We’re proud to recognize and celebrate our alumni, members of the College family and community members for outstanding achievements and service to our college, our communities and our professions.

Celebrating Life After the Heights

Our alumni are up to great things, and annually we come together to celebrate what they've acheived after leaving the Heights.

The Ignatian Awards

Initiated by the Alumni Association’s Awards Committee, these awards commend the accomplishments of Le Moyne College alumni and friends embodying the spirit of St. Ignatius and the core principles of Jesuit education. We present these awards in a ceremony on Reunion Weekend. See below for a full list and description of the different types of Ignatian Awards.

Simon Le Moyne Medal

The prestigious Simon Le Moyne Medal recognizes outstanding leadership benefiting society. The medal embodies the ideals of Rev. Simon Le Moyne, the first European to visit the Syracuse area, symbolizing peace, faith, vision, and courage. Since 1966, Le Moyne College has honored local and national leaders with this esteemed award. The Simon Le Moyne Medal is presented at the Founders' Day gala annually.

Distinguished Alumni Awards

Since its inception in 1972, the Distinguished Alumnus/na Award celebrates Le Moyne graduates who excel in their profession, contribute to society through community projects, and uphold the Jesuit traditions of the College. Presented during Reunion or Golden Reunion Weekend, it recognizes outstanding achievement and commitment.

Frank Fernandez Award

Since 1987, the Frank Fernandez Business Leader of the Year Award recognizes Le Moyne graduates for excellence in business, while embodying Jesuit values of ethics and community service. Recipients actively engage with their alma mater, serving on committees, attending alumni events, and mentoring students. The award is presented at the annual Frank Fernandez Alumni Business Dinner.

Emerging Leader of the Year

Since 2018, the Emerging Leader of the Year Award has acknowledged Le Moyne College alumni who demonstrate noteworthy achievements in their profession and for the College, showcasing potential for ongoing leadership and service grounded in Jesuit ideals. It's presented at the annual Frank Fernandez Alumni Business Dinner.

Daniel McNeil III ’77 Risk Management & Insurance Industry Leader of the Year

Established in 2022, the Daniel McNeil III ’77 Risk Management and Insurance Industry Leader of the Year Award is named in honor of a Le Moyne graduate whose transformational gift to the College made possible the establishment of an academy dedicated to nurturing the next generation of leaders in risk management and insurance. This award is presented during the annual Frank Fernandez Alumni Business dinner.

The Rev. John J. O’Brien, S.J. Senior Athletes

This award recognizes excellence in athletic skill, leadership, sportsmanship, fellowship and scholarship.

Gold Wave Athletic Hall of Fame

The Gold Wave Athletic Hall of Fame celebrates male and female graduates of Le Moyne College who have excelled in their respective fields after achieving notable success in intercollegiate athletics during their time at the college.

Types of Awards

First presented in 1972, the Distinguished Alumnus/a Award is designed to honor a graduate of Le Moyne who demonstrates a high degree of accomplishment in his or her vocation, exhibits a concern for society as measured by voluntary community projects, and reflects a commitment to Le Moyne College’s Jesuit traditions.

  • The recipient is expected to demonstrate a high degree of accomplishment in his or her vocation.  The Awards Committee should know of an objective measure by which the nominee may be judged under this criterion, such as rapid advancement, awards and honors received, etc.
  • The individual, in addition to professional accomplishment, demonstrates a concern for his or her fellow people.  One objective measure of such concern is involvement in voluntary community projects.  Political activity, philanthropic efforts, service on community boards, etc., as other measures.
  • As a college in the Jesuit tradition, with studies in liberal arts, science and business, Le Moyne espouses a particular philosophy rooted in the Judeo-Christian traditions.  Its vision for its graduates is one in which they can deal with the world around them on a variety of levels.  A broad expanse of interests, expertise in a particular area, and artistic or creative activities are part of this philosophy.

This Carl Thomas ’65 Spirit Award is meant to honor an alumnus or alumna who exhibits in his or her daily life the values that Carl Thomas exemplified in his many years of service to Le Moyne College as Director of HEOP. In that spirit, we seek a person who was a serious student while at Le Moyne and embodied the expectation of academic rigor that Carl expected of his students. We seek a person who values integrity and displays that in his or her daily interactions, a person who has made a commitment to the larger community and gives back as a way of paying forward the mentoring that students of Carl Thomas received. Lastly, we seek a person whose service to the College and understanding of its mission helps spread the word of our Jesuit gem.

The Ignatian Awards, founded by the Alumni Association’s Awards Committee, honor the accomplishments of Le Moyne College alumni and friends, embodying the principles of St. Ignatius and the essence of Jesuit education. The Ignatian Award for Community Service is bestowed for exceptional outreach to the community, presented during Reunion and/or Golden Reunion Weekend.

The Ignatian Awards were created by the Alumni Association’s Awards Committee to honor the achievements of Le Moyne College’s alumni and friends, reflecting the philosophy of St. Ignatius and the core principles of a Jesuit education. The Ignatian Award, Honorary Alumnus/Alumna, is bestowed upon a community member who, though not a Le Moyne graduate, exemplifies the spirit of being a Dolphin. This award is presented during Reunion Weekend.

The Ignatian Awards, initiated by the Alumni Association’s Awards Committee, commend the accomplishments of Le Moyne College alumni and friends, embodying the spirit of St. Ignatius and the core principles of Jesuit education. The Ignatian Award for Professional Achievement acknowledges exceptional career success and contributions to the College, presented during Reunion and/or Golden Reunion Weekend.

The Ignatian Awards were created by the Alumni Association’s Awards Committee to acknowledge the accomplishments of Le Moyne College’s alumni and friends, reflecting the philosophy of St. Ignatius and the core principles of Jesuit education. The Ignatian Award for Service to Le Moyne recognizes devoted volunteerism for the College, presented during Reunion and/or Golden Reunion Weekend.

The Daniel J. Mulhauser, S.J., Veterans Service Award is named for Father Daniel Mulhauser, who served during World War II and who has delighted many student veterans and military members with his prayer, support, humor, approachability and energy. Our men and women in uniform are called to serve something larger than themselves. It is this spirit of magis that makes military members who serve with integrity, humility and intention natural fits as Dolphins. This award honors an alumnus or alumna who has demonstrated exceptional support to the veteran and/or military community. The recipient need not be a current or former military member; however, such service will be given weight in the consideration of overall contribution.

The Ignatian Awards, initiated by the Alumni Association’s Awards Committee, commend the accomplishments of Le Moyne College’s alumni and friends, embodying the philosophy of St. Ignatius and the core principles of Jesuit education. The Ignatian Award for Young Alumnus/Alumna recognizes graduates from the last 10 classes whose service to Le Moyne reflects the spirit of Robert F. Grewen, S.J., a dynamic and dedicated former president of Le Moyne College. This award is presented during Reunion and/or Golden Reunion Weekend.

Do you know someone whose accomplishments deserve to be recognized? Tell us about them!

Linda LeMura with alumni

You can also contact the Office of Alumni & Parent Engagement at

alumni@lemoyne.edu or (315) 445-4563 to nominate someone anytime throughout the year.