SHU Honors Peter Gabriel with Distinguished Alumni Award

Seven other awardees were also recognized for commitment and service to their communities

Sacred Heart University alum Peter M. Gabriel, MBA ’08 received this year’s Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for carrying SHU’s mission and values into his professional and personal life.

The award is the University’s highest honor for SHU graduates. It was presented to Gabriel at the annual Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony, which recognizes former students who have become leaders in their careers and communities. Those honored embody SHU’s mission by embracing social justice and striving to make a difference in the global community.

Gabriel is the head of Webster Private Bank, a division of Webster Bank responsible for the banking, lending and fiduciary needs of high-net-worth clients, their families and charitable institutions. Gabriel is a respected leader in a high-intensity field, and his success in his personal and professional life is a testament to his positive attitude, model work ethic and concern for others.

“At Sacred Heart University, our Distinguished Alumni Award honorees not only reflect success in their chosen career fields but they model the way forward with their pioneering spirit, showing us all how integrity, passion, innovation—and a little grit—can shape the world for the better,” said Paul J. Sutera, senior vice president for University advancement.

Seven other alumni were honored as well. Richard Kuroghlian ’90, board of directors president for SHU’s alumni association, presented awards to them for their outstanding commitment to SHU’s mission as leaders in their careers and personal lives. “Your contributions to Sacred Heart University, your communities and your career industries are truly inspiring,” Kuroghlian said. “You have much to be proud of.”

Pioneer Award

Jenna M. Greco ’17 received this year’s Pioneer Award, given to an individual who personifies Sacred Heart’s values through outstanding vocational achievement that makes a lasting difference in their communities. Her exemplary service was on display during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when she worked in the intensive care unit at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New York. Greco is pursuing a doctoral degree in nursing anesthesia practice and expects to graduate in December of 2025.

Silver Pioneer Outstanding Alumni Award

Michael F. Dow ’98, MS ’00 is one of two graduates to receive the Silver Pioneer Outstanding Alumni Award, granted to an alum who has reached a 25th class reunion year and whose life and career have been exemplary. Dow is the founder and CEO of Amity Physical Therapy. Founded in 2004, the company now has five office locations throughout New Haven County and more than 80 employees. The therapists pride themselves on collaborating with local physicians to provide their clients total patient care.

Michael W. Nimons ’97, MAT ’00 also received this year’s Silver Pioneer Outstanding Alumni Award. He teaches middle school language arts in Seymour, where he’s worked for the last 25 years. A role model, he connects with his students on an individual level and inspires them on their path to self-discovery. He also served on the Seymour Ambulance Association Board of Directors for seven years, fighting to support his town’s first responders.

Rising Alumni Award

Jason P. Prevelige ’04 received this year’s Rising Alumni Award, given to a mid-career professional who is seen as a pioneering mind in leadership and mentorship as well as an ambassador for equality in their field. Prevelige is the president and chair of the board of directors for the American Academy of Physician Associates, a position in which he is a vocal health care advocate. He is also a SHU graduate professor who prepares the next top minds in health care, and he is a volunteer firefighter in his hometown of Fairfield.

Distinguished Faculty & Staff Award

Judy Ann Riccio, Sacred Heart University’s first female athletic director to lead the University’s Division I sports programs, was honored with the Distinguished Faculty & Staff Award. The award is given to a faculty or staff member who strives to provide an exceptional student experience and displays a vibrant passion for the University’s advancement in the local community. In her time at SHU, Riccio has overseen the opening of the Martire Family Arena and construction on the new William Pitt Athletic & Convocation Center. She has also played a key role in guiding the University’s cheerleading squads to back-to-back national championships.

Volunteer Service Award

Lilliam “Lillie” Ennis ’04 received the Volunteer Service Award, given to an individual who inspires others at Sacred Heart and in their community by exemplifying the University’s mission to create positive change in the world. Ennis owns the Lillie Ennis Group, a consulting and networking firm devoted to spotlighting local businesses and hosting events within the Bridgeport community. She also advocates for people in need: she serves on the board of Bridgeport’s Alpha Community Shelters, helping to raise funds for the homeless population in Connecticut.

Pioneer 30 Alumni Award

Tara L. Ryan-DeDomincis ’14 earned the Pioneer 30 Alumni Award, bestowed upon an outstanding young alum who has shown exceptional commitment to University values and is a voice of positive change in their early career. She is a licensed clinical social worker with degrees from Columbia and Rutgers universities. Her work focuses on combatting hunger, poverty and homelessness. She was recently hired as the director of program and services at nourish.NJ, a nonprofit organization that creates lasting solutions to these problems in her local community.