Congratulations, Community Award Winners

Reprinted from Traditions, Winter 2016-2017
March 10, 2017

Monsignor Ambrose Hayden Legacy Award

The Hayden Legacy Award recognizes an individual or couple whose spirit and energy reflect an understanding of the need to preserve the past and provide for the future.

Bob ’51 and Carolyn Koemptgen have provided tuition assistance to students in need for more than 30 years. With great humility, they have literally changed the lives of untold numbers of Cretin-Derham Hall graduates. Clearly, the value they place on Catholic education drives their generosity.

Bob attended Saint Bernard’s Grade School. Before high school, there were two indelible experiences in Bob’s life: in 1941, he received a medal from Pope Pius at the Eucharistic Congress in Saint Paul, and in 1947, he met Dorothy Day who was on her way to serve migrant workers in the Red River Valley. Bob graduated from Cretin in 1951. The next four years were spent at the University of Minnesota where he majored in transportation and played baseball. Upon graduation, Bob worked for three companies before settling at 3M in International Exports.

Carolyn also graduated from the University of Minnesota with a bachelor’s degree in education, and while Bob was “traveling the world,” she raised their four boys and was active in school, church, and community. She has served as an elementary teacher, a community resource specialist, President of the Battle Creek Elementary P.T.A., and School Board member at Saint Pascal Baylon.

Through their financial support, Bob and Carolyn have humbly followed in the footsteps of the Sisters of St. Joseph and the Christian Brothers who dedicated their lives to ensuring that Catholic education is accessible to the young men and women of today.

Eugene and Mary Frey Community Award

This award was instituted in 1999 in recognition of the tremendous commitment Eugene ’48 and Mary Frost Frey ’52 demonstrated to Cretin-Derham Hall and the larger community. The award is presented to individuals or couples who reflect the mission and values of Cretin-Derham Hall through involvement with the school and other community interests.

John and Catherine Michel are two individuals who clearly embrace and hold dear their Catholic faith, and in many respects have had a universal impact on our local community.

Longtime members of Nativity of our Lord Parish, John and Catherine have raised six children and made Catholic education a priority. This strong faith foundation was laid by their own parents and passed on not only to their children but to the greater Archdiocesan community. Catherine’s faith was reinforced and augmented by Sisters of St. Joseph at Cathedral Grade School, Saint Joseph’s Academy, and The College of St. Catherine (now University).

The same holds true for John, who was educated by the Sisters at Nativity of Our Lord, the Christian Brothers at Cretin, and diocesan priests at the Saint Thomas College (now University). For over 24 years, John and Catherine have played a major role in establishing artwork heralding our Catholic faith. Their projects speak volumes to their dedication and love for our Church. They have also published a booklet, “Our Gifts to the Church,” now available at the Minnesota Historical Society.

John and Catherine’s most recent project is a statue of Saint Joseph in recognition of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet and the Christian Brothers, for whom Joseph is honored as Patron and Protector. The statue was given in honor of Catherine Fitzpatrick Michel and is located in the main entrance of Cretin-Derham Hall.

This article and more are featured in the Winter 2016-2017 issue of the CDH Magazine, Traditions.