A Brief History of Bishop Shanahan Old Boys Association of North America Inc.
The idea of forming Bishop Shanahan College (BSC) Old Boys of North America Inc. was conceived in 2003 and materialized in 2008 when BSC Old Boys across the United States began holding monthly teleconferences of the Association. During its maiden teleconference in 2008, interim officers were appointed to steer the affairs of the Association and they ran the association until July 2010, when the group held its Inaugural Reunion Convention in Los Angeles, California. The officers were: Nze Eddy Unaegbu (President), Dr. Chinedum Nwosu Esq. (Vice President), Mr. Vern Ohaya (Secretary), Dr. Patrick Nwakama (Treasurer), Dr. Ernest Ndubuizu (Financial Secretary), Mr. Uche Aguzie (Publicity Secretary), Mr. Basil Ibenyenwa (Membership Committee Chair), and Dr. Dominic Amaechi Esq. (Constitution Drafting Committee Chair). The Inaugural Reunion Convention was significant because for the first time in North America, BSC alumni who graduated from as far back as the 1950’s to 2011, convened in Los Angeles and charted the way forward for the budding association. The draft constitution of the organization was ratified and an Executive Board elected to lead the Association. Members of the newly elected Executive Board were Nze Eddy Unaegbu (President), Dr. Chinedum Nwosu Esq. (Vice President), Chief Greg Nnodim (General Secretary), Mr. Vern Ohaya (Assistant Secretary), Dr. Patrick Nwakama (Treasurer), Dr. Ernest Ndubuizu (Financial Secretary), Mr. Uche Aguzie(Publicity Secretary), Dr. Jude Ohaya (Parliamentarian), Mr. Basil Ibenyenwa (Membership Committee Chair), and Dr. Marcel Obi (Website Committee Chair). With the assistance, encouragement, and wise counsel of a number of distinguished BSC Old Boys (Dr. Celestine Asota, Dr. Ben Okwara, Dr. Bernard Ukaoha, Dr. Bon-Davis Ofoegbu, Dr. Ngozi Nwaneri, Professor Joseph Diogu, Chief Jude Njoku, Chief Callistus Agochukwu, Chief Dom Epoh and many others), the newly elected Executive Board forged ahead with an agenda to restore the Alma Mater to its glorious years and propel the organization to greater heights.
Mission & Vision
The BSC Old Boys of North America Inc. was duly registered and incorporated in 2008 in the state of Georgia as a non –profit organization. Its primary goal is to promote and advance the interests and welfare of our alma mater. In this regard, it serves as a strong link between BSC Old Boys Associations in North America, Nigeria, and other parts of the world and our alma mater, BSC. Through BSC Old Boys of North America Inc., alumni proudly “give back” to the school in appreciation of the high quality education, values, character and nurturing they received. Another equally important goal of the organization is to galvanize its robust pool of alumni expertise in North America to enhance the collective wellbeing of its members.
Convention
The Los Angeles Inaugural Convention and Re-union was primarily geared towards raising the much needed funds to renovate the school’s buildings, restore and maintain its pre-Nigerian civil war reputation for superior academic standards, and rejuvenate alumni pride in the school. It was hoped that these would, in turn, reposition the school to its pre-war capability of graduating seasoned medical doctors, pharmacists, educators, lawyers, engineers, architects and other professionals; thus helping current and future students to live up to the school’s creed and motto,’’ Duc In Altum’’ (aim at the highest). CONVENTIONS As in all “firsts”, the money realized from the premier LA convention was insufficient to embark on any meaningful project at the school as originally planned. This necessitated the second Reunion /Fundraising Convention held in Houston in 2011. As anticipated, the Houston convention garnered generous donations from BSC alumni, friends, and philanthropic organizations.