Two Saint Mary’s College Students Honored with Saint Catherine Medal

May 23, 2018 (Notre Dame, Ind.)—  President Jan Cervelli awarded the Saint Catherine Medal to Angeline Barthel ’19 and Heather DiLallo ’19 at Honors Convocation, a ceremony honoring graduating seniors, on Sunday, May 6.

Each year the award goes to a sophomore or junior who exemplifies excellence in leadership, scholarship, faith, and service — the values of Kappa Gamma Pi, the National Catholic College Graduate Honor Society, who sponsors this award. This year two juniors were honored with the award, commemorating Saint Catherine of Alexandria, the patron saint of scholars.

Students, faculty, and staff nominate candidates for the Saint Catherine Medal and the Academic Affairs Council makes the final selection. The recipient of the award is kept secret until Honors Convocation.

Barthel, who recently returned from studying abroad in Spain, was surprised when she heard the news about her accomplishment. “I had no idea! It's quite an honor, and I'm deeply humbled. I'm glad to know all my hard work is paying off. Receiving this award gives me motivation to continue doing my best and to give back to the community,” Barthel shared. 

Barthel is a word minister, lay presider, and contributes to Sunday scripture sharing and the Center for Spirituality’s Real Life Program. As a resident assistant, mentor in the Embody Summer Theology Institute, and Student Program Coordinator for the Study of the U.S. Institute for Student Leaders on Women’s Leadership, Barthel lives out the mission of Saint Mary’s College. 

According to the citation, “In each of these roles, her commitment to community and justice, among her peers on campus and around the world, has shone through.”

DiLallo was surprised to learn there would be a second recipient and is grateful to have also been nominated for the award. “I'm humbled that they have seen so much potential in me and have both fostered it and helped me to discern how I can best make a change on campus and in the world,” DiLallo said. 

DiLallo, a rising senior in the College’s Five-Year Dual Degree Engineering Program in association with the University of Notre Dame, was recognized as a, “multifaceted leader: a faith leader, a leader in research, a leader for justice, and a leader among her cohort of chemistry and engineering majors.”