ALUMNI BBQ REUNION 2025
Wildcats Reunited!
Villanova Preparatory School’s most recent Alumni BBQ Reunion was a joyful celebration of connection, nostalgia, and community spirit. The festivities kicked off on Friday, June 20, with a special 50-year reunion luncheon for the Class of 1975, held in the new Taylor Student Center. Attendees enjoyed a campus tour led by our dedicated student ambassador volunteers and heard from Sandi White, Director of Development, and Jim Link, Villanova’s new President, who shared exciting updates about the school’s future. The luncheon also provided a moment to express heartfelt gratitude for the class’s generous gift in support of Villanova’s mission.
For many, it was their first time back on campus in more than a decade, making the gathering all the more meaningful. This cherished event gave the Class of 1975 a special opportunity to reconnect, share stories, and reflect on the lifelong friendships that began at Villanova. As Nancy Brough ’75 beautifully put it, “Our two days together filled me with joy! I’m so happy to have been part of it.”
The celebration continued on Saturday with the main reunion event, which welcomed nearly 250 alumni, family, and friends back to campus. Alumni from 48 graduating classes were represented, creating a mix of generations united by their Villanova experience. The Class of 1975 made a strong showing once again as they proudly received their 50-Year Club pins. They were joined by members of the Class of 1985, who celebrated their 40-year reunion with a private gathering at an Ojai home generously hosted by Ken Konzcal ’85 and organized by Raquel Cerveny ’85. Alumni from the 1960s were also honored with special gifts, and all attending alumni were recognized during the program.
A memorable moment of the day was the announcement of Profesora Carmen Seligman’s recent retirement, marking 21 years of dedicated service as a beloved Spanish teacher. Her influence has touched generations of students, and her presence at the reunion added a special layer of gratitude and celebration.
Together, the weekend served as a powerful reminder of the bonds that make the Villanova community so unique—across decades, professions, and places, Wildcats remain forever connected. At the end of the day, a group of alumni was heard singing the Alma Mater in front of the grotto, a touching and memorable moment that beautifully captured this enduring connection.
THOMAS TEMPSKE '72
"Science, Service and Leadership"
Having graduated from Villanova in 1972 and later from St. John's Military Academy, Tom’s career began with service in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1972 to 1976, where he held roles in band performance and base security, eventually becoming Assistant Chief Master-At-Arms. After his honorable discharge, he pursued a degree in microbiology at Sonoma State University, graduating with honors and distinction. He further specialized in clinical laboratory science, earning his license after completing a rigorous internship program. His early professional years were spent at Central Pathology Laboratory in Santa Rosa, CA, where he gained extensive experience in all laboratory specialties, focusing on clinical and forensic toxicology.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, he expanded his impact as both a consultant and federal contractor. His work included the development of toxicology methods and the creation of a pharmacology database for Bio-Rad Laboratories, as well as conducting federal compliance inspections under a US Department of Health and Human Services program. He also pursued graduate studies at San Francisco State University, focusing on molecular diagnostics and virology. In the 2000s, he held dual roles with the California Department of Public Health and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, managing clinical laboratory complaint programs and conducting biologics laboratory inspections across multiple specialties, including IVF and blood banks, as well as bioengineered tissues.
Post-retirement, he remained highly active in the field. He founded Laboratory Sciences Associates, Inc., providing regulatory consulting and inspection preparedness services to clinical laboratories across the nation. He authored two widely referenced books on California laboratory and biologics laws and served as a keynote speaker internationally on lab quality control and bioethics. Continuing his commitment to service, he has served in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, contributing to aviation missions and policy development. His global teaching efforts from 2016 to 2018 further reflect a lifelong dedication to advancing laboratory science and public health.
Published works:
California Biologics Laws
Current California Clinical Laboratory Laws
Upcoming Events
Keep an eye out for mixer invitations in the fall.
See you next year! Reunion June 2026
Breaking Barriers: The Girl on the Diamond
Meet Nina Zeiter '25
Mariana Zeiter, better known as Nina, graduated from Villanova Prep School this past year, but her impact on the baseball field continues to inspire. At 18 years old, she wrapped up her senior year not only as a dedicated student but also as a trailblazer on the school’s baseball team, a dream she had nurtured since childhood.
Nina’s love for baseball began in childhood, inspired by watching her older brother play Little League and attending pro games together. Throughout high school, she stayed active in sports like tennis, basketball, track, and golf but baseball always stood out. When the girls’ basketball team wasn’t available her junior year, she joined the boys’ JV team, where she met the varsity basketball coach, who also coached baseball. When she later asked to join the baseball team her senior year, he welcomed her with full support, even adjusting for her late start due to injury.
Nina played left field, where she loved tracking fly balls and watching the entire field unfold in front of her. Her ability to observe pitching and batting techniques helped her grow as a player. Her favorite moment came on senior night, when she hit a double—a perfect ending to her high school baseball career. Although she initially wondered how her teammates would respond to a girl joining the team, she quickly found her place. Friendships and mutual respect formed naturally, and she was proud to earn her spot in the lineup through hard work and practice, just like everyone else. While occasional assumptions were made based on her gender, Nina met them with humor and determination.
Nina trained right alongside her teammates, driven not by a need to prove others wrong, but by a personal desire to grow. While she sometimes felt pressure as the only girl in a male-dominated sport, she came to realize that much of it stemmed from within. “There were plenty of beginners on the team,” she said. “I don’t think my teammates cared whether I was a girl or not.” For Nina, the motivation was always internal: “I improve for myself. I like to try new things.” She believes more girls would give baseball a shot—if only they were shown it was possible.
Although she doesn’t plan to play competitively in college, Nina hopes to continue with sports like tennis and possibly explore softball. Her advice to other girls: “Get over your fears and just do it.”
From quiet pregame rituals to balancing academics and sports, Nina showed how passion, focus, and perseverance can open doors even in male-dominated spaces. Now a proud Villanova alumna, she leaves behind more than just memories; she leaves a legacy of courage and possibility.
A Celebration of Achievement and Spirit
Graduation Day 2025
On a partly cloudy day in May, Villanova Preparatory School celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2025 with joy. Fifty-three college-bound seniors crossed the stage, cheered on by proud family and friends amid bursts of air horns, confetti poppers, and heartfelt applause.
The ceremony opened with a warm welcome by Brian Grisin, Headmaster, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Senior Class President Mariel Chavez, followed by a moving rendition of the National Anthem performed by the Villanova Chamber Choir. An invocation was offered by The Very Rev. Barnaby Johns, O.S.A., Prior Provincial of the Province of St. Augustine in California.
James Link, President of Villanova Preparatory School, introduced honored guests and offered words of encouragement to the graduates and their families.
Student speakers Keira Dixon, Salutatorian, and Kirra Crane, Valedictorian, delivered heartfelt addresses reflecting on their journey and the bonds formed during their time at Villanova.
The two musical interludes—“Restless” by Sarah Hart, performed by Hannah Nguyen with accompaniment by Neil Del Rosario, and “I Will Never Leave You” by Henry Krieger, performed by Sophia Paine and Isabella de Iuliis—were especially moving. Marked by emotion and moments of sadness, these performances captured the bittersweet feeling of leaving behind the familiar ground of school while stepping into a new chapter.
The Commencement Address was delivered by Mr. Thomas Carroll, President of the Catholic Talent Project and former Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of Boston, who encouraged the graduates to live lives of purpose, faith, and service.
It was a day filled with joy, pride, and the unmistakable Villanova spirit, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the Class of 2025.