Annual Suffolk University Alumni Event 

Suffolk University Trustee Christine Garvey, JD (’72), with Montecito Bank & Trust, Susan Cappiello, JD (’82), of Santa Barbara, and Matthew Howard, JD (’10), of Los Angeles hosted the Annual Suffolk University Alumni gathering at the Jonathan Club Penthouse Terrace in Santa Monica on Thursday, September 28. 

Garvey is well-known for her roles on the Board, and as Chair of the Audit Committee at Montecito Bank and Trust. Cappiello worked as General Counsel for the Open Software Foundation and served as Secretary of its Board, responsible for international negotiations with companies to acquire software to interoperate among all hardware platforms to identify areas from sexual harassment to antitrust issues. She is a Court Appointed Advocate for foster kids and other legal support ventures. Howard is the Managing Director of Compliance, Conduct, and Operational Risk for JPMorgan Chase & Co. Los Angeles. The event was managed by Suffolk University Division of Advancement’sSenior Director of Advancement Engagement and Annual Giving Jonathan McTague, MPA, and featured a reception with a curated sushi and open bar prior to the formal program. 

Garvey welcomed the alumni – Suffolk University President Marisa Kelly, PhD, theCollege of Arts & Sciences Dean Edie Sparks, PhD,supporter Susan Sokoloff,and spouse to Kelly, Margie Arnold.

Dr. Marissa Kellyprovided talking points focused on the upcoming elections and the volunteer work Suffolk University students are doing for voting support and research, saying, “Our students gain experiential and immersive learning opportunities in their education. We have programs for career equity and success, and prepare our students to engage in local communities. This fosters the transformative impact Suffolk University education has on our students. We have established our ‘Suffolk Polls,’ where students learn how to avoid bias and perform sampling of the largest percentage of the population. This year, they are fostering non-partisan civic political processes and voting registration. Students are volunteering at polling stations, acting as bilingual translators, and supporting efforts for voter education.”

In her talk, Garvey encouraged continued alumni donations, as over 94% of students receive scholarship and financial support. She noted her pride in the Suffolk Law School, saying, “This year, we have 411 new students from 31 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and 17 other countries. These students hold the strongest academic records in 14 years. It is the most racially and ethnically diverse group enrolled, with 11% already holding graduate degrees, 22% as first-generation college students.” 

She then shared her decision to establish an Endowment Chair at Suffolk Law with a generous donation. Her chair is titled, “The Christine Newman Garvey JD’72 Professor of Law Fund,” the first Endowed Chair by a female lawyer. It supports an existing professorship for a current faculty member who excels in the areas of teaching and scholarship. The endowed fund will generate a stipend to support the professor’s salary consistent with the University’s endowment policies. Humbled by the audience’s long applause, Garvey asked for their support of Suffolk University.

The event concluded with networking and photo-ops.