Founders' Award
Each year, the Saint Ignatius Alumni Association honors one of its members for his outstanding service to the school. To further honor Rev. Robert Welsh, S.J. '54 and the late Mrs. and Mr. Murlan J. Murphy '36, this award is named the "Founders' Award" for their dedication and service to Saint Ignatius High School.
Pat Macoska '69 - 2025 Recipient
Murlan J. Murphy, Sr. '36
On November 25, 1998, Murlan J. Murphy, Sr. ’36, chairman of the board of JTM Products, Inc., became the first person to be designated a Founder of Saint Ignatius High School. Mr. Murphy, familiarly known as Jerry, was named a Founder because of his extraordinary loyalty, support, and positive influence on the future of his Alma Mater.
Rev. Robert J. Welsh, S.J, '54
On Nov. 24, 1999, Fr. Robert J. Welsh, S.J., ’54, President of Saint Ignatius High School (1979-2000), became the second Founder of Saint Ignatius High School. Father Welsh was named a Founder because of his devotion to Catholic education and his insistence that Saint Ignatius High School be an instrument of the Society of Jesus to bring Christ’s light to the world.
Previous Recipients
2025 – Patrick T. Macoska ’69
2024 – Kevin J. Cook ’86
2023 – Anthony V. Anselmo ’77
2022 – Lee A. Bennett ’54*
2021 – Michael P. Ginley ’77*
2020 – Robert A. Koch, Sr. ’64
2019 – James D. Lentz ’77
2017 – James V. Moroney ’71
2016 – Christopher K. Smith ’74
2015 – Kevin M. Hinkel ’73
2013 – Michael E. Gibbons ’70
2012 – Michael T. DeGrandis ’79
2011 – Richard S. Freedman ’56*
2010 – Richard P. Bongorno ’74
2009 – James J. White ’66
2008 – Jeffrey T. Leitch ’71
2007 – James E. Cogan ’62
2006 – Edward M. Mullin ’72
2024 – Kevin J. Cook ’86
2023 – Anthony V. Anselmo ’77
2022 – Lee A. Bennett ’54*
2021 – Michael P. Ginley ’77*
2020 – Robert A. Koch, Sr. ’64
2019 – James D. Lentz ’77
2017 – James V. Moroney ’71
2016 – Christopher K. Smith ’74
2015 – Kevin M. Hinkel ’73
2013 – Michael E. Gibbons ’70
2012 – Michael T. DeGrandis ’79
2011 – Richard S. Freedman ’56*
2010 – Richard P. Bongorno ’74
2009 – James J. White ’66
2008 – Jeffrey T. Leitch ’71
2007 – James E. Cogan ’62
2006 – Edward M. Mullin ’72
2005 – Thomas B. McGowan III ’62
2004 – William E. Reichard ’57
2002 – Walter E. Martens Jr. ’63*
2001 – Edward J. Maher ’57*
2000 – Robert J. Welsh, S.J., ’54*
2000 – Arthur R. FitzGerald ’50*
1999 – George C. Soos ’70
1998 – Frank V. Zombek ’62
1997 – Patrick J. Murphy ’67
1996 – Dennis A. Matejka ’76
1995 – Jeffrey L. Tasse ’74*
1994 – James M. Gesing ’69
1993 – Peter A. Carfagna ’71
1992 – Thomas J. Bader ’46*
1991 – John G. Cooney ’70
1990 – Stephen G. Tirpak ’57*
1989 – Peter J. Mahoney ’50
1988 – Robert E. McGrail ’39*
1987 – John S. Polito ’70
1986 – Gilbert L. Roth ’51*
1985 – Thomas C. Johnson ’40*
1985 – Gary W. Johnson ’72
1984 – Hon. Leo M. Spellacy ’52*
1983 – Terrance P. Gravens ’69*
1982 – Frank A. Della Torre ’48*
1981 – Herbert C. Brosnan ’59
1980 – Charles A. Novak ’53*
1979 – Michael F. McDonough ’60*
1978 – Robert F. Deucher ’58
1977 – William J. Ginley ’52*
1976 – Robert E. Smith ’42*
1975 – Neil J. Martau ’55*
1975 – M. Joseph McGinty ’50
1974 – Robert P. Pingstock, S.J.*
1974 – Neil W. McCarthy ’35*
1974 – Ara F. Walker, S.J., ’24*
1973 – Patrick J. McDonnell ’50*
1972 – William N. Kasson ’42*
1971 – Richard J. Zunt ’50*
1970 – James P. Sweeny ’45*
1969 – Joseph P. Rochford ’53*
1968 – Robert L. Harter ’49
1967 – Robert S. Charek ’42*
1965 – Donald F. Carroll ’44*
1964 – Daniel J. O’Brien ’50*
1963 – Howard E. Kessler ’36*
1962 – John A. O’Malley ’36*
1961 – Paul C. Kearney ’46*
1960 – John E. Maddock ’32*
1959 – William R. Furlong ’45*
1958 – Howard J. Mahoney ’36*
1957 – Thomas E. Duffy ’42*
1956 – Edward F. Kehoe ’27*
1955 – William J. Maloney ’41*
1954 – James E. Hogue ’42*
1953 – John V. Corrigan ’38*
1952 – Raymond J. Koch ’42*
Submit Founders' Award Nomination
Each year, we honor a group of alumni with various awards to recognize their success since graduation and honor their continued commitment to the mission of our school.
Accepting nominations for The Hon. John V. Corrigan ’38 Distinguished Alumnus Award, The Young Alumnus Award, and The Honorable Leo M. Spellacy ’52 Bellarmine Award.