Community Awards Celebrate Excellence

October 21, 2019

On October 7, the Community Awards dinner honored ten exceptional members of the Cretin-Derham Hall community. Click on each recipient's name to learn more about them.

Signum Fidei Award

The term “Signum Fidei” means ‘rising star.’ This award is presented annually to one male and one female who reflect the ideals of the Christian Brothers and the Sisters of St. Joseph. The award recognizes the recipient’s outstanding eminence in their particular fields of endeavor and/or their outstanding service in the community.

This year's recipients are Brian Gornick '98 and Kate O'Phelan Pletcher '97.

Eugene and Mary Frey Community Award

This award was instituted in 1999 in recognition of the tremendous commitment Eugene ’48 and Mary Frost Frey ’52 demonstrated to Cretin-Derham Hall and the larger community. This award is presented to an individual(s) who reflects the mission and values of Cretin-Derham Hall through deep connectedness and involvement with Cretin-Derham Hall and other community interests.

This year's recipients are Erin and Nick Schneeman.

Carondelet Award

This award is presented annually to a distinguished woman who is reflective of the charisms of the Sisters of St. Joseph and Derham Hall. Women who receive this award have attained eminence in their particular field of endeavor.

This year's recipient is Martha Hanzel Johnson '87.

Monsignor Ambrose Hayden Legacy Award

This award is presented in recognition of Monsignor Hayden for his outstanding service to the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis as Vicar General. This award recognizes an individual(s) whose spirit and energy reflect an understanding of the need to preserve the past and provide for future generations. The Award recipient(s) exemplify the charisms of the Christian Brothers and the Sisters of St. Joseph.

This year's recipient was John Schaller '71.

Bishop Cretin Award

This award is presented annually to a distinguished Cretin alum in recognition of his outstanding service to his community and to Cretin and Cretin-Derham Hign School. The award recognizes his achievements in his profession and exemplifies the highest and best traditions of Cretin High School. This award is presented in memory of the school’s founder Bishop Joseph Cretin, the first bishop of the diocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

This year's recipient is Dr. Ronald Mitsch '52.

Hugh Derham Award

This award is presented annually to a female who is reflective of the charisms of the Sisters of St. Joseph and Derham Hall. Women who receive this award have exemplified Derham Hall’s ideals of Christian love, service, and objectives. The award is now combined with the Hour Glass Award.

This year's recipient is Deborah Rubbelke O'Halloran '76.

St. DeLaSalle Award

This award is presented in honor of the Christian Brothers and is presented annually to a distinguished alum in recognition of his outstanding service to his community and to Cretin and Cretin-Derham Hall High School. The award recognizes achievements in his ministry exemplifying the highest and best traditions of Cretin High School.

This year's recipient is Patrick J. Sullivan '58.

Richard R. Engler Lifetime Achievement Award

The Richard R. Engler Lifetime Achievement Award is given to one recipient in honor of a lifetime of exemplary service and dedication to Cretin-Derham Hall and our broader community. This award is presented in recognition of the long history of service by Dick Engler, the President of Cretin-Derham Hall between 1990 and 2015 whose commitment and hard work impacted generations of CDH families.

This year's recipient is Kenneth M. Markwardt '45.