McMullen Honorees 2015


11/20/2015

A true representative of the Diocese of Davenport's support for Catholic higher education will join two tireless supporters of St. Ambrose University and its students in being honored with the Bishop John McMullen Award on Dec. 6 at Christ The King Chapel.

Msgr. John Hyland '64 and Jim '69 and Karen Collins will be presented the prestigious awards in conjunction with the annual Feast of Saint Ambrose. The Mass and presentations will begin at 10:30 a.m. A reception will follow.

Karen and Jim '69 Collins

In some respects, it may seem like Jim Collins '69 has done it all at St. Ambrose. He has experienced student life, served his alma mater as a Trustee from 1998 - 2010 and now stays engaged as a Trustee Emeritus and active alumnus. His engagement has assisted the university in developing the vision and core values of St. Ambrose University. However, his greatest accomplishment may be the one he has achieved with his wife, Karen. Together, they have provided countless hours of volunteer service and have become a catalyzing force behind recent alumni campus diversity efforts.

Jim and Karen have provided vision, initiative, and support for St. Ambrose, enabling the university to enhance its core value of diversity over the last 10 years. They are founding contributors to the Freeman Pollard Endowment Fund, which provides scholarships to minority students in honor of the first African-American professor at St. Ambrose University. They generously support this fund and work tirelessly to achieve the goal of fully endowing the scholarship so it can provide vital assistance to minority students far into the future.

This fund makes a St. Ambrose educational experience a reality for all students. But Jim and Karen haven't forgotten that these same students need someone to open the door to a job, as well as a college education. That's why they take the time to use their professional and personal knowledge to connect individual students with alumni who can open doors to the future.

Jim and Karen are guiding beacons in shaping the university's efforts for diversity and have engaged countless other alumni and community members who are also committed to enhancing diversity efforts on campus.

Msgr. John Hyland '64

Msgr. John Hyland '64 exemplifies what it means to be an active and engaged alumnus. His countless hours of service have played a significant role in improving the university over the past 17 years.

Since 1998, Msgr. Hyland has served on the university's Board of Trustees. During his tenure as Vice Chair of the Board, the university has grown substantially, including the addition of the Rogalski Center, the renovation of Christ the King Chapel and the construction of multiple academic and residence buildings. When something has been important to St. Ambrose University, it has been important to Msgr. Hyland. He has supported each new venture with careful consideration, volunteer time, and resources.

Currently, he serves as clergy co-chair for the Building our Future capital campaign. In this role, he has encouraged others to follow his example to give to this campaign, which supports a new Wellness and Recreation Center for the campus community. As in the past, he is eager to be involved whenever possible.

Throughout his many years of service as Vicar General for the Diocese of Davenport, he has modeled wisdom and pastoral care for others in every aspect of his ministry. He exemplifies a servant leader, and we celebrate the way in which he gives of himself to enrich the lives of others. In this way embodies the mission of St. Ambrose University.

Previous award recipients:

2006 - Donald '51, MD, and Mary Jo Heming, William '49, MD, and Eda '81 Hofmann, Leo Kilfoy '51, PhD, I. Weir and Pat Sears, Joseph Walton '50, Rev. Edward Catich '34, '77 (Hon.) (posthumously)
2007 - Jane Folwell '01 (Hon.), Robert "Bob" Kelly '57, Rev. George McDaniel, PhD, '86, Rev. Msgr. Marvin Mottet `52 and Walter Neiswanger `48 (posthumously)
2008 - Don and Jerri Moeller and James `59 and Elaine Malay
2010 - James `56 and Mary Hagen, Ray `53 and Jill McLaughlin and the Most Rev William Franklin
2011 - Rev. William Dawson `50, Rev. Edmund Dunn `58 and Dimitri and Kathy `94 Papageorgiou
2012 - John and Patricia Bush and Richard Geiger
2013 - Edward '64 and Lynne (posthumously) Henkhaus and Mary Joy Allert Feeney
2014 - Joe '72 and Joyce O'Rourke and John '58 & Helen '57 Morrissey

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