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2011 Elizabeth Ann Seton Awards
For the past 20 years, the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) has recognized exceptional individuals for their support of education and youth in the United States, and of Catholic education in particular. We salute past recipients and once again thank you for your philanthropy and service.
Eight individuals received the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award from the NCEA during the 20th annual Seton Awards ceremony Monday, Oct. 4 at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. The Archdiocese of New Orleans received the NCEA President’s Award.
The Seton Award is NCEA’s highest honor, given in recognition of significant contributions to Catholic education. The award is named in honor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774-1821), the first native-born American saint. The award is a bronze-colored medallion with the image of Mother Seton in profile, circled by the words NCEA Elizabeth Ann Seton Award. It is placed on a wide red ribbon and worn around the neck.
2011 NCEA St. Elizabeth A. Seton Award Recipients
Cardinal Francis George, OMI
 An ardent proponent of Catholic schools, Cardinal George established the Board of Catholic Schools to encourage greater support and leadership for the archdiocese’s 215 elementary and 40 secondary schools that serve 62,274 students. Approximately 94,000 more students are enrolled in religious education programs. The archdiocese also includes six Catholic colleges enrolling 45,000 students and three seminaries. According to Karen Ristau, NCEA president, more than one-third of the cardinal’s annual appeal is earmarked for education. Responding to the economic times, the Cardinal George Scholarship Fund makes available more than $1 million in emergency financial funds. In addition, the Big Shoulders Campaign provides support for Catholic schools in the neediest areas of inner-city Chicago. “Foremost in Cardinal George’s priorities,” Ristau said “is maintaining the strong Catholic identity in the schools and he has devoted considerable time to reviewing and revising the religious curriculum. Catholic education is enriched by his support and guidance.”
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View Cardinal Francis George's video below:
Joseph E. Robert, Jr.
 Joseph E. Robert, Jr. is founder and executive chairman of J.E. Robert Companies, a leading private commercial real estate investment and asset management firm. Founded in 1981, J.E. Robert Companies has successfully purchased and managed approximately 15,000 assets totaling $28 billion across 17 countries. Mr. Robert’s philanthropic commitments are equally as ambitious. In 1990, Robert founded and continues to serve as chairman of Fight For Children, Inc. (FFC), a Washington-based philanthropic organization whose mission is to create, promote, and invest in K-12 education opportunities that successfully prepare children for college and the workplace, and to provide quality primary health care options for our youth. Since FFC’s inception, it has raised over $310 million through contributions, matching grants and public policy initiatives to support more than 140 organizations in the Washington metropolitan area. Mr. Robert is a graduate of St. John’s College High School in Washington, D.C. Joseph Robert was the chairman of the Washington Scholarship Fund, which was one of the nation’s largest providers of scholarships to children of low income families in D.C. He was chairman of the successful $300 million Comprehensive Campaign at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., which resulted in the building of the Joseph E. Robert, Jr. Center for Surgical Care at the Children’s National Medical Center. |
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Pleasant T. Rowland
 Pleasant Rowland is a noted educator, business leader and philanthropist whose career began as a primary school teacher. Her lifelong interest in teaching children to read grew from her classroom experience and ultimately led to her authorship of reading and language arts programs used widely for 40 years in schools throughout the country. In 1985, Ms. Rowland combined her love of American history and her commitment to high-quality educational products when she created the American Girls Collection®, a line of historically accurate books, dolls, and accessories lauded for its ability to make American history come alive for millions of children. Ms. Rowland retired from American Girl in 2000 and formed the Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation to serve her philanthropic interest in the arts, education, and historic preservation. She then established the Rowland Reading Foundation to bring a new edition of the Superkids reading program back to primary-grade classrooms in order to address the nation’s need for highly motivating and rigorous reading instruction. The Superkids curriculum is used in Catholic schools across the country, producing exceptional learning results, and helping schools increase enrollment. According to Ms. Rowland, “reading is at the heart of all achievement. Without it, the American dream is out of reach. With it, anything is possible.” |
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Warren and Mary Lynn Staley
 Warren and Mary Lynn Staley have dedicated themselves to improving the lives and education of children throughout the Americas and Africa. Warren Staley began working at Cargill in 1969 and served as chairman of its foundation from 1995 to 2005 before his retirement. At Cargill he demonstrated his commitment to a high ethical standard, both personally and in the actions of the corporation. Mary Lynn Staley has devoted her time and talents to Benilde-St. Margaret’s School (BSM), a Catholic college-preparatory school in St. Louis Park, Minn. Mary Lynn Staley served on the board of directors and helped introduce strategic planning at BSM. Together the Staleys have given the largest single gift in the school’s history, allowing the school to remain affordable in future years for its great diversity of students.The Staleys also made a lead gift to Kansas State University, their alma mater, establishing the school’s Center for Leadership Studies. Warren and Mary Lynn Staley have mutually embraced the mission of Opportunity International, an organization comprised of owned and regulated microfinance institutions that share a common mission to follow Jesus Christ’s call to serve the poor. The couple also volunteers with Habitat for Humanity in the Twin Cities, Mexico, and South Africa.
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View Warren and Mary Lynn Staley's video below:
John J. Convey
 John Convey is the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Professor of Education and former Provost (1997-2007) of The Catholic University of America (CUA). Dr. Convey’s professional work focuses on research and strategic planning for Catholic schools. During the past 28 years he has conducted studies in the archdioceses of Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Denver, Mobile, and Washington, D.C., and the dioceses of Alexandria (LA), Biloxi, Brooklyn, Charlotte, Cheyenne, Corpus Christi, Honolulu, and Providence. He is currently assisting the Archdiocese of New Orleans with a study of its Catholic schools. Dr. Convey has authored, co-authored or edited eight books and numerous articles on Catholic education, including, most recently, ”Weathering the Storm: Moving Catholic Schools Forward” and “What do our Children Know about Their Faith: Results of the ACRE Assessment.” Dr. Convey is a commissioner on the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and a consultant to the Committee on Catholic Education of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. He is a recipient of the C. Albert Koob Award given by the National Catholic Educational Association for outstanding national service to Catholic schools. In 2005 Dr. Convey was awarded the Benemerenti Medal by Pope Benedict XVI in recognition of his service to CUA and Catholic schools nationwide. |
View John J. Convey's video below:
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