St. Francis celebrates 60 years, honors alumni
Wheaton's St. Francis High School will celebrate its 60th anniversary on Saturday, April 29, with a dinner during which five alumni will be honored for outstanding service.
Among the honorees is state Senate President John J. Cullerton, who will receive the school's Pace e Bene Award. The award honors an individual who has emulated St. Francis of Assisi through exceptional service and distinguished leadership.
Cullerton graduated from St. Francis High School in 1966 and earned a bachelor's degree in political science as well as his juris doctorate from Loyola University. He has served more than 30 years in the General Assembly and is a partner with the law firm of Thompson Coburn.
Sister Barbara Nelson and the Rev. Herb Essig will receive the San Damiano Award, which honors those whose service has enabled the church and inspired others to grow in their faith.
After graduating from St. Francis High School in 1962, Nelson taught in junior high and high school, serving as a high school administrator and assuming the role as regional superior of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She taught math for seven years at St. Francis.
Essig, Class of 1964, was a student at St. Francis during a time of great change historically - the assassination of President John Kennedy, the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War and Vatican II.
During this time, he said, he "tried to center his life on Jesus," while accepting guidance from both the Christian Brothers and his lay teachers. Essig was ordained a priest in 1974 and is the pastor of St. Francis of Assisi in Bolingbrook.
Ron Kuhn and Teri Franklin Kuhn will receive the LaVerna Award, which honors those whose generous philanthropy has deeply marked St. Francis as a place where young people can grow spiritually, intellectually, artistically and athletically.
The pair met in high school and have been married for 25 years.
After high school, Ron Kuhn, Class of 1965, attended college and then worked for and assumed ownership of the family business, Harry W. Kuhn Inc., a construction and cement company.
Teri Franklin Kuhn, Class of 1967, owned her own interior design business and is a former member of the St. Francis board of directors.
They now own the Pillar Rock Vineyard in Napa Valley.
"These alumni have made differences in our world as they live the Gospel values taught to them as students and modeled by St. Francis of Assisi," said Tom Bednar, president of St. Francis. "We are excited to celebrate their accomplishments as we present them with these inaugural awards and look forward to adding many alumni recipients in the future."
Kevin Flood, member of the board of directors and coordinator of the 60th anniversary event, says proceeds from the dinner will support the St. Francis High School Endowment Fund.
"This dinner is not only an opportunity for us to celebrate the history of St. Francis High School and the successes of so many who have been part of our community for 60 years," he said, "but also to help ensure the education of future students through the building of our endowment fund."