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At 99 with a hundredth birthday on the horizon, Mike Paioni (’45) is the oldest living ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Student Body Association president. His story was familiar to the ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ storytelling team, thanks to having interviewed a dear friend and ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ classmate of his for a story about generosity—Art Dugoni (’47).

“He was my dearest friend,” said Paioni of his one-time GSBA campaign rival. Dugoni told the story of their election as such:

Paioni remembered it differently. “I won the election, and he never forgot it. He used to say that he voted for me, and I voted for myself, but I beat him by five votes, so even though I did vote for him, it wouldn’t have made a difference. Art and I were just great friends, and I sang at his funeral. I’ve been singing all my life.”

Both Paioni and Dugoni came to ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ University from the San Francisco Bay Area as part of the V-12 program in the 1940s—150 colleges and universities across the country participated, offering two years of Naval training prior to attending midshipmen’s school and receiving their commissions. While at ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡, Paioni was active on campus as part of GSBA and the famed Men’s Glee Club, formed in 1928 by Lyle W. Moore and given national prominence by Glee Club alumnus Bing Crosby, who featured the club on a radio broadcast in 1948.

“I was a soloist for the Glee Club,” remarked Paioni, “twenty years after Bing Crosby was the soloist. He was a lovely guy, and I got to know him well after he retired to San Mateo, where I was running the Bank of America.”

Paioni proudly recalled singing “Sweet Mystery of Life and One Alone” for ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡’s commencement exercises, and that at one time, he dreamed of becoming an opera singer. Still singing to the residents of his retirement home, Paioni also sang professionally all over the Bay Area.

“I can still do it at this stage of life,” he said proudly, adding, “God has truly blessed me and I am so thankful.”

Several past GSBA presidents came together on Thursday, April 10, 2025, for the Ignatian Gala to help celebrate the impact of Julie and Thayne McCulloh. The McCullohs worked in partnership with GSBA presidents over the years—a collaborative hallmark of their tenures. Traveling for the event wasn't in the cards for Paioni, but his voice will be heard. He recorded a message and serenade for President Thayne McCulloh, wishing him the best as he winds down his presidency. After nearly a century of song, Paioni’s voice is as smooth as silk.

In addition to sending a song, Paioni has included the University in his estate plans, ensuring that future singers and leaders can find their path at ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡, just as he did.