--- title: "Distinguished Lasallian Awards" url: "/offices/mission/distinguished-lasallian-awards" type: page date: 2026-06-08 updated: 2026-06-08 --- # Distinguished Lasallian Awards ## Distinguished Lasallian Awards The presentation of Distinguished Lasallians of the Year Awards is one of the highlights of the annual convocations of the faculty, staff and administrators. In addition, the Distinguished Lasallians of the Year are recognized on the regional and international level by the District of Eastern North America ([DENA](http://www.fscdena.org/)) of the Brothers of the Christian Schools and the North American Region of Lasallians ([RELAN](http://lasallian.info/)) respectively. [Submit a Nomination](/offices/mission/distinguished-lasallian-awards/submit-nomination) ## What Do the Awards Represent? Established in 1987, each year as part of the global Lasallian educational movement, Manhattan University [seeks nominations for our Distinguished Lasallians of the Year](/offices/mission/distinguished-lasallian/submit-nomination). The award is named for Saint John Baptist de La Salle, patron saint of teachers, educational innovator, and founder of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, commonly known as De La Salle Christian Brothers. Manhattan University was founded by the Brothers in 1853 and owes its distinctively unique Lasallian heritage to the first founding Brothers and the many Brothers, faculty, staff and administrators who have since served the University. ## Who Are Distinguished Lasallians? Distinguished Lasallians are people who exemplify the highest of Lasallian values to students, colleagues and community members. They are persons of faith who teach by example and give life to the Lasallian values that animate and sustain the core identity that inspires the mission of Manhattan University as a Lasallian Catholic university. Award Recipients Each year, a faculty member, a staff member and an administrative employee are presented with a Distinguished Lasallian Award for embodying the spirit of St. John Baptist de La Salle and advancing the Lasallian mission of the University through their work. Here, we recognize recent and past award recipients for their contribution to the Manhattan University community. - List of Faculty Recipients Distinguished Lasallian Faculty RecipientsYear AwardedRecipientDepartment1987-88Dr. Francis B. TaylorMath/Computer Science1988-89Rev. Anthony L. RubsysReligious Studies1989-90Dr. Robert V. ThomannCivil/Environmental Engineering1990-91Dr. J. Carl BennettKinesiology1991-92Dr. William Patrick CainComputer Information Systems1992-93[Dr. Mary Ann Groves](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Mary%20Ann%20Groves.pdf)Sociology1993-94[Br. Robert C. Berger](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Br.%20Robert%20C.%20Berger.pdf)Religious Studies1994-95[Dr. Elizabeth M. Kosky](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Elizabeth%20M.%20Kosky.pdf)Education1995-96[Dr. Thomas J. Smith](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Thomas%20J.%20Smith.pdf)Math/Computer Science1996-97[Dr. John R. Wilcox](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/John%20R.%20Wilcox.pdf)Religious Studies1997-98[Dr. Nevart E. Wanger](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Nevart%20E.%20Wanger.pdf)MFL/Study Abroad1998-99[Dr. Faraj Abulahad](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Faraj%20Abulahad.pdf)Economics/Finance1999-00[Dr. Walker Saukin](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Walker%20Saukin.pdf)Civil/Environmental Engineering2000-01[Dr. William Merriman](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/William%20Merriman.pdf)Dean of Education2001-02[Dr. Rosemary Carroll Farley](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Rosemary%20Carroll%20Farley.pdf)Math/Computer Science2002-03\*[Dr. Karen Nicholson](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Karen%20Nicholson.pdf)Graduate Education2002-03\*[Dr. Zella Kahn-Jetter](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Zella%20Kahn-Jetter.pdf)Mechanical Engineering2002-03\*[Professor Alfred Manduley](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Alfred%20Manduley.pdf)Marketing/Management2002-03\*[Dr. William Tramontano](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/William%20Tramontano.pdf)Biology2002-03\*[Dr. Winsome Downie](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Winsome%20Downie.pdf)Government2003-04[Dr. Lydia Panaro](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Lydia%20Panaro.pdf)English2004-05[Dr. Moujalli Hourani](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Moujalli%20Hourani.pdf)Civil/Environmental Engineering2005-06[Dr. Rentaro Hashimoto](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Rentaro%20Hashimoto.pdf)Philosophy2006-07[Dr. Graham Walker](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Graham%20Walker.pdf)Mechanical Engineering2007-08[Dr. Shawn Ladda](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Shawn%20Ladda.pdf)Kinesiology2008-09[Sr. Joan Harnett, O.P., Ph.D.](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Joan%20Hartnett.pdf)Math2009-10[Dr. Michael McCausland](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Michael%20McCausland.pdf)Psychology2010-11[Dr. Patrice Tiffany](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Patrice%20Tiffany.pdf)Math/Computer Science2011-12[Dr. John Wasacz, Ph.D.](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/John%20Wasacz.pdf)Chemistry2012-13[Dr. Lisa Rizopoulos, Ph.D.](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Lisa%20Rizopoulos.pdf)Education2013-14[Dr. Peter McCarthy](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Peter%20McCarthy.pdf)Education2014-15[Dr. Andrew Skotnicki](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Andrew%20Skotnicki.pdf)Religious Studies2015-16[Dr. Helene Tyler](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Helene%20Tyler.pdf)Math/Computer Science2015-16[Br. Raymond Meagher, FSC](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Br%20Raymond%20Meagher.pdf)Graduate Education2016-17[Dr. Corine Fitzpatrick](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/corine-fitzpatrick-2017-citation.pdf)Graduate Counseling, Leadership & Education2017-18[Dr. Ahmed Goma](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Dr.%20Goma%20Distinguished%20Lasallian-Educator%20Speech%20by%20Aileen%20Farrelly.pdf)Accounting, CIS & Law2018-19Dr. Parisa SabooriMechanical Engineering2019-20[Dr. Kathryn Weld](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Kathy-Weld.pdf)Mathematics2020-21Dr. David BollertPhilosophy2021-22[Dr. Mehnaz Afridi](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Mehnaz-Afridi.pdf)HGI, Religious Studies2022-23[Dr. Kelly Marin](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Kelly-Marin--Lasallian-Award-Citation.pdf)Psychology2023-24[Dr. Kevin Ahern](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Distinguished-Lasallian-Faculty-Ahern.pdf)Religious Studies2024-25[Dr. Zahra Shahbazi](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/zahra-shahbazi.pdf)Mechanical Engineering *\* A faculty member from each of the University’s five schools was selected for the 2002-03 academic year in celebration of the University’s sesquicentennial, or 150th anniversary.* List of Staff Recipients Distinguished Lasallian Staff RecipientsYear AwardedRecipientDepartment2003-04[Kathleen Hennessy](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Kathleen%20Hennessy.pdf)Payroll Manager2004-05[Nancy Cave](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Nancy%20Cave.pdf)Study Abroad2004-05[Marie Latino](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Marie%20Latino.pdf)Human Resources2005-06[Brigid McCausland](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Brigid%20McCausland.pdf)Registrar/Scheduling2006-07[Ann Clohessy](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Ann%20Clohessy.pdf)President Assistant2006-07[Janice Melino](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Janice%20Melino.pdf)Computer Sciences2007-08Grace CabreraDean of Education2008-09[Angelo Pinto](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Angelo%20Pinto.pdf)Physical Plant2009-10[Patricia Crimmins](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Patricia%20Crimmins.pdf)VP - Finance2010-11[Daniel Carpenito](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Daniel%20Carpenito.pdf)Chemistry2011-12[Patricia Stone](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Patricia%20Stone.pdf)Human Resources2012-13Peggy McKiernanLibrary2013-14Angie ThrapsimisResidence Life2014-15[Margaret Kelly](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Margaret%20Kelly.pdf)Controllers2015-16[Mary Joyce Farrell Gormally](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Mary%20Joyce%20Farrell%20Gormally.pdf)Library2016-17[Gary Dillard](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/Gary%20Dillard-%202017%20Distinguished%20LaSallian%20Staff%20Award.pdf)Public Safety2017-18[Neptali Sanchez](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Naptali%20Distinguished%20Lasallian.pdf)Physical Plant2018-19[Janet Horgan](/offices/mission/distinguished-lasallian/Janet-Horgan-Distinguished-Lasallian-Citation-Nov-27-2018.pdf)Civil & Environmental Engineering2019-20[Juan Lara](/offices/mission/distinguished-lasallian/Juan-Lara-Distinguished-Lasallian-Staff-2019-20.pdf)Public Safety2020-21[Syrita Newman](https://drive.google.com/file/d/13Adtr84Opxm9MN1Zk8lM4V4vgkXdplEb/view?usp=sharing)School of Liberal Arts2021-22[Maurice Hall](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/M-Hall-Lasallian-Staff-Citation-2022.pdf)Public Safety2022-23[Patricia Carey](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Distinguished-Lasallian_Patricia%20Carey.pdf)Registrar2023-24[Deborah Pitula](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Distinguished-Lasallian-Staff-Pitula.pdf)Kakos School of Arts and Science2024-25[Carol McTiernan](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/carol-mctiernan.pdf)Center for Career Development List of Administrator Recipients For the first time in 2007-08, a distinction was made between staff members and administrative personnel in the selection of award recipients. Distinguished Lasallian Administrator RecipientsYear AwardedRecipientDepartment2007-08[Vicki Cowan](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Vicki%20Cowan.pdf)Human Resources2008-09[Lisa Juncaj](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Lisa%20Juncaj.pdf)Student Accounts/Bursar Services2009-10[Debra Damico](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Debra%20Damico.pdf)International Student Advisor2010-11[Lois Harr](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Lois%20Harr.pdf)Campus Ministry/Social Action2011-12[Richard Cardinale](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Richard%20Cardinale.pdf)Controllers2012-13[Christina Cardinale](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Christina%20Cardinale.pdf)Student Accounts/Bursar Services2013-14Eileen McIntyreInformation Technology Services2014-15[Al Heyward](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Al%20Heyward.pdf)Controllers2015-16[Thomas McCarthy](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Thomas%20McCarthy.pdf)Alumni Relations2016-17[Jennifer Robinson Edwards](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/Jennifer%20Robinson%20Edwards%20-%202017%20Distinguished%20Lasallian%20Administrator.pdf)Campus Ministry & Social Action2016-17[Juan Cerezo](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Juan%20Cerezo.pdf)Public Safety2017-18[Amy Surak](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Amy%20Distingusihed%20Lasallian.pdf)Library2018-19[Rich Musal](/offices/mission/distinguished-lasallian/Rich-Musal-Distinguished-Lasallian-Citation-Nov-27-2018.pdf)Information Technology Services2019-20[John Bennett](/offices/mission/distinguished-lasallian/John-Bennett-Distinguished-Lasallian-Administrator-2019-20.pdf)Student Engagement2019-20[Rani Roy](/offices/mission/distinguished-lasallian/Rani-Roy-Distinguished-Lasallian-Administrator-2019-20.pdf)Associate Provost2020-21[Jake Holmquist](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1374rqC_oJ024dEEcMo_PeLv21cScfAIM/view?usp=sharing)CIO - ITS2021-22[Dianna Cruz](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Cruz-Lasallian-Admin-Citation-2022.pdf)School of Liberal Arts2022-23Dr. Cory BladDean, School of Liberal Arts2023-24[Barbara Herlihy](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/Distinguished-Lasallian-Administrator-Herlihy.pdf)Office of the President2024-25[Anne Marie Colón](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/anne-marie-colon.pdf)Executive Assistant to VP for Finance, VP for Facilities and VP for Mission2024-25[Anne Morrison](https://content.manhattan.edu/mission/lasallian-awards/anne-morrison.pdf)Executive Assistant to Provost Intro above Accordion Basic (no borders) white 1 ## Contact Information **Office of Mission** [718-862-7734](tel:7188627734) [718-862-8010](tel:7188628010) fax ### Campus Location Memorial 301 light 1