ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AWARDS

Alumni Awards Call for Nominations:

The 2026 cycle is now closed and will reopen in 2027. Recipients will be announced in the coming weeks. For questions, please contact alumni@villanova.edu.



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.

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

2026 Recipient: Tracy S. Brala ’90, VSB

Headshot of Tracy S. Brala ’90, VSB


 

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.

Read 2026 Press Release.
 

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

2025 - Patti Esposito  ’80 CLAS

2024 - Terry Delaney ’83 CLAS

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

2026 Recipient: Aminah Fawad ’15, VSB

Headshot of Aminah Fawad ’15, VSB


 

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. 

Read 2026 Press Release.
 

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

2025 - Ryan Siedlecki ’14 CLAS

2024 - Britney Davis ’15 COE

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

2026 Recipient: Jerry Quinn ’87 VSB

Jerry Quinn ’87 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

2025 -  Randy Foye ’06 CLAS

2024 - Kevin Curley '80 VSB

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

2026 Recipient: Gerry Klingman ’55, CLAS

Headshot of Gerry Klingman ’55, 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.

As founder and president of the Villanova Club of Jacksonville and North Florida, Gerry Klingman ’55 CLAS has dedicated decades to strengthening the Villanova alumni community through regional programming, scholarship support and alumni engagement. He has played an instrumental role in establishing an endowed club scholarship, provided leadership on regional scholarship committees and continues to serve on the Villanova Alumni Association Board. Through his sustained volunteer leadership, philanthropy and commitment to fostering lifelong connections among Villanovans, Gerry has made a lasting impact on the University and its alumni community.

 

2025 - Club of New York City

2024 - Arline Kerrigan '90 CLAS

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

2026 Recipient: Brian Muscarella ’80, VSB

Headshot of Brian Muscarella ’80, VSB


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.

Brian Muscarella ’80 VSB is a dedicated advocate for disability inclusion. A past president of the Club of Charlotte and former Alumni Association board member, he has worked closely with the LEVEL program in the Office for Access and Disability Services (ADS) to expand inclusive opportunities for Villanova’s disabled community. In recognition of his service, ADS honored Brian with the Fr. Bill Atkinson, OSA Humanitarian Award. Through his work as a peer mentor and fundraiser for the Adaptive Sports and Adventure Program (ASAP) in Charlotte, N.C., he continues to help foster a more inclusive culture within the disabled community.

2025 - Lionel Knight ’72 CLAS

2024 - Hezekiah Lewis '99, '02 CLAS

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

2026 Recipient: Julia Lanouette ’11, FCN

Headshot of Julia Lanouette ’11, FCN

The Leadership Award is presented to an alumni organization or volunteer in recognition of exemplary leadership in support of Villanova University.

As founding chair of the Fitzpatrick Alumni Board (FAB), Julia Lanouette ’11 FCN has played a transformative role in establishing and strengthening alumni engagement for the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing. She has helped shape and grow key traditions, such as Homecoming programming, served in leadership roles across multiple alumni boards, and partnered closely with the Office of Alumni Relations and the FCN leadership team to expand engagement opportunities for alumni across class years. Through her sustained volunteer leadership and commitment to community-building, she has helped create meaningful, lasting connections within the Villanova Nursing alumni network.

2025 - Paul Gladney ’04 CLAS

2024 - Katie Scanlon LeBlanc '84 VSB

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