For National or International Achievements

About the Award

The Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest honor accorded by the Alumni Association and recognizes a graduate of the University of Dayton who has earned special distinction, thereby reflecting great honor on the University of Dayton and its alumni.

The award is given to a person who has sustained a record of accomplishment and whose reputation is widespread.

In selecting the distinguished alumni, special attention shall be given to the accomplishments that embody the University's goal to participate effectively in the quest for a more perfect human society. To be eligible, a person must hold a degree from the University of Dayton, and must have received the degree at least 25 years prior to being nominated for the award. Unless there is a compelling reason to merit an exception, only one award will be given each year.



Past Recipients

View Recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award

  • Richard A. Abdoo '65
  • John B. Alexander '25
  • Paul W. Armstrong '67
  • Edwin G. Becker '14
  • Lori Hinnenkamp Beer '89
  • Erma F. Bombeck '49
  • David Bradley '71
  • Ricardo Bressani, Ph.D. '48
  • Edward L. Buescher '45
  • Simon Burick '30
  • Doris I. Charles '52
  • Ronald W. Collins '57
  • John E. Condon '51
  • Nelda "Janine" Connors '87, '90
  • Carl J. Crane '24
  • L. William "Bill" Crotty '52
  • Richard P. Davis '72
  • Ralph D. Delaney '55
  • Joseph Desch '29 (posthumously awarded)
  • Eileen Dolan '79
  • Dr. Sean Donahue '84
  • F. Thomas Eggemeier '67
  • Richard H. Finan '54
  • Brother Raymond L. Fitz, S.M. '64
  • George E. Freitas '29
  • Thomas J. Frericks '53
  • Donald R. Geiger, S.M. '55
  • William E. Hammer, Jr. '62
  • James C. Herbert '63
  • Martin J. Hillenbrand '37
  • Carroll A. Hochwalt '20
  • George K. Houghtailing '29
  • Howard L. Hughes, S.M. '51
  • Cordell W. Hull '56
  • Clement G. Jauch '08
  • Soichi Kawazoe '30
  • Joseph E. Keller '29
  • Thomas C. Kennedy '59
  • Donald M. Knowlan '51
  • Ambassador W. Robert Kohorst '75
  • John L. Lahey '68, '70
  • Frank F. Ledford, Jr. '55
  • John A. Lombardo '71
  • John J. Lucier, S.M. '37
  • Peter A. Luongo '65
  • John T. Makley '57
  • Torrence A. Makley, Jr. '40
  • Al H. Mahrt '12
  • M. Michele Mariscalco, M.D. '77
  • Lourdes Maurice, Ph.D. '83, '86
  • Paul V. McEnroe '59
  • John F. McHale '78
  • Theodore Q. Miller '68
  • Simon Nathan '42
  • Colombe Nicholas '64
  • Charles H. Noll '53
  • John L. O'Grady '68
  • Joseph D. Park '29
  • Charles J. Pedersen '26
  • David Phillips '62
  • Shirley A. Pohl '57
  • Rita M. Rapp '50
  • Irmengard Raush '55
  • Raymond A. Roesch, S.M. '36
  • Col. Gordon R. Roberts '74
  • LTG (Retired) Thomas Seamands '81
  • Dr. Richard M. Schoen '72
  • Sanford M. Shapero '50
  • Katherine Schipper '71
  • Barry J. Shillito '49
  • Tsu T. Soong, Ph.D. '55
  • James R. Spotila '66
  • Eugene Steuerle '68
  • George E. Thoma '43
  • Fred Tenover, Ph.D. '76
  • Charles L. Weber '58
  • John R. Westerheide '47
  • Charles W. Whalen, Jr. '42
  • Bernard L. Whelan '09
  • Donald W. Wigal '55
  • Charles R. Wilke '40