FOUNDER'S DAY
Founder's Day
2025 Founder's Day Award Dinner
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Event Details:
Date: Sunday, April 6, 2025
Time: 5:00pm - Cocktail Reception, 6:00pm - Dinner & Program
Location: Radisson Hotel Ballroom - La Crosse, WI
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Honorees
St. Francis Staff Award: Maureen Grenisen
St. Thomas Aquinas Award: Mary Jo Werner
Bishop John Paul Distinguished Alumni Award: Erik Snapp '86
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award: Schneider Heating & Air Conditioning
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Maureen Grenisen
Mary Jo Werner
Erik Snapp
Past Founder's Day Awards
St. Francis Staff Award
This award honors a devoted Aquinas Catholic Schools staff member whose service reflects the humility, compassion, and selfless love of St. Francis Assisi. It is presented to an individual who, through years of dedicated service or extraordinary impact, has nurtured the hearts, minds, and faith of our students. By embodying Franciscan values of generosity, care, and servant leadership, this individual has left a lasting imprint on our school community.
Past Recipients:
1999 Fr. Robert Altmann, Sr. Althea Meierotto, Sr. Lucille Kleinheinz, Lee Gilbert
2000 Fr. Charles A. Blecha
2001 Phil Hahn
2002 Kathleen Forslund, Sr. Celine Schumacher
2003 Jack Nockels
2004 Sr. Celestine Cepress, John Michuta
2005 Sr. Geneva Kneer
2006 Sr. Judine Kranc
2007 Sr. Margaret Mary Conway, Margaret Grelle
2008 David Reinders
2009 Mary Kroner
2010 Therese Dobson
2011 David English
2012 Charles Schmidt
2013 Mike Desmond
2014 Margaret Dineen
2015 Not awarded
2016 James Vail
2017 Michael Drake
2018 John Stellflue
2019 Joe Gaspard
2020-21 Sharon Tempke
2022 Jane Ryan
2023 Julie Wagner
2024 Monsignor Michael Gorman, Mari Erickson
2025 Maureen Grenisen
Bishop John Paul Distinguished Alumnus Award
This award honors an Aquinas High School graduate who exemplifies the values and mission of Aquinas in their personal and professional life. Recipients of this award are recognized for their outstanding accomplishments in their chosen field, their dedicated service and leadership within their community, and their ongoing support of Aquinas Catholic Schools. They live out their faith with integrity and purpose, serving as an inspiration to current students and a testament to the enduring impact of an Aquinas education.
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Past Recipients:
1991 Phil Quillin
1992 Frank Uhler, Jr.
1993 Steve & Marian Pavela
1994 Mary Blaschke, Paul Noelke
1995 Robert & Anita Funke, Robert & Marie Daley
1996 Roger Ferris, Ed & Sally Sullivan
1997 Sr. Mary Ann Gschwind, Robert Skemp
1998 Robert Kreutz, John Bissen
1999 Fr. Bernard McGarty, Sr. Rita Rathburn
2000 Paul Poehling
2001 Bishop John Paul, Anita Froegel
2002 Fr. Robert J. Cook
2003 John Kerrigan, Robert Gilbert
2004 John & Barb Marie Leinfelder
2005 Don Gallagher
2006 Dr. Steve Pavela
2007 Michael Weissenberger
2008 James Maney
2009 Paul Schams
2010 Fr. Steven Kachel & Ernest Tremmel
2011 Not awarded
2012 Not awarded
2013 Pat Gantert
2014 Steve Doll
2015 Not awarded
2016 Bob Halaska
2017 Kathryn Keppel
2018 Anthony Binsfeld
2019 Tim Murphy
2020-21 Mark Schneider
2022 Keith Balts
2023 Phil (PJ) Esten
2024 Dave Umhoefer
2025 Erk Snapp
St. Thomas Aquinas Award
The St. Thomas Aquinas Award honors those whose extraordinary gifts of time, talent, and treasure have made a lasting impact on the students and programs of Aquinas Catholic Schools. This award recognizes someone who has shown exceptional dedication to advancing our mission through active involvement in school organizations and clubs, dedicated support of special events, and/or philanthropic support of fundraising efforts.
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Recipients of this award embody a genuine concern for the educational experience of our students and often extend their support beyond academics, contributing significantly to extracurricular activities and enrichment programs. Whether through steadfast volunteerism, leadership, or support the honoree exemplifies a deep commitment to fostering a vibrant, faith-filled community at Aquinas Catholic Schools.
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Past Recipients:
1999 Ralph & Joyce Clason
2000 Richard J. Campbell
2001 Marjorie Reinhart
2002 George E. Smith
2003 John & Donna Hansen Family
2004 William Kerrigan
2005 Dr. Art Barbier
2006 Larry Lee
2007 Ken Morrison
2008 Henry Funk
2009 Joe Poehling
2010 Dr. George & Margaret Ellenz
2011 Bruce Simones
2012 James Kiffe
2013 Bob & Cindy Klar
2014 Jim & Kathy McGettigan
2015 Not awarded
2016 Mike & Denise Kachel
2017 Thomas "Tiny" Poellinger
2018 Michael Quillin
2019 Barbara & Dr. James Murphy
2020-21 Kevin Roop
2022 Michael & Sara Taggart
2023 Mark Hansen
2024 Sue Quillin​
2025 Mary Jo Werner
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award
The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award honors a business or organization whose unwavering partnership and generosity have profoundly strengthened Aquinas Catholic Schools and the Aquinas Catholic Schools Foundation. Named for the patron saint of Catholic education, this award celebrates those who embody her legacy of faith, service, and dedication to the formation of young minds and hearts. Recipients of this award demonstrate an enduring commitment to Catholic education by investing their resources, leadership, and advocacy in support of our students and schools. Through their sustained generosity, collaborative spirit, and example of servant leadership, they help ensure that Aquinas Catholic Schools continues to provide a transformative, faith-filled education for generations to come.
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In spirit of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, these businesses and organizations not only support our mission but also inspire our community by modeling the values of compassion, faith, and service that lie at the heart of Catholic education.
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Past Recipients:
2020-21 Morrison & Associate
2022 Clason Buick-GMC
2023 The Weber Group
2024 Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration
2025 Schneider Heating & Air Conditioning