Saint Vincent College holds Fall Honors Convocation as part of annual Founders’ Day celebration

by Public Relations | November 21, 2024

LATROBE, PA - Saint Vincent College celebrated its annual Founders' Day, a special observance in honor of Archabbot Boniface Wimmer, O.S.B., and the other Benedictine founders of Saint Vincent Archabbey, College, Seminary and Parish. The event on Nov. 21 began with Vespers and the Honors Convocation in the Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica.

Sister Nicole Kunze, O.S.B., PhD, prioress of the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery in Bismarck, North Dakota, delivered the Founders' Day reflection. Sister Nicole and William G. Laird, C'69, interim chief financial officer of Saint Vincent College, were conferred honorary degrees.

Employees recognized for 25 years of service to Saint Vincent were Anita Hudock, office manager for the Small Business Development Center; Dr. Mark Rivardo, professor of psychology in the School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Timothy Bates, assistant director of the Small Business Development Center; and Angela Belli, director of the Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve.

Fr. Pachomius Okogie, O.S.B., PhD, was recognized as the Stephans Family Visiting Benedictine Scholar.

Dr. Eric J. Kocian, associate professor and chair of the Department of Criminology, Law and Society, was presented with the Thoburn Excellence in Teaching Award by Dr. John T. Delaney, vice president for academic affairs. The award honors faculty members who make a significant impact on students though their teaching and personal interactions. Nominees are selected by Saint Vincent alumni.

Dr. Helen K. Burns, assistant professor and the Rev. Owen Roth, O.S.B., Inaugural Director of Nursing, was presented with the 14th annual Projektenmacher Award by Father Paul Taylor, O.S.B., C'87, S'91, PhD, president of Saint Vincent College. The award recognizes initiatives that, in the spirit of founder Archabbot Wimmer, brought vision to reality through hard work and perseverance.

Deacon Joshua Heskamp of the Diocese of Covington, Kentucky, was presented with the Diakonia Award by the Very Rev. Edward Mazich, O.S.B., C'98, SSL, STL, D.Phil, rector of Saint Vincent Seminary. This annual award honors a fourth-year seminarian who exhibits outstanding academic performance, service to the Seminary community and creative outreach to others.

The Honors Convocation was followed by the annual Founders' Day dinner, a campus light-up for the Christmas season and a fireworks show.