Saint Joseph’s College recognized Alumni Award Honorees at a banquet held at the Stone Barn at Sebago Lake on May 5, 2018. The following alumni were honored for their outstanding contributions to the College, their classmates, their community, and their professions.

Maura McMann ’79
Catherine McAuley Award

This award recognizes an individual who exemplifies Catherine McAuley’s strong commitment to service and helping others. To quote her website, “Maura’s Hopeful Mission is a grassroots humanitarian effort that seeks to be a beacon of hope for inner-city individuals.” The members of Maura’s Hopeful Mission bring this beacon to the streets of Boston via food, clothes, blankets, and the warmth of human interaction. By providing life essentials, the Mission strives to eradicate the hopelessness, helplessness, and despair often felt by individuals who are struggling with addiction, homelessness, and other life-changing events. The Mission has sponsored many fundraising and charitable events. Their website features many photos that reflect the love of Jesus and the outreach mission of Catherine McAuley.

Steve Gorsun ’09, Board of Trustees
Emerging Leader Award

This award is presented to an alum who has made a significant impact in his or her profession and/or community at large since graduation. Steve Gorsun ’09 is assistant vice president for National Client Group Underwriting at Unum. A former Monks baseball player and team captain during his senior year, Steve earned his degree in business administration and entered Unum’s professional development program shortly after graduation. The accelerated leadership program placed him in strategic and operational roles within multiple sites and business units over a period of four years. Steve assumed his current position as assistant vice president in 2014.

Peter Geiger Hon. ’14, Past Board of Trustees Member
Distinguished Philanthropy Award

This award recognizes an individual or business for their continued, generous contributions to Saint Joseph’s College through philanthropic gifts. Peter Geiger is the editor of the Farmers’ Almanac—a publication first printed in 1818—and the executive vice president of Geiger, the largest privately owned promotional products business in the nation. A former Trustee of Saint Joseph’s College, he has devoted much of his life to the advancement of educational and health care organizations.

Ryan Sullivan ’09
Monk Spirit Award

This award recognizes someone who demonstrates the “spirit” of the College through his or her interactions and involvement with the College. As a student, Ryan Sullivan was the biggest supporter of each and every Saint Joseph’s College athletics team. The women’s basketball and softball teams even recognized Sullivan at their final home contests for his fandom. Ryan is a brain tumor survivor and as soon as he was done with treatments he was back to attending alumni events. He attends 95% of all events in the Boston area and attends every Alumni Weekend. Everyone knows and loves Ryan!

Catherine Hagerman ’79
Professional Excellence Award

This award is presented to the alum who has distinguished him or herself professionally in such a way as to positively reflect on Saint Joseph’s College and its Mission and Core Values. Cathy is a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) who has served as the Maine president of her professional association several times. She has also taught dozens of graduated nursing students when serving as the assistant director of the School of Anesthesia at Mercy Hospital, which was transferred to the University of New England. Cathy is a very strong advocate for the nursing profession and certainly one of the most successful and well-respected graduates of the SJC Nursing Program. A true tribute to Cathy is the fact that both of her daughters, her daughter-in-law, and many other young women have entered the nursing profession because they were inspired and supported by Cathy. 

See more at www.sjcme.edu/alumni.