Holding their alumni awards are Sr. Frances Cassidy, Shirley Puccino, Carol Dougherty, Jamal Green, Larry Friedman, Patricia Kaeser, and Joesph Neary.

Six alumni were honored at the October 18 Alumni Awards and Hall of Fame Recognition Dinner, one of the annual highlights of Neumann’s homecoming weekend.

Sr. M. Frances Cassidy, OSF ’70 received the Alumni Association John Neumann Award. Sr. Frances spent 27 years educating children in African missions.  She helped establish the successful St. Clare Girls High School in Africa and then, with a colleague, supervised Lawson High School, built to educate children orphaned because of the AIDS pandemic in Kenya.  Sr. Frances has returned to Neumann and is presently teaching math.  She also volunteers for the Delaware County literacy program and the Assisi House.

Carol A. Dougherty ’86 also received the Alumni Association John Neumann Award. Recently “retired” after 25 years at Neumann University, Carol serves as a counselor at Delaware County Community College and teaches in Neumann’s pastoral counseling program. She is a member of Neumann’s alumni executive board and the advisory board for the Division of Business and Information Management. She is also the vice president of the Friends of the Delaware County Women’s Commission and serves on the College Access Center of Delaware County committee.

The Young Alumni Achievement Award was presented to Jamal Green ’00 founder of Retroaction Sports, which provides support for young students in Philadelphia to earn good grades and receive opportunities for college entrance. Jamal and his wife are well known in the Philadelphia community for their tireless work with youth.  In this story of achievement and limitless possibilities, Jamal is helping youngsters reach beyond what they think is possible to pursue an education.

Patricia J. Kaeser ’87 received the Alumni Association Recognition Award. Patricia has held positions at the Resurrection School in the Cares Program of Chester, and at St. Clement-Irenaeus School and St. Ambrose School, both in Philadelphia. She was principal of the Conshohocken Catholic School and was recently appointed as principal at St. James Regional Catholic School in Ridley Park. She has been a district team leader for seven years and served on the crisis management team and wellness policy committee for the Archdiocese.

The President’s Distinguished Alumni Award was presented to Joseph W. Neary’09. Today, Joseph is retired from Johnson Matthey where he was a senior financial analyst.  He serves on the Upper Chichester Township Board of Commissioners and is currently the chair of finance and administration. He is the finance counselor, usher, lector and minister of the Holy Eucharist for Saint John Fisher Parish and is a council member of the Knights of Columbus. Joe also serves on the Magee Rehabilitation Patient and Family Advisory Council. Magee Rehabilitation is the place where Joe’s son, Kevin, convalesced after being shot and paralyzed in a senseless street crime in 2011. Since then, Joe has been a tireless advocate and caretaker for his son.

Shirley Puccino ’09 received the Alumni Association Volunteer of the Year Award. Shirley is currently the director of strategic initiatives at HTH Worldwide, a leading technology and insurance company.  Shirley has served on various boards including Global Health Benefits Institute, National Foreign Trade Council, and the National Adoption Center.  She also serves Neumann on the advisory committees of the Continuing and Professional Studies and the Business Divisions as well as the Board of Trustees Strategic Committee.

Each year, the alumni executive board chooses an individual who did not graduate from Neumann but displays the pride and commitment to the university as if Neumann were his alma mater.  The 2014 Honorary Alumni Award went to Larry S. Friedman, who dedicated the last twenty six years of his life to the University in his role as registrar and assistant professor of English and humanities.