Monsignor James Lavin Award
The Monsignor James Lavin Award award honors an alumnus or alumna of St. Thomas for outstanding contributions and service to the University of St. Thomas, its programs and services. Since 1994, the St. Thomas Alumni Association has honored an individual each year for their extraordinary contributions.
Monsignor James Lavin devoted his life to serving the St. Thomas community. Known widely as “Scooter,” he lived in Ireland Hall as an undergraduate from 1936 to 1940 and as a faculty member and administrator from 1946 to 2002. His weekly peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, also known as “Lavin Burgers,” were a hit with Ireland Hall residents. Upon retiring in 1988, he immediately went to work for the alumni office extending his service to the Tommie Network.
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2023 Monsignor James Lavin Award Recipient
Tom Pacholl '50
Tom Pacholl graduated from the College of St. Thomas with a degree in biology in 1950. Eager to share his knowledge, he spent his career teaching and as assistant principal in the St. Paul Public Schools system. Pacholl has been a loyal, engaged Tommie for more than 72 years. In the 1940s, Tom played football for St. Thomas. His time with the team included playing in the Cigar Bowl in Florida in 1949. With a true dedication to supporting the St. Thomas community and Tommie athletics, Pacholl continues to hold season tickets for football and men's basketball.
2022
Don Becker '51
Don was a Tommie through and through. For more than 20 years, he recruited friends to join his enthusiasm as an ambassador for St. Thomas: recruiting golf foursomes, anchoring his class reunion and Old Guard committees, hosting countless guests at St. Thomas First Friday luncheons, cheering from the stands for countless St. Thomas athletic teams and volunteering for many programs. He ministered weekly to Fr. James Lavin before his death, and singlehandedly recruited more than 10 Tommies amongst his children and grandchildren. A faithful alumnus for 66 years, he was the kind of Tommie who "bled purple."
2021
Stephen Fritz '71
Stephen Fritz has been described as the ultimate Tommie. He was a champion of the university as a student, alumnus and a 52-year staff member. His accomplishments as a St. Thomas Hall of Fame basketball player and as a coach and athletic director are remarkable.
2019
Doug Hennes '77
2018
Mark Zesbaugh '86
For 15 years, Zesbaugh served on the St. Thomas Board of Trustees, doing indispensable work to advance the university and being a model of alumni and trustee involvement. He has contributed greatly to the increase in scholarship aid for students and to the development and success of Tommie Give Day. He also was given the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2015. Zesbaugh graduated from St. Thomas with a degree in accounting, launching him into a fast-climbing career that saw him named CEO of Allianz Life at 37. Zesbaugh is currently president of Twin Cities-based Entrepreneurial 180, LLC.
2017