On May 3, Jesuit held its twenty-first annual Commencement Luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Hotel to honor and welcome the Class of 2024 into the Jesuit Alumni Association. This significant event brought together seniors and alumni, including many fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and brothers of the honored class, fostering a deep sense of community and continuity.

Each table at the luncheon accommodated a mix of ten seniors and alumni, creating an environment rich with shared memories and experiences. The featured speaker for the occasion was John Gin ’73, whose insightful words resonated with both the new graduates and the seasoned alumni.

Born in Hong Kong, Gin moved to New Orleans at age seven to help his family operate Gin’s Mee Hong Restaurant in the French Quarter. Gin joined the Class of 1973, where he was active in the Marine Corps JROTC, the drill team, the Chess Club, and founded the Bicycle Club. Currently, he is the owner of Gin Wealth Management Partners and has 40 years of experience working with nonprofits, associations, small businesses, families, and individuals. From 1989 to 2019, he wrote the “MoneyWatch” column for The Times-Picayune and was honored for initiating “Money Watch Live,” a major financial symposium. He also serves on the boards of the East Jefferson General Hospital Foundation, the Financial Planning Association of Louisiana, and the ACE Scholarship program.

Gin’s speech, characterized by reflections on his own journey and the enduring values instilled by his Jesuit education, served as both inspiration and guidance for the graduating class. The full speech is available for viewing below or on Jesuit’s YouTube channel.

The luncheon underscored the strong bonds that define the Jesuit community, celebrating the transition of the Class of 2024 from students to alumni.