ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AWARDS
Each year, the Villanova University Alumni Association (VUAA) honors exceptional alumni for their continued efforts to advance the mission of the University and the VUAA through their time, resources and talents. We are proud to recognize the recipients below.
Nominations Closed
Nominations for the 2025 Alumni Awards are now closed and will reopen in early 2026. Award recipients will be announced soon—stay tuned to NovaNotes for the official announcement. If you have any questions about the award nomination process, please email alumni@villanova.edu.
SIGNATURE AWARDS
In celebration of the cumulative personal and professional achievements of alumni committed to service and community, the VUAA Signature Awards honor those who truly embody what it means to be a Villanovan.
St. Thomas of Villanova Alumni Medal
2024 Recipient: Terry Delaney ’83 CLAS
The St. Thomas of Villanova Alumni Medal is the highest honor bestowed by the Villanova University Alumni Association. It is awarded to alumni who best symbolize the spirit and legacy of St. Thomas.
St. Thomas of Villanova Alumni Medal Eligibility
Candidates must have graduated at least 16 years ago or more.
Candidates must have achieved a significant level of distinction within their chosen career fields.
Candidates must have had a significant impact on their community, the University, and the Alumni Association.
Current members of the University Board of Trustees, the Alumni Association Board of Directors, and regional club or affinity network leaders are not eligible for nomination.
Past Recipients
2023 - Patrick F. Meyer '74 VSB
2022 - Maryalice Morro '83
2021 - Darryl J. Ford '87
2020 - Thomas Sanzone '68
2019 - Nance Dicciani '69
2018 - Robert Byrnes '76
2017 - Catherine Keating '84
2016 - Rear Admiral Mark Handley (Ret.) '81 and Charles L. Jenkins, Sr., PhD, '58
2015 - Rich Kreider '83
2014 - Rosa Gatti '72
2012 - Frank F. Boulton '73
2010 - Herbert F. Aspbury '67
2009 - Rear Admiral Christine Bruzek-Kohler '74
2008 - Harold A. Jensen '87
2007 - Albert A. (Bert) Jacobs '87
2007 - Mary Beth Appel '81 BSN, MS, RN, CFNP
2007 - Gerald D. (Jerry) Strid '66
2006 - Ellen M. Tracy '81, '87
2006 - Reverend Michael Sullivan, OSA, '64
2006 - Victor J. Maggitti, Jr. '56
2006 - J. Deane Driscoll '60
2005 - Sandy Myers Gomberg '85, 90
2005 - William Loftus '85, '95
2005 - Thomas Kelly '65
2004 - John J. Quindlen '54
2004 - James G. O'Connor '64
2004 - Daniel M. DiLella '73
2003 - Frank J. Ryan '53
2003 - Patricia B. Holloway '76
2003 - Ron M. Delany '58
2002 - Dr. Rodger Van Allen '59, '67
2002 - Joanne M. Corless '82
2001 - Paul A. Tufano, Esq., '83, '86
2001 - John M. Sugiura '61
2001 - James P. Musselman, Jr., Esq. '79
2000 - John G. Rowland '79
2000 - Edward Pinckney '85
2000 - Gen. Paul X. Kelley '50
2000 - Denise L. Devine, C.P.A. '77, '81
1999 - Daniel L. Redmond, Jr. '48
1999 - Rose M. O'Driscoll '64
1999 - J. Jay McAndrews '60
1999 - William M. Gibson'66
1999 - Leo E. Denlea, Jr. '54
1998 - Gen. Anthony C. Zinni, USMC (Ret.), '50
1998 - Catherine V. Windels '75
1998 - Edward J. Welsh, Jr. '66
1998 - Edward T. Hastings '73
1997 - Frank S. Scarpa '56
1997 - George J. Chorba '49
1996 - Selma Koury-Wunderlich, G.S. '58
1996 - Rev. Thomas Knestout '54
1996 - John G. Drosdick '65
1996 - James F. Crowley, Jr. '71
1995 - Philip H. Ryan '54
1995 - Nan B. Hechenberger, Ph.D., '56
1995 - John M. Cooney '55
1995 - Robert J. Brennan '50
Young Alumni Medal
2024 Recipient: Britney Davis ’15 COE
The Young Alumni Medal is given to alumni who have reached a significant level of achievement in their profession and who are a model of the quality and caliber of today’s Villanova student.
Young Alumni Medal Eligibility
Candidates must have graduated from the University within the last 15 years or less.
Candidates must have achieved a significant level of distinction within their chosen career fields.
Candidates' achievements must reflect the quality and caliber of today’s Villanova student.
Current members of the University Board of Trustees, the Alumni Association Board of Directors, and regional club or affinity network leaders are not eligible for nomination.
Past Recipients
2023 - Meghan Rodgers '13 CLAS
2022 - Alessandro Roco '09
2021 - Katarina Mayers '11
2020 - Tony Chennault '14
2019 - Sarah Francis-Bland '06
2018 - Keith Jones '07
2017 - Kevin Curley II '09
2016 - Beth Awalt '10
2015 - Matthew '07 and Megan '08 Baldwin
2014 - Taylor Henderson '05
2009 - Jean Ellen Gismervik '03
2007 - Matthew Nespoli '04
2006 - Katherine T. Fallon '01
2005 - Christy Hansen '97
2004 - Tresa E. Zielinski '90
2003 - C. Sean Closkey '89
2002 - Philip L. Brach '89
2001 - Mary M. O'Neill '90
2000 - Anthony E. Granese '89
1999 - Maria E. Bello '89
1997 - Terrence D. Shannon '88
Loyalty Award
2024 Recipient: Kevin Curley '80 VSB
The Loyalty Award is presented to Villanova alumni who have rendered distinguished service to the University. Instituted in 1932 by the Villanova University Club of Greater Philadelphia, this award is the oldest in the University's history.
Loyalty Award Eligibility
Candidates must be alumni for a minimum of 15 years.
Candidates must have had a significant impact on their community.
Candidates must be active and consistent supporters of the Villanova mission.
*As set forth in the original Rules of Procedure, and as modified by practice, a recipient is selected by the vote of previous award winners in conference at an annual meeting.
Past Recipients
2023 - Brian Westbrook '01 VSB
2022 - Tracy Brala '90 VSB
2021 - Dave Pacitti, Class of 1989
2019 - Eric Quisenberry, Class of 1998
2018 - Frank Culotta, Class of 1964
2017 - William Donnell, Class of 1977
2016 - Patty Esposito, Class of 1980
2015 - Joe Makoid, Class of 1981
2014 - Robert Byrnes, Class of 1976
2013 - Anthony C. Zinni, General, USMC, Class of 1965
2012 - Terence Reddington, Class of 1974
2011 - Harold A. Jensen, Class of 1987
2010 - James P. Magee, Class of 1975
2009 - Edward J. Welsh, Class of 1966
2008 - Judy Lee Burke, Class of 1975
2007 - Howard Long, Class of 1982
2006 - Francis H. Dunne, Esq., Class of 1964
2005 - Joseph T. Mooney, Jr., Class of 1956
2004 - Carol Donoghue, Class of 1972
2003 - William J. Fallon, Admiral, USN, Class of 1967
2002 - Louis R. Kahl, Class of 1955
2001 - Joseph J. Manion, Class of 1961
2000 - Michael P. Manning, Class of 1969
1999 - Alvin A. Clay, Class of 1951
1997 - James G. O'Connor, Class of 1964
1996 - Martin F. Whalen, Class of 1963
1995 - George W. Piper, Class of 1967
1994 - James W. Eastwood, Class of 1968
1993 - Arthur M. Blanche, Class of 1949
1992 - Robert J. Capone, Class of 1962
1991 - William G. McDonnell, Class of 1949
1990 - Charles W. Johnson, Class of 1963
1989 - Frank J. Miller, Class of 1959
1988 - John F. Heilmann, Class of 1949
1987 - William H. Vincent, Jr., Class of 1960
1986 - Richard N. Winfield, Esq., Class of 1955
1985 - Donald R. Creamer, Class of 1970
1984 - Douglas J. Murray, Class of 1961
1983 - Thomas J. Morgan, Class of 1931
1982 - Ronald F. Russo, MD, Class of 1952
1981 - William J. Bradley, Class of 1931
1980 - Jacques E. Mauch, Class of 1943
1979 - Thomas F. Devine, Esq., Class of 1943
1978 - James F. Haughton, Class of 1941
1977 - Thomas J. Burke, Class of 1949
1976 - Arthur L. Mahan, Class of 1936
1975 - John J. McAndrews, Class of 1930
1974 - Nicholas L. Caruso, Class of 1935
1973 - Edward D. Riley, Class of 1943
1972 - Samuel J. Canning, Jr., Class of 1947
1971 - Rev. Edward McKee, OSA, Class of 1928
1970 - Patrick J. Romano, MD, Class of 1933
1969 - C. Edward Burnshaw, Class of 1933
1968 - William T. Walsh, Class of 1943
1967 - William C. Faulk, Class of 1930
1966 - Edward J. Donahue, Class of 1933
1965 - John A. White, Class of 1909
1964 - W.E. Schubert, Jr., Esq., Class of 1942
1963 - William C. Henry, Esq., Class of 1925
1962 - Daniel L. Redmond, Sr., Class of 1917
1961 - Joseph E. Walters, Class of 1945
1960 - Alex G. Severance, Class of 1929
1959 - Marshall J. Halphen, Class of 1927
1958 - James P. Quindlen, MD, Class of 1928
1957 - James F. Elliott, Class of 1935
1956 - William B. Sheehan, Class of 1925
1955 - Joseph P. Deluca, Class of 1930
1954 - David F. Farley, Class of 1920
1953 - William H. Vincent, Esq., Class of 1928
1952 - Paetrus F. Banmiller, Class of 1935
1951 - M. L. Caine, Sr., Esq., Class of 1904
1950 - Joseph D. Freney, Esq., Class of 1927
1949 - Martin L. Gill, Class of 1932
1948 - William M. Connelly, Class of 1927
1947 - Hon Theodore L. Reimel, Class of 1924
1946 - Matthew A. Lynch, Class of 1923
1945 - Charles H. McGuckin, Class of 1918
1944 - Francis X. Robinson, Class of 1921
1943 - Michael P. Fogarty, DDS, Class of 1918
1942 - Edward J. Burke, Ph.D., Class of 1923
1941 - John J. Dougherty, Class of 1918
1940 - John B. Keffer, Class of 1925
1939 - Cyril J. Burke, Class of 1917
1938 - M. Eugene Eichman, Class of 1914
1937 - F. Leo Lynch, Class of 1916
1936 - James P. Leaming, Class of 1910
1935 - Thomas M. Dalton, Class of 1912
1934 - Martin J. McLaughlin, Class of 1914
1933 - J. Stanley Smith, Esq., Class of 1893
1932 - Charles A. McGeehan, Class of 1912
VOLUNTEER AWARDS
The VUAA's Annual Volunteer Awards spotlight individuals and alumni volunteer groups that over the preceding year demonstrated excellence in a specific area of service to the Villanova community.
Distinguished Service Award
2024 Recipient: Arline Kerrigan ’90 CLAS
The Distinguished Service Award is presented to an alumnus/a who has diligently and faithfully served Villanova University for a minimum of five years.
Arline Kerrigan ’90 CLAS has significantly contributed to Villanova as the Club of Greater DC President for two terms, organizing events and overseeing the Club’s scholarship for local students. In the past five years, she has chaired her 30th Reunion Committee, served as an 1842 Day Ambassador to help reach regional fundraising goals and participated on the Public Policy Society committee.
2023 - Mike S. Gardner '67 CLAS
2022 - John Mastrocola '87, Dino Spadaccini '85 and Joe Silvestri '83
2020 - Katie Waters '98, McNulty Institute Advisory Council and Ed Barrett '90, '94 MBA, MBA Alumni Association
2019 - Bob Wright '94
2018 - Michael P. Gigliotti '70
2017 - Tom Sanzone '68
2016 - Katrina Ercole '86
2015 - John Igoe '63
2014 - Selma Koury Wunderlich '58
2013 - John Gartland '63
2012 - Rick Stieber '60
2011 - Art Furia '74
2010 - Francis “Chip” Moynihan ’70
2009 - Jim Judge '57
2006 - Anthony J. Villari '87 and Phillip J. Villari '85
2005 - John N. Happ '85
2004 - Fred Lanshe '57
2003 - Eugene Gordon '71
2002 - Frank Hinnenkamp '49
2001 - Richard J. Schleicher '57
2000 - Mary Packwood Cornell '84
1999 - Michael D. Kelly '66
1998 - Paul J. Dirnberger '68
1997 - Frank J. Miller, Jr. '59
Dr. Terry Nance Award for Inclusive Excellence
2024 Recipient: Hezekiah Lewis ’99, ‘02 CLAS
The Dr. Terry Nance Award for Inclusive Excellence is presented to an alumni organization or volunteer which has created an inclusive culture and has gone above and beyond in welcoming all Villanovans.
Hezekiah Lewis III ’99 CLAS, ’02 MA, is a strong advocate for DEI across campus and among alumni, mentoring students and fostering community engagement through his involvement with initiatives including Villanova University Black Alumni and Soul Food Sundays. As a tenured faculty member in Villanova’s Department of Communication, he co-leads the Social Justice Documentary Program and the Villanova on Set Immersion Program.
2023 - Thomas Keebler '84 VSB and Robert Courey '83 COE
2022 - Jules Jackson '03
2020 - DeVon Jackson '00, '03 MS, Villanova University Black Alumni (VUBA)
2019 - Tyonne Hinson '01 MSN
2018 - Jermaine Bromell '95
2017 - Louis Manon '97 and the Villanova University Black Alumni
Leadership Award
2024 Recipient: Katie Scanlon LeBlanc '84 VSB
The Leadership Award is presented to an alumni organization or volunteer in recognition of exemplary leadership in support of Villanova University.
As chair of her 40th Reunion Committee, Katie Scanlon LeBlanc '84 VSB brought her classmates together by organizing an impressive meet up attended by nearly 300 fellow Villanovans. As an 1842 Day Ambassador, she trains others on how to track and multiply their impact through the Villanova Volunteer Management System and encourages peer volunteerism, fostering community spirit with grace and empathy.
2023 - Calista Smith '99 CLAS
2022 - William Confoy '59 and Joy Vroman '90
2020 - Madeline Bialecki '82, '93 MA, Club of Michigan
2019 - Lindsey Kreisher '12 and John Reilly '89
2018 - Mike Filachek '12 MBA, President of the MBA Alumni Association
2017 - Antonia Allsman '96, Club of Greater Philadelphia
2016 - Matt Clark '10 MBA, MBA Alumni Association
2015 - Tim McGovern '04, Manhattan Chapter
2014 - Kelly Kolb '04, Houston Chapter
2013 - Brian Muscarella '80, Charlotte Chapter
2012 - Jerry Quinn '87, Greater Washington DC Chapter
2011 - Tim Reger '87, Chicago Chapter
2010 - Nursing Alumni Association Board
2009 - Matt O'Malley '04, Greater Philadelphia Chapter
2006 - Michael S. McGlinn '01, Fairfield/Westchester Chapter
2005 - Jeffrey F. Gostyla '90, Central Connecticut Chapter
2004 - Bill Donnell '77, Financial Club/Delta Tau Delta
2003 - Brian Atkinson '99, Greater Philadelphia Chapter
2002 - Greg Megan '79, Atlanta Chapter
2001 - Karen Seeger Keegan '88, Delaware Chapter
2000 - Laura M. Savino '94, Long Island Chapter
1999 - Albert C. Hurlbrink, Jr. '60, Tampa Bay Chapter
1998 - Kristina M. Barbone '74, Chester County Chapter
1997 - Laura J. Lesperance '87, Capital District Chapter