See updates on our COVID-19 plans at aquinas.edu/saintstogether.
Alumni at Aquinas College
Outstanding Alumnus/a Award
We celebrate alumni who have made significant achievements and contributions to their profession and/or community at the annual Welcome Home Reception and Awards Celebration.
2021 Recipient
Joellyn Cicciarelli ’87
The Alumni Association Leadership Council honors Joellyn Cicciarelli ’87 with the Outstanding Alumnus Award. Joellyn is President and Publisher of Loyola Press. With 25+ years experience in publishing, she has created materials with media producers from around the world. Early in her career, Joellyn was editor for Fred Rogers of Mister Roger’s Neighborhood. She is an author of several children’s books and a preschool curriculum, and for the last 12 years has supervised teams at Loyola Press to develop dozens of award-winning books and media resources, including the New York Times Bestselling children’s book, Dear Pope Francis: The Pope Answers Questions from Children Around the World and the soon-to-be released Netflix docuseries based on the book Sharing the Wisdom of Time which features Pope Francis. She was an elementary school teacher in three states before entering publishing. Joellyn has been involved in parish ministry and volunteering throughout her adult life. She has been married to Paul Cicciarelli for 30 years and has two children.
Eligibility
- Only alumni of the College shall be eligible for the award. Recipients should have graduated 10 or more years prior to receiving the award.
- Recipients should display genuine leadership, dedication and service to others; they should exemplify the qualities of a Catholic, liberal arts education. Well-roundedness in aspects of career, family and community service are also considered.
- The selection committee looks for outstanding achievement in at least two of the three areas:
1. Excellence in academic/professional achievements;
2. Contribution to community/humanity;
3. Service to Aquinas College. - The Outstanding Alumnus/Alumna award shall be presented at the Awards Gala during Homecoming Weekend.
Past Recipients
Lyle Morrison ’52
1970 Honoree
Michael Deeb ’57
1971 Honoree
Jerome Byrne ’48
1972 Honoree
Sister Majorie Vangsness, O.P. ’38
1973 Honoree
Edward "Ned" Smith, Sr. ’61
1974 Honoree
Ricahrd Sedlecky ’51
1975 Honoree
Marcia Miller Clapp ’46
1976 Honoree
Robert Muller ’74
1978 Honoree
Lois Case ’50
1979 Honoree
Dr. John Stepanvich ’53
1980 Honoree
Jack Fortner ’59
1981 Honoree
Jacob Robinson ’57
1982 Honoree
Cheri Mann Seamon ’66
1983 Honoree
James Zawacki ’65
1984 Honoree
Jackie Deeb, Ph.D. ’57
1985 Honoree
Mike Cuncannan ’61
1986 Honoree
Gerald Burns ’67
1987 Honoree
Sister Agnes Thiel, O.P. ’61
1988 Honoree
Carol Duba Holm ’61
1989 Honoree
James McKay ’82
1990 Honoree
Patrick Quinn ’58
1991 Honoree
Dr. Vernon Ambrustmacher ’60
1992 Honoree
Debra Bailey ’83
1993 Honoree
Timothy McGuire ’71
1993 Honoree
Ken Neyer ’67
1994 Honoree
Patti (Blaesser) Tibaldi ’73
1995 Honoree
Honorable Dennis Leiber ’69
1996 Honoree
Joseph Hansknecht ’50
Mary Beth Hansknecht ’50 †
1997 Honoree
Sister Rosemary O’Donnell, O.P. ’61
1997 Honoree
Ruth Rasmus Eberhard ’36
1998 Honoree
Greg Alksnis ’71
1999 Honoree
Linda Nemec Foster ’72
Tony Foster, M.D. ’73
2000 Honoree
Timothy McGuire ’71
2001 Honoree
Patricia (Bissonette) Dignan, Ed.D. ’63
2002 Honoree
Mary T. Meistas, M.D. ’71 †
2002 Honoree
Percy L. Brown ’87
2003 Honoree
Rosemary (Hickey) Zant ’58
2004 Honoree
Juan Olivarez ’71, Ph.D.
2005 Honoree
Bridgadier General Jim Bruson ’71
2006 Honoree
Paul Winchester ’75
2007 Honoree
Ed Wagner ’61
2008 Honoree
James L. Farris ’96
2009 Honoree
Jack ’60 and Rita (Hasse ’60) Kirkwood
2010 Honorees
Monique Salinas Stauffer ’78, Ph.D.
2011 Honoree
Bonnie Wesorick ’77
2012 Honoree
Alfred H. Liu. AIA, NCARB ’65
Lisa H. Mitchell ’78
2013 Honorees
Brad D. Smith, M.M. ’91
2014 Honoree
Jacqueline D. Taylor ’80, Ph.D.
2014 Honoree
Louis ’31 and Florence Hogan Burns
2017 Honorees
Matt Coty ’89
2019 Honoree
Dennis Echelbarger ’64
2019 Honoree