Alumnae Awards

Recipients of the Trocaire Leadership Awards inspire and motivate others; exhibit outstanding leadership in their professional and personal lives and throughout the community; are committed to personal growth, social responsibility and global awareness; and contribute to the development of others through mentorship and volunteerism. These women serve as models of success through their leadership, unique talents, qualities of mercy, and compassion exhibited in their chosen fields.

During the 150th Anniversary Celebration, eight women from various fields were honored with inaugural Trocaire Leadership Awards. Each year since then, women are honored from these fields. 

Field Categories include:
Arts & Media
Business & Entrepreneurship
Education
Government & Legal
Philanthropy & Nonprofit
Religious Vocations & Volunteers 
STEM

Nominees for the Trocaire Leadership Awards must be women (alumnae, parents, past faculty or staff, etc.) who have contributed significantly to their community. Winners cannot be current employees of GMAHS. The Alumnae Association Awards Committee will review all nominations and notify the winners prior to the event. Nominations of women who were not selected for awards from previous years will remain under consideration in upcoming years. An Alumna can receive both a Trocaire Award and the Barger Award, but not in the same year. 

This annual award is named for Margaret Beirn Barger, a 1935 graduate of the Academy of the Sisters of Mercy, who had a life-long dedication to the Alumnae Association. Margaret served as the backbone of the organization for more than 50 years. For the first 19 years, this award has been given to graduates who represented commitment to the works of Mercy. Winners cannot be current employees of GMAHS. As the Alumnae Awards program grew, this recognition now specifically focuses on alumnae who epitomize the qualities of loyalty, service, dedication and devotion to the School, all demonstrated by Margaret Beirn Barger ’35.

Nominees for the Margaret Beirn Barger ’35 Distinguished Alumna Award must be women (alumnae, parents, past faculty or staff, etc.) who have contributed significantly to the Gwynedd community. Winners cannot be current employees of GMAHS. The Alumnae Association Awards Committee will review all nominations and notify the winners prior to the event. Nominations of women who were not selected for awards from previous years will remain under consideration in upcoming years. An Alumna can receive both a Trocaire Award and the Barger Award, but not in the same year.

Athletic Hall of Fame

To preserve and honor Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School's successful athletic history, the Alumnae Association, along with the Athletic Department, accepts nominations for outstanding athletes, teams, and coaches for the Athletic Hall of Fame presented at the Reunion event each October. The Hall of Fame hopes to maintain memories and inspire young women to compete with perseverance and the utmost Mercy spirit. This Hall of Fame includes all those previously recognized on the 150th Anniversary Wall of Fame unveiled in September 2010.

Nominees must be an individual athlete, team, or coach who meets the following criteria:

• Graduate(s) of Academy of the Sisters of Mercy or Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School at least 8 years ago (Class of 2013 or earlier).
• Demonstrated outstanding Mercy Spirit through leadership and sportsmanship while attending ASM/GMAHS.
• Athletic participant(s) at ASM/GMAHS, receiving recognition for exceptional athletic performance such as team captain, MVP, and school or league records.

This prestigious award, named in honor of Maria Lutz McHugh ’46, recognizes an adult (coach, athletic trainer, faculty member, staff member, parent, community member, etc.) who has made an outstanding commitment and demonstrated extraordinary leadership to advancing Gwynedd Mercy Athletics. All members of the Gwynedd Mercy Community are welcome to submit nominations for the award each year.  Nominations must include a substantive narrative outlining how the nominee has made an outstanding commitment and demonstrated extraordinary leadership to advancing Gwynedd’s Athletic Program. Nominations initially will be reviewed by the Gwynedd Mercy Administration, and the Maria Lutz McHugh ’46 Legacy Committee will select the award recipient, with final approval provided by the Gwynedd Mercy President. Recipients will be recognized at an event at Gwynedd Mercy, and their names will be engraved on a plaque within the School.  

To nominate candidates for the awards above (self nominations accepted), please submit the online form below or send:

• Your name and contact information
• The nominee’s name and contact information
• A narrative about the deserving qualities of the nominee (200 words or less)
• The nominee’s resume/CV if available

Questions? Please contact Director of Alumnae Engagement Erin Reimel Clements '12 at eclements@gmahs.org or 267-946-0021

Trocaire Leadership Award Recipients

Inaugural Trocaire Award Recipients 2010-11
Maureen Grogan Colburn '93 - Education
Peggy Dolan, Past Parent - Nonprofit
Rosemary McCarron Flannnery, Esq. '39 - Government/Legal
Frances Galante '75 - Arts
Maureen O'Connell, Ph.D. '91 - Religion/Vocation/Volunteer (Layperson)
Kathleen Roeder, M.D. '60 - Healthcare/Science/Technology
Barbara Boyle Sullivan '54 - Business/Entrepreneur/Engineer
Sr. Antoinette Zimmerman, R.S.M. '57 - Religion/Vocation/Volunteer (Religious)

Trocaire Award Recipients 2011-12
Dr. Kathy Myers, Faculty - Education
Mary Higgins Fletcher '77 - Government/Legal
Corinne O'Connell '93 - Philanthropy/Nonprofit
Sr. Mary Klock, R.S.M. '48 - Religion/Vocation/Volunteer (Religious)

Trocaire Award Recipients 2012-13
Margaret Walsh Huddy '57 - Arts
Joan Murray Reynolds '48 - Business/Entrepreneur/Engineer
Mary Ellen Miller, R.N. (Past Parent) - Healthcare/Science/Technology
Ann Diehl Casey '50 - Religion/Vocation/Volunteer (Layperson)

Trocaire Award Recipients 2013-14
Diane Dewhirst '75 - Government/Legal
Kristin M. Risi, Ph.D. '87 - Education
Teresa Araco Rodgers '91 - Philanthropy/Nonprofit
Sr. Cathe Shoulberg, R.S.M. '65 - Religion/Vocation/Volunteer (Religious)

Trocaire Award Recipients 2014-15
Jen Creed Rego '94 - Arts
Carolyn Fontaine Davis '97 - Business/Entrepreneur/Engineer
Joely Esposito, Psy.D. '88 - Healthcare/Science/Technology
Andi Land Healy '80 - Religion/Vocation/Volunteer (Layperson)

Trocaire Award Recipients 2015-16
Susan Baumher Mitchell, Faculty - Education
Sallyanne Harper ‘72 - Government/Legal
Kristina Wahl ‘93 - Philanthropy/Nonprofit
Sr. Monica Sheehy, RSM ‘63 - Religion/Vocation/Volunteer (Religious)

Trocaire Award Recipients 2016-17
Melissa Maddoni Haims '90 - Arts
Anne McKernan Robinson '54 - Business/Entrepreneur/Engineer
Julie Tippens, Ph.D. '97 - Healthcare/Science/Technology
Rev. Marianne Robbins '75 - Religion/Vocation/Volunteer (Layperson)

Trocaire Award Recipients 2017-18
Catherine Wilson, Ph.D. '90 - Education
Lisa Heilbronn, Ph.D. '72 - Government/Legal
Angela Amarhanov '08 - Philanthropy/Nonprofit
Sr. Rosemary Herron, RSM & Sr. Susan Walsh, RSM - Religion/Vocation/Volunteer (Religious)

Trocaire Leadership Awards 2019-20
Elissa Gore '68 - Arts
Eileen Maguire Maginnis '75 - Business/Entrepreneur/Engineer
Maura McLaughlin, Ph.D. '90 - Healthcare/Science/Technology
Lori Fanelli Butrus '79 - Religion/Vocation/Volunteer

Trocaire Leadership Awards 2021-22
Allison Zaucha '10 - Arts
Julie Eble, Ph.D. '71 - Business/Entrepreneur/Engineer
Karalyn McGrorty Derstine, Ed.D '01 - Education
Mary Ott, Ph.D. '75 - Government/Legal
Clare Cherney, M.D. '75 - Healthcare/Science/Technology
Sheila Nolan, M.D. '90 - Healthcare/Science/Technology
Kate Daniels Imbesi, Esq. '92 - Philanthropy/Nonprofit
Sr. Virginia Hasson, R.S.M. (posthumous) - Religion/Vocation/Volunteer

Trocaire Leadership Awards 2022-23
Kelley Malott DeConciliis ’99 - Business/Entrepreneur/Engineer
Erica Weiler-Timmins, Ph.D., A.B.P.P. ’89 - Education
Lt. Col. Dianna DiToro, D.P.T., U.S.M.C.R. ’97 - Government/Legal
Alison McGrorty-Crotts, M.D., M.P.H. ’04 - Healthcare/Science/Technology
Mackenzie Dougherty Driscoll ’04 - Philanthropy/Nonprofit

Trocaire Leadership Awards 2023-24
Maisha Palmer Kelly ’95 - Education
Marlena Ventresca Parker, Colonel Retired ’86 - Government & Legal
Nicole Lovecchio ’97 - Philanthropy & Nonprofit
Sister Maureen Christi Donahue, RSM - Religious Vocations & Volunteers
Meghan Bishop, MD ’03 - STEM

Trocaire Leadership Awards 2024-25
Elizabeth Arnold ’77 - Arts & Media
Theresa Regli ’92 - Business & Entrepreneurship
Hon. Jeanne Jourdan ’57 - Government & Legal
Tracey Danella Spause ’02 - Philanthropy & Nonprofit
Jennifer Patterson, Ph.D. ’94 - STEM

Margaret Beirn Barger '35 Distinguished Alumna Award Recipients

1991-92 Kate Harper Kelly, Esq. '74
1992-93 Nancy Faris Buckley '57
1993-94 Sr. Elizabeth Marie McCormick, RSM '32
1994-95 Judy McLaughlin Bucko '60
1994-95 Peg McKenna Luksik '73
1995-96 Sr. Gail deMacedo RSM '55 (posthumously)
1996-97 Joanne Becker Rovno '57
1997-98 Sr. Mary Klock, RSM '48
1998-99 Kathleen Roeder, MD '60
1999-00 Mary Elizabeth Cunningham '50
2000-01 Isabelle (June) McCullough Bottke '51
2001-02 Ann Diehl Casey '50
2002-03 Kathleen (Toots) Cattie Fee '61
2003-04 Jean Hepburn Lembach '50
2004-05 Alice Ann Goldkamp Bossow '60
2005-06 Sr. Peggy Mahoney, RSM '64
2006-07 Mary Jane Leaming Wahl '56
2007-08 Denise Corkery Marbach '72
2008-09 Sr. Mary Trainer, RSM '57
2009-10 Linda Galante, Esq. '72
2011-12 Cindy Antoni Conaway '71
2012-13 Carol Chiodo '75
2013-14 Eileen Cairnes Samtmann '60
2014-15 Cathy Cunneff Seese '46
2015-16 Karen McKeaney ‘88
2016-17 Melva Exner, Esq. '77
2017-18 Cory Clark Shay '95
2019-20 Nancy Pannepacker McKeaney '64
2021-22 Michele Corkery Hanes ’72 and Marita Sommar Osborne ’66
2022-23 Kristin Kane Ford ’00
2023-24 Anna Skoien Lall ’02
2024-25 Kathleen Kirk Bellwoar ’81

Athletic Hall of Fame

2011-12 Regina Graham Mairiello '79
2011-12 The 2000 Swim Team
2012-13 Colleen Gleeson Greshock '96
2012-13 Lauren Morton '04
2013-14 1962-63 Field Hockey Team
2013-14 Maisha Palmer Kelly '95
2014-15 Moira Durkin Tozier '00
2014-15 Kate Hosterman Tobias, Faculty
2015-16 Alex Malatesta McMahan, Esq. ‘05
2016-17 Lori Baiocchi King '93
2017-18 The 1995 Volleyball Team
2019-20 Clark Deardorff, Tennis Coach (posthumous)
2021-22 Emma Keenan ’13
2022-23 Emily McCauley ’12
2023-24 Christina Mastropaolo, PhD ’07
2024-25 Natalie Pisch ’14

2021 Coach Larry Wilson
2023 Cristin Meehan ’05