2009 Alumni Volunteer Service Award

Theresa Spada '04 (Alumni Relations); Rev. Robert Niehoff, S.J.; Pete Bernardo '68, '72G; Mary Lavin '87 (Alumni Relations)

The Alumni Volunteer Service Award, created in 1993, recognizes outstanding alumni volunteers who have distinguished themselves by their dedication, motivation, attitude, and generosity to John Carroll University in sharing their time and talents. This year’s recipient is Peter R. Bernardo.

Pete received his undergraduate degree from John Carroll in 1968 and his master’s degree in 1972. He has served the University for more than 25 years, as professor of military science, director of alumni relations, and most recently as director of planned giving.

In 1987, Tony DeCarlo, then director of athletics, asked Pete to establish a volunteer “chain gang” for every home football game to save the University money and time. Pete has provided this volunteer service to the
University ever since and has missed only one game in 22 years.

Last fall, the new John Carroll mascot, a wolf named Lobo, was introduced to the community. University history and traditions are very important to Pete; so much so, that he paid for one of the two custom-made mascot costumes so Lobo could appear at more events and activities to show that Blue Streak spirit!

At our annual Reunion Weekends, Camp Carroll is one of the highlights for 5- to 17-year-old children of alumni. For more than 20 years, Pete has coordinated an adventure training course that has featured rope bridges, repelling, and a rock climbing wall.

Some know that Pete is a highly decorated Vietnam veteran who was awarded the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, and Purple Heart. He continues to go “above and beyond” through his volunteer service to graduates of John Carroll’s ROTC program. For more than 10 years, Pete purchased and presented the military coins used for the traditional first salute to all ROTC graduates. This initiative has become an annual tradition at the ROTC Awards Dinner. This year, Pete ordered and presented to the parents of every ROTC graduate a statue of Jesus with his arms around a soldier.

When asked about his service to the University as an alumni volunteer, Pete replies: “There are just things that have to be done and someone needs to do it. And whatever it is that you’re doing supports the Jesuit Mission.”
For his dedication, loyalty, and commitment to John Carroll, for his leadership and selfless service on behalf of all John Carroll alumni, and for being a true man for others, the John Carroll Alumni Association salutes and gratefully celebrates Peter R. Bernardo with the 2009 Alumni Volunteer Service Award.