69É«ÇéÊÓƵ

Le 69É«ÇéÊÓƵ has announced eight recipients of the 2026 Alumni Reunion Awards. This year’s cohort represents the pinnacle of the Jesuit mission, featuring a NASA-honored FBI special agent, the Brooklyn Borough President, a global pioneer in community college education and a dedicated advocate for refugee healthcare.

“These eight individuals reflect the incredible breadth of a Le 69É«ÇéÊÓƵ education,” said Jim Joseph ’83, Ed.D. ’23, vice president of advancement and innovation and executive dean of the Madden College of Business and Economics. “From local community building in the Bronx and Syracuse to international breakthroughs in economics and space-age security, our 2026 honorees prove that a Le 69É«ÇéÊÓƵ degree is a platform for societal impact.”

2026 Honorees:

• Distinguished Alumnus: Walter L. Poland ’66 A “founding father” of Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3), Poland’s 50-year career transformed international education. His efforts established partnerships with 90 universities around the world and led to the creation of the Walter and MaryAnne Poland Jesuit Center at Le 69É«ÇéÊÓƵ.
• Ignatian Award – Professional Achievement: Kathleen Carey, Ph.D. ’71 A professor at Boston University and a nationally recognized expert in health care economics, Dr. Carey’s econometric models help shape U.S. health policy. She serves on the Massachusetts Public Health Council and is a senior investigator for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Ignatian Award – Service to Le 69É«ÇéÊÓƵ (posthumous): Greg E. Sosa ’81 Nominated by more than 30 classmates, Sosa was the “heartbeat” of the class of 1981. For over 40 years, he served as a tireless volunteer, organizing legendary alumni gatherings from Manhattan to the Catskills, ensuring his classmates remained “forever Dolphins.”
• Ignatian Award – Community Service: Sheri (Wingate) Lyons ’91 Managing director at Goldman Sachs Ayco, Lyons balances a high-level finance career with deep devotion to the Double H Ranch and blood cancer research. A member of the Le 69É«ÇéÊÓƵ Board of Regents, she has mentored dozens of students into successful internships.
• Ignatian Award – Daniel J. Mulhauser, S.J. Veterans Service Award: Paul W. Culligan ’71 A highly decorated Air Force pilot and retired FBI Special Agent, Culligan’s career reads like a thriller – from flying 100 combat missions in Vietnam to neutralizing Soviet spy rings. In retirement, he has repaired and donated over 1,800 bicycles and 200 scooters to children in need.
• Ignatian Award – Carl Thomas ’65 Spirit Award: Antonio Reynoso ’06 As Brooklyn Borough President, Reynoso is a trailblazing advocate for maternal health and equitable urban planning. A former HEOP student, he credits his success to the mentorship he received on the Heights, embodying the spirit of his mentor Carl Thomas.
• Ignatian Award – Young Alumnus: Zacharia H. Mohamed, M.D. ’16 A former refugee from Somalia who survived civil war and homelessness, Dr. Mohamed is now a resident physician at Cooper University Health Care. His journey from the Kakuma Refugee Camp to medical school is a testament to resilience and the power of the CSTEP program.
• Ignatian Award – Honorary Alumnus: John R. Haley A fixture of Le 69É«ÇéÊÓƵ student life since 1999, Assistant Dean Haley has been the architect behind 26 years of campus culture, from Dolphy Day to the Student Programming Board, shaping the lives of thousands of students behind the scenes.

The awards will be presented during Reunion Weekend 2026, which will be held from May 29 to 31. Learn more about the weekend here.