October 28, 2021
La Roche University to Honor Distinguished Alumni on Saturday, Nov. 6
PITTSBURGH, Oct. 28, 2021 – La Roche University will induct 24 individuals into its Distinguished Alumni Circle during a special dinner and reception on Saturday, Nov. 6.
The event will kick off in La Roche’s Zappala Campus Center at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and the awards ceremony.
La Roche grants the Distinguished Alumni Award to graduates whose outstanding success at work and in the community reflects the mission of the University. After receiving nominations from alumni, parents, friends and other members of the La Roche community, a committee comprised of a diverse cross-section of La Roche constituents selected the following alumni as recipients:
2021
Joe Blair II, M.S. ’05
CRNA/Director of Detachments - Region II
Jefferson Medical Center, West Virginia University Medicine
Expeditionary Medical Facility, Bethesda
Suzanne (Postava) Gilch ’72, M.S. ’84
Lay Minister (Retired)
Diocese of Pittsburgh
Gloria Katuuku ’03, MBA
Principal Information and Communication Technology Officer, Research and Development
Ministry of Information and Communications Technology, Uganda
James Koshar, M.S. ’93, DSL
Adjunct Professor
Shepherd University
Joanna Lewis-Creegan ’05, M.S.
Manager, Technology Services, Patient-Centered Endpoints
IQVIA
Sara Makin ’13, M.S.Ed., LPC, NCC
Founder/CEO
Makin Wellness
Elizabeth OGrady ’79
VP, Channel Management Team (Retired)
ABB Inc.
Veronica Oswald-Hrutkay ’90
Director of Women, Peace and Security Studies
U.S. Army War College
Danay Rivero ’10
National News Correspondent
Univision Network
Don Sedei ’72
CEO and Author
The Amusement Park, LLC
Amy Marie Sula ’99, M.S.
Manager of Integration Support
Allegheny County Department of Human Services
2020
Gary Hammer ’79
Co-Founder and Senior Principal
Hammer Design Associates/HDA-Pacific
Michael Hassett ’11, Ph.D.
President & Co-Founder
Friends of Tonga Inc.
Budget Analyst
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Judy Henry ’95, ’02 (Posthumously)
Study Coordinator, Division of Medical Genetics
UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
Becky Jenkins ’98
Partner, Vice President of Construction
Mobley Homes
Antoine Kanamugire ’04, M.D.
Medical doctor, psychiatrist
Antoine Kanamugire M.D. Inc.
Robert Koehler ’93
Associate Partner
IBM
Marilyn Marousek ’81, ’86
Associate Professor of Human Resources (Retired)
Interim Program Director, Adrian Dominican School of Education
Barry University
Patricia Meyer-Battiston’97, ’00
Nurse Practitioner Supervisor
UPMC Passavant
John Napolitano ’81
President/Owner
The Lann Companies
Danielle Shearer ’03
Vice President and General Manager
Howard Hanna Insurance Services
Cynthia Stauber ’84
Unit Director
UPMC Passavant
Cadwell Turnbull ’09
Writer
Alene Valkanas ’68
Founding Executive Director (Retired)
Illinois Arts Alliance
A full biography of each awardee is available at laroche.edu/DAC.
Sister Candace Introcaso, CDP, Ph.D., president of La Roche, also will recognize Antoine Kanamugire ’04, M.D. and Joe Blair ’05 as recipients of the Sister Kathleen Angel Award for Distinguished Career Services in the Life Science and Medical Professions. Presented annually to alumni of La Roche’s biology and health professional programs, the award honors alumni for leading distinguished professional careers of leadership and public service. Awards are nominated by alumni peers or colleagues.
Along with UPMC Health Plan as the premier sponsor, supporting sponsors for the Distinguished Alumni event include: DRS Architects, Littler Mendelson, Passavant Hospital Foundation, Perfido Weiskopf Wagstaff + Goettel and Tristate Capital Bank.
About La Roche University: A private liberal arts university in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, La Roche University offers 66 undergraduate programs of study, six master’s degrees and one doctoral degree, with particular strengths in education, business, criminal justice, psychology, and health and medical sciences as well as interior design and graphic design. This residential university provides a vibrant campus community for nearly 1,300 men and women enjoying 30-plus student organizations and an exciting NCAA Div. III athletics program. Founded by the Sisters of Divine Providence in 1963, La Roche University embraces its Catholic heritage while welcoming people of all faiths and backgrounds. With a legacy of social justice and a commitment to international exchange, La Roche University educates students to be lifelong learners and achievers in an increasingly diverse and global society.
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