Recognizing Outstanding Alumni
St. 爱德华大学旨在表彰那些履行大学使命的校友, make outstanding contributions to their professional, civic, and religious communities.
The Alumni Association Board of Directors reviews the nominees each year and, in partnership with the Alumni Relations staff, selects each year's honorees. Honorees are then recognized during Alumni Weekend. The timeline for the Alumni Award nomination process will be shared via social media and email. To stay updated, please follow us at @seualumni and ensure your contact information is current.
Discover more about the 2024 Alumni Awards recipients.
该奖项在校友周末颁发，并根据以下标准颁发给校友:
- Professional excellence and substantial contributions to his/her profession
- Substantial community service contributions
- Exemplifies leadership and ethical standards
- Record of continued support to the university and its programs
- Graduated more than 20 years ago
2024 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient
Martha Avery ’84, MBA ’93
BA, Religious Studies
Master of Business Administration
As a child, Martha Avery grew up hearing inspiring stories from her father about the Brothers of Holy Cross at St. Edward’s. She came to St. Edward’s in her father’s footsteps in 1980. After graduating with her bachelor’s in Religious Studies, she was hired as the first full-time youth minister for the newly established St. Thomas More Catholic Church in North Austin. In addition to her youth ministry responsibilities, she directed the entire religious education program for grades 6–12. 玛莎从教会的专业非营利工作过渡到万豪集团的管理培训项目的企业世界. She was later recruited by the St. Edward’s Office of University Advancement to be the assistant alumni director. “My time working at St. Edward’s and earning my MBA was a special rewarding time in my life,” she says. “我不仅进一步接受了正规教育，而且还进入了一条职业发展道路，使我能够为非营利使命机构服务，担任有回报的专业角色.” With her MBA in hand, Martha transitioned into healthcare fundraising with what eventually became the Seton Health System. 她协助Seton建立了一个新的儿童健康基金会，并担任其首任执行董事. 玛莎继续与洛杉矶儿童医院基金会合作，领导一个数百万美元的资本活动. 她回到德克萨斯州，为南德克萨斯州德里斯科尔儿童医院建立了一个综合发展项目. Over her nearly 16-year career with the Driscoll Health System, she initiated and executed multiple campaigns. 最令她自豪的是，她为南德克萨斯州的儿童筹集了一笔转型资金，用于启动新的拯救生命的医疗保健项目, which included creating the first and only pediatric kidney transplant program in South Texas; a comprehensive pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Center; and endowments for the Child Life Program. Throughout her career, Martha valued mentoring others. She served her profession on regional and national boards, and presented at many regional and national conferences. 2017年，她被筹款专业人士协会的Coastal Bend分会评为年度杰出筹款人. Despite her demanding career, Martha remained engaged in her church and community. She was a lector and Eucharistic minister, and brought her expertise to bear on the building development committee. She chaired many community events, served as president of the local Kiwanis Organization, and was one of the only female Commodores of the Corpus Christi Yacht Club. “I am deeply grateful for the priceless liberal arts education I received at St. Edward’s,” says Martha. “The Holy Cross lessons of the heart and spirit have been the most profound in my life.” She credits her St. Edward’s experience with continuing to mold, shape and cement the values from her father of faith, loyalty, commitment, service and love of God. 玛莎在山顶留下的不朽遗产包括为纪念她父亲而设立的捐赠奖学金, Dr. Chester Joseph St. Romain, Jr., SEU Class of 1952. In recognition of her outstanding achievements and servant’s heart, the Alumni Association is proud to present Martha Avery with the Distinguished Alumni Award.
该奖项在校友周末颁发，并根据以下标准颁发给校友:
- Demonstrated potential for professional excellence and contributions to his/her profession
- Contributes to his/her community
- Exemplifies leadership and ethical standards
- Record of continued support to the university and its programs as an alumnus/alumna
- Alumni are eligible five years after graduation
2024 Alumni Achievement Award Recipient
Dr. Daniel Guerrero MSOLE ’09, EdD ’22
Masters of Science, Organizational Leadership and Ethics
Doctor of Education - EdD, Leadership in Higher Education
Daniel Guerrero’s personal and professional achievements are a shining tribute to his passion for ethical leadership, lifelong learning and giving back to his community. From 2004–2008, Daniel served as a member of the San Marcos City Council and as a managing director with INROADS, a nonprofit focused on career development for minority students. Those experiences inspired him to aim for bigger leadership roles in his career. In 2008, Daniel made a New Year’s resolution to earn his master’s degree, a goal that led him to attending St. Edward’s and completing a master’s in Organizational Leadership and Ethics (MSOLE). Daniel says he was “drawn to the small classroom environment, close-knit community and unique degree offerings at St. Edward’s.” After meeting with Professor Tom Sechrest, director of the MSOLE program, he made an immediate decision to enroll in the program. “Dr. Sechrest的指导在塑造我的研究生学习经历方面发挥了重要作用，并激励我在市政府和高等教育中担任领导角色,” says Daniel. “At St. Edward’s, 我有机会与我的同学和教授建立真正的关系，同时学会批判性思考, take action and pursue systemic change through my leadership efforts.” After graduating in 2009, Daniel ran a successful campaign to become the first Latino elected mayor of San Marcos, a position he held for six years. “It’s my proudest accomplishment as an alum of St. Edward’s,” he says. “As mayor, I relied on the empathy, compassion and resilience I gained through my Holy Cross education.” Determined to broaden his expertise in the educational field, Daniel achieved another series of firsts. In 2019, he became a member of the first doctoral cohort at St. Edward’s and, in 2022, 第一个获得该校领导与高等教育博士学位的学生. He now chairs the MBA Program at Concordia University Texas, 他在哪里应用他的课程和他的教授在课堂上塑造的领导力的经验教训. Daniel is also a senior consultant with AXIOM Learning Solutions and J.L. Powers & Associates. In addition, he serves as a board member for the Texas State Board of Pharmacy, the Texas Book Festival and the Alumni Association at Texas State University, where he earned a BA in Mass Communications. He volunteers with Sunshine Kids Foundation and is on the board of Discovery Camps, both of which serve children with cancer. Daniel is a highly engaged Hilltopper, attending campus events and volunteering with many university endeavors, including Homecoming and the Love Blue Give Gold campaign. 他在2011年12月的毕业典礼上担任主题演讲嘉宾，并定期在山顶上作为客座讲师分享他对仆人式领导的看法. He was recently appointed to the Texas Book Festival's Board of Directors. 他给学生们传达的最重要的信息是永恒的:“你最有价值的资产永远不会出现在银行账户里，也不会在证券交易所上市. Your most valuable assets are the relationships that you nurture throughout your life. Cherish the people that God has blessed to enter your life.” In honor of his outstanding accomplishments and servant’s heart, the Alumni Association is proud to present Daniel Guerrero with the Alumni Achievement Award.
该奖项在校友周末颁发，并根据以下标准颁发给校友:
- Extraordinary ongoing service to the Alumni Association
- Exemplifies leadership and ethical standards
- Proud and loyal ambassador for St. Edward’s University
- Record of continued support to the university and its programs as an alumnus/alumna
- Lives out the mission of St. Edward’s University
2024 Alumni Service Award Recipient
Jeremias Alvarez ’01, MPA
BA in Spanish and International Business
Jeremias Alvarez learned about St. Edward’s and its College Assistance Migrant Program as a teenager growing up in Presidio, Texas. St. Edward’s was one of the few colleges that recruited students in the small border town. Through close friends who attended St. Edward’s as CAMP students, his connection to the university grew. He says he chose St. Edward’s “given their commitment to our local small community, 我认识的人在那里的积极经历，以及通过CAMP项目获得资金的机会.” Jeremias thrived on the hilltop with impressive accomplishments in the classroom and beyond. So much so that he earned two distinguished university awards. He was selected to be a Brown Scholar, a merit-based scholarship for students who demonstrated a commitment to service. He also received the Presidential Award in recognition of outstanding academic, extracurricular and community service achievements. After graduating in 2001, he entered The LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin, completing his Master of Public Affairs in 2003. Since then, he has lived and worked in the Washington, DC, 目前是Guidehouse(前身为普华永道公共部门)的合作伙伴，负责监督国防和安全部门. “One of the things I love most about St. Edward’s is its focus on community service,” says Jeremias. He encourages others to “Serve and give as much as you can.” His passion for service is seen in his many volunteer and leadership activities, including being a tireless advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. For example, Jeremias is a board member with Point Foundation, 这是一个全国性的组织，为有前途的LGBTQ+学生提供教育援助，使他们能够充分发挥学术和领导潜力. He serves on the board of Studio Theatre, 这是一家位于华盛顿特区的地区性剧院，专注于审视当今最大社会问题的当代作品, ranging from racial justice to LGBTQ+ equality. He is an executive sponsor with Out Professional Employee Network LGBTQ+ Employee Group at Guidehouse, which focuses on serving LGBTQ+ community needs within Guidehouse and the local community. Jeremias routinely volunteers at Whitman Walker Health, a local LGBTQ+ health provider, where Guidehouse sponsors several initiatives every year, including the annual fundraising Walk to End HIV. He is also an avid supporter of SMYAL (Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders), 这是一个非营利组织，为LGBTQ+青年创造建立自信和发展关键生活技能的机会. Jeremias is a generous, longtime supporter of St. Edward’s. Currently, 他是艺术与人文学院和CAMP周年纪念委员会的顾问委员会成员. In addition, he is eager to facilitate internships for and hire Hilltoppers at Guidehouse. What single message would Jeremias convey to today’s students? “Live with purpose in your personal and professional lives,” he says. “When we live with purpose, we get the most out of every day we have, we create meaning in our life, and most importantly, we feel happier and more fulfilled.”
Jeremias Alvarez lives his purpose by making service to others a top priority in his life. The Alumni Association is honored to present him with the Alumni Service Award.
该奖项在校友周末期间颁发，并根据以下标准授予校友:
- Graduated within 5 years
- Has demonstrated professional excellence and substantial contributions to their field
- Has exemplary ethical and leadership standards
- Has contributed to their community through volunteer service
- Has a record of engagement and support to the university and its programs
2024 Rising Star Award Recipient
Aaron Keith Kennard ’18, MPS
BA in Communication
When Aaron Keith Kennard traveled to Austin to visit colleges, the moment he set foot on the hilltop, he knew St. Edward’s was where he wanted to be. “I didn't even need the prospective student tour, though it certainly helped,” he says. “I went back to the hotel room and completed the entire application that night.” During his time at St. Edward’s, Aaron immersed himself in his academic pursuits and student leadership, making an indelible mark on the hilltop. Among his many campus involvements, he served as executive director of the Student Philanthropy Council, helping inspire the Class of 2018 to be the most philanthropic outgoing class in the history of St. Edward’s. He worked with Student Life to craft a meaningful new-student Orientation program, and he served as co-leader of the St. Edward’s chapter of It’s On Us, a national program dedicated to college sexual assault prevention and survivor support. In his senior year, 亚伦被评为爱德华·索林神父年度杰出领袖，以及传播专业优秀毕业生. After graduating in 2018 and working with the American Heart Association for over a year, 亚伦决定进入阿肯色州的克林顿公共服务学院继续他的职业发展, earning a master’s degree in Public Service. During his time at the Clinton School, Aaron conducted numerous projects to benefit those living in Arkansas. 他研究了年轻专业人士离开小石城的原因，并就如何减缓人才流失、吸引更多年轻专业人士来到这座城市向市长办公室提出了建议. He conducted an LGBTQ+ diversity audit for an Arkansas based immigration rights organization. 亚伦还就如何更好地招募和培训LGBTQ+成年人成为阿肯色州的养父母进行了研究. Lastly, 他研究了阿肯色州水资源面临的威胁，并制定了一份指南，用于与阿肯色州公民讨论这些威胁以及如何减轻这些威胁. His guide was recognized and applauded by the National Issues Forum and the Kettering Foundation. 作为校友，他最自豪的成就之一发生在他目前担任温斯洛普洛克菲勒研究所项目官员的职位上. He worked with the Arkansas Governor’s Food Desert Working Group, 与跨部门的专业人士合作，完成阿肯色州粮食不安全原因的社区研究. “与一群充满激情的人合作，为消除食物沙漠和粮食不安全提出可行的建议，这些建议已经被社区和立法机构采纳，这是非常有益的,” he says. Most recently, Aaron launched Civic Arkansas, a program to increase civic participation in Arkansas.
A valuable piece of advice Aaron lives by is one he freely shares: “Look for the good in others, and you’ll always find a friend. If you go into every interaction with someone believing that they are operating with good intentions, they’ll be more likely to want to work with you. The vast majority of people just want to live happy and healthy lives, and if we happen to disagree on some things, that doesn't change their value.” In light of his outstanding personal and professional achievements, and his commitment to championing the good in everyone, the Alumni Association is pleased to present Aaron Keith Kennard with the Rising Star Award.