The University honored eight individuals with the Frank J. O’Hara Award at the Reunion 2012 O’Hara Award Ceremony in June. Although these Royals come from an array of professional backgrounds, they all have one commonality: they’ve achieved distinction in their professions and/or personal endeavors. It is only fitting that they received the highest honor bestowed jointly by the University and its Alumni Society. For more information on the award, or to nominate someone, go to scranton.edu/oharaawards.
Every human being has a great, yet often unknown gift to care, to be compassionate, to become present to the other, to listen, to hear & to receive. If that gift could be set free, miracles could take place.” – Frank O’Hara
James M. Basta ’61 (posthumously)
Tampa, Fla. • Government Service
Basta completed 24 years of active military service, including tours of duty in Germany, Taiwan and Vietnam, earning numerous medals and commendations.
Lee A. DeHihns, III, Esq. ’67
Marietta, Ga. • Law
Recognized as a leading environmental lawyer, DeHihns serves as senior counsel at Alston & Bird, LLP, the largest law firm in Atlanta, Ga.
Judith C. Dunn, Esq. ’77
Arlington, Va. • Law
Dunn is the senior vice president and principal deputy general counsel at Fannie Mae, responsible for the day-to-day management of all aspects of its legal department.
Mary Beth Hamorski, V.M.D. ’82
Lebanon, N.J. • Medicine
Dr. Hamorski co-owns Califon Animal Hospital, a companion/equine/small ruminant practice in northwest New Jersey, and was recently honored by the American Association of Equine Practitioners.
James M. Kane, M.D. ’46
South Barrington, Ill. • Medicine
Considered a pioneer in bariatric medicine, Dr. Kane has served as a surgeon at four Chicago-area hospitals during his 45-year career.
Ellen Duggan Pappert ’87
Plymouth Meeting, Pa. • Community Service
Pappert established The George Fund, in honor of her late son, in 2008 to help families of terminally ill children obtain quality hospice care.
Richard H. Passon, Ph.D.
Waverly, PA. • University Service
The first provost in the University’s history, Dr. Passon earned a reputation for promoting excellence during his four decades in Catholic, Jesuit higher education.
Francis G. Tracy ’52
College Park, Md. • Education
Tracy rose from a junior high school teacher to a high-ranking administrator in the 10th largest school system in the country.
