Community Awards Spotlight: Lon ‘68 and Michele Van Gemert, Flaherty Family Foundation: Ed Flaherty and Beth Flaherty

The annual Cretin-Derham Hall Community Awards celebrate several alumni and friends from Cretin, Derham Hall, and Cretin-Derham Hall, honoring their significant achievements and contributions. 

Each month, we will spotlight one or two of these award recipients. The full list of 2025 Community Award winners can be found on our website. Please consider nominating members of our community for a 2025 Community Award.

Lon ‘68 and Michele Van Gemert (click for video)

Lon ’68 and Michele Van Gemert embody a legacy of faith, family, and Raider pride that spans generations. Lon grew up in St. Paul, attending St. Luke’s before coming to Cretin, where he played football and basketball, discovered his love for theater, and developed leadership through JROTC. Michele, who attended St. Mark’s and Our Lady of Peace, also shares deep family ties to Cretin. Together, they built a family rooted in CDH tradition: their son Sean ’96, a member of the 1996 State Championship Baseball Team and 2024 Athletic Hall of Fame inductee, now serves as the school’s Director of Admissions. Their grandson Jack was a pitcher for the 2025 State Championship Baseball Team, and granddaughter Samantha joined CDH this fall - continuing a legacy of Raider excellence.

Professionally, Lon rose from laborer to CEO of Progressive Rail, where he found purpose in mentoring others and leading with integrity. In retirement, he and Michele co-chaired the Campaign for Raider Excellence, raising critical funds to enhance student facilities, including the creation of new dance studios, team meeting rooms, and a dedicated wrestling space. Their generosity continues through their leadership in the CDH Grandparents’ Association, and their unwavering belief that CDH is “the greatest school in all the land.” 

Cretin-Derham Hall proudly honors Lon ’68 and Michele Van Gemert with the Monsignor Hayden Legacy Award for their lifelong dedication to Catholic education, community, and the enduring spirit of the Raiders.

Monsignor Ambrose Hayden Legacy Award

This award recognizes individuals whose spirit and energy reflect an understanding of the need to preserve the past and provide for future generations.  Recipients exemplify the charisms of the Christian Brothers and the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet.

Flaherty Family Foundation:  Ed Flaherty and Beth Flaherty (click for video)

The Flaherty Family Foundation has made a transformative impact on students, families, and schools like Cretin-Derham Hall through more than three decades of dedicated service. Founded in 1990 by Ed Flaherty and led by his daughter Beth Flaherty since 2015, the Foundation has grown from supporting three students at one high school to more than 400 Flaherty Scholars across 35 faith-based schools in Minnesota, Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Montana, and New Jersey. Inspired by Ed’s own Catholic school experience in Great Falls, Montana, the Foundation was created to live a life of servant leadership, helping to prepare future leaders to make a positive difference in the world. Its mission is simple yet profound: to empower high-potential students with tuition assistance, mentoring, and personal guidance so they can reach their God-given potential.

Since 2016, Cretin-Derham Hall has welcomed up to five Flaherty Scholars each year, with a current total of 20 students receiving both financial support and mentoring. The Foundation’s motto, “Once a Flaherty Scholar, always a Flaherty Scholar,” reflects a lifelong commitment to nurturing confidence, resilience, and purpose. Scholars like recent graduate Clare Lasure describe the experience as transformational, growing not only academically but also as leaders with a strong sense of responsibility to their communities. Grounded in integrity, faith, and the Golden Rule, the Flaherty Family Foundation continues to open doors to Catholic education and equip young people for success in high school and beyond. 

In recognition of this lasting impact, Cretin-Derham Hall proudly presents the Eugene & Mary Frey Community Award to Ed Flaherty and Beth Flaherty, honoring their outstanding commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders.

Eugene & Mary Frey Community Award

Instituted in 1999 in recognition of the tremendous commitment Eugene ‘48 and Mary Frost Frey ‘52 have demonstrated to Cretin-Derham Hall and the larger community, this award is presented to individuals who reflect the mission and values of Cretin-Derham Hall through deep connection and involvement with Cretin-Derham Hall and other community interests.