Barry announces award recipients

By Florida Catholic staff - Florida Catholic

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MIAMI SHORES — Barry University will be busy handing out awards this January: One to a Dominican theologian, two to couples who serve as community leaders, and a third to a young man who is a leader in efforts to cure paralysis.

Dominican Father Donald J. Goergen, author, theologian and currently prior of St. Dominic Priory, House of Studies, in St. Louis, Mo., will receive the Yves Congar Award, given annually for theological excellence.

Father Goergen will receive his award, and speak, on Sunday, Jan. 17, at 7:30 p.m. in Andreas Building, Room 111 on the university’s campus, 11300 N.E. Second Ave., Miami Shores. The award is presented by Barry University’s department of theology and philosophy. For more information, call 305-899-4887.

Barry also will present its Faith and Freedom Award and Laudare medals during its 2010 Founders’ Ball, set to begin Saturday, Jan. 16, at 6:15 p.m. at the Doral Golf Resort and Spa. The ball marks the 70th anniversary of Barry’s existence.

Dr. Suzanne and Brian Keeley will receive the 2010 Faith and Freedom Award in recognition of their personal and professional dedication to the ideals of Catholic social justice. Brian Keeley is president and chief executive officer of Baptist Health South Florida; Suzanne, a psychologist, is president and founder of The Melissa Institute for Violence Prevention and Treatment.

The Laudare Medal, an expression of the university’s gratitude and appreciation to outstanding members of the south Florida community, will be bestowed upon Roberta and David Lawrence and Marc Buoniconti.

David Lawrence is former publisher of The Miami Herald and president of the Early Childhood Initiative Foundation. His wife Roberta is a Barry University graduate, with a master’s degree in social work.

Buoniconti, who suffered a spinal cord injury while playing college football that left him paralyzed below the neck, is president of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis and its fundraising arm, The Buoniconti Fund.

“Together (the award recipients) represent the finest commitment to enrich lives by sharing gifts, time, and creativity — a commitment that is also expressed in Barry’s mission and values and the vision of our founders,” said Dominican Sister Linda Bevilacqua, president of Barry University.

For more information, visit www.barry.edu/foundersball.