Joanne M. Spahn, '82

Mother Xavier Award 2006

Joanne M. Spahn has traveled worldwide helping thousands of people to live healthy and spiritually fit lives. Joanne's journey began while attending the College of Saint Elizabeth where she literally drove a van and helped clients at the Center for Independent Living Aged and Handicapped (CILAH). Before graduating from CSE in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science in Foods and Nutrition, Joanne was president of the Student Council, president of O'Connor Residence Hall, co-captain of the swim team, a member of the varsity volleyball and tennis teams as well as the Student Life Committee.

Joanne enrolled in the United States Air Force (USAF), beginning her military career in 1982 with an internship at Malcolm Grow USAF Medical Center at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. She moved to Oklahoma where she was Chief of Medical Food Services, Tinker USAF Hospital. From 1986 to 1989, she was Regional Consultant Dietitian for Tactical Air Command and director of nutritional services at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona. In 1991, Joanne graduated with honors with a Master of Science in Human Nutrition from University of Arizona.

It was during this time that she met her husband John. One of the first things they did together as a couple was to take private pilot lessons, and their relationship literally "took off". They have been happily married for 18 years and have four children: Cindy, Christine, Patrick and Rose. Service in the military meant many moves for the family, which entailed new schools, job disruptions and saying goodbye to many friends. As a testament to their strong marriage and forward thinking as a couple, Joanne retired after 23 years in October, 2005. She admits, "It was the loving support of my husband and my children that allowed me the opportunity to serve my country and raise a family at the same time."

It was during this time that she met her husband John. One of the first things they did together as a couple was to take private pilot lessons, and their relationship literally "took off." They have been happily married for 18 years and have four children: Cindy, Christine, Patrick and Rose. Service in the military meant many moves for the family, which entailed new schools, job disruptions and saying goodbye to many friends. As a testament to their strong marriage and forward thinking as a couple, Joanne retired after 23 years in October, 2005. She admits, "It was the loving support of my husband and my children that allowed me the opportunity to serve my country and raise a family at the same time."

Her successful career as a registered dietitian has had a direct impact on the nutritional health of thousands of military personnel worldwide. She developed and authored The Sensible Weigh, the core program used by the Air Force for standardized weight management intervention. In addition, she was the developer of Shape Your Future...Your Weigh!^TM, a community based initiative targeting prevention of overweight among Air Force personnel. She was a leader in the Air Force population health initiative, creating automated support for timely delivery of clinical preventive and disease management services to service members and their families worldwide. Joanne is very proud to have served as commander of an elite group of 275 medics who supported the troops. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to the Air Force, Joanne has received several key military decorations and numerous military awards.

Joanne considers her greatest accomplishment her family. "I am proud of each of my children and the choices they make in their lives. I am also proud to have successfully juggled a military career and family, enjoying each one thoroughly."

Joanne is also dedicated to assisting others in leading spiritually fit lives. "It is my faith/relationship with God that is my anchor. It drives my decision-making and gives me a tremendous feeling of peace," she says. Wherever she lives, she participates in her local parish, serving as a lector and a CCD teacher. She takes part in faith-sharing groups and plans retreats to help others renew their faith.

Joanne acknowledges that it was her mother, Viola Higgins Masterson, '50, recipient of the Mother Xavier Award in 2000, "who taught me the most important things in life through her word and example. She demonstrated how to live a Christ-centered life and helped me to build the confidence I needed to be different and forge my own path in life."

Joanne has dedicated her life to serving God, others and her country. In doing so, she has blessed the lives of many and is a shining example of the Mother Xavier legacy. The College of Saint Elizabeth proudly presents the 2006 Mother Xavier Award to Joanne M. Spahn, M.S., R.D., F.A.D.A., class of 1982.

 

Donnamarie Donegan Villanova, '71

Mother Xavier Award 2007

For more than 30 years, Donnamarie Donegan Villanova has dedicated her life to helping the sick and disadvantaged. Her journey began at the College of Saint Elizabeth where she majored in Elementary Education. As part of her studies, Donnamarie taught religion to children with mental illness. It was like "taking your faith and your ability to teach and putting that all together,"she recalled.

In March 1971, three months prior to her graduation, Donnamarie secured a position as second grade teacher at Lakeview School in Denville, N.J. It was during those six years at Lakeview School that she met her husband Nick - who is director of purchasing for Max Factor. They wed in 1977 and have three children: Kimberly, Nicole and Christina. Life in the cosmetic industry meant many changes for the family, yet through it all, their strength as a family endured.

After seven years of traveling which included teaching third grade at St. Finbar School in Burbank, Calif., Donnamarie and her family came full circle home to New Jersey. They settled in Branchburg, where they have been living ever since.

When she is not teaching first grade at St. Ann School in Raritan, Donnamarie can be found at St. Bernard Parish in Bridgewater, where she is an active participant in the Christian Service Commission. She was Chairwoman for 12 years of the activity, formerly called the Social Concerns Committee.

For the last 18 years, Donnamarie has donned her sneakers for the traditional five-mile CROP Walk, which raises money for the Food Bank of Somerset County. She also initiated a Back-to-School program which provides school supplies and clothes for needy children. She serves as the Monday evening chef for the Interfaith Hospitality Network, which gives food, shelter and clothing to children and families who are homeless and in need.

Donnamarie believes that "Education Eliminates the Cycle of Poverty." With those as the "Go Words", Donnamarie helped organized the New Moms New Expectations House. The program offers free child care for infants of new mothers so they can pursue high school, college or vocational training. In addition, the new moms are also given monthly classes and training in parenting and life skills.

On many Sundays, Donnamarie serves as the Eucharistic Minister to shut-ins and visits patients at Harborside Healthcare nursing home in Bridgewater. There, she tends to terminally ill patients, offering prayers, communion, and companionship. "You don't fully appreciate life until you see those less fortunate than you," observes Donnamarie. "Sharing communion is like sharing a part of my life with them; it changes you completely."

In honor of her selfless contributions toward those most in need, Donnamarie has been honored with the St. Bernard's 2001 Service Award; the Diocese of Metuchen's 2001 Regina Nostra Award; and the College of Saint Elizabeth's Alumnae/i Association's 2005 Humanitarian Award.

As a woman who has embraced the values of Catholic faith and has come to live the Gospel in remarkable ways, Donnamarie is a living testament of the Mother Xavier Award legacy. The College of Saint Elizabeth proudly presents the 2007 Mother Xavier Award to Donnamarie Donegan Villanova, class of 1971.

 

The Honorable Shirley A. Tolentino, '65

Mother Xavier Award 2008

Judge Shirley A. Tolentino was appointed to the Superior Court of the State of New Jersey on January 11, 1984. She was the first African American female appointed to that position. She had previously been appointed as the first African American female to the Jersey City Municipal Court in 1976. She was elevated in 1981 and became the first African American Presiding Judge of the Jersey City Municipal Court.

Judge Tolentino was born in Jersey City and graduated from Henry Snyder High School as an honor student. She attended the College of Saint Elizabeth and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Latin with honors.

After graduating, she taught Latin and English and attended Seton Hall University School of Law as an evening student. She was the only African American female in her class when she received her J.D. degree in 1971.

In January of 1973, she was appointed as a Deputy Attorney General of the State of New Jersey where she remained until her appointment to the Jersey City Municipal Court in July of 1976.

Judge Tolentino received her L.L.M. from New York University Graduate School of Law in Criminal Justice in 1980.

She regards as one of her major accomplishments as a Judge the fact that she was appointed to the Original Coleman Commission, which later became the New Jersey Supreme Court TASK force on Minorities appointed by Chief Justice Wilentz. Judge Tolentino served on that Commission for about 10 years and was Chair of its Sub-Committee on Juvenile Justice. She was also Chair of the Committee on Criminal Justice and the Minority Defendants. Judge Tolentino is extremely proud of the monumental changes that have benefited not only minorities but also everyone who participates in the Justice System as a result of the major efforts of that TASK force. She has also served on the Supreme Court Committee on Criminal Practice.

She has been a community activist since her early days as a lawyer and has served on many boards including the Jersey City Hudson County Urban League, St. Peter's College, St. Aloysius Academy, Hudson County C.Y.O., the Hudson County Girl Scouts Board, and the Visiting Homemakers Board of Hudson County. Her article "The Runaway Train" was published in the National Bar Association magazine, pgs. 20-22, Vol. 12 No.5, November/December 1998.

In 1980, she joined the National Association of Women's Judges and became its President in 1996-1997. She is a member of the Hudson County Bar, the Garden State Bar, and the American Bar Association. Judge Tolentino currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the College of Saint Elizabeth and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the College in 1980.

Judge Tolentino is named in Johnson's Publications "1,000 Successful Blacks." She is a member of the North Jersey Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and The Girlfriends-New Jersey Chapter. She has served as the National Parliamentarian from 1998 to 2002. She served another term as Parliamentarian from 2004 to 2006. Judge Tolentino was elected as their National President in May of 2008. Judge Tolentino is also a member of the Links, Inc. another National Organization whose purposes are friendship and service. She is also the Immediate Past President of the North Jersey Chapter of Links. Inc.

She is also a Jersey Journal Woman of Achievement and received the Witney M. Young Award from the Hudson City Urban League and has received many other awards from organizations, schools, and colleges too numerous to mention. She has also served as the Grand Marshall of the Martin Luther King Jr. Parade.

Judge Tolentino presented a program at Seton Hall Law School in December 2001 called the Color of Justice sponsored by The National Association of Women Judges, which encourages female high school students of color to pursue a legal career. She presented the same program at Rutger's Law School in April 2002, and has encouraged and participated in the presentation of the program at New Jersey City University and Rutgers Law School in Camden in 2003.

She is the wife of Dr. Ernesto Tolentino and the mother of two daughters-Ana-Ramona, an attorney, and Candida, an actress and entrepreneur. She and her husband are also the proud grandparents of Ramon Tolentino Flowers.