2004 O'Neil D'Amour Award

Sister Rosa Maria Ruiz, CFMM
Superintendent of Schools
Diocese of Tucson

Sister Rosa Maria Ruiz, CFMM, superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Tucson, Ariz., received the 2004 O'Neil D'Amour Award at the convention in Boston. The National Association of Boards, Commissions and Councils of Catholic Education (NABCCCE), a commission of the NCEA, presents the award annually to recognize an individual's outstanding contribution of statewide, regional, national or international significance to boards of Catholic education.

Regina Haney, executive director of NABCCCE, said that Sister Rosa's first and foremost ministry in everything she does is for the benefit of the children. She visits every diocesan school annually to ensure that it is clean, safe and attractive. She takes the time on all school visits to meet with students to remind them how important their education is, to tell them that God loves them and that she is pleased when they share their goals with her.

Sister Rosa has served Catholic education for more than 40 years as teacher, principal and superintendent. In the six years that she has been superintendent in the Diocese of Tucson, she has twice directed the revision of the Catholic schools policy book; developed a crisis management plan for all 28 schools; reorganized the diocesan school board, making it a more viable and active advocate for schools; and initiated a study of the existing salary scale and benefits for teachers and enacted policies to bring the salary scale to a level of justice for teachers throughout the diocese. She initiated an endowment program for all Catholic schools to ensure their financial stability; and was successful in opening three new high schools, one elementary school, and one pre-K to K school.

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