Four Extraordinary Jesuit Mothers Honored with Prestigious Alma Mater Award

Posted January 16, 2015 / Last updated January 29, 2015

Fr. Raymond Fitzgerald, S.J. ’76 with this year’s honorees: Rhonda Eckholdt, Marsha Cropper, Joan Gogreve, and Anne Barnes.

Hundreds of Blue Jay mothers turned out for the 2015 Alma Mater Awards luncheon to honor four outstanding Jesuit volunteer mothers on Friday, Jan. 16, at The Roosevelt Hotel New Orleans. This year’s honorees are Anne Barnes, Marsha Cropper, Rhonda Eckholdt, and Joan Gogreve.

About 200 mothers of both current students and of alumni attended the luncheon to honor the volunteer work of these four Blue Jay mothers whose extraordinary contributions of time and talent have greatly benefited Jesuit.

This is the 15th year that Jesuit is honoring volunteer mothers. The first Alma Mater Awards Luncheon was held in 1992 and for the next 13 years, it was a much-anticipated fall event. Following Hurricane Katrina, the annual luncheon was put on hold and finally returned to Jesuit’s calendar last year.

View the Previous Alma Mater Award Honorees

Galleries

Alma Mater Award Luncheon, Jan. 16, 2015

Joan Gogreve receives the Alma Mater Award from Fr. Raymond Fitzgerald, S.J. '76.
General co-chair Denise Currault, Fr. Raymond Fitzgerald, S.J. '76, general chair Suzette Herpich, and director of institutional advancement Tom Bagwill.
Previous Alma Mater Award honorees (left) Ann Colfry (2004) and (right) Jeanie Favret (2014) with committee member Linda Tufton.
Marsha Cropper and her son, Justin Cropper '01.
Alma Mater Award Honoree Rhonda Eckholdt and her husband, Greg Eckholdt '79 (center), with members of her family: Lisa Sammons, John and Virginia Eckholdt, and Patsy and Ralph Pausina '55.
At the luncheon, entertainment was provided by New Orleans Classical & Jazz.
Anne Barnes receives the Alma Mater Award from Fr. Raymond Fitzgerald, S.J. '76.
Marsha Cropper receives the Alma Mater Award from Fr. Raymond Fitzgerald, S.J. '76.
Rhonda Eckholdt receives the Alma Mater Award from Fr. Raymond Fitzgerald, S.J. '76.
2015 Honoree Marsha Cropper and her family. (Front row, from left) Anne Prat, Karen Stephens, Sharon Wilde, Val Stephens, and Marsha Giessler. (Back row, from left) Ellen Stephens Elias, Debbie LaCour, Justin Cropper '01, Don Cropper, and Karen Delcambre.
Alma Mater Awards general chair Suzette Herpich says a few words about the award winners.
Fr. Raymond Fitzgerald, S.J. '76 and Alma Mater Award general chair Suzette Herpich (far right) with the 2015 Alma Mater Award Honorees: Joan Gogreve, Rhonda Eckholdt, Marsha Cropper, and Anne Barnes.
Honoree Joan Gogreve with members of her family: son Michael, husband Bart, and daughter Jane.
Enjoying the luncheon are: (seated, from left) Gail Veters (2004 honoree), Jackie Hughes, and Nancy Gagnon. (Standing, from left) Patty Gillen (2000 honoree), Sam McAloon, Lori Ryan, Marcia Curole, and Margie Ferrage.
(Seated, from left) Bridget LaForge, Janice Hontas, Laurie Gaudet, and Stacy Helm. (Standing, from left) Mary Beth Lobrano, Michelle White, Sueann North, and Liz Creel.
Anne Comarda, Darlene Seay, and Pam Weiser.
(Seated, from left) Cindy Moran and Marilyn Bonilla. (Standing, from left) Cindy Benz and Janice Gaudet.
Jesuit's director of student affairs Helen Swan and academic assistant principal Kathy Juhas.
Br. William Dardis, S.J. ’58 with this year's honoree Rhonda Eckholdt, and her parents, Patsy and Ralph Pausina.
Carol Porter, 1997 Honoree Patricia Hotard, and 2000 Honoree Patty Gillen attend the Patron Party.
Previous Alma Mater Award Honorees visit at the Patron Party: Phyllis Kitchen (2003), Quintella Cola (1995), Connie Kitchen (1998), and Patricia Cox (2002).
Nominations Committee members Janis deVerges and Indie McKay with Reservations Committee member and 2004 Honoree Ann Colfry.
Marsha Cropper, one of this year's honorees, and Debbie Garrity, a 2003 honoree, attend the Patron Party.
Alma Mater Awards Luncheon Committee member Shelia Vocke and Diane Graezke.
Roberta Chevis, Alma Mater Awards co-chair Denise Currault, Marianne Gibbs, Darlene Robért, Joan Gogreve, and Renee Fabacher at the Patron Party.
Eulalie Petit and Karen Matthews visit at the Patron Party.
Rainey Weathington, Jamie Moreau, 1997 honoree Peggy Tonti, and 2001 honoree Lee Baraldi.
At the Patron Party: 1996 honoree Annette Francingues, 1995 honoree Sally Duplantier, and Mickey Ferry.
2001 Alma Mater Award honoree Lee Baraldi with Joan Ingram, 2014 honoree Jeanie Favret, and Virginia Eckholdt at the Patron Party.
Cindy Nolan, Sean Nolan, and Carolyn McClure at the Patron Party.
Members of the 2015 Alma Mater Awards Commitee: Darlene Robért (2014 honoree), general chair Suzette Herpich, general co-chair Denise Currault, and Eulalie Petit.
Patsy Pausina, Sharon Wilde, and Rhonda Eckholdt.
Alma Mater Awards Luncheon Committee members: Jeanie Favret, Shelia Vocke, Denise Currault, Suzette Herpich, Darlene Robért, and Janis deVerges.
2015 Honoree Anne Barnes and her family, (from left) son Alex, husband Don, and sons Patrick and Adam.
Fr. Raymond Fitzgerald, S.J. '76 with this year's honorees: Rhonda Eckholdt, Marsha Cropper, Joan Gogreve, and Anne Barnes.