Washington, D.C.—Seven outstanding supporters of Catholic Education and one long-time educator received 2005 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Awards during the National Catholic Educational Association’s (NCEA) fifteenth annual awards dinner and ceremony Oct. 3. Seven students from Catholic schools also received Seton scholarships in honor of the award recipients.

William S. Conway, executive vice president of marketing and corporate communications for Mutual of America Life Insurance Company, was chairman of the 2005 event, which drew more than 500 people to the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center in Washington, D.C.

The Seton award is NCEA’s highest honor, given in recognition of significant philanthropic or leadership contributions to Catholic education. The award is named in honor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774-1821), who is regarded by many as the founder of the U.S. Catholic school network.

Seton Award Recipients

Cardinal Edward Egan

As vicar for education during the late 1980s and as archbishop since 2000, Cardinal Edward Egan has provided strong leadership in seeking financial and practical support for the archdiocese’s 281 Catholic elementary and secondary schools.

The cardinal has encouraged programs that enhance Catholic education and strengthen quality academic programs. This has resulted in intensified, grant-supported mathematics training for elementary school teachers and the creation of opportunities for professional growth designed to enhance classroom instruction. As metropolitan for the eight Roman Catholic dioceses of New York State, Cardinal Egan has been an outspoken supporter of state and national aid to parents whose children attend Catholic schools.

Cardinal Egan directed the writing and publication of “Every Parent Every Child: A Pastoral Statement on Parental Rights in Education” in 2002. The document concluded: “Only when a family is respected and supported in public policy, will we break the shackles of despair and fully realize the rights and freedoms endowed by our Creator and guaranteed by our Constitution.”

Cardinal Egan was consecrated a bishop in 1985 and served as auxiliary bishop and vicar for education for the Archdiocese of New York. He was installed as bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport, Conn., in 1988 and served there until 2000, when Pope John Paul II appointed him archbishop of New York. A year later he was elevated to the College of Cardinals.

Jacques and Blanche Moore

Born and educated from elementary school through college in Philadelphia’s Catholic schools, Jacques and Blanche Moore have spent their adult lives promoting Catholic education from kindergarten through the seminary.

Throughout the past decade, the couple has been involved with Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary. In 1998, when the Mount began a major campaign to construct an addition to the seminary building, Mr. Moore personally dedicated his time, energy and resources to ensure the campaign’s success and completion of the construction in record time. Mr. Moore’s passion and commitment were instrumental in raising more than $4 million in less than a year.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Moore are involved in yet another form of Catholic education through their support of the Catholic Distance University, established in 1983 to serve those who wish to deepen their understanding of the Catholic faith using distance learning techniques and technologies.

Mr. Moore is a successful entrepreneur, having built an impressive Cadillac dealership in Vienna, Va. Mrs. Moore is a born leader, and through her impressive service to the church, the arts and the symphony has left an impact for those who follow. Chestnut Hill College recognized the Moore’s service and leadership by awarding them doctor of law degrees in May 2002.

Charles M. Pigott

Charles Pigott was born and raised in Seattle, Wash. He graduated from St. Anthony’s Grade School and Lakeside High School and, after serving four years as a plane commander in the Navy, completed his bachelor of science degree in engineering at Stanford University.

Following his graduation from Stanford, he worked as an engineer in the Kenworth truck factory and then worked for PACCAR, a producer of heavy trucks founded in 1906 by his grandfather. He became company president in 1965 and CEO in 1967.

Mr. Pigott has led numerous fundraising drives for Catholic education, served as a trustee for Lakeside School and Stanford University and donated personally, or through foundations he controlled, millions of dollars to Seattle-area Catholic high schools and universities.

Today on a walk through the Seattle University campus, one would see the William Pigott Building (named after his grandfather), the PACCAR Atrium, and the Pigott Auditorium. One would discover the important contributions the Pigott family and PACCAR have made to St. Ignatius Chapel, the university’s Student Center building and the PACCAR Professorship in Mechanical Engineering.

Gerald and Henrietta Rauenhorst

Gerald and Henrietta Rauenhorst are people of a deep faith that guides and inspires their personal and professional lives.

As founding chairman of Opus Corporation, Mr. Rauenhorst has exemplified the highest ideals and practices of ethical leadership throughout his very extensive and successful business career. The son of a Minnesota tenant farmer, he, with the help of his wife, Henrietta, has built one of the largest construction and development firms in the United States. In addition to countless buildings and renovations undertaken on Catholic college campuses, ranging from The College of St. Catherine and the University of St. Thomas to Marquette University and Creighton University, Mr. and Mrs. Rauenhorst’s quiet generosity and firm commitment to their Catholic faith have played a major role in strengthening these colleges as outstanding examples of Catholic education at its best.

During it all, the Rauenhorsts deliberately stayed out of the limelight, quietly conducting their corporate, spiritual, personal and philanthropic lives with integrity, intellect, ethics, foresight, ingenuity and generosity. In keeping with their modesty, most of their philanthropy has been anonymous.

James F. Will

James Frederick Will is the product of Western Pennsylvania and several Catholic schools. With the encouragement of his parish priest, he attended Saint Vincent College and Penn State University, earning a degree in electrical engineering. Later he earned a master’s degree in business administration from Duquesne University. He began his business career with U.S. Steel in 1961and in 1972 changed career paths to become director of the adolescent program at the Pressley Ridge School for troubled youth.

Two years later, he joined Miami Industries as plant manager and then in 1974 moved to California with the Kaiser Steel Corporation, where he became president and chief operating officer in 1981. A year later, he was named executive vice president at Cyclops Industries and, in 1989, he became president and chief executive officer. He served as chairman, president and CEO of Armco Inc. from 1992 to 1999.

After years of service to his alma mater on the Board of Directors, including four as chairman, Mr. Will was named the 15th president and first lay president of Saint Vincent College in 2000. Declining to take a salary as president, he has given back the money to be placed in a scholarship fund for needy students that now amounts to more than a half million dollars.

President’s Award

The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton President’s Award is being presented for the first time this year. The award recognizes a teacher who has challenged and transformed educators to reach a higher level of professionalism.

Sister Mary Peter Traviss, OP

Dominican Sister Mary Peter Traviss has given her life to Catholic education, working tirelessly to raise the level of scholarship and professionalism in schools and catechetical programs through the incorporation of research. She served as a teacher, principal and director of education for her community but her experience has taken took her beyond her religious community to the regional, national and international levels. She has directed workshops for faculties, parishes and dioceses in Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa and the Americas.

She joined the faculty of the Institute for Catholic Educational Leadership at the University of San Francisco in 1984 and became director of the program in 1989. As director, she guided numerous students to the completion of their doctoral studies. Since her retirement as director in 2005 she continues to serve the institute as a faculty member and as director emerita.

Sister is a founding member of the journal, “Catholic Education: A Journal of Inquiry and Practice” and a frequent contributor to meetings and publications.

Seton Scholars

A scholarship is presented in the name of each Seton recipient to a student from a school of the honoree’s choosing. The scholarship recipients attend the ceremony to accept their scholarship in person.

William Cantine

Cardinal Edward Egan Scholar

At age 16, William Cantine is one of the youngest seniors at Cardinal Spellman High School in the New York City. He is an exceptional math student who maintains a high level of involvement in the classroom and a high grade point average. He is a role model to two younger siblings and plans to pursue a career in architecture.

Antonio Cheatom

James F. Will Scholar

Antonio Cheatom is six years old and in the first grade at St. Benedict the Moor School, Pittsburgh, Pa. Antonio’s favorite subjects are religion and science. He hopes to become a teacher because there are only two men teachers at his school and he would like to be the third.

Malcolm Friend

Charles M. Pigott Scholar

Malcolm Friend is in the eighth grade at St. Paul School, Seattle, Wash. He is an outstanding academic performer who also enjoys writing, drawing and playing basketball. His school principal describes him as having a sincere quiet humility and decency well beyond his years.

Jenna Kalb

Gerald and Henrietta Rauenhorst Scholar

Jenna Kalb is in the eighth grade at Our Lady of Grace School, Edina, Minn. She is a member of the Middle School Honor Roll that recognizes not only academic achievement but also exemplary character. An avid sport enthusiast, she received the National Physical Fitness Award.

Rev. Mr. Jamie Workman

Jacques and Blanche Moore Scholar

The first seminarian to receive a Seton scholarship, Deacon Jamie Workman is a fourth year theology student at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md. He has maintained high grades throughout his graduate studies and is active in both seminary and community projects. He will be ordained a priest for the Diocese of Arlington in 2006.

Michael J. Guerra Seton Scholars

Upon the retirement of former NCEA president Michael J. Guerra, the association board of directors established two Seton scholar awards in his name.

Alexandra Jones

Michael J. Guerra Scholar

Alexandra Jones is in the eighth grade at Holy Trinity School in Washington, D.C. She consistently is on the honor roll and works hard in a number of service capacities at the school. She is a voracious reader who also enjoys swimming, playing soccer and participating in the school’s Shakespeare Club.

Karen Campion

Michael J. Guerra Scholar

Karen Campion is a junior at Visitation Preparatory School in Washington, D.C., where she is leader of the Model United Nations. She participated in Visitation’s first international service trip to Peru and helps with local service projects. She received the Margaret Mary Spirit Award, the school’s highest honor.