Distinguished Alumni Leadership Awards
Seton Hill University established the Distinguished Alumni Leadership Awards in 1987. The purpose of the annual alumni awards is to recognize outstanding alumni for their individual achievements, contributions to their industry or profession, service to their community and loyalty to Seton Hill University.
There are four unique Distinguished Alumni Leadership Awards.
- Distinguished Alumni Leadership Award
- Distinguished Alumni Leadership Award for Service
- Distinguished Alumni Leadership Award for Military Service
- Distinguished Alumni Leadership Award for Young Alumni Achievement
The awards are presented annually by the president of the University at a ceremony honoring the recipients during Alumni Weekend, which takes place the first full weekend in June.
Please see the guidelines below and consider nominating a worthy classmate for the Distinguished Alumni Leadership Awards. Nominations must be received by September 30 for awards in the following June.
Complete an online nomination form.
OR
Download a nomination form and submit it to Alumni Relations.
To receive additional information or to discuss a nomination, you may contact the Alumni Office at 724-830-1005 or email the Office of Alumni Relations at alumnirelations@setonhill.edu.
Nominations and Eligibility
Any member of the Seton Hill University community (friend, family member, former student, as well as any administration, faculty or staff member of the University) may make nominations. Self-nominations are also accepted. One nomination per individual will be considered per year. The name of the nominator will not be disclosed.
Nominators must submit a completed nomination form, letter of recommendation, a biography and supporting documentation as available for qualified candidates to be considered.
Nominations must be kept confidential between the nominator and the Distinguished Alumni Award Selection Committee. No approach should be made to any nominee until the selection process has been completed. Once the selection process has been completed, the President of the University will notify the successful nominee. Applications in breach of the above guidelines will not be considered.
Recipients must be able to accept the award in person at Seton Hill University.
Current full-time University faculty and staff members are not eligible. An individual who currently holds an elected public office will not be selected in a year in which he/she might be elected or re-elected. In the event that a candidate is not selected as an honoree, his/her nomination may be updated and resubmitted for future consideration. An individual can be nominated for the award regardless of how many times he/she has been nominated in the past.
Read further for the nomination guidelines for each of the four awards:
This award acknowledges outstanding alumni who have attained extraordinary distinction and success in their chosen profession and accomplishment in any field of human endeavor that brings honor to the recipient and to Seton Hill University.
To be considered for this award, the individual is:
- A Seton Hill University graduate at least 15 years from nominating year.
- Distinguished in his or her chosen business, profession or life work, and the recipient of some previous recognition (publications, presentations, awards, honors, research, continued advancement – academically and/or professionally).
- Active in professional organizations.
- A person of such integrity and stature that the University will take pride in bestowing this recognition.
- A leader both professionally and within the community and demonstrates a commitment to community relations and philanthropy.
- Demonstrates the importance of a Seton Hill education and is loyal to the University by alumni involvement or philanthropic support.
An individual can only receive this award once.
This award acknowledges individuals who have a history of service to others through outstanding leadership in public service, the church or other community endeavors as well as Seton Hill University.
To be considered for this award, the individual is:
- A Seton Hill University graduate at least 15 years from nominating year.
- Distinguished in his or her life work through dedicated service in any public or community endeavor that advances the welfare of those involved.
- A person of such integrity and stature that the University will take pride in bestowing this recognition.
- A leader exemplifying a commitment to community relations and philanthropy.
- Demonstrates the importance of a Seton Hill education and is loyal to the University by alumni involvement or philanthropic support.
An individual can only receive this award once.
This award acknowledges individuals who have a history of military service to the United States military and have demonstrated significant leadership in all endeavors, including church, as well as service and commitment to the University.
To be considered for this award, the individual is:
- A Seton Hill University graduate.
- Distinguished in his or her work through dedicated military service.
- A person of such integrity and stature that the University will take pride in bestowing this recognition.
- A leader exemplifying a commitment to community relations and philanthropy.
- Demonstrates the importance of a Seton Hill education and is loyal to the University by alumni involvement or philanthropic support.
An individual can only receive this award once.
This award acknowledges individuals who have achieved exceptional accomplishment in their chosen profession during the first 15 years following graduation as well as service to their community and demonstrated loyalty to Seton Hill University. The number of Young Alumni Achievement Awards presented in one year is unlimited.
To be considered for this award, the individual is:
- A Seton Hill University graduate within the last 15 years from nomination date.
- Distinguished in his or her chosen profession, public or private, and the recipient of some previous recognition - academic or professional.
- A person of such integrity and stature that the University will take pride in bestowing this recognition.
- A leader exemplifying a commitment to community relations and philanthropy.
- Demonstrates the importance of a Seton Hill education and is loyal to the University by alumni involvement or philanthropic support.
An individual can only receive this award once.
A Distinguished Alumni Leadership Award for Young Alumni Achievement recipient may, upon nomination in another year, receive one other of the Distinguished Alumni Leadership Awards.
Past Distinguished Alumni Leadership Awards Recipients
(+ deceased, last updated May 20, 2025)
Class of 1923
Margaret Garrity ’23 +
Class of 1925
Sister Rose Irene Boggs ’25 +
Class of 1929
Elizabeth Skeehan Lesquin ’29 +
Class of 1930
Margaret Casey ’30 +
Sister Rose Angela Cunningham ’30 +
Class of 1931
Catharine Cole Celli ’31 +
Class of 1932
Lucille Lapolla Ponte ’32 +
Sister Mary Schmidt ’32 +
Class of 1934
Alberta Nelson Palmer ’34 +
Class of 1935
Miriam Cokely ’35 +
Margaret Brobst Harrington ’35 +
Class of 1938
Elizabeth Sheerer ’38 +
Class of 1939
Zoe Dorsa ’39 +
Sister M. Estelle Hensler ’39 +
Rachel Frisbee Schade ’39 +
Class of 1940
Ellen Walsh Ferris ’40 +
Class of 1941
Theresa Harwood ’41 +
Martha Whelan Murphy ’41 +
Rita Marron Wagner ’41 +
Class of 1942
Sister Marian Teresa Dury ’42
Joan Pignocco Ebert ’42 +
Martha Messmer Helzel ’42 +
Jane Mahady McIntyre ’42 +
Sister Mary Naab ’42 +
Martha Welty Vazquez ’42 +
Sister Leah Wolf ’42 +
Class of 1943
Mary Kolb ’43 +
Zita Okonak Levin ’43 +
Ann Hall Marshall ’43 +
Jean Meagher Ulitz ’43 +
Class of 1944
Loretta Mhley Chegin ’44 +
Class of 1945
Margaret Lee Sherrard Hamberry ’45 +
Thelma Holmes ’45 +
Irene O'Brien ’45 +
Class of 1946
Anna-Marie Chirico ’46 +
Eileen Farrell ’46 +
Connie del Campo Laurent ’46 +
Claire FitzGerald McKellogg ’46 +
Class of 1947
Flora Gorirossi-Bourdeau ’47 +
Mary Hackett ’47 +
Eleanor Hannon Judah ’47 +
Marjorie Firsching Shipe ’47 +
Class of 1948
Sally Carroll ’48 +
Gloria Gallo Cromie ’48 +
Sister Mary Noel Kernan ’48 +
Becky Kerns ’48
Clara Durant Mignogna ’48
Mary Elizabeth Neff O'Connor ’48 +
Class of 1949
Loretta Juhas ’49 +
Natalie Carbone Mangini ’49 +
Mary O'Donovan ’49 +
Dorothy Piatnek-Leunissen ’49 +
Class of 1950
Shirlee Becker Liedke ’50 +
Mary O'Hare Smith ’50 +
Norma Lutz Spina ’50 +
Pauline Pellicano Territo ’50
Class of 1951
Alberta Albrecht Siemiatkoski ’51
Rosemary Petrosky Mazero ’51 +
Class of 1952
Sally Wilkinson Bourg ’52
June Kushon Campbell ’52 +
Joan Graziano ’52 +
Anita Lavin Manoli ’52 +
Beatrice Mulvehill Palmer ’52 +
Class of 1953
Anne Coveney ’53 +
Ellen Fitzgerald ’53
Ruth O'Block Grant ’53 +
Joan Harwell Hayden ’53 +
Perea McCane Hopkins ’53 +
Francesmary Peters ’53 +
Roberta Beckman Pioli ’53 +
Mary Ann Kirby Werner ’53 +
Class of 1954
Joan Truax Avioli ’54
Adelaide Briley Smith ’54 +
Ann Ruhmann Wennhold ’54 +
Class of 1955
Carol Christopher ’55 +
Mary O'Neil Costello ’55 +
Audrey Harwell Curran ’55
Sister Ann Infanger ’55 +
Patricia Landers ’55
Patricia Robinson Loughran ’55 +
Jean Falk New ’55 +
Marietta Rossi Spotts ’55
Class of 1956
Suzanne Law Hawes ’56
Joanne McCann Hayes ’56 +
Colleen McCann ’56
Patricia Goodwin Norry ’56 +
Anne Ruff Quirk ’56
Margaret O'Neil Reese ’56
Carol Reichgut ’56 +
Virginia Seery ’56 +
Class of 1957
JoAnne Woodyard Boyle ‘57 +
Rosanne Caretti Gjostein ’57 +
Elaine Curran ’57
Kay O'Keefe Doherty ’57
Margaret Heagarty ’57 +
Mary Lou Cronin Kintz ’57
Mary Lawton ’57 +
Patricia Mullen ’57 +
Sister Colette Toler ’57 +
Alyce Holden Sheridan ’57
Nancy Stoner ’57
Class of 1958
Mary Heagarty Burgan ’58 +
Marilyn Conroy ’58
Frances Pellicano DePaul ’58
Charlene Trichtinger Dorrian ’58
Jean Sullivan French ’58 +
Jacqueline Hughes ’58 +
Lucy Lopez-Roig ’58 +
Judith Stanley ’58
Class of 1959
Sister Jean Boggs ’59
Elizabeth Salvatore Cole ’59
Lovenia Deconge Watson ’59
Phil Cirucci Dymond ’59
Mary Vetter Fette ’59
Sister Gertrude Foley ’59 +
Rosalyn C. King ’59
Mary Anne Spellman McGrath ’59 +
Kathleen Assini Perry ’59
Paulette Setler ’59 +
Class of 1960
Frances Bergling Cannon ’60 +
Denise Plante Deshaies ’60
Joanne Bergamasco Gabriel ’60
Joanne Salvador Highberger ’60
Constance Angotti Salvitti ’60 +
Sister Lois Sculco ’60 +
Class of 1961
Jeanne Lacroix Ballard ’61
Bernice Ferrante Lewis ’61
Joan Smarrella Levan ’61
Class of 1962
Mary Ann Crenner Aug ’62
Patricia Cabrey ’62
Sister Gemma Del Duca ’62
Peggy Magner Holter ’62
Ruth Dowling Kelly ’62
Marianne Drott Squyres ’62
Class of 1963
Judith Fitzpatrick Davis ’63 +
Sarah "Sally" Lyon Loughran ’63
Mary Ann Scialdo ’63 +
Rosemary Scott Suess ’63
Class of 1964
Patricia Barey ‘64
Robin Heffernan Beck ‘64
Louise Calvario Brown ‘64
Therese Burson ‘64
Mary Ann Corbo Connors ‘64
Sheila K. Delaney ’64
Sally Conroy Fullman ‘64
Laurene Di Gennaro Kristof ’64
Audrey Fedyszyn Jakubowski Lazarus ‘64
Priscilla Garvis Naworski ‘64
Gail Vermilyea Quigley ‘64
Carol Wilson ’64 +
Class of 1965
Patricia Acquaviva Gabow ‘65
Mary McKinley ‘65
Ann Carroll Miller ‘65
Mary Ann Mogus ‘65
Linda New Levine ‘65
Mary Diederich Ott ‘65
Gerry Nasiatka Welch ‘65
Class of 1966
Kathryn Mueller Cunningham ’66 +
Noreen Dornenburg ‘66
Nancy Ritz Hudson ‘66
Margaret Petruska ‘66
Martha Tecca DelPizzo ‘66
Class of 1967
Karen Altenderfer Cordaro ‘67
Kathleen Huebner ’67 +
Sister Vivien Linkhauer ‘67
Charlene McAbee ‘67
Irene O'Brien Nunn ‘67
Sister Edith Strong ‘67
Sister Sylvia Thibodeaux ‘67
Sister Mary Ann Winters ‘67
Class of 1968
Jane Geever ‘68
Sister Marlene Mondalek ’68 +
Mother Mary Anne Noll ‘68
Gloria Fiorelli Pollock ‘68
Mary Frances Senita Zadzilko ‘68
Class of 1969
Carole Barrett ‘69
Kathleen Pandak Bateson Glass ‘69
Sandra Burin Bobick ‘69
Mary Susan Bradley ’69
Sandra Davis ‘69
Sister Melanie DiPietro ‘69
Veronica Zasadni Froman Blue ‘69
Bernadette R. Fondy ’69 +
Patricia Boyd Giuli ’69
Lenore Parrott Luckey ‘69
Kathleen Moloney ‘69
Kathleen Motil ‘69
Janice Flood Nichols ‘69
Michele Moore Ridge ‘69
Joanna Pietropaoli Stillwagon ‘69
Joan Morris Voss ‘69
Class of 1970
Sara Beatrice ’70
Darleen M. Farley ’70
Sister Victoria Marie Gribschaw ’70
Inez Avalos Heath ’70
Mary Sue Hyatt ’70
Carol McLaughlin Kenney ’70
Marie McColley Kerstetter ’70
Patricia Mooney Loucks ’70
Susan M. Printy ’70
Jaclyn Murton Walters ’70
Yvonne Wasilewski ’70
Class of 1971
Eileen Brophy ’71
Donna Wall Durno ’71
Wilda K. Kaylor ’71
Mary Louise Kundrat ’71
Janet Nipaver Martha ’71
Margaret Munley ’71
Stephanie Powers ’71
Eileen Cline Ryan ’71
Mary Just Zappone ’71
Class of 1972
Anne Brower ’72
Linda Hunchuck Chambers ’72
Patricia Policicchio DeConcilis ’72
Lisa Farrell ’72
Jane Gilchrist ’72
Cheryl Maurana ’72
Ellen Steward Pentz ’72
Elizabeth Scott Raveche ’72
Sister Barbara Ann Smelko ’72
Class of 1973
Elizabeth Bogren ’73 +
Jeanne Gruber Bratsafolis ’73
Johnette Zappone DeRose ’73
Carmine Coco De Young ’73
Jonnie Guerra ’73
Christine Frederick Janove ’73
Ellen Katter ’73
Alice Kaylor ’73
Claudia Kovach ’73
Rachel Cellini Morris ’73
Maureen O'Connor ’73
Cathy Plesha ’73
Mary Ann Noroski Scully ’73
Patrice A. Tedescko ’73
Class of 1974
Daria Esteen Beckom ’74
Rosemary Corsetti ’74
Linda Fiorelli ’74
Jacqueline Kendrick Gravell ’74
Katherine Olivia Haile ’74
Janet Bender Jacoby ’74
Vanessa Ruffin ’74
Deborah Englert Tripod ’74
Class of 1975
Bibiana Boerio ’75
Juliana Boerio-Goates ’75
Debra Donley ’75
Lynn M. Grattan ’75
Joanne Orlando Lizza ’75 +
Class of 1976
Cynthia Wills Black ’76
Olga Gera ’76 +
Martha Blackson Meerscheidt ’76
Barbara Nakles ’76
Elizabeth Repasky Subjeck ’76
Class of 1977
Mary Jo Ruefle Brecht ’77
Barbara McDermott ’77
Deborah Dzombak McMahon ’77
Andrea Reynolds Michaux ’77
Cheryl Napsha ’77
Lillie R. Pang ’77
Margretta Stokes Tucker ’77
Class of 1978
Linda C. Earnest ’78
Sylvia Hill Fields ’78
Mary Juhas ’78
Kathleen Rylander Sarniak-Tanzola ’78
Patricia A. Smiy ’78
Gail St. Clair ’78
Class of 1979
Kathryn Loughran Cala ’79
Elizabeth Grinnell ’79
Jean Hufnagel ’79
Sharon McCullough Nies ’79
Class of 1980
Charlene Burns ’80
Margaret DiVirgilio ’80
Barbara Kerestes Martin ’80
Paulette Schutter Pipher ’80
Kathleen Smith-Delach ’80
Dolores Whiskeyman Gregory ’80
Donna Zapola-Connolly ’80
Class of 1981
Laurie Carroll ’81
Barbara Machak ’81
Sally Aurelio Novak ’81
Marian Gross Piet ’81
Class of 1982
Marianne Krostyne ’82
Dr. Barbara Ella Milton, Jr. ’82 +
Monica Stynchula ’82
Bridget Widdowson ’82
Class of 1983
Carmen Rivera Bauza ’83
Denise Troll Covey ’83
Karín Gisela Díaz-Toro ’83
Angelica Docog ’83
Class of 1984
Karen Barkac ’84
Jessica Ybanez-Morano ’84
Lisa Anne Scales ’84
MiRan Cho Surh ’84
Class of 1985
Carol Gelet ’85
Class of 1986
Michelle Bellas Cunningham ’86
Ivette Lopez ’86
Kerry McGarty Neville ’86
Kelley Murray Skoloda ’86
Darla Thomas ’86
Class of 1987
Bonnie-Lynn Griffin ’87
Helene Karasek Paharik ’87
Class of 1988
Kathleen Garde ’88
Vicky M. Krug ’88
Paula Sue McCommons, Ed.D. ’88
Allegra Stasko Slick ’88
Class of 1989
María Antongiorgi-Jordán ’89
Laura Kampo ’89
Donna King ’89
Shawn Sturnick ’89
Class of 1992
Elizabeth Harr ’92
Jodee Harris ’92
Carla Palamone ’92
Class of 1993
Pamela J. Cooper ’93
Class of 1994
Terri Yeargers Erisman ’94
Giovanna Rivera Genard ’94
Wei Zhang ’94
Class of 1995
Mayra Colón ’95
Tanya Moximchalk ’95
Brenda Tuite Roger ’95
Larry Taylor ’95
Class of 1996
Talib Brown Nichiren ’96
Melissa Pasquinelli ’96
Jill Dunmire Siddiq ’96
Class of 1997
Straja Linder King MA ’97
Class of 1998
Walter M. Grushesky ’98
Michel Maiers ’98
Christine L. Vucinich ’98
Class of 1999
Anne Urban ’99
Alexis Graves ’99, ’00, MA ’03
Class of 2002
Christin Hanigan ’02
Nalo Hopkinson MA ’02
Class of 2003
Sally Bosco MFA ’03
Krista Boyer ’03, MBA ’07
Class of 2004
Greg Bohall ’04
Matthew Galando MBA ’04
Susan Mallery MA ’04
Susan Gillenberger Mercer ’04
Jessica Picklo ’04, MBA ’08
Michael P. Reese MBA ’04 +
Pamela Williams MA ’04
Class of 2005
Dominic Aleandri ’05
Chad M. Amond MBA ’05
Class of 2006
Armand Leonelli ’06
Katie Aikins Monsour ’06
Geoffrey Monsour ’06
Class of 2007
Ryann Bradley MBA ’07
Class of 2008
Sean T. Garrity ’08
Kalesha D. Jenkins ’08
Jessica Picklo ’04, MBA ’08
Marcus L. Thompson ’08
Class of 2009
Tyler Jones ’09
Lorin Schumacher ’09
Class of 2010
James Yauger ’10
Matthew A. Zamosky ’10
Class of 2011
Colleen Danielle Ereditario ’11
Jennifer Makowski ’11
Jessica Thomas ’11
Class of 2012
Carlos Mauricio Peredo, Ph.D. ’12
Katherine Clare Smith ’12 +
Class of 2013
Clare Berenato Colloton ’13
Class of 2014
Stephen Harvey ’14
Moshood B. Martins MS ’14
Class of 2016
Christian A. Carter ’16
Class of 2018
Lyn Starr ’18
Class of 2019
Dr. Daniel R. Camacho MS ’19