Advancement
Reflection Award Honors Joan Secchia
On Sept. 20, nearly 400 friends, relatives and community members gathered to honor Joan Secchia at the 18th annual Reflection Award in the Sturrus Sports & Fitness Center at Aquinas College. Rev. Mark Przybysz, master of ceremonies, stated, “tonight, Joan joins a special group of people who have received the Reflection Award,” many of whom were in attendance. “Honoring Joan Secchia reflects well on Aquinas College. She has many fine qualities that Aquinas and other colleges want to hold before their students and graduates to emulate,” said Arend Lubbers, past president of Grand Valley State University. The night kicked off in the Hall of Fame with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres prepared especially for Joan by students at the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education at Grand Rapids Community College. Guests were treated to The Beatles’ greatest hits, a prelude to the theme of the evening, the 1960s when Joan feels she came of age. The theme was carried throughout the event, from the colorful Beatles LP table numbers to the lime, yellow and orange linens and the menu, which was paired with dinner music provided by Aquinas
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College music students. On the menu were such delights as “My Blue Heaven” salad, “Love Me Tender” filet, “Doin’ the Mashed Potato” twice baked potatoes, “Garden Party” green bean casserole and “Sugar Pie Honey Bunch” apple and blueberry pie. “Those who give their time and resources to serve their communities contribute to the strengthening of the fabric of society,” stated Ed Balog, Ph.D., Aquinas president. “Joan Secchia has certainly made such a contribution. She has worked with particular dedication to education and children’s issues. But her service has gone beyond West Michigan. Internationally, Joan worked to establish a Rome branch of the Navy League when her husband, Peter, was appointed Ambassador to Italy in 1989.” Joan’s time in Rome holds many fond memories for her and the entire Secchia family, which led to the idea of setting aside a portion of money raised that evening for students studying abroad at Thomas More College on the Aquinas College Rome Semester Program. In her acceptance remarks Joan said, “Education is the only way that we as a community and as a country will be able to make a positive difference in the world.” Thank you to Joan and the Seccia family, to our Sponsors and the Honorary Committee members who helped make the 2010 Reflection Award such a resounding success. Their contributions will help ensure that Aquinas College continues to do its part to educate and make a positive difference in the world.