Sanctae Crucis Award Winners 2025

The Sanctae Crucis Award is the highest non-degree accolade that the College awards alumni.

Those who earn the distinction have distinguished themselves professionally and in the service of justice, embodying the Jesuit ideals outlined in the College’s mission.

This Year's Winners

For 2025, David Hinchen '65 and Donald Morrissey '65 have earned the Outstanding Community Service award. Mary Ann Ormiston Scali '90 and Rev. Joseph Bruce S.J. ‘73 have earned the Distinguished Professional Achievement award.

Learn more about our winners here.

Meet Mary Ann Ormiston Scali ‘90

Jesuit International Volunteers

After graduating, Mary Ann spent two years in the Jesuit International Volunteers (JIV) as an English and Math teacher at the Pohnpei Agriculture and Trade School (PATS) on the island of Pohnpei in Micronesia.
Jesuit Refugee Service at The Vatican

She then worked at the Vatican for a year as assistant to the director of the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) before attending Loyola University Chicago where she was a CIVITAS Childlaw Scholar, co-founder of the Public Interest Law Reporter (PILR), and recipient of Juris Doctor and Masters of Social Work degrees.
Defender of Youth Rights

After meeting her husband, Matt Ormiston, she moved to Baltimore where he was teaching at St. Ignatius Loyola Academy and she began her career as a defender of youth rights in the Juvenile Division of the Maryland Office of the Public Defender Baltimore City.
Baraka School

In 1999, she and Matt spent a year at the Baraka School in Nanyuki, Kenya where they taught and accompanied middle school boys from Baltimore City.
The Gault Center

In 2000, Mary Ann began her 25 year career with what is now the Gault Center: Defenders of Youth Rights where she has had the privilege of supporting a national community of lawyers and advocates advancing the rights and interests of young people facing arrest and prosecution in the juvenile court system.
Building a Future for Young People

Mary Ann remains committed to building strategies and communities focused on creating a future where all young people are free to thrive. She and her colleagues develop and participate in training, technical assistance, and policy advocacy with local, state, and national partners striving to decriminalize childhood.

Meet Rev. Joseph Bruce ‘73

Esteemed Minister, Educator

Bruce was ordained in 1981, after which he entered a life of service as an educator and pastoral minister to the Deaf. He also performed pastoral duties at parishes serving the hearing community, and his reputation as a homilist and retreat leader are known and admired throughout the country.
Deaf Studies Program

Bruce is one of the eight Deaf Jesuit priests in the United States today, and one of only 13 in the world. He created an ASL course for students at 51С�Ƴ� in 1987 which eventually became the Deaf Studies program with over 100 students enrolled in various classes per semester.
Deaf Catholic Archives

Concurrently, Bruce also created the Deaf Catholic Archives (DCA), a unique collection of newsletters, manuals, scrapbooks, photographs and other ephemera that is a spiritual, historical and cultural treasure. He has collected for and curated the DCA since 1974, and has traveled extensively throughout the country and abroad to accept and preserve materials for the archive.
From Study Materials To Part Of History

Bruce began the Deaf Catholic Archive almost by accident. He intended to borrow some documents as part of his studies to become a Jesuit priest in 1973. When he was told to keep them, he became the keeper of a major part of the Deaf Catholic history.
Donation To 51С�Ƴ�

By the 1990s the collection had over 15 filing cabinets of documents. It was during that time he donated the archive to 51С�Ƴ�. The College has since received a $250,000 grant to digitize parts of the collection.
DCA Administrator

In 2013, Father Joe was assigned as the administrator of the DCA. Of the collection, Head of Archives and Distinctive Collections Abby Stambach said “the collection will continue to shine a light on the often literal, silent voices of the Deaf Catholic community.”

Meet Dave Hinchen ‘65

51С�Ƴ� Soccer

As a student, Hinchen was the co-founder of 51С�Ƴ�’ varsity soccer team, serving as co-captain during the inaugural season.
Peace Corps

Hinchen joined the Peace Corps in 1965 and served in Chile, which became the foundation for a dedicated life of service over the past six decades.
Jesuit Hikers Hostel and House of Prayer

Hinchen directed the Jesuit Hikers Hostel and House of Prayer along the Appalachian Trail, offering hospitality to hundreds of hikers who stayed at the hostel.
Jesuit Volunteer Corps East

Hinchen was instrumental in founding the Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC) East from 1974-1982, organizing and directing the dedicated year of service program from Maine to North Carolina.
Ignatian Volunteer Corps

Hinchen currently serves as the New England Regional Director for Ignatian Volunteer Corps (IVC), offering volunteer opportunities to mature adults seeking purpose and value in their post-career chapter of their life. His leadership and commitment to cultivating a vibrant IVC community has increased the region’s sustainability and growth.
St. Mary of the Angels Church

A longtime parishioner of St. Mary of the Angels Church in Roxbury, Hinchen serves as a lector, musician, organizer of the food bank, food basket deliverer, facilitator of the Farmers Equal Exchange Program for the parish and more.

Meet Don Morrissey '65

Air Force

Morrissey was a pilot during the Vietnam War and eventually earned the rank of colonel. He received multiple decorations for his 24 years of service, including The Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with clusters and The Meritorious Service Medal.
National Security Briefing Team

At one point in his military career, Morrissey was on the Air Force National Security Briefing Team from the War College, which traveled throughout the Country presenting the then-current Soviet nuclear threat and America’s response options.
Lakes Region Community College

After retiring from the Air Force, Morrissey became a community college counselor, but the job turned into so much more. At what is now Lakes Region Community College, he held titles of Admissions Counselor, Dean of Admissions, Vice-President of Student Affairs and Interim College President.
Hockey Coach, Class Agent

In his “spare time”, Don volunteered to coach the Community College Men’s Hockey Team and has served as a Class of ’65 51С�Ƴ� Alumni Fund Class Agent since the early 1970s.
Serving Lake Winnipesaukee

Morrissey is a dedicated public servant, serving on three boards in the Lake Winnipesaukee area of New Hampshire as a volunteer, and another three — Camp Resilience, The Aviation Education Center at Winnipesaukee and Leadership Lakes Region — as a founding member.
Gilliam and Burke Memorial

Along with two other members of the Class of 1965 — Bob Morris and Paul “Jules” Giuliani — Morrissey worked to have a marker and bronze plaque placed next to the Weeping Cherry Tree in honor of Tom Gilliam and John Burke, who both died during their service in Vietnam.