Colonel Donald G. Cook '56 Award
This award recognizes alumni who unselfishly give of themselves in service to others. The Colonel Donald G. Cook '56 Award was instituted by former Alumni Association President James. J. Gallagher '51 and is considered the College’s highest honor for alumni.
This award is inspired by the example of Colonel Donald G. Cook ’56 who was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War. As a POW, he “repeatedly assumed more than his share of manual labor in order that the other POWs could improve the state of their health. Colonel Cook willingly and unselfishly put the interest of his comrades before his own well-being and, eventually, his life.” A copy of Colonel Cook’s Medal of Honor was presented to Saint Michael’s College on October 22, 2004.
This award is typically bestowed upon recipients during Reunion Weekend and most often when the recipient is celebrating a landmark reunion year. There are no limitations on how soon after graduation an alumnus/a can receive the award.
Past Recipients – By Year Awarded
2010
Walter J. Fitzmaurice ‘49
2007
Brigadier General Thomas F. Dunford ’77
2002
Reverend Maurice F. Ouellet, SSE ’48
1996
Frederick M. Burkle, Jr., M.D. ’61
1992
Reverend Arthur R. Kirwin, O.P ’57
1991
David A. Tesini, D.M.D. ’71
1989
David J. Gretkowski ’87
William P. Hammond ‘44
Francis P. Laffin ’74
1988
Neal T. Wholey ’88
1987
David LaMarche, M.B.A. ’60 and Jane LaMarche, D.Min.
1986
William J. Mazur ’60
1984
Honorable Francis B. ’58 and Rita McCaffrey
Past Recipients – By Class Year
Class of 1944
William P. Hammond
Class of 1948
Reverend Maurice F. Ouellet, SSE
Class of 1949
Walter J. Fitzmaurice
Class of 1957
Reverend Arthur R. Kirwin, O.P
Class of 1958
Honorable Francis B. and Rita McCaffrey
Class of 1960
William J. Mazur
Class of 1961
Frederick M. Burkle, Jr., M.D.
Class of 1971
David A. Tesini, D.M.D.
Class of 1974
Francis P. Laffin
Class of 1977
Brigadier General Thomas F. Dunford
Class of 1987
David J. Gretkowski
Class of 1988
Neal T. Wholey