The All Ateneo Alumni of North America hosted by the Ateneans of Las Vegas
From 27 to 30 March, Xavier University President Fr Mars P Tan, SJ, along with Board of Trustees Chairman Frank Guerra and Board Member/NEDA X Regional Director Mylah Cariño, joined alumni from various Ateneo schools in the United States for the All-Ateneo Alumni Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Hosted by the Ateneans of Las Vegas, the conference aimed to bring together alumni from different Ateneo schools for a weekend of sharing updates and fostering fellowship. One of the highlights of the convention was the attendance of the Jesuit University Presidents, who provided updates on the latest developments at their respective alma maters. The plenary sessions provided a unique opportunity for Ateneans to bond as they shared insights about their work, accomplishments, and contributions to various fields.
During the event, Fr Mars presented the latest accomplishments of Xavier University and the vision for the Campus of the Future, as well as the ongoing campaign to position Xavier University as a leading ASEAN university. The conference also served as a platform for attendees to learn about updates within the Ateneo Alumni Association of North America (AAANA) and to participate in the election of a new set of AAANA officers for 2025-2026.
Rounding off the weekend, Fr Mars and Mr Guerra gathered with the Xavier alumni based in Las Vegas for a heartfelt lunch filled with warmth, camaraderie, and shared memories. Stories of their days at Xavier University flowed effortlessly, rekindling the deep bonds formed within the university’s halls. Laughter and nostalgia filled the room as alumni reminisced about professors who shaped their paths, friendships that stood the test of time, and the values instilled in them by their alma mater.
Yet, beyond looking back, the gathering was also a time for looking ahead. Fr Mars shared his vision for Xavier University’s bright future, inviting alumni to take an active role in its continued growth and transformation. The lunch was graciously hosted by 1970 AB History graduate Leonor Balaba Guinitaran and thoughtfully organized by 1968 BS Science graduate Sandy Zayas and his wife, Zita Zayas, who ensured that the event was not just a reunion but a celebration of a shared legacy and a promising future for Xavier University.
Fr Mars’s visit also marks the kickoff of Xavier University’s Centennial Celebration, engaging alumni worldwide in commemorating this historic milestone leading up to 2033. Xavier University invites all its alumni around the globe to be part of this momentous journey.
Incumbent Ateneo Presidents and other dignitaries
L-R: Fr Kit Bautista SJ (ADMU Alumni Affairs Director), Mr Nicanor Luna (incoming AAANA President)
Fr Mars P Tan, SJ (Xavier University- Ateneo de Cagayan), Mr Frank Guerra (Xavier University BOT
Chairman), Fr Ernald M Andal, SJ (Ateneo de Zamboanga University), Fr Aristotle C Dy, SJ (Ateneo de
Naga University)
Dinner hosted by Xavier University BOT Chairman Frank Guerra and Mr Danny Nicolas (former AAANA President)
Holy Mass during the AAANA Conference in Las Vegas
Sunday Lunch and Tapok with Xavier Alumni - Hosted by XU Alumna Leonor Balaba-Guinitaran
Xavier Alumni in Las Vegas