Established in 1965, the Rev. Edward Frederick Sorin, C.S.C., Award is conferred on an alumnus/alumna (living or deceased), not a current employee of Notre Dame, who has rendered distinguished service to the University.
Past Recipients
The Sorin Award was presented in June 2009 to:
John J. McDonough ’58
John J. McDonough ’58 is honored for his exemplary service to the University. Named in honor of Notre Dame's founder, the Sorin Award is presented annually to a graduate who embodies the values of Our Lady's University in his or her service to their community.
John exemplifies the spirit of Notre Dame in many ways, but perhaps none more strongly than through his lifelong crusade against juvenile diabetes. John was diagnosed with the disease as a child. His eldest daughter, Allison, has been insulin-dependent for 27 years. John’s conviction that a cure must be found has led him to ever-greater leadership roles within the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).
John served on the international board of the foundation for nine years and was chairman for two years. He also has served on JDRF’s executive committee and on many other committees of the foundation’s board. He is the founding chair of the Beta Society, which encourages and recognizes planned gifts to the foundation.
John’s advocacy has brought him to his current role as the co-chair of the From Research to Reality Campaign, which seeks funds to accelerate the search for a cure. He speaks nationally on behalf of JDRF, traveling at his own expense. In addition, the McDonough family has made substantial gifts to fund a cure for juvenile diabetes.
John and his wife, Marilyn, have reached out to their communities in myriad other ways. After John lost a leg to diabetes 10 years ago, the couple established the Life Without Limbitations Foundation to provide state-of-the-art prosthetic devices for underprivileged children. They also have been instrumental in expanding the scope of the Neighborhood Health Clinic in Naples, Fla., by leading the charge to open a dental clinic and underwriting the necessary equipment. The clinic is now staffed by 70 volunteer dentists who serve the significant migrant and low-income populations in and around Naples. John was recently elected chairman of the board of Collier Health Services Foundation, which provides medical and dental care for underserved children in Collier County, Fla.
Inspired by the work of his good friend and Notre Dame classmate, Rev. Don McNeill, C.S.C., John has funded annual scholarships for students of St. Ann’s Catholic School in Chicago’s Pilsen district, where Fr. McNeill now serves.
John also has been passionate in his devotion to, and generous support of, Notre Dame’s Center for Social Concerns by committing a portion of his estate to expand service opportunities for students.
John and Marilyn have been married for 51 years and have been blessed with five children and seven grandchildren.
Past Sorin Award Recipients
2008 -- Dr. Salvatore J. LaPilusa, M.D., ’41
2007--Sheila O'Brien, '77, '80 J.D.
2006--F. Michael Geddes '61
2005--Rev. Edward A. Malloy, C.S.C.
2004--Kathleen W. Andrews '63 M.S., '03 HON
2003--Franklin E. Eck '44
2002--Regis Philbin '53
2001--David R. Duerson '83
2000--William R. Bell, M.D. '57
1999--Thomas J. Hawkins '59
1998--Eleanor M. Walker, M.D., '84
1997--John P. McMeel '57
1996--Philip J. Faccenda '51
1995--Andy L. Burd '62
1994--Joseph E. Dillion '44
1993--Robert P. Lonergan '43
1992--Hon. Alan C. Page '67
1991--Donald B. Rice '61
1990--Michael B. Heisler, M.D., '71
1989--Edward A. Kompare, M.D., '61
1988--Edmond R. Haggar '38
1987--J. Philip Clarke, M.D., '44
1986---John T. Balfe '20
1985--Jerome J. Crowley '31
1984--Norman C. Barry '21 J.D.
1983--Archbishop Marcos G. McGrath, C.S.C., '44
1982--Howard V. Phalin '28
1981--Frank E. Sullivan '49
1980--Leo H. Vogel '47
1979--Hugh J. Devore '34
1978--Thomas J. White '37
1977--Edmund A. Stephan '33
1976--Vincent G. McAloon '34
1975--no recipient
1974--J. Arthus Haley '26
1973--Rev. John J. Cavanaugh, C.S.C., '23
1972--Rev. Thomas J. Brennan, C.S.C., '23
1971--no recipient
1970--Thomas P. Carney '37
1969--William C. Schmitt '10
1968--James E. Armstrong '25
1967--Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan '32
1966--Bernard J. Voll '17
1965--Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., '39
