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In This Section
- Alumni Events
- Alumni & Friends
- Supporting Saint Vincent
- Giving Opportunities
- Forward, Always Forward
- Recognizing Our Donors
- Alumni of Distinction
- Athletic Hall of Fame
- Alumni Services
- Alumni Council
- 1846: The Magazine of Saint Vincent College
- Journey Forward
- Prep School
- Homecoming and Fall Family Weekend
- Alumni Referral Program
- Recognition Events
Alumni of Distinction
Each year, Saint Vincent College recognizes alumni who have made significant contributions to society, and whose accomplishments, affiliations and careers have honored the legacy of our institution. This honor illustrates the great Benedictine values of the academic experience and increases the pride alumni, students, staff and faculty have for Saint Vincent College.
The Alumni of Distinction Awardees are selected annually by the Saint Vincent Selection Committee and the awards are presented to alumni with significant contributions to their school, community and/or country in areas including:
- Professional achievement
- Church/religious involvement
- Community/civic involvement
- Educational achievements
- Honors or awards
- Leadership positions
- Ethical/humanitarian efforts
- Personal/family accomplishments
Make a Nomination for the Alumni of Distinction
Alumni & Friends
CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS YEAR'S AWARDEES
Dr. Thomas J. Antos, C'65
Alumnus of Distinction
Dr. Thomas J. Antos graduated from Saint Vincent College in 1965 with a degree in biology and earned his MD from Hahnemann Medical College in 1969. He completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh, where he went on to serve as chief of the Division of Internal Medicine and Senior Active Staff. In addition to a distinguished medical career, Dr. Antos held academic appointments at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and UPMC Presbyterian, where he served as a clinical assistant professor of medicine and honorary/emeritus staff. He supervised house staff physicians and mentored students and residents in both inpatient and outpatient settings. A US Army Reserves Medical Corps veteran, Dr. Antos achieved the rank of captain during his service from 1969 to 1977. He is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and has been an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Geriatric Society and the Allegheny County Medical Society, where he served on the Board of Directors. Dr. Antos has combined his medical expertise with a deep commitment to service, volunteering with the Catholic Charities Free Health Care Center since 2009. He has received honors including “Volunteer of the Year” at The Neighborhood Academy and has been named one of Pittsburgh’s Top Doctors. Dr. Antos credits Saint Vincent with laying the foundation for his professional journey and personal values. He and his wife, Patricia, have been married for 59 years and have four daughters and eleven grandchildren.
Cheryl A. Harper, C’88, G’08
Alumna of Distinction
Cheryl A. Harper is an award-winning physics educator and STEM advocate who has spent over three decades teaching at Greensburg Salem High School. A 1988 Saint Vincent College graduate with a double major in physics and mathematics, she returned to SVC to earn a master’s in curriculum and instruction in 2008. She is known for her creative, compassionate teaching style and her commitment to building inclusive, hands-on science education. Cheryl has taught a wide range of advanced physics courses, including AP Physics 1 and 2, Honors Modern Physics, Astrophysics, and Kennametal Young Engineers. She serves as board chair of the Contemporary Physics Education Project, where she develops curriculum materials and leads national teacher-training workshops. She has also worked as a teacher fellow at Saint Vincent and currently serves on the Advisory Council for the Herbert W. Boyer School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Computing. Her achievements include the Greensburg Salem Great Teacher Award, the Keivin Burns Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Science and recognition from the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics. She has secured numerous grants to enhance classroom learning and continues to publish and present on physics education nationally. A passionate mentor, Cheryl advises the National Honor Society at Greensburg Salem and helped launch GS Threads, a no-cost thrift store for students and families. Her approach to education reflects her belief that every student has potential waiting to be unlocked. Cheryl and her husband, Rick, are proud parents of two adult children: Thomas, a geophysicist, and Jessica, a professional athlete, physical therapist, and Saint Vincent alumna. For Cheryl, teaching is more than a career: it’s a calling to inspire growth, curiosity and kindness.
James Ryan, C’70
Alumnus of Distinction
James B. Ryan is a retired manufacturing executive, Broadway producer, and longtime community leader. After earning a degree in economics from Saint Vincent College in 1970, Jim co-founded Windfall Products, Inc., a manufacturing firm that became the largest supplier of powdered metal components to General Motors. Under his leadership, the company expanded to four plants, reaching $80 million in revenue and national industry recognition. In 2001, Jim joined two of his cousins in founding The Araca Group, a Broadway production company. As an associate producer, he has helped bring more than 30 productions to life on Broadway and internationally, including “Wicked,” “Urinetown” and “The Outsiders.” Jim has also served on the boards of several organizations, including CNB Financial Corporation, where he was a director for nearly two decades. His civic involvement spans healthcare, education, economic development and youth programming, including leadership roles with Penn Highlands Health, the Elk County Community Foundation and the Bucktail Council of the Boy Scouts of America. A passionate cyclist for more than 40 years, Jim has competed in regional races and still rides between 4,000–5,000 miles annually. Since 2000, he and his wife, Eileen, have taken 20 tandem cycling tours through Santana Adventures, biking through destinations like the Danube, the Mekong, the Columbia and Snake Rivers, and across countries including Japan, Australia, Norway and the Baltics. Jim credits Saint Vincent with giving him the confidence to pursue entrepreneurial risk and to overcome fear of failure. He and Eileen, who met during an SVC football game, have been married for 55 years and continue to support charitable efforts through their family foundation.
Gordon E. Scherer, C’65
Alumnus of Distinction
Gordon E. Scherer is a certified public accountant with over four decades of experience in public accounting and financial leadership. After earning his degree from Saint Vincent College in 1965, he spent 42 years in the field, rising to managing partner at a regional public accounting firm in Pittsburgh. Upon retiring from public accounting, he became chief financial officer of a multinational telecommunications company providing audio, video and internet conferencing services. A leader in his profession, Gordon served as president of both the Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs and the organization’s Pittsburgh chapter. He held multiple committee leadership roles, frequently presented at professional conferences and was an active member of the governing council of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). His national service includes adjudicating matters of professional conduct as part of the AICPA’s Joint Trial Board and advocating for small firms as part of the Technical Issues Committee and the Private Companies Practice Section Executive Committee. He also served on the board of CPA Associates International, a global association of independent CPA firms. In addition to his professional work, Gordon taught as an adjunct professor at both the Community College of Allegheny County and Penn State. He has also served his parish community as a lector and president of the parish council at North American Martyrs in Monroeville. Gordon and his wife, Jo Anne, recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. They have three children and two grandchildren, with whom they enjoy spending time.
Thomas E. Will, C'65
Alumnus of Distinction
Thomas E. Will graduated from Saint Vincent College in 1965 with a degree in economics. He began his career with General Foods Corporation in Washington, DC, eventually advancing to national sales planning at the company’s headquarters in White Plains, New York. He later held managerial roles in Atlanta and Kansas City before being recruited by The Clorox Company in 1973. At Clorox, he served as western zone manager and was promoted to national sales planning manager. In 1977, Tom accepted a position as director of new business development at Borden Foods in Columbus, Ohio. After more than a decade in corporate leadership, he co-founded The Ram Group in 1980, which is a national sales and marketing consulting firm. As president and managing partner, he built the company to 35 employees across six regional offices, serving major clients including Hershey, Scotts Miracle-Gro, White Castle, Warner-Lambert and ConAgra Foods. Tom retired in 2011 after more than 45 years in the consumer products industry. He and his wife, Kathy, split their time between Columbus and their winter home in Fort Myers. They have three adult children and nine grandchildren. Tom credits Saint Vincent with instilling values that guided his personal and professional life. He recalls formative moments from his student years, including the aftermath of a campus fire and the collective mourning following President Kennedy’s assassination. He especially cherishes the mentorship of Fr. Armand-Jean Baldwin, O.S.B., P'35, C'40, S'44, and the lifelong friendship he shared with fellow Bearcat, Austin Noll, C'65. Tom returns to SVC regularly for retreats and reunions—where, as he says, “the special feeling of returning never ends.”
Past Awardees
2024
Alumni of Distinction
Marianne Reid Anderson C’87, Adrienne M. Geis, C’89, Joe Hoffman, C’78, Jeffrey Hoover, C’79, Daniel P. Lynch, C’89, William A. Ramos, C’64, Ronald G. Rosemeier, P’70, C’74
2023
Alumni of Distinction
Tiffany Gilbert, C'03, Michael Keslar, C'80, Jennifer Miele, C'00, Vincent P. Morris, C'70, David J. Novak, C'83, Dr. Louis S. Vodzak, C'58, Jack Wilson, C'68
2022
Alumni of Distinction
Jefffrey P. Holtzman, C'77, Charles "Charlie" Cleveland, C'72, Dr. Dana Winters, C'06, W. Richard "Dick" Howe, C'67, M. Robert "Bob" Racko, C'68, John J. Hutchinson, Jr., C'67, Timothy J. Waxenfelter, C'69
2021
Alumni of Distinction
Eugene A. Dolecki, C'63, Eileen K. Flinn, Esq., C'90, Kristi L. Lengyel, C'96, Albert J. Novak, Jr., C'81, Geno F. Peluso, Esq., C'77
2020
Jeffery D. Ansell, C'90, Dr. William A. DiCuccio, C'70, Mark W. Durishan, C'70, Paul P. Giunto, C'70, John P. McCann, C'70, Dr. Paul F. Moersdorf, C'70
2019
Alumni of Distinction
Dr. Leonard C. Burrello, C' 64, Atty. Kimberly M. Colonna, C'94, Atty. Arthur T. Downey, C'59, Deacon William J. Hisker, Ph.D., C'69, William G. Laird, C'69, Judge Robert J. Lesnick, C'74, Dr. Richard C. Miller, C'79, John R. Perchak III, C'69, Dr. Richard S. Sepesy, C'52
Recent Alumnus/a Achievement Award
Alexandria C. Simmons, C'10, Jason M. Winters, C'04
2018
Jolene H. Bogner, C'88, Francis R. Bradley, C'58, Atty. Kevin J. Coakley, C'68, Reverend Kevin J. Dominik, S'88, Daniel W. Jamieson, C'68, Dr. Peter C. Juliano, C'63, Dr. Frank W. Mocek, C'83, James B. Pieffer, C'83, Dr. Michael A. Polechko, C'68
Recent Alumnus/a Achievement Award
Lloyd M. Cheatom, C'09, C'13
2017
Anthony R. Barbato, C'05, G'09, G'12, Aliesha M. (Pocratsky) Walz, C'07
2016
Recent Alumnus/a Achievement Award
Amanda M. Newcomer, C'04, Ryan D. Retter, C'08
2015
†James W. Baumbach, C'65, The Honorable N. Peter Conforti, C'65, Jackie R. Dimun-Marchyshyn, J.D., C'90, Stephen M. Gates, C'90, Joseph M. Hohman, C'70, Richard A. Memo, M.D., C'67, Frank R. Nelson, Jr., C'70, Atty. Joseph W. O'Toole, C'60, Gerald L. Winkeljohn, C'85
Recent Alumnus/a Achievement Award
Stephanie (Hewitson) Watkins, C'05
2014
2013
Recent Alumnus/a Achievement Award
2012
†Augustus A. Boova, P'42, C'47, James P. Carreras, Jr., C'62, Amanda Cecconi, C'87, †Rev. Msgr. William G. Charnoki, J.C.L., C'61, S'65, Lee R. Demosky, Esq., C'92, Very Rev. Earl J. Henry, O.S.B., P'55, C'60, S'64, John M. Lally, C.P.A., C'77, Atty. Daniel W. Piccuta II, C'77, John L. Tarka, C'67
Recent Alumnus/a Achievement Award
Shawn T. Beaman, M.D., C'98
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
Atty. Joseph C. Bartolacci, C'82, Capt. Gerard “Jerry” L. Becker, C'77, Celine R. (Haas) Brudnok, C'90, Atty. Gregory C. Fajt, C'77, Neil M. Larimer, C'55, Arthur H. Meehan, Jr., C'57, Rev. Frank E. Ziemkiewicz, O.S.B., S'84
Recent Alumnus/a Achievement Award
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
Bruce A. Antkowiak, J.D., C'74, †Rev. Gilbert J. Burke, O.S.B., P'53, C'58, S'62, Capt. Joseph J. D'Amato, C'57, John S. Hudock, P'50, C'54
Recent Alumnus/a Achievement Award
2001
2000
1999
1998
Alumni of DistinctionFrederick R. Favo, P'51, Robert J. Hartsock, M.D., C'52, †Joseph S. Schuchert, P'46, Clyde G. Smith, C'68, †Roy F. Walters, Jr., C'53
1997
Alumni of DistinctionHerman K. Dupré, C'53, D'98, Walter C. Labys, Ph.D., P'55, Atty. Frank C. McLaughlin, Jr., C'57, James K. Ramsay, D.M.D., C'72
1996
Alumni of Distinction†Rev. Albert C. Bickerstaff, O.S.B., P'58, C'63, S'67, †The Honorable Guido J. Casari, Jr., P'52, C'56, Edward P. Heinrichs, D.M.D., C'68, Jay Paul A. Murray III, C'79, Most Rev. William J. Winter, C'52, S 56
1995
Alumni of DistinctionThe Honorable Lloyd A. Casey, C'50, Thomas M. Kissell, C'51, †Charles G. Manoli, Sr., P'45, C'51, H'05, Donald J. Mullineaux, Ph.D., P'63, C'67, †Joseph H. Robino, P'36, C'40, †Rev. Louis S. Sedlacko, O.S.B., P'35, C'40, S'44, William C. Smith II, O.D., C'75
1994
Alumni of DistinctionRichard A. Gosser, C'71, John P. Hogan, Ph.D., C'61, S'65, Rev. Vernon A. Holtz, O.S.B., C 58, S'62, Atty. James J. McGovern, C'67, Joseph F. Sinkey, Jr., Ph.D., C'66
1993
Alumni of Distinction†James T. Helsper, M.D., C'45, †Rev. Joel R. Lieb, O.S.B., P'38, C'43, S'46, Mark Rossi, C'78, †Angelo J. Taiani, C'48
1992
Alumni of Distinction†Andrew J. Cerne, M.D., C'46, †Samuel A. Folby, Sr., P'38, Stanley J. Kabala, Ph.D., C'72, Clark J. LaMendola, P'58, C'62, Rt. Rev. Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., P'63, C'68, S'72, D'95, Richard M. Ryan, C'67, †Perry C. Smith, Jr., M.D., P'46, C'50, James J. Valvano, C'55
1991
Alumni of Distinction†J. Wray Connolly, Jr., P'51, C'55, Charles F. Keller, Ph.D., C'61, †Dr. Gene E. McDonald, C'43, D'96, James J. Ragan, Ph.D., C'66, D'90, †Eugene J. Sujkowski, Jr., C'61
1990
Alumni of Distinction†Francis L. Cain, P'32, †Robert S. Carey, P'63, Wilbur W. Castor, Ph.D., P'54, C'59, †Most Rev. Nicholas C. Dattilo, C'54, S'58, Ross F. DiMarco, Jr., M.D., C'69, †Patrick F. Mooney, Ph.D., P'40, C 44, Anselmo Perez, P'48, C 52, Sabato A. Stile, M.D., C'65
1989
Alumni of Distinction†William T. Duckworth, C'50, †John F. Jackovitz, Ph.D., C'61, †Wallace J. Mulligan, M.D., P'53, C'57, †Rt. Rev. Robert D. Rowley, Jr., P'59, †Rev. Paulinus J. Selle, O.S.B., P'31, C'36, D'92
1988
Alumni of Distinction†Rev. Godfrey F. Burkhardt, O.S.B., P'37, C'42, S'45, †Robert A. Seabol, C'47, †Leo I. Smith, P'46, C'49
†Andrew B. Vahaly, C'53
1987
Alumni of Distinction†James K. Holder, C'70, D'92, †Regis M. Maher, M.D., P'28, C'32, Leo R. West, P'46, C'51
1986
Alumni of DistinctionJose A. Arroyo-Aguilu, Ph.D., C'52, †Most Rev. Norbert F. Gaughan, Ph.D., C 42, S'45, †The Honorable Joseph A. Hudock, P'55, C'59, Joseph J. Rubino, C'50, D'93, Charles J. Tripoli, M.D., C'52, †John B. Zappone, C'37
1985
Alumni of Distinction†Joseph E. Bartos, M.D., P'41, C'48, †Rev. Aelred J. Beck, O.S.B., P'40, S'48, C'45, †Rev. Roland L. Heid, O.S.B., P'32, C'37, S'41, †M. Daniel Henry, J.D., C'62, †Frank J. Luparello, M.D., C'49, D'87, Arthur J. Rooney, Jr., C'57
1984
Alumni of Distinction†The Honorable Hugh C. Boyle, P'22, †Ralph J. Caparosa, M.D., C'44, †Rev. Demetrius R. Dumm, O.S.B., P'40, C'45, S 48, †Bertin L. Emling, O.S.B., P'26, C'31, S'35, †Rev. Msgr. Paul A. Lenz, C'46, S'49, D'95
1983
Alumni of Distinction†Rev. Armand-Jean Baldwin, O.S.B., P'35, C'40, S'44, †Francis R. Perri, M.D., P'43, C'49, D'88, †Rev. Quentin L. Schaut, O.S.B., C'23, S'27, D'66, †Rev. Fintan R. Shoniker, O.S.B., C'38, S'42, †George E. Sweeney, D.D.S., C'36, Most Rev. Rembert G. Weakland, O.S.B., L.H.D., P'44, C'48, S'51, D'87
1982
Alumni of Distinction†Rev. Edmund Cuneo, O.S.B., P'21, C'26, S'30, †Rev. Maximilian Duman, O.S.B., P'26, C'32, S'36, †Erwin C. Hartung, P'32, C'36, †Gervase F. Nealon, P'19, †Rev. E. Charles Patterson, P'21, C'25, S'29, D'86, †Rev. Cyril A. Vlossak, O.S.B., P'22, C'27, S'30