By Nate West
Assistant News Editor
The university held its annual Spring Awards ceremony in the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts today.
Richard Trietley, vice provost for student life emceed the event. Brother Basil Valente, O.F.M., director of the integrated marketing communications program, opened the ceremony with the invocation.
Sister Margaret Carney, O.S.F., university president, began the ceremony with a welcoming speech. In her speech, Sister Margaret welcomed back Michael Fisher, provost and vice president of academic affairs, and thanked him for his quick recovery after an arm injury. She also congratulated Joseph Zimmer, interim dean of education, on being named the permanent dean of the school of education. She concluded her welcoming by thanking Father Francis DiSpigno, O.F.M., director of university ministries, for all the work he and University Ministries have done with this year’s “Thisness” campaign.
After Sister Margaret’s speech, student government association (SGA) secretary Robbie Chulick and Vice President Emily Deragon presented the Father Joe Doino, O.F.M. honors and awards.
There were 13 recipients this year:
- Student Leader of the Year – Emily Deragon
- Donald L. Korben Community Service Award – Knights of Columbus
- Program or Event of the Year – All Bonaventure Reads author visit with Conor Grennan
- Father Bob Stewart, O.F.M., Adviser of the Year – Dr. Steven Nuttal (Mock Trial)
- Father Gervase White, O.F.M., Staff Person of the Year – Rob DeFazio
- Organization or Club of the Year – Women’s Basketball
- Leo E. Keenan Jr. Faculty Appreciation Award – Dr. Nancy Casey
- Terry Bickel Student Life Award – Josh Maxey
- University Mission Volunteer of the Year – Sam Spinelli
- Heather Lohr Student Government Association Member of the Year – Courtney Cobb
- Admissions Commitment to Excellence (Person Winner) – Chris Brown
- Admissions Commitment to Excellence (Group Winner) – Technology Services and Facilities
Following the Father Joe Doino, O.F.M. honors and awards came the annual employee recognition ceremony. Michael Polasik, Patricia L. Shumway, Carl Veno, Father Allen Weber, O.F.M., and Robert Worthington all received recognition for 25 years of service at St. Bonaventure.
Other service awards were given out to faculty members celebrating 10, 15, 20, 30, 35 or 45 years of service. Faculty members John Hanchette, James Moor and Sandra Mulryan were all recognized on their retirement.
Fischer gave the final award presentations. The Award for Professional Excellence in University Service was given to Jim Mahar, director of BonaResponds. The Adjunct Faculty Award for Professional Excellence in Teaching was presented to Kevin Brayer.
Father Allen Weber, O.F.M., concluded the ceremony with a prayer and members of the Music Ministry Team sang the Alma Mater.
