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4 community leaders to be honored at Niagara University President's Dinner

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Thu, Nov 7th 2019 01:35 pm

The accomplishments of four individuals will be recognized at Niagara University’s 2019 President’s Dinner, Friday, Nov. 15, at the Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls. Proceeds from the event benefit Niagara University's scholarship programs. Last year's dinner raised $330,000 toward student scholarship assistance.

The event begins at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails and includes awards, dinner and music. This year, the following leaders will be honored for their contributions in business and community life:

•Laura Zaepfel, vice president for corporate relations at Uniland Development Co., will receive the Caritas Medal. Zaepfel works to optimize the Western New York business climate and construct policies and procedures that will produce a diverse workforce and a sustainable economy in the region. In addition, she manages Uniland’s corporate philanthropy program, and works with and volunteers for community and business organizations that advocate for residents through social justice and diversity, health and wellness, education, and environmental programs. Zaepfel has provided leadership to organizations including Catholic Charities, Humanities New York, the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, the National Federation of Just Communities, and the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park.

•Rev. Michael J. Carroll, C.M., Class of 73, ’11 (Hon.), director of the Miraculous Medal Shrine in Philadelphia, and spiritual director of the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal, will receive the St. Vincent de Paul Award. In his current role, Carroll promotes devotion to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. Over the years, he had a number of assignments, including school minister at Archbishop Wood High School and 16 years at St. John’s University in Queens, where he worked in campus ministry and for the university’s Rome campus, as well as executive vice president for student services. He was elected provincial superior for the Eastern Province of the Congregation of the Mission in 2008 and served in that post until 2017.

•Rev. Craig D. Pridgen, senior pastor of the Niagara Falls Experience of True Bethel and senior business vendor analyst for M&T Bank, will receive the Legacy of Service Award. Pridgen was instrumental in opening and managing the first-ever Subway restaurant franchise located in a church and in the oversight of a job readiness program that prepared inner-city youth for work. He is a member of the Niagara University board of trustees and currently serves on the boards of directors for Literacy New York, Buffalo-Niagara Inc., Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center and The National Federation for Just Communities.

•Paul E. O’Leary Jr., ’81, retired managing partner at Deloitte & Touché LLP, will receive the university’s Medal of Honor. Upon his graduation, O’Leary started his career with Touché Ross & Co (now Deloitte & Touché) in the Buffalo office. He was promoted to partner in 1995. In 2002, he was named upstate New York managing partner, responsible for operations from Albany to Buffalo, and in 2014, he was named Denver professional practice director, a role in which he oversaw all functions of the audit practice. He also served as the firm’s national Blue Cross partner from 1996-2010, with responsibility for consistency in reporting for all Blue’s attest clients and maintaining the relationship with BCBSA. Throughout his career, O’Leary has served a broad set of clients in various industries, including the Buffalo Bills, the Buffalo Sabres, Delaware North and Tops Markets. His community service includes membership on the Niagara University board of trustees, the Kaleida Health board of directors, and the Calamar board of advisors, and he is advance marshal of the Honda Classic.

Michael Vitch, ’83, a member of NU's board of trustees, and his wife, Janice, will serve as the dinner's chair couple.

Tickets for the President's Dinner are $195 per person (or $145 for NU alumni who graduated after 2001) and may be reserved at https://support.niagara.edu/events/2019-presidents-dinner.

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