A Decade of Dedication

Reflecting on the Innovative & Steady Leadership of Alumni Association President, Ryan Charkowski (R90).

Hard work and dedication are the best words to describe Ryan Charkowski’s work with the LaSalle-Regis-Xavier Alumni Association. Charkowski began on the board in 2010 and has spent the last seven years as the President of the board. Charkowski is stepping down from his board position as President, and his many hours put into the advancement of the Alumni Association are worth noting. 

One of his biggest achievements is helping the association to evolve to remain viable for alumni while finding ways to engage with current Xavier students. 

In addition to these developments, Charkowski has helped the Association find new spaces to introduce a fresh wrinkle into traditional events. “Utilizing the Library Media Center and having our first outdoor Hall of Fame/Dick Breitbach Day during Homecoming 2021 could not have gone better,” Charkowski said. He knew when he first started the position that growth was necessary and that the expansion of the Alumni Association was one of his top priorities.

Another event that Charkowski, an avid bicycle enthusiast, spearheaded was the launching of the annual Alumni Bike Ride, now in its fourth year. 

Great leadership tends to shine brighter in hard times. At the onset of the pandemic, hosting an in-person bike ride was not possible, but Charkowski pushed for the hosting of a virtual version of the event, connecting with alumni across the country. “In June 2020, we had a virtual bike ride. We had some really good success with people biking on their own and with their families. We even had alumni sending pictures from as far away as Arizona and California that year,” noted Charkowski. The outreach that Charkowski has fostered continues to grow.

Charkowski would like to thank the Xavier Foundation staff, Xavier High School staff, and the members of the Alumni Association for all of their support and help with running the various alumni events. “Xavier High School and the Alumni Association would like to extend our thanks and appreciation to Ryan Charkowski for his many years of support and service as President of the Alumni Association,” states XHS president, Chris McCarville (R97).

Charkowski will remain on the Alumni Board as an active member. Brad Joens (R96), having served on the Alumni Board since 2008, will take assume the role of Board President. Maggie (Berntsen) Roling (X00) will serve as Board Vice President.