In 1961, the University empowered the Alumni Association to officially recognize the men and women who bring distinction to John Carroll University. The Alumni Medal recognizes an individual’s accomplishments in their profession, contributions to their community and dedicated service to John Carroll post-graduation. This award also affirms the Jesuit ideal of being men and women for others, a principle reinforced in the mission of John Carroll. The first recipients of the Alumni Medal were William J. Corrigan 1911 and Dr. Edmund A. Smolik ’32.
Throughout the years, the John Carroll University Alumni Association has added other awards to celebrate the many significant accomplishments and contributions of its members. The Campion Shield recognizes heroism, bravery, or sacrifice on the part of a member of the John Carroll community. The Young Alumni Award recognizes outstanding leadership and service of a recent John Carroll graduate. The Rev. William M. Bichl, S.J. Alumni Volunteer Service Award recognizes outstanding volunteers in service to the JCU Alumni Association. The Silver Quill is presented annually to a class columnist for dedication to his/her classmates in writing the column for the Alumni Journal in John Carroll magazine.
These awards are traditionally presented to the awardees at the Alumni Association’s showcase event, the Annual Alumni Awards Dinner, hosted the Friday of JCU's Spring Commencement Weekend.
The highest award given annually by John Carroll University’s Alumni Association, the Alumni Medal recognizes an individual’s accomplishments in their profession, contributions to their community and dedicated service to John Carroll University post-graduation. This award also affirms the Jesuit ideal of being men and women for others, a principle reinforced in the mission of John Carroll University. The Alumni Medal is not given posthumously.
The Campion Shield recognizes heroism, bravery, or sacrifice on the part of a member of the John Carroll community. Sponsored and funded by the Saint Edmund Campion Society of John Carroll University, the Campion Shield recognizes an individual’s physical or moral action(s) in the face of adversity on behalf of others and emulates the life of Saint Edmund Campion of the Society of Jesus. The Campion Shield also affirms the Jesuit ideal of being men and women for others, a principle reinforced in the mission of John Carroll University.
The Alumni Volunteer Service Award, created in 1993 and renamed in 2016 after Bill Bichl, S.J., recognizes outstanding volunteers who have distinguished themselves through their dedication, motivation, attitude, and generosity to the University and Alumni Association in sharing their time and talents. This award is given by the Division of University Advancement and the Office of Alumni Relations and voted on by the Alumni Association Board. The Alumni Volunteer Service Award is not given posthumously.
This award honors the late Casey Bukala, S.J. ’54, ’55G, who spent more than six decades serving the JCU community as a professor of Philosophy, chaplain of athletic and student programs, and member of the Alumni Association Board. The award recognizes alumni for exceptional teaching, service, and contributions to the John Carroll University community as a member of the JCU faculty or staff.
This award recognizes outstanding leadership and service of a John Carroll undergraduate alumnus/a who is 40 years old or younger (as of December 31 of the year nominated). Standards for recognition include demonstrated leadership capability, career excellence, and commitment to the service of others. The Young Alumni Award is not given posthumously.
The Gerald J. Schweickert Outstanding Achievement Award in Athletics is named in for a man whose achievements as a player and student at John Carroll have only exceeded by his achievements as coach and educator of the University. The award recognizes a John Carroll University graduate who has brought honor to his or her school through a significant lifetime achievement within the field of athletics outside of the Blue Streak varsity athletic program.
The Silver Quill Award is presented annually to a class columnist for dedication to his/her classmates in writing the column for the Alumni Journal in John Carroll magazine.