Alumni Awards

The Sister Mary Anthony Wagner Award

The Sister Mary Anthony Wagner Award is presented to alumnae of Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary who have prophetically and courageously embraced and used their gifts, and encouraged other women to develop their gifts for the good of the church and the world.


Background

When the academic program for seminarians and the graduate program in theology for lay students merged in 1974 to form the School of Theology, S. Mary Anthony Wagner, OSB, served as its first dean.  S. Mary Anthony drew on her own gifts of compassion and leadership to draw out the gifts of others.  With great vision, she recognized the need for women working in the church to have sound theological education.  Working with Saint John’s University in its prophetic mission to offer theological education to lay people, and especially women, S. Mary Anthony was a dynamic role model for women in leadership roles in the church. 

The intent of this award is to remember the vision and courage of S. Mary Anthony in her commitment to empowering women to use their talents and gifts for the good of church and society, and to thereby encourage new generations of women by honoring alumnae who have taken up her legacy and moved it forward. 

Criteria
  • Because the award seeks to recognize women who were significantly formed by an extended period of study at Saint John’s, recipients will generally be women who have received a graduate degree from the School of Theology and Seminary.
  • Though non-Catholic women are eligible to receive the award, in recognition of the School’s Roman Catholic identity and heritage, at any point in the history of the award at least half of the recipients will have been Roman Catholic.
  • Nominations will be solicited annually, approximately a year in advance of the award, from the faculty, staff, students and alums of the School of Theology and Seminary.  A selection committee will choose the recipient(s) from among those nominated. 
  • The award will be presented at the SOT/Sem All Class Reunion.  A special platter designed by potter Richard Bresnahan will be given to the recipient commemorating the award, and the recipient’s travel expenses to and from Saint John’s will be paid.

The Sister Mary Anthony Wagner Award Nomination Form

 Your submission will be reviewed by our committee and a recipient will be selected.  Please watch for upcoming reunion information announcing the award recipient. 


Recent Winners

2022   Laura Lincoln 83

2019    Dr. Nancy Dallavalle ‘83

2017    S. Marianne Supan, OP ‘97

2012    Jean Marie Hiesberger ‘73

2006   S. Mary Frances Reis, VHM ‘80

2005   Women graduates of the class of 1963


Ezekiel: Prophet of Hope Award

The Ezekiel: Prophet of Hope Award is presented to alums of Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary who, through their example, have challenged students, alums, and the entire Saint John’s community to promote the work of building collaborative environments in which lay, ordained and religious can live out their prophetic ministries to the church and the world.


Background

Saint John’s Abbey and University have a long history of prophetic ministry to the church.  The establishment of the Benedictine Institute of Sacred Theology in 1958, the first graduate theological studies program for women in the United States, set the stage for the subsequent evolution of a dynamic model of education for collaborative ministry at Saint John’s.  For 40 years, Saint John’s has been increasingly involved in and committed to the ministerial education of religious sisters and brothers, lay men and women, and ordination candidates, providing them the opportunity to learn together, just as they will serve the church together.

Just as Ezekiel saw a splendid vision of the new and everlasting temple, modern prophets offer us new and sustainable visions for the church.  To inspire and challenge alums, students and the entire Saint John’s community, this award seeks to lift up individuals who have dynamically lived out the principles of collaboration and ecumenism that are at the heart of the mission and the Benedictine heritage of Saint John’s.

Criteria
  • The award will be given to an alum whose life and work have been significantly influenced by his or her study at Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary.
  • In recognition of the profoundly ecumenical spirit of the Saint John’s community, alums from both Catholic and non-Catholic traditions are eligible to receive the award.
  • Nominations will be solicited annually, approximately a year in advance of the award, from the faculty, staff, students and alums of the School of Theology and Seminary.  A selection committee will choose the recipient(s) from among those nominated.
  • The award will be at the SOT/Sem All Class Reunion. A special platter designed by potter Richard Bresnahan will be given to the recipient commemorating the award, and the recipient's travel expenses to and from Saint John's will be paid.

 Ezekiel: Prophet of Hope Award Nomination Form

Your submission will be reviewed by our committee and a recipient will be selected.  Please watch for upcoming reunion information announcing the award recipient. 


Recent Winners

2023   Fr. Robert (Bob) Flannery '73

2022   S. Christine Rody 76

2018   Chuck Ceronsky ‘73

2016    Bernie Evans ‘71

2015    James A. Dillenburg ‘65

2014    Charles Sullivan ‘69

2012    Victor J. Klimoski ‘71

2007   Doris Murphy ‘77

2005   Angelino Rulli ‘95