Tommies past and present were honored Wednesday in the 2014 St. Thomas Day ceremony, meant to showcase the university’s brightest alumni and students and celebrate the university’s patron saint, St. Thomas Aquinas.

Three St. Thomas alumni, one faculty member and one student were recognized during the celebration, attended by 470 guests. The evening began at 5:30 p.m. with a Mass celebrated by Archbishop John Nienstedt, followed by a dinner and awards ceremony.

Rachel Wobschall, executive director of Alumni and Constituent Relations, welcomed guests. President Julie Sullivan then gave a speech before Wobschall presented alumni Michael Heffron, Sondra Elizondo and Ron Fowler, music professor Matthew George and senior Brandon Miranda with awards.

The Alumni Association Board of Directors presented the Monsignor James Lavin Award to Heffron, who graduated in 1957. The Lavin Award honors a St. Thomas alumnus or alumna who has made outstanding volunteer contributions to the university.

Heffron, who worked as the executive vice president and CEO of the Minnesota State Fair, spent two decades on the Old Guard Committee and continues to be involved with St. Thomas alumni. He said St. Thomas helped prepare him for success.

“I’m honored to be associated with Monsignor Lavin to begin with,” Heffron said. “It was, you know, my undergraduate work in English and bookkeeping, and those things all led to me being successful.”

Sondra Elizondo, who graduated from St. Thomas in 1992 and joined the Peace Corps, co-founded and is now the director of Volunteers for Intercultural and Definitive Adventures, a nonprofit volunteer program that provides medical, dental and veterinary services to communities in South America.

VIDA also provides college students with opportunities to volunteer in other countries. Alumna Michelle Coughlin, the first St. Thomas student to volunteer with VIDA, said it jump-started her interest in medicine.

“It was my first experience, really, with hands-on medical work,” Coughlin said. “It was absolutely a life-changing, inspirational experience for me, and it really sparked this passion that’s just continued to grow.”

Elizondo said she was humbled by the award.

“I’m so impressed to be surrounded by a bunch of amazing Tommie alumni,” Elizondo said. “I’m really proud to be a Tommie at this moment.”

Fowler, who graduated in 1966, received the Distinguished Alumnus Award for his accomplishments and contributions to St. Thomas, the community and his leadership in the business world. Fowler continues to create scholarships for St. Thomas graduate and undergraduate students through the Fowler Business Concept Challenge each year.

“I’m shocked to be here, but I’m very pleased and proud to be able to get this award,” Fowler said.

Matt George, a professor of music, director of bands and orchestra and the chair of the music department, received St. Thomas’ Professor of the Year Award. He described his relationship with the university as one of give-and-take.

“I’ve always felt that this is a partnership,” George said. “I try to provide things to St. Thomas from the experiences that I’ve had, but it provided me with the opportunity to get those experiences.”

George said he was honored to be selected for the award by his peers.

Senior Brandon Miranda, who was chosen earlier this spring to receive the Tommie Award, was also recognized during the ceremony.

Junior Emily Casey attended the ceremony to support Miranda.

“I’m so very proud of all that he’s accomplished, and it’s awesome being able to spend this time with him and to acknowledge all the hard work he’s put in,” Casey said.

Grace Pastoor can be reached at past6138@stthomas.edu.