Seven receive university honors
By JULIE GHRIST Staff writerArticle Photos
By JULIE GHRIST
STEUBENVILLE - Special recognition was earned by seven individuals during the 21st-annual Alumni Awards Dinner held at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Saturday.
The event was part of numerous activities which unfolded before the community as part of the Franciscan Homecoming Weekend, which continues through today.
In addition to a student talent show, an all-alumni reception and a prayer service on Friday, the St. Francis Festival took place at the Fieldhouse Plaza on Saturday afternoon. The festival provided food, entertainment, vendors, a medieval costume competition and a living chess match for those in attendance.
Also on Saturday, the blessing of the animals was conducted by Rev. Dominic Scotto, who recited a prayer and blessed several dogs and cats with Holy water.
The Alumni Awards Dinner completed Saturday's events.
Held inside the Tony and Nina Gentile Gallery of the J.C. Williams Center, those being honored included: Terrie Suica-Reed, Peter Radakovich, Robert Lesnefsky, Nancy Kenny, James Snyder, Dr. Garth McCaffrey and Curtis Martin.
Suica-Reed was presented with the Dr. John J. Carrigg Award. She is the founder, president, and chief executive officer of the PHASE 4 Learning Center, Inc. - an alternative education program for at-risk youth. The center was recently named one of the 10 best alternative education programs in the state by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Commended by former President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush for "Commitment to at-risk youth throughout the Commonwealth," Suica-Reed was also named the 2007 "National Administrator of the Year" by the Simon Youth Foundation and has received the following Congressional awards: the Congressional Order of Merit in 2008, the Congressional Business Advisory Council National Leadership Award in 2007, the Reagan Congressional Commission for Integrity and Commitment in 2007, and the National Congressional Medal of Distinction in 2008.
She has also sat on the Pennsylvania Governor's Women's Conference Steering/Planning Committee, the Western Pennsylvania Education Committee, the International Education Committee and the Carnegie Mellon Program Evaluating Committee. Currently the chair of the Army Advisory Board for Pennsylvania, representing the Harrisburg Battalion, Suica-Reed and her husband, Tom, live in Georgetown, Pa.
"It is an incredible honor to be receiving this award," she stated. "Franciscan University has given me so many opportunities and changed the entire direction of my life. I feel so grateful and blessed to have had such close friendships with the faculty."
Radakovich was presented with the Professor Edward J. Kelly Award.
Born and raised in Steubenville, he is the president and CEO of Northwood Health Systems, a position he has held since April, 1997. There, he is responsible for all Northwood operations including clinical services and administrative functions, and serves on the executive committee of Northwood's Board of Directors.
A certified public accountant, Radakovich's prior work experience includes Price Waterhouse & Co., a Fortune 1000 company, a closely held private corporation, and a not-for-profit company.
He also served six years in the United States Marine Corps Reserves and is the president and chairman of the Board of Directors of the Christian Fellowship Foundation, which last summer sent 150 children to Christian summer camps with "Jesus Loves You" camp scholarships.
Radakovich and his wife of 21 years, Sue, have a one daughter and live in Follansbee.
He said receiving his award means that he has a lot of people to be thankful for.
"First and foremost, I am thankful for the presence of God in my life," he began. "Second, this is to honor to my mother and father, Sam and Diane Radakovich."
"This is also a chance to publicly thank my incredible wife, Sue, and a chance to thank Professor Kelly, who was the most extraordinary, innovative professor I ever had."
Radakovich said he is thankful for the leadership of Rev. Terence Henry, Rev. Michael Scanlan and Bob Filby. "They have been extraordinary as well."
He concluded by stating, "You don't have to be on this hill too long before you feel and know the Holy Spirit is here. In the Bible it says, every good and perfect gift comes from God above. The things I just mentioned, I thank God for all of these."
Also being honored Saturday was Robert Lesnefsky, with the Outstanding Young Alumni Award.
Accepting on his behalf was his brother, Andy Lesnefsky. Officials explained Robert suffered a stroke last month and could not be in attendance. His family was honored to accept the award for him.
Lesnefsky, a former New York youth minister, now evangelizes through music, on the streets, and wherever teens gather. A regular speaker at LifeTeen and Franciscan Youth Conferences, he is also one of the country's leading Christian hip-hop artists.
His album, "Get the Kids to Revolt" from 2004, was named Hip-Hop Album of the Year at the Unity Awards. His follow-up album, "Sweatshop Sessions," from 2006, received the same distinction.
Lesnefsky's fourth and newest release is, "How a Wound Bleeds."
Away from his music, he runs Dirty Vagabond Ministries, which brings Christ's healing presence to hundreds of neglected inner-city youth in Steubenville, as well as Rochester, N.Y., officials said.
Lesnefsky lives in Steubenville with his wife, Kathleen and their five children.
Kenny was the recipient of the Alumni Citizenship Award, but was unable to be in attendance for the dinner.
A native of Steubenville, she graduated from the College of Steubenville in 1960, then earned her Master of Science in Education from the University of Dayton.
In addition to teaching at Mingo Junction High School for 30 years, she served on the Local Education Advisory Committee for All Saints School and as both an adjunct faculty member in Franciscan University's Education Department from 1991-2001 and a religious education teacher for the Diocese of Steubenville.
Now retired, Kenny continues to serve students and her community as a mentor in the reading program at Wayne Elementary School and as a volunteer and coordinator for the Soup Kitchen at Holy Name Cathedral. An active member of Triumph of the Cross Parish, she currently represents her parish on the advisory committee for Samaritan House.
Snyder earned the Faithful Franciscan Award Saturday.
He was raised in Rochester, Pa. While attending the College of Steubenville, he played on the college's varsity basketball team and was a member of Alpha Chi Rho fraternity.
Upon graduation, Snyder taught and coached at St. Edward's High School in Carrollton. Eventually, he and his wife, Carol moved to New York, where they ran a home for dependent children for Catholic Charities. Later, after four years of service in the U.S. Army, the couple moved to California, where he went to work for Miller Brewing Co.
An active member of his parish, he has served as a youth minister, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, and charter member of the parish men's club. He also coordinated the NET Ministry Program for Southern California, and has served Franciscan University as chair of the late 1960s and early 1970s reunions in 2006 and 2009, a mentor at the annual Career Day for students, and a member of the Alumni Board. The Snyders are the parents of two children and live in Upland, Ca.
McCaffrey was honored with the Father Dan Egan Award.
Originally from Winnipeg, Canada, McCaffrey helped found the Apostles of Mary Household and was a member of Alpha Phi Delta fraternity. After graduating with a BA in biology, and minors in chemistry and math, he went on to receive his doctorate in dental surgery from Ohio State University.
Today, McCaffrey practices in Naples, Fla., concentrating on complex prosthodontic cases involving full-mouth rehabilitation, which includes surgical components of implant placement and osseous surgery. An alumnus of the Misch International Implant Institute and Pikos Implant Institute, he is also a fellow in the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
In addition to his practice, he and his family have dedicated themselves to missionary work, helping establish clinics in Aux Cayes, Haiti, and Villa de Leyva, Columbia. The family spends a week every four to six months at one of these missions, helping the local people with both dental and medical needs. A Knight of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, he resides with his wife, Mayra, and their two sons in Naples.
Martin was awarded the Bishop John King Mussio Award.
He is the president and founder of Fellowship of Catholic University Students - one of the fastest-growing evangelization programs in the Catholic Church.
Martin is the co-host of Crossing the Goal on EWTN, author of, "Made for More," and co-author of "Boys to Men: The Transforming Power of Virtue," and "Family Matters: A Scripture Study on Marriage and Family," as well as a contributor to all four volumes of, "Catholic for a Reason."
He has been awarded the Excellence in Evangelization award by Envoy Magazine, and in 2004 he and his wife, Michaelann, were awarded the Benemerenti Medal by Pope John Paul II for their outstanding service to the Church. Today, he serves as an adjunct professor at the Augustine Institute in Denver and lives with his wife and eight children in nearby Greeley.
(Ghrist can be contacted at jstenger@heraldstaronline.com.)
