2023 AWARD WINNERS
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DAN HARRELL ’61- WEST CATHOLIC LEGACY AWARD
Over the last several decades, Coach Harrell has coached – and more importantly, mentored – thousands of young men and women at St. Barnabas, West Catholic and University of Pennsylvania!! Dan has dedicated himself to always helping others. A veteran of the U.S. Marines, Dan is very active in honoring and serving other Vets. He also is very involved in Irish American Activities, including the AOH and in forging a special relationship between the students of St. Malachy’s College in Belfast and the Irish American community in the Philadelphia area. Dan was honored by the St. Patrick’s Day Observance Committee this year as Grand Marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. . EMIL J. HENWOOD, JR. ‘42– GOLDEN BURR AWARD (Posthumous) Emil Henwood is a legend in High School and Collegiate Crew. He was a national champion oarsman in server events throughout the 1940’s and 1950’s. After serving in the Navy in World War II, he won the national four without coxswain competition. In 1953, he rowed in the national championship eight oared shell with John B. Kelly, Jr. For many years, Emil coached several generations of rowers, including his six sons. In 1970, he was the U.S. Youth Team’s Sculling Coach at the World Championship in Greece. His sons and daughters continued his legacy in rowing for many years, accomplishing may outstanding achievements. SISTER JANE MCFADDEN, I.H.M. ’64 BROTHER ANSELM, F.S.C. AWARD Sister Jane has dedicated her life to education, particularly to students growing up in difficult circumstances. After joining he Sisters and graduating from Immaculata University. Sister Jane first taught locally at St. Dorothy School in Drexel Hill and BVM School in Darby. Sister then began a missionary vocation that took her to South America for 21 years – 10 years in Peru and 11 years in Chile! Returning home, Sister Jane was principal of St. Peter School in Reading, serving 11 years as Principal, before moving to St. William School in Northeast Phila. Sister then moved to St. Francis DeSales, currently serving as Vice Principal. ELIZABETH DIEDRICH’65 – MARGARET PORTER BLUE & GOLD AWARD In addition to the fulltime duties of raising her family, Bette dedicated herself to Nursing. After earing her B.S.N, Bette spent 47 years a Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department at Misericordia Hospital and then at Penn Presbyterian Hospital. Bette also has been very active in her community and parish, including serving as a cantor for 30 years! Bette also has served West Catholic Alums for many years – both as a very active member of the Board of the West Philadelphia Catholic Girls Alumnae Association and was a trailblazer as one of the first women members of the West Catholic Alumni Association; Bette continues to serve on both Boards. |
FRANK NOLAN’73 – 50TH ANNIVERSARY GOLDEN BURR AWARD
Since graduating from West and St. Joseph’s University, Frank has served as a first responder assisting and protecting many communities. Starting as a summer Police Officer for North Wildwood, and the Colwyn Police Department, Fran then moved the Philadelphia Fire Department and then onto the Philadelphia Department for many years. In addition to his Bachelor’s Degree from St. Joe’s, Frank has a Master’s Degree from St. Joe’s and graduated from the FBI Academy as well. After retiring from the Philadelphia Police Department, Frank served as a Detective for the County Prosecutor’s Office in Cumberland County, N.J. Since retiring a second time, Frank has been serving with the North Wildwood Fire Department, currently as Battalion Chief. MARK NAVE’85 – WILLIAM MCGARVEY AWARD Since earning his BBA in Accounting from Temple, Mark has dedicated his career to assisting non-profits. After 17 years at Christiana Health System, Mark has been a Grant Management Specialist and currently the Assistant Director for the Office of Research Services over the last 17 years with Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine. Mark also serves on the West Catholic Alumni Association Board for many years and also served at the Association’s Vice President of Finance for four years, and also is very active in all of the Association’s Veterans Committee activities. Mark also is very active in the Sons of the American Legion. Since 2018, Mark has chaired the Child Welfare Foundation Committee, which raises funds to provide grants to nonprofit organizations for projects that contribute to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual welfare of children. Mark also is the Grand Knight for the Knights of Columbus, Assembly #913, Council 8252, serving in that position since 2013. BRIDGET MCGUIRE COLLINS’96- 25 TH ANNIVERSARY SILVER BURR AWARD Bridget has dedicated her career to teaching, especially in the field of Special Education. Bridget attended Lasalle University, earning a degree in Elementary and Special Education. She began teaching in Brandywine School District (Wilmington, DE). In 2005, Bridget returned to Philadelphia and currently is a Special Education Liaison and teacher in the Philadelphia School District. She holds a Master’s Degree from Holy Family University as a Reading Specialist and an additional Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Cabrini College. Bridget has also coached numerous sports teams over the years including volunteer positions at her grade school, Saint Barnabas School, where she graduated 8th grade in 1992 and currently is an active member of Saint Matthew Parish (Phila). DR. JAMES PERRY, M.D.’73 – INAUGURAL JOHN CARDINAL O’CONNOR GOD COUNTRY AWARD Jim Perry grew up in South and Southwest Philadelphia, attending St. Edmund’s and Most Blessed Sacrament grade schools. At West Catholic, he was active on the track and cross-country teams. Jim received an academic scholarship to La Salle University, met his future wife while there, and graduated in 1977. Jim received an Army Health Professions Scholarship for medical school. Upon graduation from Hahnemann in 1981, he entered active duty in the US Army and did his Internal Medicine internship and residency training at Letterman Army Medical Center. After a 1-year staff assignment at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, Jim went to Walter Reed Army Medical Center for subspecialty training in Hematology-Oncology. Remaining on staff at Walter Reed, Jim started a bone marrow transplant program there, and completed 10 years of military service in 1991, retiring as a Major. In addition to private practice in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, Jim also taught at Wake Forest University Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC for 7 years. Jim in 1992. He left academic medicine in 1999, joining a private Community Oncology practice that ultimately included 6 offices. Jim served as the Chief Medical Officer, until he fully retired in late 2021. |
