The McMullen Award

The John McMullen Award established on September 4, 2006, honors those Ambrosians and community citizens who embody the university's mission: St. Ambrose University–independent, diocesan, and Catholic–enables its students to develop intellectually, spiritually, ethically, socially, artistically, and physically to enrich their own lives and the lives of others.

Inaugural McMullen Awardees

Fr. Edward Catich, a 1934 graduate of St. Ambrose, enriched the lives of others through the priesthood and his scholarship, artistry and teaching. The founder of the St. Ambrose Art Department, Catich enjoyed a 41-year teaching career at St. Ambrose and was one of the world's finest calligraphers, achieving an international reputation for stone incising, typography and stained glass fabrication. He was considered the foremost authority on the Roman alphabet and its origin, nature and history. Catich's alphabet stones are in the permanent collections of seven museums. (Award accepted by Thomas Chouteau, who studied under Fr. Catich.)

Dr. Donald and Mary Jo Heming have consistently enriched the lives of others through their own lives of quiet giving, eschewing recognition and avoiding notoriety. Once an engineer at Alcoa, at age 40 Don embarked upon a second career as an obstetrician, starting the first medical group in the Quad Cities and delivering more than 7,000 babies. A 1951 graduate of St. Ambrose, Don serves on the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters Quad Cities and is a master gardener; Jo enjoys artistic endeavors and paints St. Nicholas statues each Christmas, donating the proceeds of their sale to local charities. (Award accepted by John Anderson.)

Dr. William and Eda Hofmann continue to tirelessly support their alma mater. Bill, a renowned ophthalmologist, gained part of his medical education in a M.A.S.H. unit during the Korean War. A 1981 St. Ambrose graduate, Eda has served on the President's Club Executive Council, and Bill, who graduated from St. Ambrose in 1949, on the Alumni Task Force. They are long-time members of the President's Club, and their financial contributions to St. Ambrose will benefit students for years to come.

Dr. Leo Kilfoy has enriched the lives of others through his gifts of versatility, commitment and a love of teaching that bring out the best in people. A 1951 graduate, Kilfoy has had a 58-year affiliation with St. Ambrose, first as a student, then teacher and coach, and now in retirement. Generations of St. Ambrose students are indebted to Kilfoy for the growth of the athletics department that he helped create, and his love of mentoring and coaching.

I. Weir and Patricia Sears have enriched the lives of others by providing steadfast leadership, generous support and tireless effort to improve their community and the lives of those who live in it. Their family business, Sears Manufacturing, is now the industry leader in suspension seating-and one of the largest employers in the Quad Cities area. Much of St. Ambrose University's growth can be attributed to their beneficence and leadership: Weir, who is a 1951 graduate, serves on St. Ambrose's board of directors, and both he and Pat have been key participants on many university committees and campaigns over the past 50 years.

Joseph Walton has enriched the lives of others through the extraordinary gift of his time, talents and resources. Even as a long-time resident of Connecticut, Walton, who graduated in 1950, has been one of St. Ambrose University's most dedicated volunteers. He served on the Vision 2020 team that provided the foundation for planning St. Ambrose's future. A long-standing member of the President's Club Executive Council, he and his wife, Pat, have loyally and generously supported St. Ambrose.