2025 Community Awards Recipients Announced

October 28, 2025

The Cretin-Derham Hall Community Awards Dinner was held on Monday, October 27, 2025 at the Saint Paul Hotel. This wonderful evening celebrates all of the best of our community and honors alumni and friends from Cretin, Derham Hall and Cretin-Derham Hall.  The Community Awards recognize the significant accomplishments of our distinguished alumni and friends, along with the support and congratulations of the entire community.

The following awards were presented:

Signum Fidei Award

The Signum Fidei symbolizes ‘Rising Star’ and this award is presented annually to one or more individuals who reflect the ideals of the Christian Brothers and the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet.  This award recognizes the recipient’s outstanding eminence in their particular field of endeavor and their outstanding service in the community.

Casey O’Brien ‘17
Casey O’Brien’s story is one of faith, perseverance, and purpose. A proud graduate of Nativity of Our Lord and Cretin-Derham Hall, Casey represents a long family legacy rooted in the CDH community; his grandfather, aunt, uncles, mother, and twelve cousins also called CDH home. While at Cretin-Derham Hall, Casey played football and golf, managed the hockey team, and served in leadership roles with People Finding People and Link Crew. During his freshman year, he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer. Facing multiple recurrences, Casey leaned on his faith and friendships, finding strength in the support of his school community. “This school and this community will always hold a special place in my heart,” he says.

Determined to transform adversity into impact, Casey has raised more than $1.4 million to improve the Journey Clinic at M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital, where he received treatment. After earning a finance degree from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management, he joined RBC Wealth Management, working alongside fellow Cretin alum Mike Dickson ’83. A two-time Gopher football captain and inspiration to many, Casey has been featured on ESPN and The Today Show, spreading his message of resilience and hope. For his courage, leadership, and service to others, 

Cretin-Derham Hall proudly presents Casey O’Brien ’17 with the Signum Fidei Award, honoring his shining example of faith in action.

Caitlyn Schneeman ‘04
Caity Schneeman ’04 grew up surrounded by Raider pride. With parents Nick and Erin, six siblings, and a grandfather, Dan, who also attended Cretin, her CDH roots run deep. Some of her favorite high school memories include winning the section soccer championship against Edina and competing in the State Tournament her sophomore year. Beyond the field, Caity was active in theater, basketball, track, National Honor Society, and the school newspaper—experiences that shaped her future as an educator, coach, and director. After graduating magna cum laude from the University of Notre Dame, she joined Teach For America in Philadelphia before moving to Washington, D.C., where she discovered the power of theater to transform lives.

In D.C., Caity built theater programs in underserved schools, earned advanced degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Derby, and now teaches at Cardozo High School. She also founded Theatre 202, a nonprofit that uses social justice theater to empower youth and strengthen community voices. Her work has earned her national and local recognition, including being named a 2019 DC Teacher of the Year finalist, an inaugural member of the DC Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council, and recipient of the CDH Arts & Humanities Trailblazer Award. For Caity, CDH gave her not just an education, but the courage and conviction to use her voice for change. 

Cretin-Derham Hall proudly honors Caity Schneeman ’04 with the Signum Fidei Award for her transformative leadership in education and her commitment to helping young people see their stories as powerful tools for change.

Carondelet Award

This award is presented annually to a distinguished woman who is reflective of the charisms of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and Derham Hall.  Women who receive this award have attained eminence in their particular field of endeavor.

Jane Olin, DVM ‘86
Jane Olin ’86 grew up surrounded by Raider spirit. A Holy Spirit graduate, she attended Derham Hall, continuing the family tradition started by her father, Tom, a Cretin alum. With brothers Paul and Tim and many cousins who also became Raiders, CDH was a true family legacy. At Derham Hall, Jane embraced the independence of the modular schedule and cherished time with friends in the lunchroom between classes. She played on the inaugural girls’ soccer team, wrote for the school newspaper, joined the drama club stage crew, and participated in Spanish Club. Those experiences fostered her curiosity, discipline, and passion for service -  qualities that would shape her professional path.

After earning her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Minnesota, Jane pursued a specialty in laboratory animal medicine, ultimately joining Edwards Lifesciences, a global leader in cardiovascular innovation. Today, as Senior Vice President of the Edwards Research Center, she leads international teams developing life-saving devices to treat heart disease. Her career blends compassion, science, and innovation—improving countless lives through medical advancement. 

Cretin-Derham Hall proudly honors Jane Olin ’86 with the Carondelet Award, recognizing her exceptional leadership in science and her lifelong dedication to serving others through groundbreaking research.

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. 

Lon ‘68 and Michele Van Gemert
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.

Saint De La Salle Award

Presented annually in honor of the Christian Brothers to a distinguished alum in recognition of his outstanding service to his community and to Cretin and Cretin-Derham Hall. This award recognizes achievements in ministry exemplifying the highest and best traditions of Cretin High School.

Paul Weinberg ‘84
Paul Weinberg grew up in St. Paul, attending Holy Spirit Grade School before joining his brothers Joe and Jim at Cretin High School. A multi-sport athlete, he played football, basketball, and baseball for the Raiders, with one of his favorite memories being the state baseball championship. Beyond athletics, Paul was involved in Campus Ministry under Brother Pat Conway and Brother Michael Rivers, where he learned the values of compassion and humility. His commitment to service began early, visiting a classmate with leukemia daily, setting the foundation for a lifetime devoted to helping others.

Paul continued his service at the University of Minnesota, speaking to students statewide about making positive choices and coaching youth sports, later leading teams at CDH and St. Thomas Academy. Since 2017, he has volunteered weekly at Children’s Hospital, accumulating over 700 hours of service, and has fostered 20 children, providing each with care and support. He has also contributed to TreeHouse, Serving Our Troops, and the West 7th Street Boys Club. Guided by his faith, Paul seeks to connect people in need with the resources to help them. 

Cretin-Derham Hall is proud to present Paul Weinberg with the Saint De LaSalle Award, honoring a lifetime of servant leadership, compassion, and dedication to improving the lives of others.

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. 

Flaherty Family Foundation:  Ed Flaherty and Beth Flaherty
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.

Bishop Joseph Cretin Award

This award is presented annually to a distinguished Cretin alum in recognition of his outstanding service to the community and to Cretin-Derham Hall, and for his achievements in his profession exemplifying the highest and best traditions of Cretin High School. This award is presented in memory of the school's founder Bishop Joseph Cretin, the first Bishop of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

James Olsen ‘54
James “Jim” Olsen ’54 grew up across the street from St. Mark’s parish, where faith and family were at the center of his life. After graduation from Cretin High School, he pursued aeronautical engineering, earning degrees from the University of Minnesota and The Ohio State University. His career began with Douglas Aircraft and later took him to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, where he advanced groundbreaking research in aerodynamics and structural dynamics. Rising to the role of Chief Scientist for the U.S. Air Force, the highest civilian grade in federal service, Jim also completed both a master’s and a PhD at Ohio State. Among his many professional highlights was his work with NATO’s Research and Technology Organization, fostering international collaboration and friendship through science.

Following retirement, Jim continued sharing his expertise as a professor at universities including Notre Dame and the University of Rome. Together with his late wife, Marcia, he raised three children:  Anne, John, and Mary. Inspired by Marcia’s example and dedicated to Catholic education, Jim established a scholarship for young women at Cretin-Derham Hall to help make Catholic education accessible for more families. 

In recognition of his remarkable career, lifelong service, and enduring faith, Cretin-Derham Hall proudly honors James Olsen ’54 with the 2025 Bishop Cretin Award.

Hugh Derham Award

This award is presented annually to a distinguished woman who is reflective of the charisms of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and Derham Hall. Women who receive this award have exemplified Derham Hall's ideals of excellence, service, and love of the dear neighbor.

Emily O’Halloran ‘90
Emily O’Halloran ’90 began her journey at Highland Catholic before attending Derham Hall as a freshman and continuing at Cretin-Derham Hall after the schools merged. Coming from a family deeply connected to CDH—her father John and brother John are alumni, and her mother Cynthia and brother Mike were actively involved—Emily grew up surrounded by the school’s spirit and values. Her favorite memories include being part of the gymnastics team under Coach Lynn Strand, whose blend of fun and discipline left a lasting impression, as well as classes like Spectrum and programming that sparked her intellectual curiosity and laid the foundation for a future in technology.

After earning her degree from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire and an MBA from Columbia University, Emily built a 27-year career at Accenture, retiring as a senior executive. Living in New York City allowed her to expand her horizons in finance, arts, and culture, while her work in digital transformation shaped global businesses. In recent years, Emily has devoted her expertise and leadership to nonprofit causes, serving as a board member for Inspire Mexico Foundation, Co-President of the Columbia Business School Women’s Circle, a Child Advocate in Dallas, and a volunteer with ENGin. 

For her dedication to vulnerable youth, women’s empowerment, and community service, Cretin-Derham Hall proudly presents Emily O’Halloran ’90 with the Hugh Derham Award, honoring her embodiment of the charisms of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet through service, leadership, and vision.

Richard R. Engler Lifetime Achievement Award

The Richard R. Engler Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to one recipient to honor a lifetime of exemplary service and dedication to Cretin-Derham Hall and the broader CDH community.  This award is presented in recognition of the long history of service by Dick Engler, the President of Cretin-Derham Hall between 1990 and 2015, whose commitment and hard work impacted generations of CDH families.

Rodney Bailey ‘55
Rod Bailey ’55, past president of Bailey Nurseries in Newport, Minnesota, has dedicated a lifetime to excellence in the gardening industry. A graduate of Cretin-Derham Hall, Rod’s early experiences with athletics, friendships, and community instilled values of responsibility and respect that guided him throughout his career. After studying at St. John’s University and the University of Minnesota, he joined the family business, which boasts a 115-year history, and played a key role in expanding its national reputation. Over a 65-year career, Rod served as Head of Propagation, guided the company’s expansion to the West Coast, and ultimately became CEO, introducing beloved plants like the Endless Summer Hydrangea and pioneering products distributed worldwide. His favorite part of the work was watching both crops and people flourish.

Rod and his late wife, Marcia, raised four children, and their family legacy continues with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, including daughter Terri Bailey McEnaney, the current CEO of Bailey Nurseries. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Rod has generously supported Cretin-Derham Hall, contributing to campus beautification and fostering a sense of growth and care throughout the community. 

In recognition of his lifelong leadership, vision, and generosity, Cretin-Derham Hall proudly presents Rod Bailey ’55 with the Richard R. Engler Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring a legacy that has enriched both gardens and lives for generations.