Alumni Awards

Alumni

Alumni awards foster lasting connections with Salve Regina University graduates while also recognizing their lifetime achievements. You may recommend a deserving graduate at any time during the year by submitting an online nomination. Career success, community achievement, alumni connectedness and support of Salve are all taken into consideration. Candidates are reviewed annually by a committee of past recipients and leading members of the University community.

2026 Alumni Award Recipients

Outstanding Young Alumni Award

Colleen Cloonan Swain '16, '17 (M)
Nominated by Austin Swain

Colleen E. Swain is senior manager of grants, ministries and international giving for the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, leading strategic philanthropy supporting global ministries. Previously, she represented Mercy at the United Nations, founding a women's leadership fellowship and advancing advocacy on human trafficking, migration and environmental justice.

Colleen Swain

Exceptional Volunteer Award

Robert P. Moran Jr. '86
Recommended by Vincent Mallardi III '86
Selected by University Advancement

Robert P. Moran Jr. has been involved with Salve in volunteer roles for many years. A steady and enthusiastic leader of the Class of 1986, Rob does a great job keeping his classmates connected and involved as alumni. A former member of Salve's Board of Trustees, he continues to support the University with generosity and commitment.

Rob Moran

Alumni Achievement Award

Kelley Dow Coen '91
Nominated by Tara Brabazon Nielsen '91

Kelley Dow Coen has over 30 years in the nonprofit world and is currently the CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Newport County. Founder and president of The Newport Tartan and a former staff member of Salve's advancement office, Kelley demonstrates commitment to the Newport community and to her alma mater.

Kelley Dow Coen

Alumni Achievement Award

Rebecca J. Campbell '96
Nominated by Donna Campbell

Rebecca J. Campbell '96 is the director of the Tavares Public Library in Tavares, Florida. Through her work and vision, Rebecca demonstrates how public libraries are dynamic hubs of learning, culture and community. She is a passionate advocate for intellectual freedom and was recently published in the journal Florida Libraries.

Rebecca Campbell

Salve Regina Mission Award

Scott Ruszczyk '91
Nominated by Steven G. Shaker '91

Scott Ruszczyk serves as patrol sergeant for the Newtown (CT) Police Department. In response to the Sandy Hook tragedy, he joined the HEART 9/11 organization to co-author and lead stress management and resiliency training for first responders. He is dedicated to fostering the well-being of police officers through his daily work and his volunteer role.

Scott Ruszcyk

Distinguished Graduate Alumni Award

Sarah Holfelder Toracinta '13, '19 (M) and John Toracinta '21 (MBA)
Nominated by Sean Sullivan, director of athletics

John and Sarah Toracinta are the co-founders of NOSOLO (meaning "nobody is alone"), an apparel brand designed to raise awareness and take action on mental health. Proceeds from their sales benefit many mental health organizations, including their own recently established nonprofit, the NOSOLO Give Back Foundation. The couple partners with Salve athletics and offers internships to Salve students.

John and Sarah Toracinta

Past Recipients and Award Descriptions

Presented to Salve graduates who are role models to Salve students and alumni. Recipients demonstrate significant civic or professional achievements and possess great potential for future distinction. Nominations are reviewed by a selection committee comprised of former award recipients.

  • 2025 - Christine Imbriglio ’90
  • 2024 - Tiesha Nieves Sinouthasy ’09
  • 2023 - Lisa Ryan ’83
  • 2022 - Bridget Kennedy '92 and Dr. Mary DeMarino Lavin '72
  • 2021 - Edward C. Wu '06 and Steven G. Shaker '91
  • 2019 - Michael J. Abbott '99, Dr. Michele Fortin Griswold '89 and Wendy M. Tancheff '94
  • 2018 - Stephanie L. Barry '98, M'12, Marian Mathison Desrosiers '68, PhD '04, Carol A. Sarganis '68 and Audrain M. Triplett, USN (Ret.) '78
  • 2017 - Carmela Veneziano Geer '87, Helen Shea McGowan-Gardner '62, M'88 and Brian A. Pryor '92
  • 2016 - Vanessa C. Barneschi '91 and Richard F. Dalen, Jr. '96
  • 2015 - Thomas C. Hannon '90, M'91, Kara Cunningham Langan '85 and Michelle M. McGlone '90
  • 2014 - Virginia Ouellette Gobeli '64, Helen Dorflinger Ryan '69, Richard A. Santilli '89, Robert B. Skeffington '89 and Michael J. Walsh '04
  • 2013 - Michael B. Cox, Jr. ’93, Karen Rajkumar Cooper ’88, M’91, Geraldine McLaughlin Osborne ’73 and Mary Ann Lafferty Della Valle ’63
  • 2012 - Magda Skomal Nyiri '87, Chyleene Flynn O'Connor '82, Anselm T. Richards '92 and Patricia Doran Wong '72
  • 2011 - Adeline Donohue-McDonald ’76, Kathleen W. Finn ’91, Maureen K. Philbin ’86 and Nicole Hoekenga Russo ’96
  • 2010 - Christopher L. Carney ’90, Kara MacDonald Flanagan ’90 and Cynthia Soares Rose ’80
  • 2009 - Domenic DiPiero III ’94, Kelly Robey Connelly ’94, Gregory M. Geer ’89 and Virginia C. Li Ph.D. ’54
  • 2008 - Thomas C. Cannon ’83, Carolann Duncan ’78, Kathleen Healy Flanagan ’68, Joanne Kozlak McMahon ’83, Megan Canavan Nicholas ’03, M’08 and Brendan Pickett ’93
  • 2007 - Cynthia Davis Dullea ’77, Cheryl Russo Hahn ’67 and George Piers ’87
  • 2006 - Roger J. Oliveira ’91 and Beth-Ann Trebisacci Stewart ’86
  • 2005 - Molly Donohue Magee ’75
  • 2004 - Sharon Moske Bradley ’79
  • 2003 - Victoria Almeida ’73 and Jennifer Corsi Zembruski ’98
  • 2002 - Patricia Silva Hayes ’62, Mary Frances O’Hare ’52, JoAnne Burke Ritchie '77, M'94 and Faith C. Zabriskie ’77
  • 2001 - Martha J. Dolan-Cosgrove ’71 and Kimberly R. Rothwell-Carson ’86
  • 2000 - Jean Meadows Anderson ’75, Marlene Ponte Correia ’90, Teresa D. Correia ’95, Tara M. Luizzi ’95 and Pamela Romano '72, M'80
  • 1999 - John F. Perrotta '89, M'90, Paul M. Rodrigues ’91, Tracy L. Shea ’92 and Colleen Corbett Staff ’93
  • 1998 - Carolyn M. O’Brien, Ph.D. ’89 and Michelle Bolles Vitale ’88
  • 1997 - Peter J. Curtin ’87 and Alysa Fornarotto-Regenye ’92
  • 1996 - Vanessa M. Martelli ’92
  • 1995 - Lori Silano Escallier ’80 and Gerard P. McAleer ’83
  • 1994 - Mary E. Hanley ’85 and Craig C. Piers ’86
  • 1993 - Alison M. Shakarian ’87 and Sean D. Sheehan, Jr. ’87
  • 1992 - Karen Russell Carroll ’85 and Theresa C. Murray ’83 

Honors individuals who are over 35 years of age. Nominees must exemplify outstanding professional and personal development either through traditional channels or innovative approaches. Must demonstrate significant and meaningful contributions to their community, family or alma mater, providing a role model for students and alumni.

  • 2025 - Eric S. Rodko ’90
  • 2024 - Dr. Louise E. Ciallella ’74
  • 2023 - Elaine Hart ’72
  • 2021 - Leslie Barrett ‘87
  • 2019 - Eileen M. Creaton ’18
  • 2017 - Katherine M. Aldrich '86
  • 2016 - Nancy C. Cardoza '85
  • 2015 - Elizabeth Hartigan DeSantis '57
  • 2014 - Patricia Nardone Soscia, MD ’83
  • 2013 - Mary E. McGann ’69
  • 2012 - Mary Spengler '68
  • 2011 - Jane Integlia Campbell '59
  • 2010 - David Sanders, Ph.D. ’89, ’09
  • 2009 - Dr. Rose Mary Healy Dougherty ’69
  • 2008 - Rear Admiral Barbara E. McGann
  • 2007 - Cathleen Earley Naughton ’57
  • 2006 - Judith Cadigan Parisi ’69
  • 2005 - Barbara Moriarty Carroll ’52
  • 2004 - Virginia N. Gonsalves ’62
  • 2003 - Mary-Louise Soares Mancini ’64
  • 2002 - Eileen Thoubboron Shugart ’70 and Susan Dunphy Lawlor ’68
  • 2001 - Class of 1951
  • 2000 - Gloria M. Perry ’96 and Dr. Johnelle Luciani, RSM ’63
  • 1999 - Angela Harris Johnson ’69
  • 1998 - Mary Lou Gualtieri Riker ’68
  • 1997 - Sister Eileen R. Schwenk ’52 and Sister Regina Brunelle ’60
  • 1996 - Sister Mary C. Bisson ’64
  • 1995 - Claire Randall Curtis ’55
  • 1994 - The Hon. Catherine Hawkins Graziano ’53 and Kathy M. McMahon-Klosterman ’69
  • 1993 - Maureen McCann Green ’79, Mary Rafferty McClain ’62, Patricia Cox Owen ’76 and Janet L. Robinson ’72
  • 1992 - Deborah Cross MacFarlane ’82, Linda Waite Maurano ’70, Patricia M. Raymond ’73 and Jane M. Thibault ’69
  • 1991 - Jean F. Judge ’51, Barbara Ostheimer Stanley ’66 and Mary Silvia Vermette ’54 

Honors individuals who are over 35 years of age. Nominees must exemplify outstanding professional and personal development either through traditional channels or innovative approaches. Must demonstrate significant and meaningful contributions to their community, family or alma mater, providing a role model for students and alumni.

  • 2025 - Lucy Rose M’22
  • 2024 - Gregg L. Catlow ’02, M’09
  • 2023 - Lisa Milich M’13
  • 2021 - Carrie Miranda M’94
  • 2019 - William F. Bundy Ph.D. ’05
  • 2018 - Brett J. Morash PHD'15
  • 2017 - Rev. Kris M. Von Maluski M'12
  • 2016 - Denise M. Abraham M'94
  • 2015 - Lynne A. Urbani-Craddock M'90
  • 2014 - Rev. Dr. Bernard Wilson M’89
  • 2013 - Caroline Naughton Rumowicz M’95
  • 2012 - August Cordeiro M'91
  • 2011 - Steven G. O'Donnell M'93
  • 2010 - Vincent W. Howell M'81
  • 2009 - Col. Lawrence B. Wilkerson, USA (Ret.) '87
  • 2008 - James H. Krilich, USA (Ret.) M'94
  • 2007 - Ann Claire Assumpico M'98 

Salve graduate from any undergraduate program. Demonstrates exemplary service to Salve Regina University. Recipients are identified by Advancement staff and confirmed by a classmate.

  • 2025 - Heather Clune ’00
  • 2024 - Anthony L. Cerino Jr. ’14, M’15
  • 2023 - Nicholas Patti ’13
  • 2022 - Linda A. Amoriggi Melis '72
  • 2022 - Marc Saulnier '97 and Nancy Judge Whalen '72
  • 2021 - Alison Witham Early '95, Carolyn Reder Booth '71, Jason N. Confrancesco '96, Martha Dolan-Cosgrove '71 and Randy J. Early '94
  • 2019 - Patricia Gallagher Snyder ’69
  • 2018 - Shannon Sacharko-Theobald '98
  • 2016 - Jean Havens Cook '66 and Nancy Phelan Flynn '66
  • 2015 - Jane Edward Steele '65
  • 2014 - Mary Elizabeth Murray Magee ’54
  • 2011 - Sharon Henry Caine ’56 and Angela Ubriaco Murray ’81
  • 2010 - Sandra J. Flowers, Ph.D. ’65, ’06
  • 2009 - Joyce Santucci Beretta ’59
  • 2008 - Eileen Farrelly ’58 and Caroline Ruocco Scott ’68
  • 2007 - Maureen Lynch Bennett ’57 and Sheila Dugan Hess ’57
  • 2006 - Helen Rigney Reall ’56
  • 2005 - Cheryl Girr Mrozowski ’70
  • 2003 - Maureen Oates Sweeney ’53
  • 2002 - Mary Coughlin Donnelly ’62
  • 2001 - Barbara G. O’Rourke ’51

Recognizes nursing alumni who have made outstanding contributions to the field of nursing and whose actions are in keeping with the university mission and provide a role model for students and alumni. Nominees must have received a nursing degree from Salve Regina University. Nominees must have 10 or more years of professional nursing experience.

  • 2013 - Kathleen M. O’Connell ’63 and Paulette La Cava Osterman ’62 
  • 2010 - Elizabeth Cadigan '79, Kathleen Sullivan Connell '58, M'96 and Mary Rafferty McClain '62 
  • 2009 - Christine Marcello Fisher '76, Elizabeth Hoffman Murphy '56 and Carol Reagan Shelton '64 
  • 2008 - Carol Lamoureux '74, Grace McCarthy '78 and Mary Roche '67 
  • 2007 - Maria Campo Kolarsick '76, Mary Ann Bolton McGwin '52 and Mary Dowd Struck '68
  • 2006 - Dorothy Watson '77 

Recognizes exceptional achievements of alumni younger than 35 years old. Honorees have demonstrated great promise and accomplishment in their chosen professions and/or through community, public or humanitarian service. In addition, recipients have shown a commitment to participating in the life of their alma mater and serve as a role model for students and alumni.

  • 2025 - Alexa L. Bracco ’15
  • 2024 - Pegi Bano ’14, M’17
  • 2023 - Mara-Lise Owen Deychak ’12
  • 2021 - Ruth McNally ’15, DNP’20
  • 2019 - Elizabeth J. Duggan ’08
  • 2018 - Rebecca J. Bertrand ’08
  • 2017 - Michael A. Fisher '06
  • 2016 - Devon B. Luty-Swenson '05
  • 2015 - Caitlin M. Emery '07
  • 2014 - Bobby Gondola, Jr. ’06
  • 2013 - E. Edward Ross ’03
  • 2012 - Lauren De Young Cust '04
  • 2011 - Robert M. Pesapane '06, M'07
  • 2010 - James R. Norton '99, M'00 and Melissa Pucci ’00
  • 2009 - John R. Kach ’05
  • 2008 - Chad A. Kritzas ’98
  • 2007 - Christopher B. Lyddy ’05, Jennifer A. Maloney ’99 and Brian G. Meehan ’95

Recognizes a Salve graduate whose service to others exemplifies the mission of the University.

  • 2025 - Carol Jussaume RSM ’71
  • 2024 - Dr. Helen Dorflinger Ryan ’69
  • 2023 - Matthew Anderson ’08 
  • 2021 - Ashley Bendikson ’13 
  • 2019 - Christopher L. Holloway ’85 
  • 2018 - Mary Lou Gualtieri Riker ’68 
  • 2017 - Jason Maxwell '01 
  • 2016 - Eileen Jeanes Jachna '62 
  • 2015 - Daniel J. Taylor-Stypa ’75 
  • 2014 - Elizabeth Morancy ’64 and Ellen Scully ’64 
  • 2013 - Ronald W. Atkins M’83, PhD’96 
  • 2012 - Catherine Sullivan '56, M'85 
  • 2011 - Sister Mary Paul Kunnemuriyil '89, M'91
  • 2010 - Sheila Kissane Collins ’74 
  • 2009 - Sister Kathleen Harrington RSM ’67 
  • 2008 - Lisa D. Ferrazzoli ’82 
  • 2007 - Ellen A. Schillace ’71 
  • 2006 - Jane Murphy Farley ’51 
  • 2004 - Pamela Marino Gau ’79

Given between 1980-1989. Renamed Alumni Achievement in 1992.

  • 1989 - Paul R. Methot ’80
  • 1988 - Ellen M. Scully ’64
  • 1987 - Kathleen Sullivan Connell '58, M'96
  • 1986 - Arlene Violet ’66
  • 1984 - Mary E. McGann ’69
  • 1983 - Marie Murphy ’59
  • 1982 - Carol Radcliffe Keogh ’57
  • 1981 - Jane Murphy Farley ’51
  • 1980 - Rachel L. Wheeler-Rossow '60, '84 (Hon.)