2009 SETON-LA SALLE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL HALL OF FAME

The Alumni/ae Advisory Committee of Seton-La Salle, South Hills Catholic, and Elizabeth Seton High Schools announces the 2009 Seton-La Salle Hall of Fame recipients. They are:

~ Joseph L. Luvara SHC Class of ’66;
~ Brother Joseph Mahon, FSC, first principal at Seton-La Salle;
~ Virginia Spadafore Sanders, ESHS Class of ’66; and
~ Patricia Strazza, former teacher.

These individuals were honored at the Seton-La Salle Founder’s Day Celebration on January 10, 2009 at the South Hills Country Club. 

Group photo of the Hall of Fame Recipients and those who presented the awards to them:  Left to right:  Sister Donna Leiden, SC; Brother Joseph Mahon, FSC; Joseph L. Luvara (SHC 66); Robert DelGreco, Jr. (SHC ’72); Marianne Hudzik (ESHS ’66); John Manear; and Patricia Strazza. Virginia Sanders (ESHS ’66) was unable to attend due to inclement weather.

Joseph L. Luvara, recently recognized by “The Best Lawyers in America” is a fellow in the Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County.  He received his JD from Duquesne University School of Law in 1986, cum laude, and is a shareholder of Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote, P.C.  According to the nomination submitted by Robert DelGreco ’72, “As I look at (past Hall of Fame recipients) I can say with unflinching certitude that none have contributed to Seton-La Salle High School in terms of time, money, effort and leadership more than Joe Luvara.”
     Joe served as a faculty member, an assistant football coach, and an involved parent.  He was involved in the creation of and served on the Advisory Board, the Auditorium and Library Renovation committees as well as the Merrick Field Committee and many fundraising event committees. From the time he was a student to his present role as parent and chair of the Board of Directors, his passion and leadership have touched every facet of the school and the larger Catholic community.

Brother Joseph Mahon, FSC was nominated by both faculty and alumni for his service to the Brothers of the Christian Schools and Seton-La Salle High School in particular.  Currently, Brother Joe serves as a teacher and counselor at San Miguel School in Camden, NJ.  He also served as director of the Christian Brothers Retreat House and the Assistant Provincial of the Congregation.  Yet, perhaps his most difficult endeavor—and biggest achievement in the eyes of his nominators was the successful merger of former South Hills Catholic and Elizabeth Seton High Schools.  According to a nomination by Sister Ildefonse Goss, “No one could have been better suited to the task.  Brother Joseph had the wisdom to respect what had been before and the patience and tact to move toward the uniting of the two traditions into a fine educational institution under the two patron saints.” 
     Sister Donna Marie Leiden who presented for Brother Joe said, "He steered the faculty and students toward their new identity, built firm bonds with fellow administrators and involved as many as possible in the transition process."

Virgina Spadafore Sanders ’66 is a professor in the Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology & Medical Genetics at Ohio State University.  She is also a member of the Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, the Comprehensive Cancer Center Immunology Program, the Heart and Lung Research Institute and the Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Repair.  She teaches graduate and medical students and has been honored many times for her work.  She has been awarded 10 research grants in the past 13 years and two Career Development Awards form the American Cancer Society and the Schweppe foundation of Chicago. She is amember of a number of professional society including the American Ssociation of Immunologists and is committed to multidisciplinary research. 

 Besides her busy and award-filled work, Ginny has found time for service to the community and to Seton-La Salle.  According to her nomination by Marianne Hudzik '66, the SLS community, and the larger medical community have been touched by “her years of student, career and community accomplishments.”

Patricia Strazza began teaching at South Hills Catholic High School in 1973 as a full-time religion teacher.  In addition to her duties, she raised two children and married South Hills Catholic teacher, Bill Strazza.  Pat became religion chair in 1990 and kept that role until her retirement in 2003. During her 30 year career, Pat touched the lives of many students, faculty and families within the school. 

According to her nomination by former employee and parent, Mariann Devine, “She had great interaction with her students.  She always tried to relate to them by having interesting discussions.  To be able to teach morality to teenagers in these days is a great accomplishment.” 

Pat ‘retired’ in 2003, but to this day, continues to work as a substitute teacher and supports the school in many ways. She and her husband, Bill (who is already a Hall of Fame member) continue to give generously and participate in just about every fund-raising and friend-raising event the school holds.

In addition to her work as teacher, she is a member of the St. Margaret of Scotland Parish and serves as a Eucharistic Minister.  According to her nomination, “Pat lives and exemplifies the spirit of Christianity that Seton-La Salle professes to embrace. She is your perfect candidate for the Hall of Fame.”  Fellow faculty member, John Manear, presented the award to Pat.

Nominations are open to all graduates of at least 10 years, all present or former faculty, and distinguished friends of the school. The next induction will be in January 2011.  Nomination deadline is July 30, 2010.  Click here to print form.
 

Past Seton-La Salle Hall of Fame Recipients

1991

John T. Cicco*

Thomas A. Bird ‘60

Anna Marie Catanzaro ‘53

D. Michael Fisher ‘62

Stephen C. Flaherty ‘78

Donald A. Gmitter ‘63

Edward M. Ryan ‘64

Herbert H. South ‘65

William Strazza**

James J. Sweeney ‘80

1992

James L. Murdy*

Cheryl M. Kanfoush AKA Maria Alsatti

David J. Dattilo, D.D.S. ‘69

Thomas K. Donahoe ‘65

Brother Alexis Kirk, F.S.C.**

Sister Marion Puerzer, S.C., M.D. ‘59

1994

Bernard J. Powers*

Colonel Carol Ganser, USAFNC ‘55

Sister Mary Agnes Schildkamp, S.C.

Frederick W. Thieman ‘69

Ensign James C. Wonn ‘62

1996

Brother David S. Baginski, F.S.C. ‘64

James L. Palmer**

Jane E. Jehovics Klose-Tucker ‘62

Suzanne T. McConnell-Serio ‘84

1998

Gerard (Jerry) Conboy**

Stephen F. Litz ‘67

Dianne Page McKenna ‘61

Nicholas A. Merrick ‘81

Ted A. White**

2000

James T. Palmer*

Lucy Bruce**

Kenneth Buka**

Robert G. DelGreco, Jr. ‘72

Sr. Marlene Mondalek, S.C. ‘59

2002

Dr. Alan & Mrs. Yeasted*

Thomas A. Dattilo ‘66

Richard J. Lacey ‘64

Sr. M. Ellenita O’Connor, S.C. ‘45

Harry Pitchok ‘62

2004

Father Joseph Lonergan*

Margaret “Peg” Bennett ‘45

Alan “Gus” Gillespie ‘64

Edwin P. Shiner**

John “Jack” Mascaro ‘62

Frank W. Zych**

2006

Sister Kay Palas, SC*
Mr. Anthony O'Toole*
Mr. William McGregor '67
Kathy McConnell-Miller '85
Mrs. Kay Dieckmann

2009

Joseph L. Luvara SHC ’66**
~ Brother Joseph Mahon, FSC**
~ Virginia Spadafore Sanders ’66
~ Patricia Strazza**

*Denotes John T. Cicco Award

**Denotes faculty

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