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Distinguished Alumnae/i Awards

Congratulations to the 2012 Distinguished Alumnae/i Award recipients!

Click here to see photos from the 2012 Distinguished Alumnae/i Award Dinner.

Saint Joseph College has distinguished itself in a variety of ways, particularly through its many alumnae/i who have made outstanding contributions within their professional fields, respective communities, and in their family lives.

Click here  to nominate a classmate!
Printable Nomination Form  (PDF: 2pp., 71K)

Distinguished Alumnae/i Awards

Since 1974, the Saint Joseph College Alumnae/i Association has presented the Distinguished Alumnae/i Awards annually to outstanding alumnae/i of the College. The Awards Committee is pleased to extend the invitation for nominations for this prestigious award and will review nominations based on the following criteria:

The Mary Rosa McDonough Award:

• Achieved distinction in a professional field or has provided outstanding service to the College or local community
• Open to all alumnae/i

The Catherine McAuley Award:

• Demonstrated leadership and service to the community
• Open to alumnae/i who graduated in the past 15 years

The Mary DeLourdes Kenny Award : 

• Achieved distinctions in the field of education
• Open to alumnae/i in the field of education

The Sr. Fay O'Brien School of Education Alumnae/i Award :

• Promote growth of the whole person in a caring environment
• Encourages strong ethical values, personal integrity and a sense of responsibility to the needs of society
• Serve the mission of the School of Education
• Open to graduate alumnae/i from the School of Education

The Maria Ancilla Sullivan Award: 

• Achieved distinction through some form of artistic expression
• Open to all alumnae/i

The Mary Consuela Mulcahy Award :

• Achieved distinction in the field of science or technology
• Open to all alumnae/i in the fields of science or technology

Winifred E. Coleman Service Award: 

• Individual or organization who demonstrates exemplary service and commitment to Saint Joseph College
• Represents the College's Core Values
• Open to members of the SJC and local community

Distinguished Alumnae/i Award Recipients 1974 - 2012

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2012 Honorees:

	Pamela Atwood M'01 Mary Rosa McDonough Award Pamela Atwood is a gerontologist with an interest in dementia. She is receiving the Mary Rosa McDonough Award, which honors an alumna who is distinguished in her field.  Mrs. Atwood has been in the forefront of the aging field in Connecticut through her personal and professional involvement, her teaching, public speaking and writing. She also became an adjunct faculty member at the College and has been a guest speaker at many area schools.
	George Ducharme Ph.D., M'69 Sister Fay O'Brien Award George Ducharme, Ph.D., will receive the Sister Fay O'Brien Award, which  is given to outstanding graduates of the School of Education. Dr. Ducharme has been instrumental in raising awareness about individuals with disabilities. He is the director of the Institute on Disability and Community Inclusion at Manchester Community College, where he launched an associate's degree program to train disability specialists and speech-language pathology assistants. He is also an adjunct professor of Disability Issues and Native American Studies there.
	Mary Mitchell '90 M'94 Mary Rosa McDonough Award Mary Mitchell is living proof that you are never too old to attain your dreams. At the age of 50 Ms. Mitchell came to Saint Joseph College to study for her B.A. degree while working, volunteering and staying in touch with her three adult children and growing group of grandchildren. It took her 14 years to complete her degree. Then she began her master's degree.  Mrs. Mitchell is well-known across the state for her expertise in helping older adults develop their life histories. She will receive the Mary Rosa McDonough Award, which is given to distinguished alumnae/i.
	Patricia Rehmer M'88 Mary Rosa McDonough Award Patricia Rehmer, state commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services, has been chosen to receive the Mary Rosa McDonough Award. She has served as commissioner under two governors and has responsibility for providing behavioral health services to 90,000 persons annually. She spent 17 years at the Institute of Living, ultimately becoming clinical director, responsible for child, adolescent, adult and geriatric clinical services. She also headed the regional mental health agency before coming to the state agency she now heads.
	M. Jane Ryan '54 Mary DeLourdes Kenney Award M. Jane Ryan will receive the Mary DeLourdes Kenny Award, which recognizes significant contributions to the field of education. She has demonstrated leadership and dedication throughout her career in education. As a kindergarten teacher in Danbury, Conn., for 43 years, Miss Ryan employed her knowledge of child development, which she studied at SJC.  Outside of the classroom, Miss Ryan has been active in professional groups. She became the youngest member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Iota Chapter, an honor society for key women educators, and served as the organization's president for two terms. Miss Ryan also serves on the Danbury Promis for Children Partnership, a new initiative in Danbury. As an alumna, Miss Ryan has participated in the Saint Joseph College Fairfield Club.