Multigenerational Families of Hawks Reflect on Their Time on Hawk Hill

In honor of the Saint Joseph’s University Alumni Association’s 125th anniversary, we spoke with five families of Hawks — some of whom’s legacies are a century in the making! Members of the Broach/Peabody, Finnegan, Kelly, Oliver and Trainer families reminisced about their favorite memories and professors from Hawk Hill, what it means to be Jesuit educated, and their proudest accomplishments. 

From doubleheaders at the Palestra to SJU Family Days complete with Mister Softee, take a trip down memory lane with a few of our legacy families.

Meet The Broach/Peabodys

Sharing similar experiences as Hawks has created an even stronger bond in the Broach/Peabody family. When Catherine Broach ’87 came to Hawk Hill in the 1980s, many of the students of color attending Saint Joseph’s University were first-generation college students and, through her participation in the Black Awareness Society, they, along with advisor Doll Wayman, helped one another navigate the path to graduation. Broach continues to advocate for success by speaking with students and staff about diversity, equity and inclusion.

Alec Peabody ’16 continued his mother’s legacy at SJU as an engaged and dedicated Hawk through the demanding rigor of being a student-athlete. His hard work and sacrifice was recognized his junior year when the men’s track team was honored on the basketball court prior to a home game for their performance at the A10s.

Family Members: Catherine Broach ’87 (trade process and data specialist, portfolio management, Clark Capital Management), and Alec Peabody ’16 (sales, Geico Insurance).

Meet The Finnegans

Laurence Patrick Finnegan Jr. was the son of a poor Irish immigrant and worked full time while attending the University at night. He was a lifelong advocate of Catholic school education and fiercely promoted his alma mater. Four of his six children attended Saint Joseph’s University and he influenced numerous members of his extended family to come to Hawk Hill. Larry was thrilled to process as a Golden Hawk on the occasion of the 50-year anniversary of his graduation. Today, a whopping 17 Finnegans attended (or are currently attending) Saint Joseph’s.

Family Members: Laurence Finnegan ’61, Regina (Jean) Finnegan Gill ’88 (accountant), Theresa Loughlin Passerini ’88, Beth Loughlin Weber ’89, William (Bill) Finnegan ’89 (commercial and residential real estate advisor), Joseph (Griff) Finnegan ’93 (small business owner), Michael Kenefic ’95, Jack Kenefic ’99, Rose Kenefic Birkhead ’02, Patricia (Tricia) Finnegan Chambley ’03 ’04 (M.S.) (elementary education teacher at Central Bucks School District), Laurence (Larry) Finnegan IV ’14 (accounting supervisor at Asplundh Tree Expert, LLC), Charles (Chad) Gill ’16 (financial services), Emma Weber ’20, Kevin Gill ’22 (corporate analyst at JPMorgan Chase), Andrew Finnegan ’23, Madeline Finnegan (graduate student) and Victoria Finnegan ’26.

Meet The Kellys

Among Saint Joseph’s most passionate alumni, Richard Kelly '59 is past president of the Alumni Association, the 2011 recipient of the Rev. Joseph S. Hogan, S.J., Award, a member of the Council of Presidents, and was part of the University Presidential Search Committee in 2002. He has also served the University in countless other ways, as well as through the Richard J. Kelly and Marilyn J. Kelly Scholarship Fund, which affords students the opportunity to enjoy transformational education on Hawk Hill! The tradition lives on as Kelly’s three daughters and two of his grandchildren graduated from Saint Joseph’s.

Family Members: Richard (Dick) Kelly ’59 (retired after 30 years with IBM systems engineering and sales), Denise Kelly Slocombe ’88, Fiona Kelly ’91 (New York State certified social studies and special education teacher), Monique Kelly '94 (college and community engagement specialist at Ursinus College), Lisa Traum ’06 (teacher at St. Ignatius Jesuit High School), Brad Reiter ’08 and Ashley Chambers Reiter ’08 (clinical researcher).

Meet The Olivers

For the Oliver family, hard work and integrity have always played an important part in their personal and professional lives. Robert Oliver ’01 (MBA) was already established in the pharmaceutical industry when he came to Hawk Hill for his MBA in pharmaceutical marketing. After earning his degree, he utilized his success and skills as a long-term member of the Pharmaceutical Marketing Board of Advisors. Following in his footsteps, his daughter Sherrell Oliver-Riley ’09 ’11 (MA), a double-degree earner and dedicated member of the cheerleading team, took the values she learned from her father and her Jesuit education to make an impact as a small business owner. 

Family Members: Robert Oliver ’01 (MBA) (executive advisor and board member, Hyalo Technologies, PsyBio Therapeutics and Neurotez), Sherrell Oliver-Riley ’09 ’11 (MA) (owner of a Planet Smoothie franchise).

Meet The Trainers

The Trainers began their legacy on Hawk Hill a century ago. Joseph C. Trainer, a Pennsylvania State Senator, and his wife Wilhelmina, had seven sons, several of whom graduated from Saint Joseph’s College. He served as chairman of the Foundation Committee at the College, which was formed in 1922 to raise the funds to move the institution to its current location on City Avenue. Since the ribbon cutting in 1927, many generations of Trainers have received their diplomas on this campus, including Frank Trainer ’68, who was recognized with an honorary degree in 2019. 

Family Members: Clement Trainer ’22, Raymond Trainer ’25, Joseph Trainer ’28, Francis Trainer ’30, Edward Trainer ’31, Robert Trainer ’40, Edward Trainer ’63, Francis (Frank) Trainer ’68, H’19, Raymond Trainer ’69, Frederick Trainer ’73, Dorothy Trainer-Brown ’86, Christine Trainer Haas ’90, Sarah Trainer ’11 and Daniel Trainer ’12.