Father Welsh Receives St. Martin Medallion

By Keith Laschinger, Vice President of Advancement

Founding VP of Mission, Father Robert Welsh receives the St. Martin Medallion from Founding President Rich Clark

Saint Martin de Porres High School’s founding Vice President of Mission, Father Robert Welsh, S.J., was honored with the St. Martin Medallion November 17 for his lasting impact on the Saint Martin Community. The evening began with Fr. Welsh celebrating the Eucharist in our Chapel of the Annunciation and concluded with a gathering in our main hallway featuring delicious hors d’oeuvres generously provided by our dear friend, Sue Stewart.

In addition to close friends of Fr. Welsh and Saint Martin, we were joined by very special guests Cindy Krawczonek and Shirley Wenson. Cindy Krawczonek is the mother of Kallie Krawczonek, who was a member of our first graduating class and is currently in her third year at Kent State University. Shirley Wenson is the mother of Sunni Wenson, who was a member of our Class of 2009 and is currently in her second year at Spelman College. Both Kallie and Sunni were recipients of the Rev. Robert J. Welsh, S.J., Work Study Serve Lead Pray Award. A plaque bearing their names, and the names of the other twelve recipients, as well as Fr. Welsh’s name and his image, was also unveiled November 17 and is now perpetually on display in our main hallway. This honor is bestowed annually at graduation upon the students who “most joyfully and faithfully live our school’s values in the spirit of Fr. Welsh.”

The medallion which was presented to Fr. Welsh was originally produced by Dominican priest and sculptor Thomas McGlynn, and past recipients have included B.J. and Bebe Cassin, Bob Mooney, Susie Murphy, Karen Nestor, Tony Stavole, and Mary Ann Vogel.