Brescia University’s 2015 Alumni Homecoming week will kick off on Monday, September 14 on campus with a host of activities for students, alumni and staff as they celebrated the rich tradition and return of treasured alumni.
As the longest-running provider of education in Owensboro, Brescia University is every bit a staple of the community as BBQ and Bluegrass music are. The University will celebrate their heritage and celebrate an award-winning year with the homecoming theme “Brescia, BBQ and Bluegrass #bestoftheboro”.
As a part of that celebration, Brescia will honor three Distinguished Alumni at the annual banquet Saturday, September 19 at 7:00 pm at the RiverPark Center. Since the inception of this prestigious recognition, Brescia has awarded more than 50 alumni with the title.
The award was created to honor graduates who exemplify the elements that encompass The Brescia Difference: Respect for the Sacred, Devotion to Learning, Commitment to Growth in Virtue, and Promotion of Servant Leadership.
Because of the breadth and scope of their life’s work, the magnitude of their impact on the regional, national and often international scene, and their examples of service and leadership, alumni who receive this esteemed honor have distinguished themselves among their peers.
The 2015 Distinguished Alumni are Kevin J. Connelly ‘76, Michael C. Hagan ’70, and Sister Larraine Lauter, OSU ‘87.
Michael C Hagan graduated from Brescia with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1970 and began work as a management trainee for The American Commercial Barge Line Company (ACBL) in Jeffersonville Indiana. After serving in various positions for the company, in 1987 Hagan was named Vice President of Sales for CSX railroad in Baltimore, responsible for the sales activities of 12 regional sales offices.
He returned to American Commercial Lines (ACBL’s parent company) as Executive Vice President in 1989, and was named President and CEO of ACL in 1992, positioning ACBL as the largest inland river company in the U.S. During his tenure ACL started operations on the Orinoco River in Venezuela, the Parana/Paraguay river system in Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina and Uruguay, and the Hidalgo River in the Dominican Republic, becoming the first major U.S. carrier with operations outside the U.S.
He retired in 2003 and is currently the CEO and Owner of State Beauty Supply with distribution operations is Louisville and Southern Indiana.
Sister Larraine Lauter received a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts and Education at Brescia in 1987. She went on to earn her Master’s Degree in Theological Studies from the Saint Meinrad School of Theology in 1996.
Sister Larraine is an Ursuline Sister of Mount Saint Joseph with 35 years of experience in teaching, pastoral/liturgical ministry and overseas mission. She currently serves as the Executive Director of Water with Blessings, an organization focused on the global water crisis.
The organization came to fruition after Sister Larraine, Jim Burris and Arnie LeMay began looking for a sustainable solution for the unsanitary water issues they saw again and again on return trips to developing countries.
The organization recognizes and builds upon the capacity of local people as the solution for their own local need for safe water. The group works to empower mothers as Water Women in ministry to their communities, equipping them with the highest quality filtration system. Water with Blessings currently supports thousands of Water Women in nearly 30 countries around the world.
Kevin Connelly graduated from Brescia in 1976 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology. Kevin became the founding director of Louisville’s Center for Nonprofit Excellence, which grew to more than 500 members during his 16-year tenure as the CEO. Prior to this, he was Executive Director for YMCA Safe Place Services (1991-1999).
During his leadership service with YMCA Safe Place Services, a national program founded in Louisville, KY, the agency launched the award-winning Project NOW (New Outlook Within), which, along with Project Safe Place, provided testimony as examples of best practices to US Congressional Committees. He served on the National Council on Youth Policy in Washington D.C. and as Chair of the Southeastern Conference for Youth and Families. He provided facilitation for youth development programs in leadership development throughout the southeast, in Ireland and India.
He continues his part-time teaching work as an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Louisville, School of Urban & Public Affairs after stints at Bellarmine University and Jefferson Community and Technical College.
Prior to the banquet on Saturday, Brescia will once again honor its veteran alumni with a ceremony to take place at 5:00 pm at Shelton Memorial Riverfront. The 2014 Homecoming celebration was the first year to incorporate this event and the University intends to make this an annual event as Brescia University’s establishment in its current downtown location in 1948 was largely in part to meet the educational needs of WWII veterans returning home. As a result of this, veterans have long withstanding played a very integral part in the vibrant history of the university.
In addition to these events, various homecoming activities will be held throughout the weekend to celebrate the heritage of Brescia:
Thursday, September 17th
9:00 AM Alumni Association Golf Scramble
7:00 PM “Return to the Arch” Alumni Speaker Series with Carmina Rodriguez Villa
Friday, September 18th
3-5:00 PM Campus Cookout
5:30 PM Society of the Arch Reception
6:30 PM Annual Gathering of Alumni Association Cocktail Reception
8:00 PM Campus Capers/BU’s Got Talent
Saturday, September 19th
11:00 AM Chariot Races
12:00 PM Lunch Sponsored by SGA
12:00 PM Women’s Tennis
1:00 PM Men’s Soccer
3:00 PM Women’s Soccer
Sunday, September 20th
10:00 AM Mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel
11:00 AM Alumni Brunch
For more information regarding Homecoming festivities or to register for events, visit www.brescia.edu/homecoming or contact Mike Goetz, Senior Director of Alumni and Donor Relations at 270-686-2111 or [email protected].
