On May 19 at Alumni Career Day, Delbarton Alumni Association President Joe Ferraro ‘95 invited 142 seniors in the  Class of 2026 into the Delbarton Alumni Association. “It is my honor to welcome you into the Delbarton Alumni Association," said Ferraro as he officially inducted them into the Long Green Line of Delbarton alumni.  "You have no idea how powerful this community is." 

When these young men graduate in the Abbey Church on May 31, they immediately become a part of a  6,271-strong network of Delbarton alumni...their instant brothers. 

Ferraro introduced five Alumni Career Day speakers representing technology, medicine, finance, law and engineering.  The speakers, pictured below included, from left, Harrison Cooley, ’18 (Sr. Software Engineer at Citibank), Michael Nacchio ’02 (Attorney at Ogletree Deakins), Jake Caldwell ’09 (Managing Director at Goldman Sachs),  Joe Ferraro '95 (Delbarton Alumni Association President and Chief Legal Officer/General Counsel for Catalent Pharma Solutions), Dr. Stephen Johnson ’04 (Neurosurgeon) and Adam Herbert ’97 (Business Development Manager at Ferguson Enterprises, Inc).

"Pay attention to how these men used their time," Ferraro told his listeners as Alumni Career Day began, the first piece of good advice from a wise older brother.

Each man offered guidance to our graduating seniors: do what you enjoy,  don't seek instant gratification, take risks, work hard, help the person next to you and always appreciate the power of the Delbarton network.

"You'll face some adversity. When you hit that moment, go back to what you learned at Delbarton," said one.  "You have been built by this school to take on adversity."  

Another speaker observed that Delbarton graduates are 'effectively programmed' with important key messages: do the right thing, if you're cut down, you'll grow back stronger. "Delbarton gives you the strength not to quit when things get tough." 

Several alumni reminded boys of the unique benefit of the Delbarton community and alumni network that comes with it. "Today, you're going to receive the gift of our advice," said one alumnus. "In the years to come, you will be returning it."

As the youngest members of the Delbarton Alumni Association, seniors were next invited to pledge their support by donating $20.26 to the Delbarton Fund for the next five years. Annually, an average of 30% of Delbarton alumni support the school financially, an impressive level of support for any college or independent school.

They were also were encouraged to log onto Delbartonalumni.com, a password protected portal where they now have access to fellow alumni, news and invitations, and can RSVP to the many events the Alumni Association hosts throughout the year, including the annual Pig Roast/Dinner Meeting on May 28 in the Formal Garden.

As of July 1, our young alumni also have direct access to the new Delbarton Career Center in Old Main for assistance with internships, jobs, career guidance and connecting with other alumni. 

After a round of applause for our alumni guest speakers,  seniors picked up gift bags that included an official Class of 2026 t-shirt and a handsome Delbarton wallet...

...then headed to the Formal Garden for a picnic lunch of subs, chips, drinks and dessert courtesy of the Alumni Association. Thirty-five recruited athletes stayed behind for a quick group photo, then it was on to lunch and enjoying the freedom of a steamy May afternoon in the Garden State.