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Alumni meeting in London

2001 London Reunion of USD Euro-Alumni a Smashing Success!

Dear Friends and Alumni,

The London Meeting is definitely opening a new era for the Association. It is the first time that alumni from different classes joined the meeting. It is also a new kind of meeting since we have invited a guest speaker to address some important political and economic issues. In the next meeting we decided to improve it again with a company tour (to be advised) which will allow the alumni to discover a interesting part of the local industry. 

I would like to thank the USD alumni who came to the London reunion. It has been a great moment to see old faces and also new ones.

Many thanks to John Grimley for the great job he did in terms of organization jointly with the University and the European USD Alumni Association.

Thanks to Chris Redo, Assistant Dean for External Relations, for his strong help before and during the meeting. I have been really happy to see that the university is now fully supporting our Association in order to join our efforts in developing a strong organization in Europe.

We will let you know about the next European Alumni meeting very soon.

USD Yours,

ARNAUD C. HAEFELIN  - MBA'90 - PhD '99 - President - European USD Alumni Association - email : ahaefelin@free.fr

                                                                                                                                                   

By John Grimley, JD 1990

 The USD European Alumni Association held its 7th Annual Reunion in this year in London, England from the 1st through the 4th of June.  Arnaud Haefelin (MBA 1990), President of USD’s European Alumni Association and CEO of Paris-based AH Holdings; Christopher Redo (MBA 1978), Assistant Dean for External Relations at the USD Business School; together with John Grimley (JD 1990), London-based Senior Counsellor with  Patton Boggs LLP – worked for several months to organize and stage an engaging weekend of events for USD alumni. 

 Alumni from across Europe representing a variety of business sectors enjoyed a fascinating variety of events including a private tour of the Houses of Parliament, a guided tour of Oxford University, as well as an informal get-acquainted dinner at the family-style Il Portico Italian restaurant on Kensington High Street - a West-London favorite!

 The daylong tour of Oxford began on the morning of Saturday, June 2nd with a trip via the “Oxford Tube” bus line to that historic city.  USD alumni were treated to a breathtaking tour of the city and her many colleges by John Tate, presently an associate at McKinsey & Co in London and a recent graduate of Queens College, Oxford.  The walking tour included the Oxford Union, the Queen’s College Library, and various shops which have served the denizens for several centuries.  One highlight of the tour in the Queen’s College library was viewing one of the original copies of Samuel Johnson’s Dictionary of the English Language.  Near the end of the day John Tate took us back to the sunny quadrangle at Queen’s College where he uncorked a few bottles of the College’s own Port wine that comes from the college’s own vineyards in Portugal.

 At noon on Sunday, June 3rd, the keynote event of the Reunion was held at the Mirabelle restaurant in London’s swank Mayfair neighborhood.  Long known as a haven for discreet and elegant dining for celebrities and the “jet set,” USD alumni gathered there for a delicious luncheon followed by a keynote address by alumnus John Grimley.  After completing his studies at USD, John served on the White House staff of George H. W. Bush and more recently advised the George W. Bush Presidential Exploratory Committee.  With his deep ties to the Bush team and his interest in the Bush Presidency, John discussed the changing relationship between Europe and America; the specific policy proposals put forth by the Bush Administration as they relate to Europe; and how these proposals are being received in Europe.  John’s insightful remarks were followed by a lively discussion and exchange of ideas among old and newfound USD friends.  The noontime gathering finally adjourned at 5:30 p.m!

 The final event of the Reunion was held on Monday, June 6th, as alumni enjoy a guided tour of the Houses of Parliament arranged through the courtesy of Lord David Owen, a member of the House of Lords, former British Foreign Secretary and the European Union’s lead negotiator in the former Yugoslavia. The tour of Parliament was led by Ernest “Jumper” Collins a veteran of the Royal British Navy and former doorkeeper in the House of Lords.  “Jumper’s” knowledge of British and Parliamentary History was understandably extensive but also peppered with humorous anecdotes that made the tour memorable.  The highlight of the morning tour was when alumni were permitted to walk onto the floor of the House of Commons and stand “in the well” where the Prime Minister and the Leader of Her Majesties Opposition debate the issues of the day.

 We’re also very grateful to alumni Arnaud Haefelin and Christopher Redo for their sustained and dedicated efforts to build the USD European Alumni Association into a significant organization.  Their efforts have led to rising interest among alumni from around the globe. 

 In the future, it is our hope is that the alumni network will continue to grow both in Europe and Asia and that it will provide added value to all those who hold degrees from the University of San Diego and its professional schools.

Mr M. John Grimley (JD ’90)
Senior Consultant - Patton Boggs LLP

johngrimley@pattonboggs.com

+ 44 (0) 7989 587217

 

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PROGRAM WITH PICTURES

Saturday June 2nd : Day trip to Oxford followed by dinner in Oxford

Arnaud (MBA'90), John (JD'90), Tuomo (MBA'90) and his wife Riva, John Richard Tate in the streets of Oxford.

 

The same in front of the Queen College in Oxford

 

Cheers : take a break in the rush !!!

Sunday June 3rd

Luncheon at Mirabelle Restaurant in their private dining room.

As a keynote speaker, John Grimley addressed current political and economic developments from his perspective as Campaign Manager for New Europe

Craig Warriner (MBA'), Edna Heird, Arnaud (MBA'90) & Emma Haefelin, Ethel Yamamoto (MBA'), Sigrid Rebell, John M. Grimley (JD'90), Chris Redo (MBA'78), Dave Rogalski (MBA')

 

Monday June 4th   : Visit of the parliament (House of Commons & House of Lords) 

In House of Parliament

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Last updated : 03/28/05