����AV

A Bachelor’s degree in Communications and English from ����AV spring-boarded Cortney Crockett on to an Executive MBA and a nearly 20 year career in marketing for the non-profit, for-profit, and public sectors. Currently she is the Marketing and Communications Director for the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority, where she provides affordable housing options and works to serve and improve the quality of life for low-income residents. In fact, Cortney works at one of the TEN LARGEST housing authorities in the country, serving more than Fifty-Five Thousand people, and investing more than Two Hundred Million Dollars in construction projects into the area.

Through her vision and energy, she has made a dramatic impact on improving the lives of many families in the community and throughout the region.

For these qualities, she was recognized as the Inside Business Magazine’s Athena Young Professional Leader;   as well as the Cleveland Professional 20/30 Club’s “Top 25 Under 35 Movers and Shakers”; she made Crain’s Forty Under 40; was awarded the Cleveland State University Fascinating Alumni recognition; and won the Shining Star of the Year award for her company.

Cortney serves on a multitude of boards including the Cuyahoga County Office of Homeless Services; and Ohio City, Inc.; to name a few.

Earlier in her career, Cortney worked in the Resource Center at College Now of Greater Cleveland where she specifically mentored ����AV students as well as students from across the country. Since then, Cortney has continued this service, advising many young women, including JCU students and graduates.

Her deep and long-standing commitment to so many, mission-based organizations in Greater Cleveland puts her in a special category of JCU alumni. .

Cortney Crockett, on behalf of the ����AV Alumni Association, we congratulate you on receiving the 2018 Young Alumni Award.

Every day, as he prepares for class at Michigan State University School of Law, Ronald A. Deneweth ’74 thinks of a man who inspired him in the classroom: Rev. Michael Lavelle, S.J. Invariably, Ron finds himself sharing a Fr. Lavelle story with his students, passing down a lesson to the next generation. “He was a tremendous teacher and a profound thinker,” Ron says. “I keep a picture of Fr. Lavelle hanging in my office.”

Ron’s introduction to the ����AV community came via his older brother, Robert ’70. Growing up in the east side of Detroit, the Deneweth boys (Ron, Bob, and Rick ’79) all had access to scholarships through their high school, Austin Catholic Prep. It was only natural that he would pursue the opportunity, following his older brother to University Heights.

Once at ����AV, all three Denewith sons studied in the business school. Ron was a business economics major and forged lifelong friendships with his University Club brothers along the way. After graduation, Ron was accepted into the Detroit College of Law (now the MSU College of Law), where he earned his J.D. in 1977. He worked as an associate at Jenkins, Nystrom, and Sterlacci, P.C. in Michigan from 1975 until 1980, when he was ready to take the next step in his career.

That year, Ron started the firm of Deneweth, Dugan, & Parfitt, P.C., beginning a nearly four-decade practice of construction law, fidelity and surety, insurance disputes, and real estate and lending matters. Around the same time, he met his wife, Mary. They have two children, Ben and Tina, who are both married and living in Chicago. All told, Ron and Mary have three granddaughters. In addition to building his practice, Ron has taught construction law at MSU College of Law for 10 years.

Outside of the office, Ron found time to coach basketball at Holy Name School in Michigan, volunteered with his childrens’ swim team, and became President of the Beachwood Recreation Association, overseeing a major expansion. He serves on the Board of Directors for the YMCA of Metro Detroit, where he has been active for nearly two decades. Under his leadership as a member and Chair, the YMCA has built four major facilities and raised over $7.5 million.

In 2000, Ron was bestowed the honor of the ����AV Distinguished Volunteer Award. For his dedication to his craft, to education, the community, and a commitment of service to others, the ����AV Alumni Association is pleased to award the 2018 Alumni Medal to Ronald A. Deneweth.

Hal Hawk ’81 found his way to ����AV when the first swimming & diving coach in University history decided to bet on his development. Since then, Hal has spent his life developing his business, and ensuring that future generations of students can have the same opportunities that he had at ����AV.

Hal was a swimmer at Fremont Ross High School, when his seventh grade gym teacher, Dr. Ron Zwierlein, approached him about joining JCU’s first swimming & diving team. “He followed me, recruited me, took a leap of faith on me, probably,” Hal says. “I was not the strongest student, but he believed in me and supported me throughout all four years.” That support paid off, as Hal was part of the 1981 President’s Athletic Conference championship team on the way to earning his B.S.B.A. in business management that same year.

Hal started as a truck driver with Crown Battery in June 1981. His hard work and perseverance led him to rise from driver, to route supervisor, to assistant branch manager, and to branch manager. From there, he climbed from Industrial Sales, to manager, to Vice President of Sales for the company. Just 17 years after selling batteries in a company truck, Hal and Diane Hawk purchased Crown Battery in 1998.

Since then, Crown Battery has grown from 250 employees to 625, and from $40 million in sales to more than $250 million today. “My mom, dad, and swim coaches helped my development along the way,” Hal says. “Next would be my family, friends, and the leadership at Crown Battery, who had faith in me, before I had faith in myself.”

Hal and his wife of 26 years, Diane, celebrate the graduation of their daughter Megan ‘18 this year; the two-time OAC championship swimmer continued the family tradition of competing in the Johnson Natatorium. Their youngest daughter, Morgan, is a freshman Army ROTC student at Kent State University.

Current students at ����AV directly benefit from the generosity of the Hawk family. Hal and Diane were instrumental in contributing to and advocating for the Forever Carroll campaign, are part of the Mark Schell Scholarship program, formed the Hal ’81 & Diane Hawk Endowed Scholarship program, and have been generous benefactors for the University swimming & diving teams. Hal continues to influence the growth and success of JCU students as a member of the Board of Directors. Additionally, through the Hal ’81 and Diane Hawk and Carl Hughes ’79 World Food Programme Fellowship Program, JCU students are able to earn professional experience for two months at the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

For his lifelong commitment to the students, faculty, staff, and alumni of the ����AV community, the ����AV Alumni Association is pleased to award the 2018 Alumni Medal to Hal Hawk ’81.

To know Jeffery Hawk is to know a distinguished military graduate, a Ph.D., community board member and servant, Knight of Columbus, loving husband, proud father, doting grandfather….and 1968 graduate of ����AV.

In the early 1970’s, Jeffery was on active duty, stationed at US Army headquarters in Hawaii, Schofield Barracks. He served as Public Relations officer and speech-writer for the commanding general, a role that earned him the meritorious service medal.

Jeff’s demonstrated ability to present a narrative through the written word continues to shine as columnist for his JCU Class of 1968.  For 37 years, he has engaged his classmates and helped to connect them with one another and with their alma mater.

This unique service role is the engine that makes our alumni magazine go.  In fact, we are well aware that upon receiving the magazine, our alumni typically look past the attractive cover photo, the feature stories and University updates and turn immediately to the Class Notes section to learn what’s new with their friends and classmates. In a Facebook world, these columns are STILL a must read. Columns like Jeff Hawk’s.

All the way from Indianapolis, where he once started an Alumni Chapter at the request of Fr. Birkenauer in 1978,

For his many years of service and engagement of his classmates, the ����AV Alumni Association is proud to present Jeffery Hawk with the 2018 Silver Quill award.

Christine (O’Brien) Kramer and Richard KramerClass of 1986

�Ѳ�������,��Latin for “more,” refers to the philosophy of doing more. For Rich and Chris Kramer, magis is an expression of aspiration and inspiration.

Rich and Chris met at ����AV and continue to give back to the University. They served as co-chairs for the $100 million Forever Carroll Capital Campaign. Rich helped to initiate the Goodyear Scholars Program at ����AV. Chris has served on several reunion committees and helped to establish the Akron Alumni Chapter. She has also been actively involved with the JCU Alumni Travel Program.

During their time at ����AV, Chris and Rich both studied accounting. Chris played tennis, was in the Pom Pom Girls, was a member of Zeta Tau Omega, and served as a student worker for Reunion Weekend. Rich was a member of the soccer team, and in 2001, Rich was inducted into the JCU Athletic Hall of Fame. He is one of only five soccer players in the history of the ����AV program to earn all-conference first team honors four times.

As chairman, CEO, and president of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, ������������defines Rich’s style of leadership. During his tenure as president of Goodyear North America, Rich guided the company through the global recession and positioned it for sustained profitability in the years that followed.  Under Rich’s direction, Goodyear has been named one of America’s most reputable companies and a top company for leaders.

Both Rich and Chris are deeply engaged in community leadership roles in Northeast Ohio. Rich has been involved in the Akron community through his leadership roles with the Akron Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Akron Community Foundation and Akron Tomorrow.  He is a former director at Walsh Jesuit High School and the Summa Foundation.  He served as president of the Rubber Manufacturers’ Association and the executive committee of the National Association of Manufacturers.  He is currently on the board of directors at The Sherwin-Williams Company, a trustee of The Committee for Economic Development, a member of The Business Council, and a member of the Cleveland Clinic Board of Directors.  In addition to her service to ����AV, Chris is on the board at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens and is a board member of The First Tee of Cleveland.

For their continued dedication to the ������������philosophy and ����AV students, faculty, and fellow alumni, the ����AV Alumni Association is pleased to award the 2018 Alumni Medal to Christine (O’Brien) Kramer and Richard Kramer.

Christine (O’Brien) Kramer and Richard KramerClass of 1986

�Ѳ�������,��Latin for “more,” refers to the philosophy of doing more. For Rich and Chris Kramer, magis is an expression of aspiration and inspiration.

Rich and Chris met at ����AV and continue to give back to the University. They served as co-chairs for the $100 million Forever Carroll Capital Campaign. Rich helped to initiate the Goodyear Scholars Program at ����AV. Chris has served on several reunion committees and helped to establish the Akron Alumni Chapter. She has also been actively involved with the JCU Alumni Travel Program.

During their time at ����AV, Chris and Rich both studied accounting. Chris played tennis, was in the Pom Pom Girls, was a member of Zeta Tau Omega, and served as a student worker for Reunion Weekend. Rich was a member of the soccer team, and in 2001, Rich was inducted into the JCU Athletic Hall of Fame. He is one of only five soccer players in the history of the ����AV program to earn all-conference first team honors four times.

As chairman, CEO, and president of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, ������������defines Rich’s style of leadership. During his tenure as president of Goodyear North America, Rich guided the company through the global recession and positioned it for sustained profitability in the years that followed.  Under Rich’s direction, Goodyear has been named one of America’s most reputable companies and a top company for leaders.

Both Rich and Chris are deeply engaged in community leadership roles in Northeast Ohio. Rich has been involved in the Akron community through his leadership roles with the Akron Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Akron Community Foundation and Akron Tomorrow.  He is a former director at Walsh Jesuit High School and the Summa Foundation.  He served as president of the Rubber Manufacturers’ Association and the executive committee of the National Association of Manufacturers.  He is currently on the board of directors at The Sherwin-Williams Company, a trustee of The Committee for Economic Development, a member of The Business Council, and a member of the Cleveland Clinic Board of Directors.  In addition to her service to ����AV, Chris is on the board at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens and is a board member of The First Tee of Cleveland.

For their continued dedication to the ������������philosophy and ����AV students, faculty, and fellow alumni, the ����AV Alumni Association is pleased to award the 2018 Alumni Medal to Christine (O’Brien) Kramer and Richard Kramer.

Ben is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, who graduated from ����AV with a degree in Marketing from the Boler School of Business.  He is entering his 10th season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where he currently serves as Chief Ticketing Officer.

Over the past nine seasons, the Buccaneers have ranked in the top five in NFL new sales categories, three of which they were #1.  They have also been named #1 in Customer Service in the NFL 5 out of the last 6 seasons.  Last month, Ben was named one of the Sports Business Journal’s 40 under 40 for his work in the NFL.  And let me remind you, he’s not in a blue blood NFL market like Chicago, Green Bay, Pittsburgh or Cleveland…..although I’m sure you wished you could be selling tickets for the Browns this past decade, Ben!

Prior to joining the Buccaneers, he spent two years as Vice President of Ticket Sales with the Sacramento Kings.  Before that, Ben was the Director of Ticket Sales for the Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever of the WNBA.

In the Tampa community, Ben is President of the Board of Directors for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Being a Type 1 diabetic himself, Ben is focused on helping to find a cure for all who live with this disease.  He’s been part of a chapter that raises over 1 million dollars annually for diabetes research.

A word that’s come to best describe Ben in recent years is “Mentor”. In one of his letters of support, Dr. Bill Sutton, director of the Vinik Sport and Entertainment Management Program at the University of South Florida, noted Ben’s impact as an adjunct faculty member and residency supervisor. QUOTE: “Ben is a tremendous asset to my students and my program. He is a great teacher, manager, and thought leader who is well-respected throughout the entire sports industry.”

Along these lines, Ben continues to give back to ����AV via career advice and mentoring.  His time on the JCU football team helped him realize that goals cannot be reached alone and that any success in life and business come from having a great team around you.  One of his professional goals is to focus on hiring Carroll grads to either internships or full-time positions in the sports industry.  He is also part of the ����AV Football Regional Recruiting Program.

Ben Milsom, on behalf of the ����AV Alumni Association, we congratulate you on receiving the 2018 Young Alumni Award.

John Pellegrene ’58 is known in the marketing industry as the man who helped build Target’s brand, and the mind behind Santabear, the popular Christmas collectible once sold in Dayton’s, Marshall Fields, and Macy’s. His four decades in marketing took him from Canton, Ohio, to ����AV, to Minneapolis, Minnesota, empowering him to give back to the people and communities he cared deeply about.

John found his way to ����AV when a nun at Canton Central Catholic High School, Sister Mary Collette, convinced him to attend. He had no idea what ����AV was, or how the curriculum and Jesuit influence would prepare him for his future career.

Four years later, after majoring in history, John began his career during a recession. He worked at a nonprofit and a radio station before landing a marketing position with B.F. Goodrich in Akron. Nine years later, he earned his big break, running the house agency in Detroit for Dayton Hudson Corporation in 1969. John was quickly moved to Minneapolis to run the entire marketing division and began a career that would change the face of the company.

It was John who advocated to the corporation’s board to simply call itself Target. The brand steadily grew, aided by John’s idea to turn the famous “bullseye” into a brand mark. When he started at Target, there were 300 stores–when he “officially” retired in 2000, there were over 1,500. As a vice president within Target, John had the opportunity to get involved with the corporation’s philanthropic efforts. One effort he spearheaded, Target House in Memphis, is the home for families seeking treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. He was able to secure a percentage of pharmacy revenue from Target for its development, as well as millions from pharmaceutical companies. John also secured land for the project from the Diocese of Memphis. All told, he surpassed the $20 million mark necessary to achieve the project.

John never forgot his roots at ����AV. When he helped raise money for the Saint John’s Bible, the first handwritten Bible in over 500 years, he convinced Target to donate $1 million, which earned the corporation one of only 10 copies, which now resides in Grasselli Library & Breen Learning Center. Inscribed on two pages of the Bible are the names of every Jesuit in JCU history to that point. John called it his small token to recognize all that they had given him.

John and his wife Connie raised five boys and have 16 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. For his innovative spirit and career, his commitment to philanthropy, and his support of ����AV and the Jesuit tradition, the ����AV Alumni Association is pleased to award the 2018 Alumni Medal to John Pellegrene ’58.

Fred Pestello, Ph.D. ’74 came to ����AV as a local, and left prepared to engage and change the world of higher education across the country. Fred graduated from Shaker Heights and pursued Jesuit higher education, as did all his siblings. As with so many who attend JCU, it was a life changing experience for him.

Fred was exposed to dedicated professors who invested heavily in his education and development, enjoyed the company of great friends, and found time his senior year to work at then-WUJC. Following his graduation, Fred worked in radio in Cleveland for two years before accepting a graduate assistantship at the University of Akron, where he earned an M.A. in sociology in 1981 and a Ph.D. from a joint program between the University of Akron and Kent State University in 1985. It was there that he met classmate Frances Geyer, whom he married in 1981.

Fred joined the faculty at the University of Dayton in 1984. He chaired the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work from 1993-97, then rose to associate dean for the College of Arts & Sciences, followed by a semester as Provost Designate, before serving as Provost and Senior Vice President for Educational Affairs from 2001-08. As Provost, Pestello was celebrated for fostering academic excellence and investing in faculty development.

In 2008, Fred made history, as he returned to his Jesuit roots and was named Le Moyne College’s first permanent lay president. His strategic visioning process – OneLeMoyne – resulted in a vision statement and strategic plan that were largely realized by the end of his term. Under his leadership, Le Moyne passed a new core curriculum, raised $91 million on a $50 million comprehensive campaign goal, and completed the largest construction initiative since its founding.

In 2014, Fred again made history as the first permanent lay president of Saint Louis University.  As president, he oversaw a ground-up strategic planning process, strengthened SLU’s ties to the surrounding community, and initiated the first Campus Master Plan in over 25 years. A newly created redevelopment corporation encompasses 400 acres of land, and is expected to include more than $1 billion in new projects. Additionally, measures of student success such as first-year student retention and graduation rates are at an all-time high and SLU is completing its best fundraising year ever.

For his lifelong commitment to education, to innovation, and to leadership in the Jesuit tradition, the ����AV Alumni Association is pleased to award the 2018 Alumni Medal to Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D

A 2003 graduate of ����AV, Jennifer (Gardner) Rome would go on to earn her J.D. from American University Washington College of Law in 2006.

After working in a variety of practice areas, Jen now owns her own consulting business, Rome Consulting Services, where she handles a variety of matters, including National Account business for Tireman USA, and freelance writing and social media consulting for Citrus Social, Northeast Ohio Parent Magazine, and the Cleveland Zoological Society Member magazine.  Jen also writes her own popular and long-standing Cleveland lifestyle blog, Why CLE?

Jen has been involved with the ����AV Cleveland Alumni Chapter since its inception six years ago, taking on various leadership roles, including VP of Educational/Cultural/Spiritual Committee and President of the Chapter…a Chapter, mind you, that represents almost half of our entire alumni population.  And Jen is everywhere.  Dave tells me there’s actually joke in the alumni office that she must have a stunt double because she’s seemingly been at multiple JCU events taking place on the same day in different parts of town.  But that’s precisely why she’s such a deserving candidate for this award.  Jen waves the flag…she bleeds gold and blue…she’s a true advocate for her alma mater and amplifies our story to audiences far and wide.

Jen’s likes to say that her love for ����AV began at an early age, when she attended her mother Karen’s Masters in Education graduation at Carroll. She credits her interest in and commitment to serving others to the lessons gained at ����AV, both in the classroom and through extracurricular activities.

On behalf of the ����AV Alumni Association, we congratulate Jen Rome on receiving the 2018 William M. Bichl Alumni Volunteer Service Award.

Creating with food is Chef Bob Sferra’s passion. Born into a big Italian family, cooking symbolizes everything that he loves. A 1986 graduate of ����AV with a business marketing degree paved the way for his culinary career.

He’s traveled the world, studied culinary arts in Paris and Tuscany, served as chef at multiple, northeast Ohio restaurants beloved by the community, consulted high end cooking appliance distributors, and has become a local celebrity, making several television appearances on morning news shows as owner of his catering and events business, Culinary Occasions.

So how does a small business owner find the time to give back to his alma mater?  Much like his approach to cooking, he gets creative! Coming from a multi-����AV legacy family, Bob has long been involved with advocating for JCU and attending reunions. In recent years, he was selected to serve on the Alumni Association Board, which only strengthened his commitment level. Since that time, Bob has used his talents and business experience to help students, most notably hosting student outreach events like “Healthy Eating on a Budget” where he’s demonstrated easy and healthy meals for current students at venues like The Viking Store, Heinen’s in the Rotunda, and Sur La Tahb.  He has also pitched in to cater alumni events like the Carroll Couples Night Out around Valentine’s Day.  All of this is done while leading one of the top culinary companies in Northeast Ohio, which as you can imagine, is not a 9 to 5 job!  When he’s not helping out his alma mater or catering for clients, you can catch Bob doing cooking demonstrations and wine pairings at places like Gervasi Vineyards and M Cellars.

With all of this in mind, the alumni relations team will tell you that, when asked, Bob will always find a way to help. He will make it happen, because he loves this university so much. Which makes him such a great choice for this award.

On behalf of the ����AV Alumni Association, we congratulate Bob Sferra on receiving the 2018 William M. Bichl Alumni Volunteer Service Award.

If you’re a fan of the Cleveland Indians, the 1990’s were a magical time.  Thome, Ramirez, Vizquel, Lofton, Belle…the star power of those teams is unmatched by any in Cleveland sports history.

And a very special ����AV connection worked behind the scenes to keep those world class players in the game and performing at an All-Star level.

In all, Paul Spicuzza spent 24 seasons with the Tribe, starting fresh out of college as an athletic trainer for the Indians Double A team in 1975 before later joining the big league club in 1982. Throughout the years, his work took him around the globe including time in Puerto Rico, Japan and Italy for Major League Baseball sponsored tournaments and camps.

For his efforts, Paul served as athletic trainer for the 1994 and 2000 MLB All-Star Games as well as the 2002 MLB vs. Japan All-Star Game.  Adding to these honors, he was selected to work the 1981 ��������All-Star game while he was trainer for the Cleveland Cavaliers from 1979-1982.

Paul has presented at national and international conferences on current issues in the world of athletic training and sports medicine. He’s even had the chance to discuss such topics with Governor George Voinovich and President Bill Clinton.

These days, Paul works much closer to home, serving on the athletic training staff and as an adjunct professor right here at his alma mater. He credits Don McPhillips, our long-time head trainer, for bringing him home. And we are so fortunate to have him.

For his significant lifetime achievement within the field of athletics, the ����AV Alumni Association is proud to present Paul Spicuzza with The Gerald J. Schweickert Outstanding Achievement Award in Athletics.

Lieutenant Colonel Michael Stull has served five separate combat tours in the Middle East since his graduation from ����AV in 1999.  From volunteering to fly dangerous medical evacuation missions to helping fellow soldiers deal with the horrific realities of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Mike’s actions throughout his decorated career with the U.S. Army speaks of an individual who has gone above and beyond in service to and with others.

According to Colonel Robert T. Ault, Mike “led operations teams in the day-to-day fight against the Taliban, Al-Qaeda, and other terrorist groups, as well as planned for future operations.  Mike built key relationships that led to partnerships with Afghan forces as well as Jordanians, Czechs and local community leaders. His gregarious personality opened those doors, but his deep-seated competence and selfless ethos kept the unit together.”

Colonel Ault would go on to note Mike’s background as a college wrestler at ����AV with regard to his authenticity and ability to lead a team, coach a team, and hold others to the highest of standards.  These are leadership qualities Mike naturally possessed and likely developed while at ����AV.  Said Ault, “Mike’s well-timed sense of humor would lower the stress levels of the team and allow them to refocus with increased intensity.”

As an aside, having known some of the wrestlers from that era, as well as Coach Volkmann, I’m quite certain that sense of humor was ALSO further developed while at ����AV.

Another letter of support we received said QUOTE “…to serve with Mike is to serve with one of the most positive and bright warriors this nation has to offer. He is a humble leader with compassion and zeal.”

This individual underscored how Mike continued to put himself into harm’s way, voluntarily, to rescue those who were injured in battle…often under some of the most demanding and dangerous conditions imaginable.

But he ended by saying this:

“On October 19th, 2016, we lost a soldier, and this was an event that would continue to deeply affect me. Mike saw that I was struggling and he got me help. He had the courage to look me in the eye and tell me something I didn’t want to hear, but needed to hear. He encouraged me to start treatment for P.T.S.D.  This treatment saved my life.  Mike’s compassion and support saved my life and has allowed me to be a better husband, father, and leader.”

On behalf of the ����AV Alumni Association, we thank you for your service and congratulate you, Mike Stull, on receiving the 2018 Campion Shield.