Leadership

Student Leadership Recognition Celebration
Award Descriptions

Awards by Recipient Type

All Awards

Awards open to all CUA students

Gerard J. Rehel Memorial Award
In honor of this former USG president, this award is presented to a student government representative who has displayed outstanding participation in student government.

Mary Elinor Smith Community Service Award
Mary Elinor Smith received a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology in 1950. She began lecturing at CUA and became the dean of women in 1952. She also was the university's first dean of students and was the president of the Regional Association of Women Deans and Counselors in 1966. This award is presented to a student or student organization that has been instrumental in forming and strengthening bonds between the university and the greater metropolitan area through participation in community service activities and/or projects.

Martha Comiskey Memorial Award
Martha Comiskey was a very active student in the early 1960s. One of her accomplishments was the creation of the Fine Arts Council, which ultimately became the Program Board. She was socially action-minded, an excellent student and very dedicated to the university. This award is presented to a student in recognition of a high level of dedication to university activities, an ability and willingness to motivate his or her fellow students, and especially for an unwavering commitment to CUA's goals.

Monsignor Robert Paul Mohan '42, '43, and '48 Student Award
Monsignor Mohan was an alumnus, a faculty member, and the chaplain and chaplain emeritus of the CUA Alumni Association. He remained closely connected to the alumni association and participated as an alumni leader, faithfully attending many alumni events.

As a student, professor, and alumni leaders at Catholic University, Monsignor Robert Paul Mohan exhibited an excitement for life, love of his alma mater and of people from all walks of life, and unending enthusiasm for education. His dedication to faith and philosophy, and a knowledge and love of the arts was noted by all who conversed with him in the classroom, socially, and as he strolled across the campus he loved. The student selected for this award should display the aforementioned qualities of character.

Sam Williams Memorial Award
While attending CUA in the early 1970s, Sam Williams was very active in BOSACUA and committed to his objective of fostering greater understanding among the students. Before he graduated from CUA, however, he was killed in an automobile accident. This award is presented in his memory to a student who has contributed significantly to the activities of minority or international students, enhanced communication, and furthered understanding among culturally and ethnically diverse groups on campus and in the community. This award is designated for outstanding service and the recipient need not have held an organizational leadership position.

Student Activities Award
This award is presented to students who have contributed significantly to the student body's social and personal development through an untiring involvement in co-curricular activities to a degree that makes an impact upon the campus community.

Undergraduate Student Employee of the Year Award
This award is presented annually to one undergraduate student for exceptional contributions to the office or department in which he or she works. Student employee nominations, as submitted by their supervisors, are evaluated and ranked by a committee of readers on the following criteria: reliability, quality of work, initiative and creativity.

Awards open to CUA Seniors

Father Stratemeier Award
Father Stratemeier was the university chaplain from 1935 until his death in 1947. He was known for his congenial personality and sincere concern for each student at the university. Those who knew him said he always made time for students and was concerned with all facets of their lives. The award was first named for him in 1948 for excellence in extracurricular activities as well as scholarship. This award is the second highest honor presented to a senior male. Criteria: Nominee should have a G.P.A. of 3.5 or better. Distinguished leadership and responsibility and the nominee's service to the university and fellow students should set him apart from other active individuals.

Frank Kuntz Award
Frank Kuntz was the first undergraduate student at CUA and the first graduate, as a member of the class of 1907. He was an active student who was very committed to the university. To honor Frank Kuntz, this award is presented to a graduating senior who has been active in a range of campus events and organizations and has displayed a devotion to the Church and service to the community.

Marian Award
This award was first given by the Colombians sorority in honor of Our Lady. It is the second highest honor awarded to a senior female. Criteria: Nominee should have a G.P.A. of 3.5 or better. Distinguished leadership and responsibility and the nominee's service to the university and fellow students should set her apart from other active individuals.

Peggy Shaker Award
Peggy Shaker was the first president of the Undergraduate Student Government when its name was changed from Student Council. This award is presented in honor of the last Student Council president and the first USG president to a graduating senior who has displayed exceptional leadership ability.

President's Award
This highest university award is presented to a graduating senior who has demonstrated prominent leadership and outstanding scholarship, and who exemplifies the highest ideals of Christianity. Criteria: Nominees should have a G.P.A. of 3.8 or better. They should have distinguished themselves in a successful leadership role in various activities throughout their career at CUA. It should be clear that, through their involvement in one or more organizations or activities, they have made a positive impact on the community and that the organization/activity would not have been as successful without the vision and guidance of this individual.

Right Reverend Denis J. O'Connell Award
Denis J. O'Connell was the third rector of CUA from 1903 to 1909. During that time he worked to establish educational improvements and was instrumental in the creation of the annual collection that is taken up in all dioceses for the advancement of the pontifical university in Washington. He saw that academic procedures were formalized to fit accepted standards and that the base of the university's education program was extended to include undergraduate training as well as graduate studies. In March 1909, he was transferred to San Francisco to serve as its auxiliary bishop. This award is presented to a graduating senior in honor of undergraduate education at CUA. The student is active with at least one student organization and is the driving force behind that organization.

Awards open to CUA Juniors

Mary J. Flynn Memorial Award
Mary J. Flynn was a woman of many talents and interests. Before coming to CUA she had been selected to serve on the 1944 U.S. Olympic diving and fencing teams. She came to CUA in 1949 as a student to pursue a Master's degree in social work, which she received in 1951. She then became a member of the faculty and taught from 1951 to 1961 and 1971 to 1988. In 1973 she was recognized with the first NCSSS Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award, which she continued to receive for the next 15 consecutive years. In 1987, she was appointed associate dean of NCSSS. She often consulted with NIH on social work issues and with the World Health Organization on AIDS related issues until her death in 1989. This award is the highest honor presented to a junior female. Criteria: The nominee should have a G.P.A. of 3.7 or better, have taken a prominent leadership role and have exemplified the highest ideals of Christianity.

Roy Bode Memorial Award
Roy Bode was an instructor of rational psychology and philosophy for ten years before being named CUA's first director of alumni relations in 1960. He spent six years as the executive secretary for the university's Alumni Association. In 1969 he returned to teaching as an associate professor of philosophy and was appointed assistant to the dean in 1973. This award is the highest honor presented to a junior male. Criteria: The nominee should have a G.P.A. of 3.7 or better, have taken a prominent leadership role and have exemplified the highest ideals of Christianity.

Awards open to CUA Sophomores

John J. Convey Award
John J. Convey PhD. has served a provost and chief academic officer at CUA for 10 years. An Avid supporter of Student Life on campus, he is ever present at university programs and events that foster and celebrate student success. Convey also served as the chair of the Department of Education and return to a professorship in fall 2007, so that he may continue to touch the lives of future educators. This award is presented in his honor to a sophomore student who has been active in student life and academic pursuits and has demonstrated leadership potential for his or her future endeavors at CUA.

Awards open to CUA Freshmen

Zack S. Billotte Memorial Award
Zack S. Billotte was a young man known for his class, style and grace. He passed away unexpectedly during his senior year. In his first year at CUA, Zack served as USG class of 2006 President. A politics major, he was also an active member of the College Republicans. Zack brought vitality and life to all he did. He was motivated and had a contagious happiness. This award is presented in his memory to a first year student who has been active in student life and academic pursuits and has demonstrated leadership potential for his or her future endeavors at CUA.

Awards open to CUA Graduate Students

Graduate Student Employee of the Year Award
This award is presented annually to one graduate student for exceptional contributions to the office or department in which he or she works. Student employee nominations, as submitted by their supervisors, are evaluated and ranked by a committee of readers on the following criteria: reliability, quality of work, initiative and creativity.

Vincent P. Walter, Jr. Community Service Award
This award is presented in memory of Vincent P. Walter, who died tragically in August 2000. Mr. Walter spent his entire career at CUA in a variety of positions, serving as the director of alumni relations, the general secretary of the university and secretary to the Board of Trustees. During his tenure at CUA, he was always involved with and concerned about CUA's interaction with the community of Washington, D.C., and beyond. The award is presented to a graduate student who has distinguished himself or herself through his or her contributions and efforts in the area of community service.

Awards open to CUA Faculty & Staff

Bruno Damiani Graduate Educator of the Year Award
This award was named after Bruno Damiani, a professor of Spanish literature in the Department of Modern Languages, who was the first recipient of a graduate faculty-of-the-year award. It is presented to a member of the graduate faculty in recognition of outstanding classroom teaching and overall contribution to graduate education.

Clarence Walton Administrator of the Year Award
This award is presented to a university administrator for work above and beyond the call of duty to help the undergraduate community. It was named in honor of Clarence Walton, the first lay president of The Catholic University of America (1969-1979). Walton loved Catholic University both as an alumnus and an accomplished scholar. He was passionately dedicated to ensuring that his alma mater was positioned well to fulfill its potential as a preeminent Catholic graduate research institution. His 10-year presidency was committed to the worlds of academia, business, and public service. During his time at CUA, enrollment increased by more than 3,000 students and a half-dozen campus buildings were constructed, renovated or purchased. Walton was also actively involved in public and community affairs.

James E. Dornan Memorial Undergraduate Educator of the Year
James E. Dornan was a member of the CUA faculty as associate professor of politics from 1967 until 1979 when he was killed in an automobile accident. In 1973, he was appointed chair of the Department of Politics and spent his last two years serving as chair of the Academic Senate. Nationally known as an authority on U.S. foreign relations, military strategy, and Asian affairs, Dornan was the author of many studies on national security. To recognize his contributions to CUA, this award was named for him and is presented to a faculty member for outstanding classroom teaching ability, academic advising and publications.

Monsignor William A. Kerr Adviser of the Year Award
William A. Kerr was vice president of university relations from 1985 to 1992. He was successful in his duties of raising funds and generating a positive image for CUA. He helped to establish the Board of Regents and was the adviser to USG for several years. The award was named after him when he left CUA in 1992 and is presented to a student organization adviser who has given outstanding support in assisting in the success of a student organization.

Staff Member of the Year Award
This award is presented to a university staff member for work above and beyond the call of duty to help the undergraduate community.

Awards open to CUA Student Organizations

Organization of the Year Award
This award is presented to a student organization in recognition of outstanding contributions to the CUA community and a strong commitment to the mission and goals of the university.