The Franciscan University Alumni Relations Department is proud to honor Franciscan Alumni with the following awards:
Jason Evert '97 MA '98, Bishop John King Mussio Award, for his faithful service to the Church through spreading the beauty of Pope St. John Paul II's Theology of the Body to millions of teenagers and young adults all over the world through his ministry, The Chastity Project.
Joanne (Sholtis '60) McDonald, Dr. John Carrigg Award, for her outstanding career in the field of education, which spanned six decades, and for her continuing work as an educator mentoring children and substitute teaching.
Kathryn Gesto '91, Alumni Citizenship Award, in recognition of her exceptional volunteer service as a missionary nurse in Africa and as the founder of Mama Nita's Coffeehouse Ministry in Steubenville, which exemplify her goal to be: "A woman totally sold out to God."
Mark and Nichole (Holley) Kalpakgian '02, Rose M. DeFede Faithful Franciscan Award, for their volunteer contributions to their alma mater by establishing an outstanding Alumni Chapter in Southern California; being tireless advocates for Franciscan University; and serving the University as former employees and now diligent volunteers.
Dr. Michael Amsberry '86, Father Dan Egan Award, for his success in the areas of veterinary healthcare as the owner of St. Francis Pet Care Center in Tarpon Springs, Florida, and the founder of The Pet Stem Cell Institute, which furthers research of stem cell therapy as a safe and effective treatment for his patients.
Anna (Franzonello '03) Paprocki, Professor Edward J. Kelly Award, for her work at Americans United for Life where she applies her legal and policy expertise to thwart assaults to the healthcare freedom of conscience, investigate Planned Parenthood, and help the life-affirming work of pregnancy care centers nationwide.
Megan Mastroianni '09, Outstanding Young Alumni Award, for bringing youth to a deeper intimacy with Christ through her talks across the country at retreats and conferences on chastity, modesty, Theology of the Body, and other moral and spiritual issues; and for her work as campus minister at Mount DeSales Academy in Maryland.
