Leaders in business, education, and service, with long-term service and philanthropy to Saint Mary's will be recognized on February 7.
Distinguished Alumni Awards 2026 Announced
The Saint Mary’s College Alumni Association proudly honors the recipients of the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Awards. These alumni and community members earned this prestigious recognition through excellence in their respective fields and significant contributions to society and Saint Mary’s College.
The awardees include five individuals and dedicated group of honorary alumnae:
- Paul Boschetto ‘76, Alumnus of the Year
- Joseph Silveira ‘87, MA ‘97, Signum Fidei Award
- Jennifer Heung ‘94, Saint John Baptist De La Salle Award
- Ken Vincent ’52, Golden Gael Award
- Alexa Gambero ‘17, Emerging Leader Award
- The Saint Mary’s Guild, Honorary Alumnae
Additionally, Saint Mary's Athletics recognizes three standout former athletes to be inducted in the Athletics Hall of Fame:
- Adam Bliss ’93 — Men’s Soccer
- Michelle Mounts ’12 — Softball
- Kevin Will ’84 — Football
The Distinguished Alumni Awards Ceremony and Athletics Hall of Fame Induction will be held on Saturday, February 7 at 5:00 p.m. in the Soda Activity Center. Members of the Saint Mary’s community, alumni, and friends are invited to join in celebrating their inspiring contributions and lasting impact. Tickets are now available for all who wish to attend this memorable event.
Paul Boschetto ’76
Alumnus of the Year
Paul Boschetto ’76 has been named Saint Mary’s College of California’s Alumnus of the Year in recognition of his distinguished professional leadership, longstanding commitment to the College, and sustained philanthropic impact. A graduate of Sacred Heart High School in San Francisco, Boschetto earned his degree from Saint Mary’s in 1976 and was a member of the Gaels rugby team, an experience he credits with instilling discipline, teamwork, and resilience. He remains connected to his former teammates and has been a steadfast supporter of Gaels Rugby over the years.
Boschetto built his career at Able Services, where he worked for and ultimately led the family business, serving as Chief Executive Officer and later as Chairman. Under his leadership, Able grew to become the largest family-owned provider of building maintenance, engineering, and facility operations in the United States before its acquisition by ABM in 2021. A longtime benefactor of Catholic and educational causes, Boschetto has provided significant support to Saint Mary’s College, including leadership gifts for Boschetto Family Stadium Clubhouse and the Boschetto Family Rugby Leadership Fund. His family’s multi-generational ties to Saint Mary’s include his father Angelo ’43, brother Michael ’80, and nephew Matthew ’14.
The Alumnus of the Year Award recognizes an alumna/us who has made a significant contribution to their professional field or has demonstrated consistent service to the College, exemplifying the spirit and dedication of the Saint Mary's College graduate.
Joseph Silveira ’87, MA ‘97
Signum Fidei Award
Joseph Silveira ’87, MA ’97, a lifelong learner deeply rooted in faith, has spent nearly 35 years serving Catholic schools in the Diocese of Oakland as a teacher, administrator, mentor, coach, and spiritual guide. His commitment mirrors the Lasallian mission—pairing rigorous academics with spiritual formation, and nurturing communities where students and educators can flourish.
Silveira currently serves as Principal of Christ the King Catholic School in Pleasant Hill, where he fosters a culture defined by Gospel values, collaborative leadership, academic excellence, and a steadfast commitment to the well-being of students, faculty, and staff. One of the Diocese of Oakland’s most experienced Catholic educators, he is known for his tireless dedication—whether spending late hours ensuring that school communities thrive or spending quiet time in prayer, seeking God’s guidance for the mission he serves.
Silveira earned a BS in Business Administration and Economics and an MA in Educational Leadership from Saint Mary’s College, as well as a California K–12 Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and an Administrative Services Credential. He shares his Gael education with siblings, Stephen ‘88 and Christie ‘92, and daughter Sancianna ‘19.
The Signum Fidei Award, meaning “sign of faith,” recognizes the alumna/us for outstanding participation in the goals of higher education, in the spirit of the founder of the Christian Brothers, patron of all teachers, Saint John Baptist De La Salle.
Jennifer Heung ’94
Saint John Baptist De La Salle Award
Dr. Jennifer Heung ’94 has been named the recipient of the Saint John Baptist De La Salle Award in recognition of her long-standing commitment to students and the academic mission of Saint Mary’s College. A cultural anthropologist with a PhD from the University of California, Irvine, Dr. Heung returned to Saint Mary’s as an Irvine Fellow and joined the faculty in 2003. She is widely respected for her engaging teaching, thoughtful mentorship, and dedication to helping students develop intellectual confidence, curiosity, and a global perspective.
She has played an important role in shaping curriculum, faculty governance, and academic assessment. Throughout her tenure, Dr. Heung has contributed to the College through significant leadership and service roles, including as the current Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs, Chair of the Faculty Senate,, Chair of Anthropology, founding director of the Global and Regional Studies Program, and Interim Executive Director of the Catholic Institute for Lasallian Social Action. Her scholarly work through ethnographic research on Global Chinatowns in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
The Saint John Baptist De La Salle award is presented to a member of the faculty or staff who has, over a period of years, demonstrated a personal commitment to the students of Saint Mary's College above and beyond their employee responsibilities.
Ken Vincent ‘52
Golden Gael Award
Ken Vincent ’52 has received the Golden Gael Award in recognition of his lifetime of loyalty, service, and philanthropic support of the College. Vincent has maintained a deep and enduring connection to Saint Mary’s through decades of volunteer leadership and active engagement. His service to the College has included roles on the Campus Athletics and Recreational Sports Committee, the Board of Regents, the Athletic Honors Council, and the Gael Athletics Council, reflecting a sustained commitment to advancing the mission and priorities of Saint Mary’s.
In addition to his volunteer leadership, Vincent has been a steadfast supporter of Gael Athletics and student access to education. A longtime season ticket holder for Gaels men’s basketball, baseball, and football, he has also made significant philanthropic contributions across the College, including generous support for scholarships, athletics programs, and Baseball’s Br. Ronald Gallagher Stadium. Vincent received the Saint Mary’s College Meritorious Service Award in 2010, recognizing his exceptional dedication. Vincent further strengthened his legacy through the establishment of the Kenneth and Patricia Vincent Baseball Endowed Scholarship, ensuring continued opportunities for student-athletes and honoring his lifelong commitment to Saint Mary’s College.
The Golden Gael Award honors a member of the Saint Mary’s community who has demonstrated a lifetime commitment to the College through loyalty, connection, and philanthropy.
Alexa Gambero ’17
Emerging Leader Award
Alexa Gambero ‘17 is the Development Director at Monument Crisis Center in Concord, a community-based family resource center serving over 15,000 low-income families living in Contra Costa County. As the first person to hold the role in the organization, Gambero has shaped the strategic development of the Center’s six core programs through community outreach and fundraising. Her leadership established a Development Department for a respected organization, and expanded individual and corporate contributions resulting in millions raised for capital improvements and programming.
Gambero’s mission-driven work has roots at Saint Mary’s. She became acquainted with Monument Crisis Center during Jan Term her senior year, when she completed over 120 hours of service as a Lasallian Service Intern. After graduating, she enrolled in AmeriCorps and served a one-year term building capacity at the Monument Crisis Center’s food pantry. Building upon her direct service in the food pantry, Gambero continues to raise vital funds for the Center’s programs including a $2 million capital project that will double the size and impact of the food pantry where she got her start in serving the community.
With a degree in Communication and a minor in English, Gambero graduated with honors in 2017. She utilizes her studies of social change in her everyday life. Gambero serves as a mentor to Saint Mary’s students during their Lasallian Service Internships and Writing for Nonprofits courses in the English Department.
Awarded to a recent alumnus (graduated 10 years or fewer) in recognition of leadership and ongoing and noteworthy support of the current students and recent alumni of Saint Mary's College and/or his or her local community.
Saint Mary’s Guild
Honorary Alumnae
Founded in 1939, the Saint Mary’s Guild has been one of the College’s most steadfast and generous volunteer organizations, demonstrating more than eight decades of devotion to Saint Mary’s mission. Over the course of its history, the Guild has contributed more than $900,000 to the College and built an endowment of $1.3 million that now provides over $65,000 in annual scholarships—an impact that will continue in perpetuity.
Raising funds through beloved traditions like luncheons and rummage sales, the Guild also generated joy in service. Though many members came to Saint Mary’s through a spouse, child, grandchild, or friend, their commitment grew into an extraordinary legacy of philanthropy, advocacy, and care. The Guild decided to conclude its formal operations in Spring 2025, though its membership continues to engage with Saint Mary’s in many ways.
The women of the Saint Mary’s Guild participate with the College spiritually and with intentional engagement, treat the Christian Brothers with reverence and respect, and enthusiastically represent the College with pride and dignity. Over 86 years, the Guild has built a community that nurtured friendships, offered support, and ministered to one another and Saint Mary’s with generosity.
The Honorary Alumni award recognizes outstanding service and dedication to the mission of Saint Mary's College.
Awards Ceremony: February 7
Join us in celebrating this class of outstanding individuals on Saturday, February 7 at the Distinguished Alumni Awards Ceremony and Hall of Fame Induction at 5 PM in the Soda Activity Center. At the conclusion of the banquet, attend the men's basketball game vs. San Francisco where the honorees will be recognized. Registration is open to all members and friends of the Saint Mary's community.