Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna Award
2025 Recipient: John B. Molidor, PhD ’73
2025 Recipient: John B. Molidor, PhD ’73
The Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna Award honors an alumnus/alumna for leadership and service to St. Thomas, the community and in his or her field of endeavor. Since 1971, Alumni Engagement has honored one individual annually for their extraordinary contributions.
As the President and Founder of the Brain-Based Leadership Institute, John has pioneered advancements in leadership development grounded in neuroscience. He has held emeritus positions as a Professor of Psychiatry and as the Regional Community Dean at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, where he also served as Chair of the Consortium of Advanced Psychology Training and past Dean of Admissions. His leadership at Michigan State exemplified his commitment to shaping the next generation of physicians.
John's contributions extend beyond Michigan, having played a pivotal role in the Association of American Medical Colleges' (AAMC) efforts to expand regional campuses to alleviate the physician shortage. His impact is widely recognized in the medical education community because of his exceptional ability to engage with national leaders, provide mentorship to colleagues, and maintain an unwavering focus on quality and service. His continued leadership within the National Speaker's Association and Global Speakers Federation further exemplifies his commitment to leadership and professional development.
A nominator summed it up well when they wrote "Dr. John Molidor is not only an outstanding professional but also a remarkable human being whose life and work resonate deeply with the values of St. Thomas University."
Rosa Miller is the retired Vice President of Latin America Global Channel Services, Pacific and Atlantic Branches at 3M. She started her nearly 40-year career with 3M as a Process Engineer in Research & Development, later becoming a Technical Service Supervisor for 3M Health Care in Latin America, Africa and Asia Pacific. While at 3M, Rosa volunteered to teach math and science to help students within the 3M Tutoring Program for children. She co-founded 3M’s Visiting Women Scientists program.
Luigi Bernardi '85 and '89 MBA has a rich history and family legacy at St. Thomas. Under the leadership of Luigi’s father, the late Tony Bernardi, the family made a 1999 gift to St. Thomas to establish the university’s Bernardi Campus in Rome. He currently serves as the president of Arcadia/Aurora and continues to be an avid supporter of our university.
The former Chairman and CEO of the Toro Company, Michael started his career at Toro at the age of 22 while taking classes at St. Thomas and worked his way up the ranks at Toro to be elected President in 2004, serve as CEO 2005-2016, and Chairman 2006-2017.
In partnership with the Toro Company and the Hoffman Family Foundation, Michael established the Melrose and The Toro Company Center for Principled Leadership in 2020 to promote and celebrate principled leadership through academic research, teaching, and outreach activities.
In February 2019, Capt. Michelle Curran performed a flyover during the Super Bowl. It was her first time with the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, also known as the Thunderbirds. She was commissioned as a second lieutenant the same day she graduated from St. Thomas.
Curran was only the fifth female pilot in the Thunderbirds’ history. Her extraordinary achievement at a young age demonstrates leadership, service to country and supreme excellence in her field.
Cupich is an American prelate of the Catholic Church, a cardinal who serves as the ninth archbishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago. He is also a member of the Roman Curia’s Congregation for Bishops, which plays a role in advising on bishop appointments and episcopal matters.
For 15 years as president and CEO of HealthPartners, Brainerd led the largest consumer-governed, nonprofit health-care organization in the country. As a founder and former chair of the Itasca Project, she demonstrates her ability to guide others in seeking to advance the common good.
Cecere was named president of U.S. Bancorp in 2016, chief executive officer in 2017 and chairman in 2018. Cecere has been with U.S. Bancorp since 1985 and has held other leadership roles within the organization, including chief financial officer, chief operating officer, president and vice chairman.
2025 – John Molidor, PhD ’73
2024 – Rosa Miller ’88
2023 – Luigi Bernardi ’85, MBA ’89
2022 – Michael Hoffman ’88
2021 – Maj. Michelle Curran ’09
2020 – Awards postponed due to the COVID–19 pandemic
2019 – Cardinal Blase Cupich ’71
2018 – Mary Brainerd ’79 M.B.A.
2017 – Andrew Cecere ’82
2016 – Pat Ryan ’75
2015 – John Carr ’72
2014 – Ron L. Fowler ’66
2013 – The Rev. Dennis J. Dease ’72 M.A., ’73 M. Div.
2012 – Bernadeia Johnson ’93 M.A.
2011 – Timothy P. Flynn ’79
2010 – Ronald J. Peltier ’73 M.A.
2009 – Stephen P. Nachtsheim ’67
2008 – Daniel A. Buettner ’83
2007 – Thomas A. Kennelly ’51
2006 – Vince J. Flynn ’88
2005 – Mark A. Zesbaugh ’86
2004 – Rev. Gregory R. Tolaas ’78, ’83 M.A.*
2003 – Dr. Ann L. Winblad ’75 M.A.
2002 – Quentin J. Hietpas ’53
2001 – Dr. Daniel J. Anderson ’50
2000 – Hon. Gerald W. Heaney ’39
1999 – Michael V. Ciresi ’68
1998 – Hon. James L. Oberstar ’56
1997 – Terence M. Dempsey ’54
1996 – Dr. James J. Renier ’61
1995 – Marty A. Haugen ’91 M.A.; Rev. Jan Michael Joncas ’75
1994 – William B. Malevich ’55, ’63 M.A.
1993 – Guy Schoenecker ’49
1992 – Albert J. Hofstede ’64
1991 – Bernard F. Brennan ’64
1990 – William R. Steger ’66
1989 – James D. Kellen ’55
1988 – William S. Reiling ’54
1987 – James P. Larkin ’51
1986 – Dr. Joseph B. Connors ’37
1985 – William J. Cosgriff ’63
1984 – John D. Herrick ’54; Donald J. Leyden ’51 *
1983 – Michael J. Galvin, Jr. ’52
1982 – John F. Donovan ’44
1981 – David A. Koch ’52
1980 – Thomas W. Dzik ’64
1979 – Leonard W. Bisanz ’40
1978 – Gerald A. Rauenhorst ’48
1977 – Thomas P. Coughlan ’38
1976 – William H. Fallon ’17
1974 – Herbert F. Mischke ’48
1973 – Theodore E. Molitor ’48
1972 – Dr. Donald J. Nollet ’43
1971 – Hon. Robert J. Sheran ’36
* Award given posthumously