, Neugent talked about her experience returning to campus for National Marquette Day with friends. 

Who are the friends who came with you to National Marquette Day?

There were five of us together last year celebrating National Marquette Day. Barb Harmon Duthaler was my roommate freshman year and she was the maid of honor at my wedding. Kate Mooney-Cahill hails from Boston when there was a huge Marquette influence on the East Coast, I think, because of Al McGuire's recruiting presence. Patsi Justin Bridgman was nicknamed "Ma" because we always thought she was our most responsible friend. That nickname sticks to this day. Kathy Lavin O'Connell is the friend who is cool, calm and collected and sees the bright side of every situation.

How did you meet, and what have you done together over the years? 

We were all assigned to O'Donnell Hall, and I'm certain we met at the first floor meeting. We became fast friends right away. We've seen it all together: dating, weddings, babies, graduations, more weddings, grandchildren, retirements, layoffs, loss of loved ones. We truly are sisters. We may be miles apart, but we are very committed to our friendship. I think we have 13 children and six grandchildren from this group. We have over 40 years of history. We were just 17 or 18 when we met.

Were there any friends who couldn't make the trip?

Kate Lorden Schrago lives in Switzerland with her family, but during National Marquette Day weekend last year she was on the phone with us taking part in the fun via long distance. 

Left to Right: Kathy Lavin O'Connell, Kate Mooney-Cahill, Barbara Harmon, Kate Lorden Schrago, Mary Louise Harmon Neugent – October 2010

How long had it been since you visited campus?

With family in Milwaukee we come back regularly. My husband, Gerry, (also a Marquette grad) and I attend one or two games a season. It's always fun to walk on campus, visit the Spirit Shop for new gear and take in the game-day excitement. 

Why did you choose the photo you submitted for the National Marquette Day contest? 

The photo of our Marquette Club of Des Moines, Iowa, on a service project with Habitat for Humanity showed our group's commitment to service. As an alumni group we continue to search for opportunities to Be The Difference here in Des Moines.

What's your advice for others who want to take part in National Marquette Day?

Check out your photo library. You probably have a photo showing the spirit of Marquette. This contest is an easy way to stay connected to Marquette. Looking at the large number of entries in last year's contest, it was inspiring to witness all of the pride within the Marquette family coast to coast and worldwide. If you don't have that special photo, just get your group together, large or small, don your blue and gold, and find a place to watch the game! As alums, family and friends of Marquette, it's one day where we can all shout out, "We Are Marquette!" There is no stronger message than that.

What are your plans for this year?

Here at home, our Marquette Club of Des Moines will gather to watch the game at our local family-friendly watering hole. We'll have some special prizes and giveaways to make game day special. And, I think, I'll bring my noggin along to help cheer MU to certain victory!

Check out 2010's winning shots.