Past Award Recipients

2023

Anh Pham
The Most Reverend William Patrick Callahan
Joe Kotnour

2022

Gerald Baldner - Civic and Viterbo Leader and Supporter
Mike Gostomski – Friend of Catholic Education
Antona Schedlo, FSPA – Missionary and Servant of Others
Don and Roxanne Weber – Community and Viterbo Supporters

2021

John and Linda Lyche - Teacher and Servant Leader
Nola Starling-Ratliff - Community Supporter and Leader

2020

Jean Moore, FSPA - Teacher, Spiritual Advisor, and Assisi Pilgrimage Leader
Bruce Simones - Dedicated Volunteer and Community Supporter
Deak Swanson- Outstanding Leader in the Community

2019

Annette Friedewald - Dedicated Volunteer and Community Supporter
Mary Ann Gschwind, FSPA - Community Supporter and Leader
Kent and Karen Handel - Outstanding Leaders in the Community

2018

John Desmond - Outstanding Leader in the Community
Mike Desmond - Outstanding Leader in the Community
Helen Elsbernd, FSPA - Leader in Education, Health Care, and the FSPA

2017

Darryle Clott - Holocaust Educator
Dick and Sheila Wieser - CAdvocates for Children and Community Supporters

2016

Marjorie Collins - Outstanding Leader in the Community
Celesta Day, FSPA - Leader in Health Care and the FSPA
Don and Norma Vinger - Dedicated Volunteers and Community Supporters

2015

Misty Lown - Outstanding Community Volunteer and Entrepreneur
Ernie and Sally Micek - Dedicated Volunteers and Community Supporters
Deacon Richard Sage - Co-founder of Place of Grace Catholic Worker House

2014

Lee Rasch - President of Western Technical College, La Crosse, Wisconsin
Dick Record - Wisconsin Broadcasters Wall of Fame, Advocate of the Arts, Education, and Civic Causes
Phil and Barbara Quillin - Business, Community, and Non-profit Boosters

2013

Doreen and Dick Brostrom - Mentors of “Second Career” Full-time Volunteerism
Father André Cirino, OFM - Prominent Franciscan Theologian and Assisi Pilgrimage Leader
Pat Stephens - Rotary Festival of Lights Founder and Leading Civic Volunteer

2012

Marlene Weisenbeck, FSPA - Renowned Religious Leader, Scholar, Musician
Dick and Cherry Lommen - Business and Civic Leaders and Benefactors

2011

Gail Cleary - President, Cleary Management Corporation and Community Enthusiast
Norma Anderson - Ageless Hero, Providing Exemplary Service and Leadership
David and Sacia Morris - Quality of Life Advocates: from the Arts to Healthy Living

2010

Duane Ring Sr. - Outstanding Civic Involvement and Service
Dave and Barb Skogen - Servant Leaders and Community Philanthropists

2009

Herb Heili - Health Care, Education, Community Volunteer
Most Reverend Robert Morneau - Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Green Bay

2008

John and Donna Hansen - Servant Leaders, Community Benefactors, Compassionate and Faithful Friends
Earl Madary - Theologian, Humanitarian, Teacher and Musician

2007

Nettie Mooney - Exemplary Community Volunteer
Sue Ann Thompson - Women's Health Advocate, Former Wisconsin First Lady

2006

Bill and Donna Medland - Leading Educator and Foster Parents
Parker Palmer - Writer, Lecturer, Teacher, and Activist
Elie Wiesel - Holocaust Educator

2005

Marie Leon LaCroix, FSPA - Professor Emerita, Viterbo University
Monsignor Bernard McGarty - Resident Scholar in Ecumenical Studies, Viterbo University
Obang Okello - Genocide Survivor, Human Rights Activist

2004

The Reverend Dennis Dease - President, University of St. Thomas
Marjorie Reinhart - Chairwoman and CEO, Reinhart FoodService

2003

Sue Anne Gelatt - Prominent La Crosse Community Volunteer
Elmer Grassman - Longtime Teacher and Educational Leader
Tony Melendez - Christian Musician, Disability and Diversity Awareness Advocate

2002

The Reverend Robert J. Cook - Rector, Saint Joseph the Workman Cathedral, La Crosse
Wayne Kostroski - Founder of hunger relief effort, "Taste of the NFL"
Leah Mathy - Leading La Crosse Community Volunteer

2001

Sheila Garrity - Director, La Crosse Community Foundation, Human Rights Activist
Larry Long - Singer/Songwriter, Peace and Justice Advocate
Thomas Rand - Executive Director, Bethany-St. Joseph

2000

Billy Mills - Olympic Gold Medal Champion and Native American Youth Advocate
Jane and Lindy Saline - Leading Civic, Church, and Community Volunteers

1999

The Reverend George Anderson - Presiding Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Helen Prejean, C.S.J. - Author, Dead Man Walking, Minister to Deathrow Inmates

1998

Cecelia Corcoran, FSPA and Marie Des Jarlais, FSPA - Co-directors of Global Awareness Through Experience
Paul T. Granlund - Renowned sculptor-in-residence, Gustavous Adolphus College
Arthur S. Holmes - Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Chart Industries, Inc.

1997

Joseph Durst, M.D. - Healthcare Advocate and Community Activist
The Reverend Timothy O'Brien - Director, The Les Aspin Center for Government
Walter Vallejo, M.D. - Humanitarian, Founder of First Diabetic Clinic in Dubna, Russia

1996

Barbara Coloroso - Author, Kids Are Worth It
John and Marian Elliott - Educational, Community, and Religious Benefactors
Ron and Claudia Niemeyer - Leading Caregivers, La Crosse County Foster Parent Program

1995

William D. Fleming - AIDS Activist and Compassionate Friend
Myldred E. Jones - Founder, CASA Youth Shelter, Los Alamitos, California
Donald F. Sieger - Senior Vice President, North Central Trust Company

1994

Richard Campbell - Principal Partner, Multistack Corporation
Julie Nelson - Nutritionist and Leader in Famine Relief
The Reverend Lawrence Martin Jenco, O.S.M. - Middle East Hostage, Minister to the Poor

1993

James O. Ash - Co-founder, Hawkins, Ash, Baptie and Co.
Fran Ferder, FSPA - Co-director, Therapy and Renewal Associates, Seattle, Washington
Bob Wieland - President, "Spirit of America"

1992

Bishop Herbert Chilstrom - Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Barry Morrow - Rain Man Screenwriter, Advocate for People with Disabilities
Maria "Luz" O'Matta - Organizer for the Hispanic Ministry
Monsignor Anthony Wagener - Founder, Times Review Newspaper

1991

David Natanovich Bell - Co-founder, La Crosse/Dubna Friendship Association
Sister Emma Kriz - Principal, "The David School," David, Kentucky
Marikaye Robers - Community and Fund Raising Leader
Greg and Mary Speltz - House of Dove Hospice, Marshfield

1990

Leclare Beres, FSPA - Refugee Community Health Care Organizer and Director
Charles Kuralt - CBS News Journalist and Broadcaster
The Most Reverend John J. Paul - Bishop of La Crosse
Bart Starr - Drug Prevention and Education Advocate
Arvina Thayer - Native American Health Care Coordinator and Cultural Ambassador

1989

Mary Maloney Funk - La Crosse Community Volunteer and Arts Supporter
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale - Minister and Publisher
The Most Reverend Rembert G. Weakland, O.S.B. - Archbishop, Milwaukee Diocese

1988

Anita Froegel - President, McLoone Metalgraphics, La Crosse
Edwina Gateley - Founder, Genesis House, Chicago
Sam Hagerman - Boy Scout Camp Director, Camp Decorah
John P. Raynor, S.J. - President, Marquette University

1987

His Eminence Joseph Cardinal Bernardin - Archbishop of Chicago
Mary Blaschke - Director, Children's Services, Diocese of La Crosse
Charles Gelatt - Chairman, Northern Engraving, Sparta

1986

Raymond C. Bice - Wisconsin State Legislator and Community Volunteer, La Crosse
Celestine Cepress, FSPA - Professor Emerita, Viterbo College
Jane C. Freeman - Former President, Girl Scouts of America
John Kinsman Sr. - Farmer,Conservationist, Human Rights Advocate
The Reverend John D. Rossiter - Pastor, St. Patrick's Church, Onalaska 

1985

Thea Bowman, FSPA - Director, Diocesan Office of Intercultural Awareness, Canton, Mississippi
Robert G. Carroll - United States Postal Service, La Crosse
Daniel M. Rooney - President, Pittsburgh Steelers Football Team
Elaine B. Yerly - Community and Church Volunteer, La Crosse

1984

The Reverend Theodore M. Hesburgh - President, University of Notre Dame
Mrs. Wayne Hood - Trustee, Trane Family Foundation, La Crosse
Patricia Mische - Co-founder Global Education Associates, Winona
John A. Mooney - President and Chairman, Monarch and Richelieu Finer Food Sales Corporation, Chicago
Patrick Zielke - Mayor of La Crosse

1983

Charles U. Daly - President, The Joyce Foundation, Chicago
The Reverend J. Thomas Finucan - Pastor, St. Stanislaus Church, Stevens Point
Jean Gitz - President and General Manager, WLCX/WLXR Radio, La Crosse
The Reverend Stefan T. Guttormsson - Pastor, English Lutheran Church, La Crosse

1982

Lyle W. Anderson - President, First Bank, La Crosse
The Most Reverend Frederick W. Freking - Bishop, Diocese of La Crosse
Alice Gallin, O.S.U. - Executive Director, Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, Washington, D.C.
Marianne O'Neill - Coordinator of Programs and Services, La Crosse Committee on Aging

1981

Howard Dahl - Former President, WKBT-TV, La Crosse
Ruth Dalton, M.D. - Pathologist, St. Francis Medical Center, La Crosse
Mynette Gross, FSPA - Professor Emerita, Viterbo College
Lora Ann Quinonez, C.D.P. - Executive Director, Leadership Conference for Women Religious, Washington, D.C.
Robert D. Smyth - Partner, Smyth, Becker, Lynch and Smyth, Ltd., La Crosse

1980

Thomas M. Kerndt Sr. - President, Kerndt Bros. Savings Bank, Lansing, Iowa
Grace McDonald, FSPA - Provincial, Western Province, Spokane
Leslie Paffrath - President, The Johnson Foundation, Racine
D.B. Reinhart - President, Gateway Foods, La Crosse
The Reverend Albert I. Thomas - Director of Education, Diocese of La Crosse 

1979

Cecil Allen - Proprietor, Sweet Shop, La Crosse
Richard W. Beggs Sr. - Senior Insurance Agent, Bankers Life Company, La Crosse
Theodine Sebold, FSPA - Professor Emerita, Viterbo College
The Reverend William J. Sullivan, S.J. - President, Seattle University

1978

Sister Thomas More Bertels, O.S.F. - Professor of History, Silver Lake College, Manitowoc
Gertrude Crowley - Good Neighbor, Volunteer and Philanthropist, La Crosse
Carl Iverson - President, North La Crosse Lumber Company
Walter McCanna - Executive Vice President, University of Detroit
The Reverend Stephen Mieczkowski - Retired, Diocese of La Crosse 

1977

The Reverend John L. Heagle - Pastor, Holy Family Parish, Willard, Wisconsin
Fred Kramer - Chairman of the Board, First Federal Savings and Loan, La Crosse
Sister Joel Read, O.S.F. - President, American Association of Higher Education, Washington, D.C.
The Most Reverend John R. Roach - Archbishop, Diocese of Minneapolis and St. Paul

1976

Romeo Denzer - Chairman of the Board, La Crosse Cooler Company
Sister Nona McGreal, O.P. - Vicaress General, Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters
Veda Wright Stone - Director, American Indian Program, Mt. Senario College

1975

James P. Economos - Executive Director, Dr. William Scholl Foundation, Chicago
H. Thomas James - President, Spencer Foundation, Chicago
George Molinaro - Wisconsin State Legislator
Adele Stahl - Secretary, State of Wisconsin Department of Nursing
Miller Upton - President, Beloit College