Contact:
Gwen O’Brien
Director of Media Relations
Saint Mary's College
(574) 284-4579
May 11, 2008 (Notre Dame, Ind.)—Saint Mary’s College is pleased to announce the recipients of three annual awards of distinction. The following student and faculty were recognized at Honors Convocation on May 5.
Each year, Kappa Gamma Pi, the National Catholic Honor Society, awards the St. Catherine Medal to a Saint Mary’s College sophomore or junior who has demonstrated high standards of personal excellence and scholarship and has contributed to the College community in the spirit of Christian leadership. This award commemorates St. Catherine of Alexandria, the patron saint of scholars and especially of women scholars.
The recipient of the 2009 St. Catherine’s Medal is Alicia Wilkins ’11, an education major from Mishawaka, Ind. The College recognizes Wilkins for her dedication to service, her passion for education, and her tireless volunteer efforts in local schools. Wilkins gives her time and energy to the South Bend community largely through the College’s Office for Civic and Social Engagement, including its 12 Days of Christmas and the Yes We Can Walk for the Hungry events, which collect donations for the needy, and Pen Pals program, which pairs Saint Mary’s students with children at Warren Primary Center in South Bend for a semester of letter writing. Wilkins’ care and compassion shine the brightest when she is working with children. In two years she has spent over 500 hours with the College Academy of Tutoring Program, serving the needs of local Title 1 schools. Last month, the College also honored Wilkins with the Patricia Arch Green Award for her exemplary service to the community’s children.
This award recognizes eminent service to Saint Mary’s College. This year’s recipient, math professor Charles Peltier, has served the College since 1974. In addition to teaching courses like Introduction to Statistics and Statistical Applications, Peltier has served the College in countless other ways. He is the College Marshal for Honors Convocation and Commencement, and has served as secretary of the Faculty Assembly and on both the Academic Standards and Academic Affairs committees. Widely recognized for his professional achievements, Peltier was recently elected treasurer of the Indiana section of the professional mathematics organization. In the local community, he has graded countless AP exams and mentored a young faculty member in his work with Project NExT (New Experiences in Teaching) of Indiana.
This award was established in 1976 in honor of Sister Maria Pieta, CSC, who was a teacher and an administrator at Saint Mary’s College. The award recognizes the quality of teaching done in courses for freshmen and sophomores. The recipient of this year’s award is biology professor Thomas Fogel, who has devoted himself to the College for nearly 30 years. Professor Nancy Nekvasil, chair of the Department of Biology, said, “When parents ask me why their daughter should select Saint Mary’s College, I tell them their daughter will get a great education here. This person is one of the people I mention by name.” Fogel’s students talk about how hard they have to work in his classes and how comfortable they feel asking for help. They also feel well prepared to move on to subsequent courses. A favorite among his course offerings is the two-week Ecuador/Galapagos Summer Study Program, a three-credit course offered every other year that explores the incredible biodiversity of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.
About Saint Mary’s College: Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Ind., is a four-year, Catholic, women’s institution offering five bachelor’s degrees and more than 30 major areas of study. The College has six nationally accredited academic programs: social work, art, music, teacher education, chemistry and nursing. Saint Mary's College ranks among the nation's top liberal arts colleges in U.S. News & World Report's 2009 annual survey. Founded in 1844, Saint Mary’s is a pioneer in the education of women, and is sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Cross.
