Photo Gallery: Holy Cross Recognizes Five Alumni for Professional Achievement and Commitment to Service, Faith and Justice

Distinguished alumni connect with students, share how they are “living the mission” after graduation



On Sept. 22, students gathered to listen, engage, and learn from this year’s Sanctae Crucis honorees — individuals who are leaders in business, professional or civic life; who live by the highest intellectual and ethical standards; and who are committed to the service of faith and promotion of justice.

The Sanctae Crucis Award is the highest non-degree recognition bestowed by the College upon graduates who continue to live out the Holy Cross mission well after graduation.

The alumni, honored at the 20th annual Sanctae Crucis awards presentation in the Hogan Ballroom, were: Thomas R. Beecher, Jr. ’56; Deborah L. Fuller, D.M.D., M.S. ’91; Katherine M. Gallagher '92; Stephen P. Harbeck, Esq. ’68; and Col. Malcolm N. Joseph, III, M.D. USAF (Ret.) '71.

During the day, the recipients participated in a series of on campus events, including a panel discussion moderated by Rev. Philip L. Boroughs, S.J., president of the College. The panel was followed by seminar-style conversations led by each recipient where students, faculty, and staff got an inside look into the lives and career paths of the alumni and how their Holy Cross education served as a foundation for later success.

Learn more about this year’s honorees below:

Thomas R. Beecher, Jr. '56 P90 is an attorney and has served as the director of multiple national and global corporations who led transformational education and healthcare initiatives in Buffalo, N.Y.

“You served your community with distinction as the vision-forward leader of a grand-scale medical campus project that has transformed healthcare delivery throughout Western New York.” Read the full award citation.

Deborah L. Fuller, D.M.D., M.S. '91 is a public health dentist in Rhode Island who founded a program for underserved children and works closely with the state’s first free dental clinic.

“You have worked tirelessly to remove barriers to access and provide first-quality dental services for Rhode Island’s infants, children and the underserved. You have leveraged your distinguished career in dentistry, public service, research, teaching and the insurance industry to be a powerful voice for equitable treatment for all dental patients in need.” Read the full award citation.

Katherine M. Gallagher '92 is a human rights attorney specializing in international criminal law cases related to war crimes.

“You offer a strong voice to the powerless, relief to the oppressed and justice to the wronged. As a senior staff attorney with the Center for Constitutional Rights, you train the high beams on those who egregiously misuse the court of law to trample on, truncate or terminate human rights.” Read the full award citation.

Stephen P. Harbeck, Esq. ’68 is the president and CEO of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), who worked to restore billions of dollars in assets lost in major securities brokerage bankruptcies to small investors.

“Your colleagues and your Holy Cross classmates point to your extraordinary leadership, great integrity, principled upholding of the law and tremendous self-discipline. Your stellar personal qualities, Jesuit education and military experiences have served as the rock-solid foundation for your long and distinguished career in service to others.” Read the full award citation.

Col. Malcolm N. Joseph, III, M.D. USAF (Ret.) '71 is a retired chief flight surgeon in the U.S. Air Force who supported the White House and Congressional Special Air Missions for three presidential administrations.

“You are a compassionate healer, a tireless advocate for greater access to healthcare for the homeless, and a powerful voice in the dialogue on diversity, wellness and disease prevention. You are a man for others in the best Jesuit tradition.” Read the full award citation.

More coverage about the awards ceremony and the honorees will appear in the winter issue of Holy Cross Magazine.

Submit Nominations

Do you know a Holy Cross graduate who has an exemplary record of professional achievement or community service? The College is soliciting nominations for next year.