San Antonio Academy
Alumni Gather Under the Oak Tree to Reunite, Remember, and Reconnect
Alumni Gather Under the Oak Tree to Reunite, Remember, and Reconnect
Posted May 23, 2025
Generations of Academy alumni gathered on the evening of Thursday, May 22, for the school’s annual Gather Under the Oak Tree event, an evening for alumni of all ages to reunite, remember, and reconnect. Two dozen alumni spanning the classes of 1959 to 2015, returned to their elementary and middle school alma mater for an evening that honored the past while looking confidently towards the future.
After refreshments and greetings, guests were welcomed with a “State of The Academy” address delivered by Semmes Foundation Head of School Paul M. Quick and newly appointed Chairman of the Board of Trustees Joe Shields ’05. The duo highlighted the school’s strong enrollment and affirmed its continued commitment to providing an exceptional education intentionally crafted for boys. Notably, Mr. Shields is the second alumnus in the school’s 139-year history to serve as Board Chairman, following Corbin Snow III '77, who served as chair from 2002 until 2005.
In a poignant moment, alumni who graduated before the start of the school’s Bondurant Gate tradition were invited to pass through it, completing a rite of passage that every Academy graduate has experienced since the mid-1980s as part of Commencement. The symbolic gesture was followed by a guided campus tour led by retired faculty member and honorary alumnus Drew Kennedy, offering a nostalgic look at both familiar spaces and recent additions.
The evening closed with dinner and fellowship off campus, where stories were exchanged and bonds rekindled. For many, the event was not only a return to the school that helped shape the men they are today, but to reaffirm the deep Bond of Brotherhood that still stands strong.
For more event photos, see the Flickr gallery below.
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Generations of Academy alumni gathered for a memorable evening at our annual Gather Under the Oak Tree event. Two dozen alumni spanning the classes of 1959 to 2015, returned to their elementary and middle school alma mater for an evening that honored the past while looking confidently towards the future. Highlights included a "State of The Academy" update, a symbolic walk through the Bondurant Gate, and a nostalgic campus tour.