Loyola’s Alumni Awards Dinner took place on Saturday, Nov. 2. A mass was held prior to the dinner in the Clougherty Chapel, and the dinner was in the Rose Garden next to Ruppert Hall. All alumni were invited to this dinner event.
Alumni Relations Manager Patrick Girardi stated, “The Alumni Awards Dinner not only serves to reunite Cubs and honor three outstanding and impressive alumni, but it also benefits the professional development of our faculty and the academic development of our students.”
Three alumni were awarded the highest award that can be bestowed upon an alum, the Cahalan Award. The award is named in honor of Reverend Patrick J. Cahalan of the Society of Jesus, who was also formerly the President of Loyola High School.
Girardi said, “His 27 years of untiring service and dedication is beyond compare. It is awarded to Loyola men of deep faith, integrity and character.”
This event had alumni vendors who provided all of the food and beverages that night: El Paseo Inn by Andy Camacho ’58 (owner), Greenleaf Chopshop by Jonathan Rollo ’97 (owner), Ashland Hill by Luke Tabit ’04 (co-owner), John O’Groats by Paul Tyler ’84 (owner), Harold & Belle’s by Ryan Legaux ’98 (owner) and Randy’s Donuts by Mark Kelegian ’78 (owner).
Girardi said, “The proceeds from the Alumni Dinner will go directly to the faculty endowment, which gives the school the opportunity to offer special education sabbaticals that enrich the curriculum for our students at Loyola and prepare them for a successful and fulfilling future.”
The three alumni presented with the Cahalan Award were Andy M. Camacho ’58, Robert S. Gianelli ’70 and John P. McNicholas III ’54. Camacho is an accomplished attorney, businessman and entrepreneur. As chairman of the board of Camacho’s Inc., he owns and operates with his family a unique collection of restaurants located in Southern California, including El Paseo Inn.
Gianelli has established himself as a leading California attorney in prosecuting insurance class actions and individual insurance “bad faith” cases. He specializes in representing policyholders in disputes with their insurance companies.
McNicholas is the founding member of McNicholas & McNicholas LLP and has been a pillar in the legal community for more than five decades.
Director of Events Karin Chamberlain said of the event, “The outdoor venue of the Salseda Rose Garden was different, lovely and intimate. It also provided a beautiful view of the stunning sunset during cocktails and a nice backdrop to the presentation of this distinguished award.”