Alumnae Awards Ceremony

Alumnae Receive Highest Honors

Notre Dame graduates serve as role models for their leadership, accomplishments, service to others, and deep faith. This year, ND’s student body had the opportunity to meet and hear from three inspirational alumnae who were honored following the Academy’s annual Saint Julie Liturgy on January 31.

2020 Alumnae Award Recipients

Martie Gillin Bernicker ’85 (middle) with Agnes Gillin Gayhardt ’83 (left), and Riley Gillin ’20 (right)

St. Julie Award ~ Martie Gillin Bernicker ’85

The Saint Julie Award is presented to an alumna whose life contributes to the recognition of the goodness of God in all creation, and who commits herself to the service of others.

Martie has been actively involved with the youth organization SpeakUp! since its inception and became the Executive Director in 2015. She has more than 20 years of experience providing strategic advisory services to nonprofits and foundations including The Pew Charitable Trusts, the William Penn Foundation, GlaxoSmithKline, and People’s Emergency Center. Martie was also a local consultant to the William Penn Foundation and GlaxoSmithKline Community Health Impact Awards Program. Martie is a member of the Gillin family that founded SpeakUp!

Dr. Lorraine Iacovitti ’69 (left) with Mary Lou Facciolo Aylesworth ’69 (right), classmate and best friend

Distinguished Alumnae Award ~ Dr. Lorraine Iacovitti ’69

The Distinguished Alumnae Award is presented to an alumna who has distinguished herself in her personal or professional life, in her intellectual pursuits, or in her dedication to service of community, country, or society.

Lorraine earned her Ph.D. in neurobiology and behavior from Cornell University Medical College in New York City and completed her postdoctoral training at Washington University School of Medicine. She is currently a professor in the Department of Neuroscience at Thomas Jefferson University and Director of the Jefferson Stem Cell and Regenerative Neuroscience Center. Lorraine is also Research Director for the Jefferson Comprehensive Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder Center. She has been honored with the Tilker Foundation’s inaugural Outstanding Investigator Award in Stem Cell Research and has also received Jefferson’s Research Career Achievement Award.

Angela Guarino ’00 (right) with JoAnne DiLauro Alexander ’57 (left) Alumnae Executive Board Member

Notre Dame Award ~ Angela Guarino ’00

The Notre Dame Award is presented to an alumna whose ongoing commitment to the Academy is exemplary in scope, enthusiasm, and diligence.

Angela has worked as general counsel for the past several years at EMD Performance Materials, a global science and technology company. She has two advanced degrees, including a Master of Arts from Middlebury College and her Juris Doctor from Boston College Law School. Angela has been a dedicated leader for Notre Dame’s Alumnae Association, previously serving as Secretary on the Academy’s Alumnae Executive Board, while sharing her time and talent to advance Notre Dame and its mission.