--- title: "Joseph J. Gunn Alumni Medal" url: "/alumni/alumni-society/joseph-j-gunn-alumni-medal" type: page date: 2026-06-05 updated: 2026-06-05 --- # Joseph J. Gunn Alumni Medal ## Joseph J. Gunn Alumni Medal Image ![Image of 2026 Gunn Medal Award Winner](/sites/default/files/styles/original_aspect_ratio_400/public/media/2026-06/AV6A8817.jpg?itok=vfcsh0a2) The Joseph J. Gunn Alumni Medal is awarded each year to a *graduating senior* who has made the most significant overall contribution to Manhattan University during his or her undergraduate years, with an emphasis on excellence, leadership and service. Many consider this to be the most prestigious award given each year. A nominee must possess clear and convincing evidence of character, maturity and leadership in the following areas: - Extracurricular activities - Co-curricular activities - Off-campus activities - Academic accomplishments The awardee is selected by a joint committee of faculty and alumni and is presented annually by the president of the Alumni Society at the Spring Honors Convocation. For 2026, Manhattan University awarded the Joseph J. Gunn ’30 Alumni Medal to William Walker (pictured), a senior in the University’s Kakos School of Arts and Sciences. ## Nominations In order to be considered for the Gunn Medal, a student must be nominated by a member of the faculty, staff or administration. Each nomination should briefly state the specific reasons why the nominee is worthy of consideration for the Gunn Medal. The nomination forms will be attached to the student’s Gunn Medal application and distributed to the selection committee. Your reasons for nominating a particular student will therefore become an important part of the student’s application package. Nominations will be kept in the strictest of confidence. Students will be informed of their nomination directly by the chairperson of the selection committee. Joseph J. Gunn Alumni Medal Recipients by Class Year Joseph J. Gunn Alumni Medal recipients by class yearClass YearGunn Medal Recipient1983Ms. Jeanne Barro1984Rev. Christopher J. Posch, OFM1985Mr. John H. Meyers1986Ms. Marie D'Alessandro1987Mrs. Maura F. (Ollo) Fitzmorris1987Mr. Miguel Lopez1988Mr. Joseph G. Brosnan, Esq.1989Mrs. Suzanne Donaghy1990Ms. Lucy Snellinger1991Not listed1992Mrs. Kathleen M. Torres1993Dr. Maria E. Lamicella-DiCarlo1994Rev. Eugene R. Hamilton1995Mr. Thomas J. Phelan1996Mrs. Rosemarie Coppola-Baldwin, Esq.1997Ms. Jo Anne Cifu1998Mr. Timothy M. Lee1999Mr. James A. Karcher2000John H. Mark, Esq.2001Mr. Eugene Jaconetti2002Ms. Jennifer Frankola2003Ms. Christine Prizeman2004Ms. Tutti Touray2005Mr. Michael Brady2006Ms. Caryn Capalbo2007Mr. Paul A. Avvento2008Mr. Andrew L. Elbrecht2009Ms. Mary Morgan2010Ms. Catherine Calogero2011Mr. Michael J. Borger2012Ms. Christina Costas2013Mr. Christopher Bednarz2014Ms. Kathleen White2015Ms. Kelly Douglas and Ms. Grace Hoffman, awarded ex aequo2016Ms. Natalie Heinitz2017Mr. Christopher J. Hoey2018Ms. Alannah Boyle2019Ms. Emma Kaishian2020Ms. Ellen Farrelly2021Ms. Nadia Itani and Mr. Matthew Sweeney, awarded ex aequo2022Ms. Eunice Nazar2023Ms. Alixandria James2024Mr. Connor Hapward2025Mr. Joseph Brennan2026Mr. William Walker Intro above Accordion Basic (no borders) white 1 ## Office of Alumni Relations ### Mailing Address Manhattan University Attn: Office of Alumni Relations 4513 Manhattan College Parkway Riverdale, NY 10471 ### Campus Address Memorial Hall, Room 100 ### Contact Phone: [(718) 862-7432](tel:+17188627432) Email: ### Office Hours Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. light 1 Joseph J. Gunn Alumni Medal honors a Manhattan University graduating senior for outstanding excellence, leadership, service and campus contributions.