Pictured (l-r): Louis Steigerwald III, Maureen Colasanti accepting on behalf of Mr. Robert Halczyn, Dr. Elisabeth Sheridan, Rear Admiral Cathal O'Connor, Mark Steigerwald, Virginia Adornato accepting on behalf of Dr. Dominick Adornato, Hon. Brian DeJoseph, Dr. Kevin Hopkins, Dr. Russell Tracy
Eight individuals and one family were recognized as Distinguished Alumni at a dinner and ceremony at the Marriott Hotel Syracuse on Nov. 2.
This Year's Recipients Include:
Dr. Dominick Adornato, Class of 1958*
During his high school years at CBA, Dr. Dominick Adornato excelled in both academics, and as a star kicker on the football field. His participation in musical performances as a master accordion player, wowed audiences with his charismatic personality. Dr. Adornato met his wife of 47 years in 1957 at a CBA dance, where students from the Convent School also attended. He attended the University of Buffalo to begin his studies in medicine and continued on to medical school at Loyola University to specialize in neurosurgery. After working at the Cleveland Clinic, he eventually made his way back to Syracuse in 1972 and established his neurosurgery practice while operating at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Seven of his 10 children graduated from CBA where he supported their education. Dr. Adornato gave of his time and was always seen on the sidelines of each football game to offer medical assistance as the team doctor. He also served as physician to the resident Brothers at CBA Syracuse.
Virginia Adornato accepting on behalf of Dr. Dominick Adornato
Dr. Kevin Hopkins, Class of 1973
Dr. Kevin Hopkins graduated from St. Lawrence University before earning his MD from Boston University School of Medicine. Dr. Hopkins is a dedicated physician, who consistently prioritizes the well-being of others. He displayed this at CBA and continued through his college days, medical school, his work with The Small World Foundation, Inc. The mission of this 501(c)3 charitable organization is to provide reconstructive surgery to those in remote areas of the developing world who neither have the access or resources. He has performed countless surgeries that have transformed the lives of his patients. Dr. Hopkins remains a strong advocate for CBA and the educational advantages it offers. His commitment is evident through the number of family members who have attended since his graduation in 1973 and his ongoing support of CBA events.
Robert Halczyn, Class of 1970
After his graduation from CBA, Robert Halczyn earned his degree from Boston Conservatory of Music and completed a master’s in education at the University of Bridgeport. With over 40 years of teaching experience in both middle and high schools, he has a record of accomplishment of transforming struggling music programs into thriving ones. Halczyn has made a significant impact on Florida’s inner-city students by not only introducing music into schools, but also helping low-income students secure college scholarships. On May 11, 2011, he was recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records for organizing the longest string ensemble—858 string teachers and students—aimed at saving the music program in Tampa. He was also a 2015 candidate for the Grammy Music Educator Award.
Maureen Colasanti accepting on behalf of Mr. Robert Halczyn
Rear Admiral Cathal O’Connor (retired), Class of 1984
Rear Admiral Cathal O’Connor graduated from the University of Virginia in 1988 with a BA in English and was commissioned through the Naval ROTC program. He is a graduate of the Naval War College and Armed Forces Staff College and earned a MA in International Relations from the Salve Regina University in 1996. As a surface warfare officer, he commanded Amphibious Squadron in Sasebo, Japan, and USS Rushmore in San Diego, CA. Rushmore’s crew was deployed to the Western Pacific Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf and earned 17 awards of excellence. He has participated in Operations Restore Home, Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, as well as disaster relief operations. Personal awards included the Legion of Merit, the Defense and Meritorious Service Medals, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, as well as other individual campaign and unit awards.
Dr. Russell Tracy, Class of 1967
After Russell Tracy graduated from CBA, he went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in biology at Le Moyne College in 1971 and his Ph.D. from Syracuse University in 1978. Tracy became a professor of pathology and laboratory medicine and biochemistry at the University of Vermont (UVM) College of Medicine in Burlington, VT. Tracy has distinguished himself in the field of biochemistry. In the mid-1980s, he began work in cardiovascular clinical trials, and in the late 1980s, added epidemiological science, which has become his major area of interest. Tracy’s research focuses on the molecular and genetic epidemiology of the coagulation, inflammation and adaptive immune systems in cardiovascular disease, and other chronic diseases. In 2009, he was named University Scholar by UVM, the institution’s highest academic honor, and in 2014 the Distinguished Investigator of the Cardiovascular Institute of Vermont. The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) named him a 2015 Distinguished Scientist. Tracy has written or edited more than 600 scientific publications.
Captain Don Tarquin (retired), Class of 1954
Captain Tarquin joined the United States Naval Academy in 1954, following his graduation from CBA. He graduated with distinction in 1958 earning a bachelor’s degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. After serving 30 years, Tarquin retired in 1984 as Captain in Submarine warfare. Tarquin earned several medals and commendations over his career to include Legion of Merit, Navy E Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Service and several others.
Bob Halligan accepting on behalf of Captain Don Tarquin
Dr. Elisabeth Sheridan, Class of 2001
Dr. Sheridan graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Wake Forest University and completed a Fulbright fellowship at the Finnish National Public Health Institute in Helsinki, Finland. She received her PhD in Medical/Clinical Psychology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a clinical and research focus on neurodevelopmental disorders.
Dr. Sheridan is the Director of the Clinical Core at the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute and an Associate Professor at Drexel University. She is a licensed clinical psychologist with expertise in assessment, diagnosis, and intervention for individuals with a range of developmental, learning, social-emotional, and behavioral differences, including those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). She is engaged in clinical, research, and training initiatives that aim to improve the quality of life for autistic individuals and their families.
Honorable Brian DeJoseph, Class of 1967
After his graduation from CBA in 1967, DeJoseph went on to graduate magna cum laude at Syracuse University in 1972. DeJoseph was selected for membership in the academic honorary societies of Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi. In 1975, he graduated cum laude from Syracuse University College of Law. He was a member of the New York State Army National Guard from 1970 to 1976.
DeJoseph, J.S.C. retired after 41 years of experience as a judge and justice. Following eight years as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Appellate Division, Fourth Judicial Department, preceded by 13 years as a Justice of the Supreme Court seated in Onondaga County. On the Supreme Court bench, DeJoseph supervised the matrimonial division for five years (2001-2006), and then served as a trial Justice presiding over civil and commercial cases for seven years (2007-2014). Prior to election to the Supreme Court bench in 2001, DeJoseph served for 19 years as a Judge of the Syracuse City Court (1981-2000). At the time, DeJoseph was the youngest Judge to sit on the City Court bench. In 1987, he was designated to serve as a supervising judge of the Syracuse City Court and remained in that capacity until 2000.
Cathedral Candle Company
Mr. Louis Steigerwald*, Class of 1917, Mr. Carl Steigerwald *, Class of 1922, Mr. Louis Steigerwald III, Class of 1972 and Mr. Mark Steigerwald, Class of 1975
Cathedral Candle Company was founded in 1897 as an exclusive church and religious candle maker. They opened and continues its operation today on Kirkpatrick Street on the Northside of the city of Syracuse. From the beginning, the company has maintained its neighborhood atmosphere. Cathedral Candle Co. is currently owned and operated by the fourth and fifth generations of the Steigerwald family. The company uses innovative methods and formulations that have been perfected since its founding, including handwork and ornamentation techniques created by Jacob Steigerwald. The company also still uses machinery that was made over 80 years ago to Steigerwald's specifications and hires a machinist to custom-manufacture new parts when needed. Cathedral has always been proud of the dedicated and skilled employees it has recruited from the neighborhood.
Cathedral Candle Company supplies candles to churches throughout North America and has even made custom candles for the last three popes.
*Posthumously
