The 2012 Mercy Honor Awards were presented at a dinner held at Romanello's South Restaurant on Thursday, November 8, 2012. Alumnae, family and friends came to honor our 2012 Mercy Award Recipients.

The 2012 Mercy Honors Recipients are as follows:

Catherine McAuley Distinguished Alumna Award
Bonnie Kane Lockwood
Class of 1973

Following Mount Mercy Academy, Bonnie Kane Lockwood graduated from Trocaire College and worked as an X-Ray Technologist at Buffalo General Hospital.  While working full-time and raising her family, she attended the State University of New York at Buffalo and Medaille College earning her degree in Media Communications.  She is on the Alumni Board at Medaille College and previously served as a Trustee for the Buffalo Museum of Science and Goodwill Industries.  Bonnie is Director of Special Projects for Congressman Brian Higgins working with municipal leaders, businesses, non-profits and residents on project development, problem solving, funding requests and grant opportunities.  Prior to joining the Congressman's staff in 2005, Bonnie worked 16 years in both a legislative and administrative capacity for the City of Buffalo as South District Councilmember, legislative assistant to then-Councilmember Higgins and in the Department of Strategic Planning.  Bonnie follows a long tradition of mercy involvement.  Her late mother, Patricia Doyle Kane '47 was the 1989 Spirit of Mercy Award recipient.  Bonnie is a role model for young women in community involvement

Catherine McAuley Distinguished Alumna Award
Tracy O'Grady
Class of 1985

A cum laude graduate of Canisius College in Communications, Tracy O'Grady explored her interest in the culinary arts, which was a departure from her academic background.  Tracy always knew that she wanted to cook and began pursuing her passion in various restaurants in Washington, D.C. training classically under several renowned chefs.  It was during this time that Tracy accepted the position of Sous Chef at Washington, D.C.'s renowned Kinkead's Restaurant.  She worked her way up to the Executive Chef position achieving recognition in several culinary magazines.  The opening of her elegant restaurant, Willow, was a realization of Tracy's culinary dream.  Tracy has received several prestigious awards in cooking competitions, including representing the United States at the Bocuse d'Or competition in Lyon, France.  She has been featured in a number of magazines including Elle, The Washington Post and Smithsonian, as well as guest appearances on NBC's Today Show.

Spirit of Mercy
John H. Glose

John Glose, born and raised in West Seneca, is a Physical Education Teacher for Erie II Chautauqua-Cattaraugus County BOCES Baker Road Alternative Education Center.  He is the Head Coach of the Varsity Soccer, Basketball and Tennis Teams at Mount Mercy Academy.  John exemplifies what it means to be an endless support system and positive force by giving young women from the community the opportunity to visit Mercy, connect with current athletes, and experience the spirit of Mercy firsthand.  In addition to supporting the Mount Mercy Academy community, John is a sports camp coordinator and volunteer coach for numerous sports.  He is totally dedicated to helping students and athletes develop their full potential in sports, in academics and in life.  Over the past five years, John's work, support, volunteerism and example have made him a part of the Mercy family, earning him one of our 2012 Spirit of Mercy Awards

Spirit of Mercy
Barbara A. Ryan
Class of 1968

Barbara Ryan has had a powerful impact on students at Mount Mercy Academy, several Catholic elementary schools and various parishes throughout Western New York for many years.  Barbara received Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Education from D'Youville College and Canisius College, respectively.  She taught at both elementary and high school levels and, in addition, was Director of Development at Mount Mercy Academy.  Barbara served as Principal of Annunciation School in Elma, New York and Queen of Heaven in West Seneca, New York.  Barbara currently serves as Director of Religious Education at St. John the Baptist Parish in Boston, New York.  Barbara has been involved in outreach programs to benefit area institutions, including St. Luke's Mission of Mercy, the West Seneca Food Pantry, Reaching Out to Africa, Harvest House, Catholic Charities and the Valley Community Association.  Barbara received the Hillery Foundation Award from Bishop Timon-St. Jude High School in 2009.  She exemplifies the Spirit of Mercy

Mercy Devotion Award
Catherine Adair Luhr

After graduating from Mount St. Mary Academy, Catherine attended Niagara University earning a Bachelor's Degree in History.  She continued her academic pursuits with a Master's Degree in Rhetoric and Communication Studies from the University of Virginia.  Catherine began teaching at St. Teresa's School in Buffalo in 1983 and has taught at Mount Mercy Academy from 1985 to the present.  Catherine is Chairperson of the Department of Social Studies, Middle States Internal Coordinator, serves as Dean of Students, Director of Strategic Initiatives and is the Summer School Coordinator.  She has served in various administrative capacities of the Catholic Forensic League at both local and national levels.  In her 28 years at Mount Mercy Academy, Catherine has indeed been a role model and inspiration to her students and colleagues

Mercy Charism Award
Catholic Health Partnership Team in service of Mount Mercy Academy and Bishop Timon-St. Jude High School: David Zapfel, Nancy Preskop, Anne McGillicuddy

The Academy of Science and Healthcare at Mount Mercy Academy, in partnership with Catholic Health, is the direct result of the efforts of these three individuals over a three year period.  Through his position as Project Manager for Staff Development at Catholic Health, David Zapfel has taken the lead in supporting the implementation of the Partnership between Catholic Health and two South Buffalo High Schools, Mount Mercy Academy and Bishop Timon-St. Jude High School.  Through his facilitation, the Academy of Science and Healthcare has evolved and is now flourishing at both high schools.  This guidance has provided opportunities never before imagined for hands-on experiences of potential careers in science and healthcare.  Nancy Preskop, Program Coordinator for Catholic Health is the facilitator of the preparatory component of the Partnership, providing age-appropriate field trips, speakers and camps for 9th and 10th grade students, as well as helping to reach out to the local 8th grade students for their participation.  Anne McGillicuddy is presently Director of Volunteers and Guest Relations at Mercy Hospital and is the liaison to the professionals in the various departments at Mercy Hospital. She works with these professionals to arrange internships for 12th graders and mentors for 11th graders, both of which are integral elements of the program.  Each of these three individuals makes the Academy of Science and Healthcare in partnership with Catholic Health a reality.

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