The Alumni Association Introduces a Graduation Pinning Ceremony
Goldie Rapp
Graduation day at Saint Bede Academy is a milestone that students and families look forward to for years. This spring, the Alumni Association added something new to the occasion—a pin, and with it, a formal welcome into the alumni community.
At the 2026 commencement, the Alumni Association introduced its inaugural pinning ceremony, recognizing each new graduate as a member of the Alumni Association. The members of the Class of 2026 received a Saint Bede Alumni pin to welcome them and remind them that their connection to Saint Bede doesn’t end with senior year, but rather, can continue throughout their lives.
The pinning ceremony took place prior to graduation in the Perino Science Center. Four members of the Board of Directors of the Alumni Association — Julie Arkins ’95, Nora Cosgrove ’78, Gina Mudge’94 and Claire Perona Murphy ’78 — gathered the students and, as the students approached one by one, attached the golden pins to their green gowns.
Cosgrove noted that “seeing the graduates’ faces light up” as the pins were presented “was one of the most moving experiences” of her years with the organization, with Murphy adding that “the pins added a unifying symbol for the students to wear for their commencement” which identified them “not only as members of the graduating class but also as part of a rich tradition dating back to 1890.” For Arkins and Mudge, the moment was particularly meaningful, as each was able to place the pin on her own child.
The ceremony is a fitting symbol of what the Alumni Association is all about — welcoming graduates into a community that stays with them and can support them long after they leave campus.
Connecting Alumni, Supporting Students
The Saint Bede Academy Alumni Association was founded in 2014. Membership is automatic and free; every graduate becomes a member the day they receive their diploma. And while the Alumni Association is happy if members support the school, raising money is not one of its goals.
The Alumni Association’s mission is primarily to bring together alumni, and also to facilitate helpful connections between alumni and students. Recognized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, it is governed by a 21-member Board of Directors, led by President Grant Bosnich ’13, Vice President Claire Perona Murphy ’78, Secretary Emma Perona Bosco ’14 and Treasurer Nora Cosgrove ’78.
“Saint Bede shapes you in ways you don't fully appreciate until years later,” said Bosnich. “The Alumni Association exists to make sure that bond never fades, and that every graduate knows we’re in their corner.”
The Association’s calendar of events includes alumni get togethers such as the Chicago Happy Hour at Monk’s Pub and the summertime Pistol Shrimp game, as well as the Golden Bedan/Distinguished Alumnus Breakfast, which honors graduates at their 50-year reunion and recognizes an outstanding alumnus with the Distinguished Alumnus Award. The Alumni Association also connects students with alumni through an in-school Career Panel and mentoring program and assists the Administration at the annual auction and for various homecoming events, such as Bruins Jam.
The pinning ceremony is a welcome new tradition—a small but meaningful moment that reminds each new graduate that the Alumni Association is here, and is glad to have them.
If you are interested in hearing more about the Alumni Association, please contact them at alumniassociation@st-bede.com or follow the Saint Bede Alumni Association Facebook page.