Saint Joseph High School Announces Hall of Distinction's Inaugural Class

Two beloved Brothers of the Sacred Heart, a decorated Navy Vice Admiral, a non-profit executive, real estate investor, local priest, longtime collegiate track & field coach, and an aviation expert highlight the inaugural class of the Saint Joseph Hall of Distinction.

The diverse group of Saint Joseph High School alumni, Partners in Mission and friends of the school will be honored during a ceremony and dinner at the Metuchen Country Club on Saturday October 5, 2024.

“Throughout the illustrious history of Saint Joseph High School, thousands of alumni, Partners in Mission and community members helped shape the mission and success for future generations,” Saint Joseph High School President John G. Nolan, Jr. P’09 said. “When I first came to Saint Joe’s in October 2020, I recognized a need to honor the Falcons of our past who excelled in our school, the private sector, the nonprofit world and religious life. I am very excited to celebrate the inaugural class’s accomplishments this October.”

Announced in the Fall of 2022, the Hall of Distinction is an opportunity to honor alumni, friends and Partners in Mission who represent the mission of Saint Joseph High School on campus, in the community and the professional world.

The Hall of Distinction Selection Committee, composed of 12 alumni representing the school’s 63 year history, worked for over two years to develop selection categories, as well as the criteria for induction. 

“I am eternally grateful to the members of the Hall of Distinction’s first selection committee,” Nolan said. “They worked together in a thoughtful, inclusive and tireless way to create a program encompassing the entire history of Saint Joseph High School.”

Led by longtime local journalist Greg Tufaro ‘85, the committee identified, reviewed and verified the achievements of all qualified nominees in the following categories: Career Achievement (Alumni), Humanitarian (Alumni), Military Service (Alumni), Faith-Based Vocation (Alumni), Partners in Mission (school employees), and Patron (friends of Saint Joe’s). 

The final recommendation for the inaugural Hall of Distinction Class of 2024 was presented to and approved by the Saint Joseph Board of Directions in June. 

“As a proud Saint Joseph High School alumnus, it was an honor and a privilege to lead the inaugural selection committee creating the Hall of Distinction,” Tufaro said. “The inaugural induction class reflects Saint Joseph’s rich and storied tradition of excellence and bridges the past with the school’s present and future. The inductees encompass all that is great about Saint Joe’s with each serving as a role model for current and prospective students.”

Click here for tickets and other information related to the Hall of Distinction Induction Ceremony.

 

Saint Joseph High School is excited to announce the Hall of Distinction Inaugural Class of 2024: 

 

BROTHER RONALD CAIRNS, S.C., PARTNERS IN MISSION

An integral part of the high school’s original faculty, the beloved educator taught and served as an administrator at Saint Joseph for more than 50 years. Brother Ronald taught multiple subjects. He also served as principal, guidance counselor, athletics director, moderator of the Fathers’ Club, and even drove the team bus to road sporting events. He served as director of the on-campus brothers’ residence, where the brothers lived until relocating to a home in Metuchen. After retiring in 2015, he remained involved with the school community until the beginning of the 2019-20 academic year. Born in Verdun, Quebec, Canada, Brother Ronald commenced his teaching career in 1954. He taught in Louisiana, Mississippi and New York before making a permanent home in Metuchen in 1963, the year St. Joseph opened. He also taught at St. Francis Cathedral School. A statue on campus bearing Brother Ronald’s likeness is likely how former students remember him, dressed in a cassock with a large crucifix dangling from his neck, his thick head of hair parted on the left side. Fittingly, the statue depicts Brother Ronald with a nurturing arm around the shoulder of a student. Saint Joseph has established a memorial scholarship in Brother Ronald’s name.

 

MONSIGNOR CHARLES CICERALE ‘65, FAITH BASED VOCATION

A member of the school’s inaugural graduating class in 1965, “Father Charlie” has impacted the lives of many catholics through his leadership and thoughtful homilies. Ordained a priest in 1975 at Saint Mary Cathedral in Trenton, Fr. Charlie served as associate pastor at Saint Ann (Lawrenceville), Immaculate Conception (Somerville) and St. Ambrose (Old Bridge) before being installed as pastor at Saint James Parish in Woodbridge in 2009. He continues to serve the Church as a roving priest willing to step in and help when needed. A frequent celebrant of mass during campus liturgies, Fr. Charlie often preaches about his time at Saint Joseph High School, always showing gratitude to the Brothers of the Sacred Heart for his dedication and formation. His deep rooted friendship with his classmates has led Fr. Charlie to preside at innumerable weddings, baptisms and funerals of classmates, children and grandchildren of classmates.  Fr. Charlie earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Master of Arts in Theology from St. Bonaventure University, a Master of Social Work from Catholic University of America, and a Master of Sacred Theology in marriage and family counseling from the New York Theological Seminary. A licensed clinical social worker in New Jersey, Fr. Charlie is a member of the Social Workers and the Association of Christian Therapists.

 

BROTHER RICHARD LEVEN, S.C., PARTNERS IN MISSION

One of the most successful athletic coaches in school history, Brother Richard is a true exemplar of the charism of Father Andre Coindre and the Brothers of the Sacred Heart. Aside from a stellar career at the helm of the track & field program, Brother Rich taught physical education, religion, coached soccer and served as the high school’s freshman guidance counselor for many years. A 2001 inductee into the Saint Joseph Athletics Hall of Fame, Leven concluded his coaching career in 2020 with a 168-16 record, including 27 Middlesex County/Greater Middlesex Conference and Catholic Track Conference titles. He also led the Falcons to two state championships. The adoptive son of deeply spiritual parents, Brother Richard’s family had a profound impact on his life, which began at St. John’s Orphanage in Pennsylvania. Brother Richard took his vows with the Brothers of the Sacred Heart on August 15, 1959 and Saint Joe’s has been blessed with his contagious laugh since 1967. Visiting with Brother Rich in his second floor office is a motivating experience for all. From the walls covered with decades of pictures and memorabilia, including a custom Wheetie’s box, to the pinpoint recollection of six decades worth of alumni, Brother Richard Leven encompasses the meaning of a Saint Joseph Man.

 

MICHAEL MULQUEEN ‘72, CAREER ACHIEVEMENT

Mulqueen served 42 years as the Rutgers University head men's track & field and cross country coach. He was a six-time conference coach of the year and five-time NCAA District Coach of the Year. In 2022, USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey ranked Mulqueen among the Top 20 coaches all-time, regardless of sport, at Rutgers University. Former Rutgers Athletics Director Pat Hobbs called Mulqueen “one of the most decorated coaches in Rutgers Athletics history." Mulqueen coached 54 All-Americans, 94 conference champions, and 64 NCAA Qualifiers. More than 80 school records were set under Mulqueen's tutelage. In the classroom, more than 100 of Mulqueen’s student-athletes earned Big Ten All-Academic honors, including 31 who were inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma, the National College Athlete Honor Society. Mulqueen mentored Rhodes Scholar Randal Pinkett and Olympian Balazs Koranyi. A 1976 graduate of Manhattan College, Mulqueen was a member of the school’s 1973 NCAA men's indoor track & field national championship team and was one of Manhattan’s top hurdlers. He specialized in the 400 hurdles, earning four varsity letters, and was inducted in the Manhattan College Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019. Mulqueen is a member of Saint Joseph’s 1972 track and field team, which was inducted into the high school’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 2021.

 

KEVIN M. RYAN ‘85, HUMANITARIAN

One of the nation's most passionate child advocates, Ryan dedicated his professional life to helping homeless, abused and trafficked kids. He served as President and CEO of Covenant House International from January 2009 through March 2023, traveling across the Americas to assist suffering children of the streets. Covenant House is now the largest charity across North and Central America dedicated to helping children and youth overcome homelessness and human trafficking. Covenant House has been recognized with some of the world's most distinguished human rights awards, including the Conrad Hilton Humanitarian Award, the WOLA Human Rights Prize and the Olof Palme Peace Prize. Since graduating from Georgetown Law Center in 1992, Ryan has been serving and protecting homeless kids on the frontlines in some of the poorest cities in the United States. He first joined Covenant House in 1992 as a Skadden Fellow providing civil legal assistance to youth in New York City. Ryan’s groundbreaking work has made him a beacon of hope for tens of thousands of homeless and abused kids worldwide. Ryan has received numerous national and international awards and honorary degrees. He is a graduate of The Catholic University of America (B.A.), Georgetown Law Center (J.D.) and New York University Law School (LL.M.).

 

JOHN P. SHIBLES ‘65, HUMANITARIAN

A proud member of Saint Joseph’s inaugural graduating class, Shibles was a longtime major contributor to his alma mater. Shibles’ humanitarian support came in all shapes and sizes. Dating back to the school’s first capital campaign in 2003, Shibles and his late wife Teri built the Memorial Courtyard, dedicated to the Brothers of the Sacred Heart and Partners in Mission that have served the school. He also created a tribute to alumni that passed on September 11, 2001. Shibles also commissioned a life-size sculpture of his mentor, Brother Ronald Cairns, S.C., called “Guidance,” which was installed in the courtyard.  Forever a forward thinker, Shibles’ most recent gift overhauled the Falcons Robotics program, including new 3D printers and a redesign of the entire makerspace, a program he “wished” was around in the 1960s. After graduating in 1965, Shibles earned an economics degree from Quincy University in 1969 and a Masters in Business Administration from Pace University. An award-winning real estate developer since 1971, Shibles owned or partnered in 47 projects including houses and condos, as well as retail partnerships with Home Depot, CVS and Chipotle. Outside of his commitment to making Saint Joe’s a better place, Shibles supported Allaire Community Farm, an active farm devoted to children with special needs and farm animals. At the time of his passing in July 2023, his family established the John P. Shibles Memorial Scholarship Fund to keep the support of his alma mater alive for generations to come.

 

VICE ADMIRAL GEORGE M. WIKOFF ‘86, MILITARY SERVICE

A decorated commander of the U.S. Naval Forces, including Central Command/Commander of the 5th Fleet and Commander of Combined Maritime Forces, Vice Admiral Wikoff has served the United States for over three decades. A 1986 graduate, Wikoff attended the Catholic University of America, where he was commissioned through the George Washington University NROTC program. He later earned a master’s degree from the University of Arkansas. Wikoff served operationally in Fighter Squadron (VF) 102 aboard USS America (CV 66) and VF-154 forward deployed to Atsugi, Japan on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). His command assignments include Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 211 deployed aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65), VFA-122, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 deployed aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), and Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 5 forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), and Commander (acting) Naval Air Forces. Wikoff’s shore assignments include TOPGUN training officer at Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center, placement officer for the Tomcat and Super Hornet communities at Naval Personnel Command. He held Joint Staff roles in Antiterrorism and Homeland Defense, Naval Operations, Global Integration and Current Operations. Wikoff was also the Chief of Staff for the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and Maritime Operations Center Director in Bahrain.

 

PETER A. ZACCAGNINO ‘87, CAREER ACHIEVEMENT

Owner of the High Performance Aircraft Group, Zaccagnino’s company performs flight test services for several manufacturers, including the United States and foreign militaries. Zaccagnino is a member of The Aviation Hall of Fame of New Jersey and holds several licenses and a variety of ratings in several jets and former military aircraft. Since earning his undergraduate degree in Aeronautical Engineering, Zaccagnino has flown over 23,000 hours in more than 270 aircraft types and has flight tested over 685 aircraft. High Performance Aircraft Group manages several corporate jets (Zaccagnino spends three to four months annually on custom-tailored world tours for clients). His 15 years of racing at the National Championship Air Races include four championships. They are 2019 Jet Gold, 2015 Jet Gold, 2013 Jet Gold (at 509 mph and the fastest qualifying lap at 529 mph), and 2007 Gold in the sport class. Zaccagnino’s latest endeavors include writing, film production, and aviation filming. His first book, Relevant: A Military Thriller Inspired by True Events, was released in March 2020. Zaccagnino has produced and been involved with multiple Discovery Channel and Smithsonian Channel productions, various documentaries, and several shorts and race productions. Zaccagnino’s philanthropy includes Wounded Warriors, the National Ability Center, various orphanages in Central and South America, and Christian Service projects for children in remote locations worldwide.