Service Awards

OCSE Annual Awards

Our annual service awards are announced during National Volunteer Week in April and the award winners are honored at a special dinner in late April. Each award is named in honor of a Sister of the Holy Cross. Nominations are accepted from students, faculty and staff. Each nominated student will be asked to provide a report of her service work along with a letter of reference from a faculty or staff member. The deadline for nominations is February 15th.

[nomination form]

The Sister Kathleen Anne Nelligan, CSC Award for Spiritual Service

Sister Kathleen Anne Nelligan, CSC (1915 - 2004)


Often underestimated, this quiet, unobtrusive and wise woman assumed the leadership of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross from 1973 - 1979 following the turbulent years of the 1960's. It was the period of time when Vatican II was being implemented, a time in which horizons were visualized, where many different interpretations of the Council were around. She had a great capacity to speak truth in love, to endure ambiguity and always respect other persons. Her deep faith, humility, prayer and reliance on the Providence of God strengthened her to be a healing leader and to restore a renewed sense of unity within the Congregation.

This award goes to the student with exemplary service in one or more of the areas of:

  • Liturgical Ministries at Saint Mary's College (e.g. music, dance, liturgical
    minister)
  • Theological Reflection (e.g. peer ministry, Bible Study, small group leader, retreat
    leader, Theology on Fire)
  • Creation of a Spiritual Atmosphere (creation of new programs, encouragement of
    engagement in issues pertaining to the spiritual life of the college, leadership in spiritually-based clubs or groups e.g Friends with Sisters, Right to Life)
  • Theological Education (e.g. Catechist or sponsor for RCIA, working with religion classes in faith-based schools, activities related to lay ministry certification)
 

The Sister Olivia Marie Hutcheson, CSC Award for Service in the Health Field

Sister Olivia Marie Hutcheson, CSC (1917 - 2008)


Sister Olivia Marie was a compassionate nurse, talented hospital administrator, builder and spiritual guide. She directed the building of Holy Cross Hospital, San Fernando, CA and its restoration following an earthquake. She was a primary leader in establishing the Health System of the Sisters of the Holy Cross. Like Father Moreau she responded to the needs of the time and sent Sister nurses to help the people of Cambodia in efforts to rebuild their lives after suffering from the Khmer Rouge regime, one of the most violent regimes of the 20th century. This woman of faith and wisdom formally guided the direction of the Sisters of the Holy Cross over the course of seventeen years. She embraced the call to live a life of holiness, justice and integrity.

This award goes to the student with exemplary service in one or more of the areas of:

  • Health Care Provider (e.g. service with health clinics, hospitals, convent, or health-related agencies)
  • Health Care Advocate (e.g. raising awareness about health issues or concerns, advocating for policy change at local or state level)
 

The Sister Maria Concepta McDermott, CSC Award for Service in Education

Sister Maria Concepta McDermott, CSC (1913 - 1990)


Sister Maria, a dynamic, determined woman, was known by her students and within education circles for her work in multi-cultural education and among troubled youths. In the early 1970's she provided a school for wards of the court on Saint Mary's campus. It was Maria who instituted an interdisciplinary approach to teachers' education at Saint Mary's College. She also taught in Uganda, Brazil and China. An educator par excellence, Maria was a woman ahead of her time and an outspoken voice for the rights of the poor.

This award goes to the student with exemplary service in one or more of the areas of:

  • Teaching (e.g. in classroom setting, summer programs, extra curricular education)
  • Tutoring (e.g. providing assistance with classroom learning, homework help)
  • Special Programs (e.g. after-school enrichment programs, athletics, parent-teacher workshops, cultural programming in a school)
  • Special Educational Settings (Life Skills classrooms, ENL classrooms, Adult Literacy/Learning)


The Sister Christine Healy, CSC Award for Service with Women

Sister Christine Healy, CSC (1922 - 2008)


Sister Christine epitomized the Holy Cross charism of hospitality. Zealous for all the issues affecting women, she ministered with drug addicts, abused women and others in need. Whether greeting homeless women at the door of Fresno's Center for Women or interacting with city and state officials, she was a go-getter who was able to elicit support to enhance the Center for Women. She was successful as a mediator and educator and her gifts were recognized with many awards.

This award goes to the student with exemplary service in one or more of the areas of:

  • Service Provider (e.g. working at women's shelters or with agencies serving women)
  • Women's Advocacy (e.g. raising awareness of issues pertaining to women)
  • Women's Program Development (e.g. creation of programming related to women's issues or education)
 

The Sister Olivette Whalen, CSC Award for General Service

Sister Olivette Whalen, CSC (1907 - 2001)


A missionary zeal prompted Sister Olivette to give priority to serving the needs of the poor, to promoting the ministry of education and to responding to unmet needs in India. On her way there in 1941 she was captured and imprisoned for four years. The strength born of that struggle enabled her to reach out fearlessly to meet a variety of needs of her time. She opened the doors for Sisters of the Holy Cross to serve in Brazil, Africa and Israel. Clearly, she fulfilled Blessed Basil Moreau's vision for mission.

This award goes to the student with exemplary service, which may include but is not limited to, involvement in one or more of the areas of:

  • Civic Engagement (e.g. involvement in political programming, local or state government, advocacy around local political issues)
  • Environmental Concern (e.g. advocacy, education)
  • Animal Welfare (e.g. work with Humane Society, Zoo, education about issues of concern)
  • Criminal Justice (e.g. work with legal advocacy, programming for former offenders)
  • Hunger and/or Homelessness (e.g. work at area shelters, advocacy or education)
  • Community Development (e.g. neighborhood redevelopment, economic advocacy, public forums on race or class issues)


CAT Annual Awards

The College Academy of Tutoring recognizes outstanding members of the program each year. The awards are bestowed at an awards dinner and ceremony at the end of April (along with the OCSE award winners). CAT awards recognize not only dedication to education in general, but outstanding achievement within specific CAT programs and sites.

The Patricia Arch Green Award


Patricia Arch Green (1939 - 2004) graduated from Saint Mary's College in 1961 with an elementary education degree. Patricia lived a life dedicated to serving others and believed in teaching by example. She and her husband Richard, always taught their children to value community service and would often include them in their volunteer activities in their community. The College Academy of Tutoring (CAT) Program was established in 2007 to honor her memory as well as her dedication to service and education.

This award goes to the a College Academy of Tutoring (CAT) student with exemplary service in the CAT program in at least one of the following areas:

  • Teacher's Assistant (assisting a teacher in a classroom by providing one-on-one help to children, small group facilitation, and finding new and creative ways to engage students in learning)
  • After-school tutoring (providing assistance to children in Title 1 schools struggling with reading and math comprehension)
  • General commitment to the program and mission (attendance, participation in program events, etc.)