Niagara University Honors Five for Outstanding Work in the Spirit of St. Vincent De Paul

As part of its celebration of Vincentian Heritage Week, Niagara University recognized the extraordinary contributions of five individuals who have lived the mission of St. Vincent de Paul at its annual convocation Sept. 26, 2024.

This year's honorees were Sister Carol Keehan, D.C., former president/CEO of Catholic Health Association of the U.S.; Rev. Craig D. Pridgen, pastor of the True Bethel Church in Niagara Falls, N.Y.; Dr. Joseph B. Polat, executive director of the Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School and Rochester Academy of Science; Dr. Shannon Risk, associate professor of history at Niagara University; and Olivia Sheldon, a member of NU's Class of 2024.

Sr. Keehan, who also gave the keynote address, received the university's Saint Louise de Marillac Award for her selfless dedication to the sick and suffering around the world. Over the course of more than five decades, Sister Keehan has held leadership positions at a number of Catholic hospitals across the country, most recently serving as president and CEO of the Catholic Health Association of the United States. In 2014, she was elected to the National Academy of Science. Currently, she leads the Health Task Force of the Vatican Covid-19 Commission, established by Pope Francis in March 2020 to respond to the global devastation caused by the pandemic. In addition to these administrative appointments, Sister Keehan continues to have an active and influential voice in the governance of a large number of health, labor, and domestic policy organizations, serving on the finance committee of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., as well as on the board of directors of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception; FAMVIN Homeless Alliance International; Proyecto Juan Diego in Brownsville, Texas; Marillac St. Vincent and St. Joseph Services in Chicago.

Rev. Pridgen was honored with the Rev. Thomas A. Judge, C.M. Award in recognition of his unflinching faith and his relentless love for the community he serves. As the pastor of the True Bethel Church in Niagara Falls, he carries out the vision and passion of his father, Bishop Darius G. Pridgen, by providing the community with food, clothing, and shelter through their Taste of Faith Pantry and the community Clothes Closet. He is an active and engaged member of the board of Literacy New York Buffalo-Niagara, a mentor for the Niagara Christian Basketball League, a member of the M&T Bank African American Resource Group Leadership Team, and has served as a member of the board of directors of Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, the National Federation of Just Communities, and Pinnacle Community Services. He has also served on the Bridge District Steering Committee to revitalize Niagara Falls and on the Niagara Falls Commission on Social Justice. In 2019, Rev. Pridgen was elected president of the Niagara Falls Ministerial Council. Since that same year, he has been a member of Niagara University's Board of Trustees.

Dr. Polat was awarded the Ozanam Medal for his extraordinary dedication to educating children at the margins of society. Under his leadership, the Buffalo Academy of Science was designated a #1 Great School in Buffalo and named the Best Charter School in US News and World Report. In addition, it has the highest graduation rate among Buffalo public schools. This success is due to Dr. Polat's drive to bring experiential and active learning modules into the classroom. He brought the first mobile STEAM & Maker Laboratory to area schools and after-school programs, led his school to excel in a range of regional STEM competitions, and brought in multiple external grants to provide essential funding to a community that has long been under-resourced.

Dr. Risk was presented with the Vincentian Mission Award in recognition of her unswerving dedication to women's rights, to the fight to end sexual victimization, and to enlightening her students to the Vincentian values of equity, dignity, and inclusion. She tirelessly serves on numerous university committees, including the Internship Planning Committee, the Committee to Increase Indigenous Representation on Campus, the University Outcomes Assessment Committee, and the Take Back the Night Planning Committee, where she coordinates the campus march to bring awareness to, and to help end, sexual violence and domestic abuse. Dr. Risk also leads the recognition of Women's History month at the university, organizing a full series of events for students, faculty, and staff that highlight equity, inclusion, and diversity.

Sheldon was honored with the Perboyre Medal for her extraordinary academic success, her personal dedication to causes of peace and justice, and her steadfast pursuit to make the world a better place. As a student at Niagara University, Sheldon was named to the College of Arts & Science's Dean's List every semester, and is the recipient of the Niagara University Presidential Scholarship, the Niagara University Saint Vincent de Paul Award, the Niagara University Most Outstanding Student in Political Science Award, and the Niagara University Sertoma Award. Her scholarly article, entitled "Climate Change from a Youth Perspective," was recently published in the Peace and Justice Studies Association's academic review, The Peach Chronicle. In addition to her academic achievements, Sheldon served as vice president, then president of the NU Pre-Law Student Association and was named president of Phi Alpha Delta International, the law fraternity. She volunteered as a voter services intern with the League of Women Voters Buffalo-Niagara, she served as a peer tutor in the university's Academic Success Center, and she led initiatives on student recruitment and engagement projects as an intern with the NU Vincentian Center for Justice. She is currently completing her course of study at the University of Buffalo School of Law, where she was accepted into the prestigious James Kent Faculty Research Scholars Program.