John A. Hudec ’68
The Honorable John V. Corrigan ’38 Distinguished Alumnus Award Honoree
John Hudec ’68 lives by this mantra: dedication, determination, and commitment. It has served him well as a loving dad, skilled dentist and successful businessman. He credits much of this to his mom and dad and to his formation at Saint Ignatius High School. Raised in Parma and then Brecksville, he was second oldest among seven brothers who all attended Saint Ignatius.
John recalls numerous Jesuits as positive and inspirational influences in his life, including Fr. Belt who challenged him as a junior to accept a more difficult role that no one wanted on the scholarship drive accounting team, advising him, “John, I want you to do this. Don’t be afraid to take on the difficult assignments. Life is full of difficult assignments. Master those and you will find success in everything you do.” John became chairman of the drive the following year and it opened doors for him, revealing leadership qualities he knew he had, but needed a push.
There were many deep friendships with other Jesuits over the years, including Rev. Robert Welsh, S.J. ’54, who was an example of grace, spirituality and listening without judgement; Rev. Lawrence Ober, S.J., who inspired him through the Ignatian spiritual exercises program; Rev. Timothy P. Kesicki, S.J., who became a close family friend, and Rev. Marty Connell, S.J., whose humility and leadership at the new St. Peter Claver Jesuit High School in Tanzania inspired John to start an endowment for the school.
After John Carroll University, John attended Ohio State University where he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1976. He opened his own practice in 1977 and focused on serving Cleveland communities at a time when many were leaving for the suburbs. He created a strong family business model, growing to 25 locations. His son Mike ’97 is now CEO and son Brian ’07 serves as a dentist while preparing for future leadership role with Hudec Dental.
“As a family business, we preach family values, treating others as we wish to be treated,” says John. He is most proud of his role as a dad and his example to five successful children and their children. “My oldest grandson, Michael, started at Saint Ignatius in the fall, our third generation. Hard to believe, now I am one of the old guys – but the fire and spirit for Saint Ignatius never is diminished.”
John has served on boards for St. Martin De Porres High School, Boys Hope Girls Hope, Catholic Charities, and on the Saint Ignatius board from 1997-2003. “I still take pride in the success of Saint Ignatius alumni,” he says. “There’s a deep kinship, an indescribable feeling and allegiance. I’m grateful to all the people along this journey who helped me realize my blessings. What started with my mom and dad was reinforced at Saint Ignatius. That’s never left me. I couldn’t be more grateful.”
John lives in Brecksville. His sons are Mike ’97 and Brian ’07; daughters Amy, Julie and Maggie attended Walsh Jesuit High School.
Rev. Paul Schindler ’59
The Honorable John V. Corrigan ’38 Distinguished Alumnus Award Honoree
Rev. Paul Schindler ’59 has been a priest in the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland since 1967. It’s been a remarkable journey, spanning five years at Sacred Heart Parish in Wadsworth, 26 years at St. Bernard Parish in Akron and 25 years (so far) in two missionary assignments in El Salvador. Like his father and two brothers, he attended Saint Ignatius High School and says, “All the principles we learned at Saint Ignatius I am able to put into practice in El Salvador.”
Fr. Schindler grew up in Cleveland and attended St. Charles Parish school. He remembers feeling a sense of mission even as a child, so during his first assignment as a young priest, he was excited to receive a letter from the diocese seeking priests for a mission team in El Salvador. He seized the opportunity and served from 1972 to 1982, a defining time in his priesthood.
The team ministered to 140,000 people in 40 parish communities throughout El Salvador, a country immersed in a civil war during the late 1970s. The Catholic Church condemned the killing on both sides, but government officials and wealthy landowners felt the Church’s work with the poor aligned it with the opposition.
During Fr. Schindler’s time there, 19 Catholic priests were killed – including the March 1980 murder of archbishop St. Óscar Romero, known well to Fr. Schindler. And in December 1980, El Salvadoran National Guardsmen raped and murdered four religious sisters, including Ursuline Sr. Dorothy Kazel and lay missionary Jean Donovan, both from Cleveland. Schindler was one of the first to arrive at their grave sites. The world was outraged by the murders and the United States cut off military aid for a time.
“Around every corner, you were saying, ‘Here I am, Lord. This is it, Lord?” Schindler recalls. But his commitment to serving the poor and living alongside them never waned. “Jesus spent all his time with the poor, and he didn’t make them rich. What he did was give them a sense of dignity. That which takes away dignity becomes an injustice.”
When his term ended in 1982, he became pastor at St. Bernard, but traveled to El Salvador during every vacation to give team members time off. Retiring in 2008, he asked to return to a place that has become home.
He now serves, alongside one associate, at Immaculate Conception Parish in La Libertad, a city of 70,000. Unlike American parishes, there is one main church and 28 small chapels. “People don’t have a car to jump into, so we go out to where the people are to celebrate the sacraments. A lot of the work is empowering leaders and teaching catechists, making sure the doctrine is sound.”
The Parish also runs a clinic with six doctors and a school serving over 1,000 children. “With a little education, they won’t be living hand to mouth. The goal was to better the conditions here, so they don’t have to go to the U.S. We are destroying families in that process,” says Fr. Schindler. “Like ‘men for others’, we help people respond to the gifts God has given them. We serve each other and empower them to respond to the needs of those around them.”
Anthony V. Anselmo ’77
Founders’ Award Honoree
Tony Anselmo ’77 credits Saint Ignatius High School for his focus on what matters most in life, a trait that helped him succeed in a long career in technology and banking. That focus didn’t come naturally. As a freshman, he found himself getting frequent detentions, fondly known as JUGs. Looking back, he smiles, “I probably would’ve been diagnosed with ADD – had it been recognized at the time! But the teachers didn’t give up. They saw something in me.”
He especially remembers Rev. Robert J. Welsh, S.J. ’54, who later became president of the school in 1979. “Fr. Welsh was a huge inspiration and helped change my life. ‘Men for Others’ gave me a different perspective on life and situations, with a ‘people first’ attitude that’s been foundational, not only in my personal life but my business life.”
Taking computer courses at Saint Ignatius, Tony discovered a natural aptitude for technology. After graduation, Central National Bank immediately hired him in their computer department. He took classes at Cleveland State for three years, but never completed a degree and found he didn’t need it to advance. By age 24, he was in management and by 32 was managing the entire data center.
After mergers with Society and KeyBank, Tony climbed the ladder to Senior Vice President, managing engineering and design for data and voice networks along with daily technology operations until 2008. He transitioned to Cardinal Health in Columbus, Ohio as technology lead on mergers, acquisitions and divestitures. In 2017, he began consulting for Synovus Bank in Columbus, Georgia and quickly became Chief Technology Officer. Recently promoted to Executive Director of Bank Operations, he oversees the entire Synovus banking operations. “I’ve made an impact on the way they do business and improved their ability to scale. It’s an exciting place to be as they’re on the verge of becoming something special.”
Testing his determination and focus, Tony recently faced cancer in his ankle. Earlier surgeries and treatments were successful, but in the end, the cancer prevailed. In February 2023 he trusted his doctor’s advice and had his left leg amputated below the knee. Tony handled it with his typical positive spirit. “It’s hard to keep me down! I healed quickly and every week I got more confident. I’m bound and determined to get back to my normal life. One of the goals I set and accomplished was to play golf in a family and friends outing in July, just five months after surgery.”
Tony stayed connected to Saint Ignatius through reunions, retreats and numerous volunteer roles. He served on the Alumni Executive Council for over 20 years including a term as council president. Wanting alumni to feel more connected at football games, he led the thought process that turned into an alumni tailgating tent to gather for grilled sausages, hot dogs, beverages and camaraderie while encouraging greater alumni engagement. “Alumni flock to it! It’s turned into something great. Just like God, church and family, I’ve made Saint Ignatius part of my life.”
Tony lives in South Euclid. His family includes his mother Marie, brothers Vic ’81 and Vince ’85, and sisters Rita, Patty, Mary Beth and Jackie.
Adam Shibley ’17
Young Alumnus Award Honoree
Adam Shibley ’17 is a man of prayer – and it’s led to good things. While a sophomore at the University of Michigan, he began praying about how to make a difference in the world. He had poured his life into academics and athletics but wanted something more. “One of my teammates partnered with a nonprofit and raised a large amount of money in a short time. I remember being blown away with the platform we had as Division 1 athletes to make a difference for others.”
Adam recalled an incident years earlier on his morning commute to Saint Ignatius from Kirtland Hills. “On West 25th Street, kids approached my car to fundraise for their upcoming football season. They were struggling to pay for uniforms. That moment stuck with me because I never had to worry about that. It was always taken care of.”
That memory and his prayers inspired Adam to start The Uniform Funding Foundation (TUFF), providing uniforms, equipment and mentorship to underserved youth athletes. Awarded $5,000, he organized his first donation to the Garden Valley Falcons youth football program in Cleveland. With other UM athletes, he created a full-fledged nonprofit with a board of directors. Since 2018, TUFF has raised over $600,000 and touched the lives of more than 4,000 student athletes across the globe.
Adam credits Saint Ignatius with forming his work ethic and desire to serve others through Student Senate, the pallbearer ministry, Christmas toy drives, and Ploughmen gardening club. “I also had a passion for football and serving my teammates. We made a lot of cultural changes on the team during my senior year, which successfully created closer relationships. Those changes ultimately led to our success.”
His Saint Ignatius theology classes and school Masses helped his strong Catholic faith to grow even deeper. “Everything I do is still for the greater glory of God. My faith undoubtedly played a part in my founding of TUFF.”
After completing his BA in Communications and Media at UM, he earned a master’s degree at Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame and played football with the Fighting Irish. He still has fond memories of walking the beautiful campus, praying at the grotto and forming strong friendships.
In 2022, Adam took a position in Chicago with the Big Ten Conference working on football administration for the 14 universities in the conference. “I love to lead, and I love sports business. TUFF is my passion, so if I could, I’d love to take it full-time. When we donated uniforms in Ghana, I further realized how blessed I was to grow up the way I did and to have access to the platform I have now, all by the grace of God.”
Adam is currently working with Saint Ignatius to start a scholarship for youth athletes involved with TUFF. “I believe in the Saint Ignatius mission and hope other young men can have wonderful experiences there, too.”
Adam’s family includes his father Jeff, mother Maura and brother David ’15.
Alumni Award recipients were honored on September 28, 2023 at the 1886 Society Leadership Reception. Click below to view photos from the evening's celebration on Facebook.