Two University of Notre Dame graduates received special awards from the Notre Dame Alumni Association during Reunion 2008 ceremonies on campus.
John T. Goldrick , a “triple domer” and longtime University employee from Portland, Ore., received the Rev. John Cardinal O’Hara, C.S.C., Award for distinguished service to Notre Dame.
Goldrick earned his bachelor’s degree in 1962, master’s degree in 1970 and law degree in 1984. A Notre Dame employee for more than 20 years, he began as an admissions and guidance counselor, then served as director of admissions before becoming an associate vice president for residence life. Currently, he is vice president for enrollment management and student life at the University of Portland.
As Notre Dame’s director of admissions, Goldrick designed and directed the University’s undergraduate student recruitment and selection processes and saw the University’s applicant pool swell from 3,000 to 7,000 prospective students. He also chaired the University Committee on Admissions and Scholarships. As associate vice president for residence life, he monitored all facets of student residential life. In this role, he also functioned as acting vice president for student affairs and assisted in managing the $3.5 million budget operation for the student affairs division.
Goldrick served for five years as country director for the Peace Corps in Ghana and Kenya before accepting his position at Portland. He and his wife, Jacqueline, have three children: Sean and Shaheen, who were graduated from Notre Dame in 1993 and 1994, respectively, and Shannon, a 2001 Portland graduate.
The Rev. Edward Frederick Sorin, C.S.C., Award was presented to Dr. Salvatore J. LaPilusa , an orthopedic surgeon, 1941 Notre Dame graduate and benefactor, for distinguished service to the University.
LaPilusa established an endowed scholarship in memory of his wife of 35 years, Lorraine. Since its creation, the LaPilusa Scholarship has benefitted more than 70 undergraduate students. He also recently funded the physiology wing in the Jordan Hall of Science. Beyond the Notre Dame campus, he founded the Lorraine M. LaPilusa Cancer Treatment Center at Bayonne Medical Center in New Jersey, which allows patients to be treated locally rather than having to travel to New York for treatment, as did his wife.
Born in Bayonne to parents who immigrated to America from Italy in 1914, LaPilusa earned a bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame in 1941 and his medical degree from Loyola Medical School in Chicago. Following his military service in a M.A.S.H. unit during the Korean War, LaPilusa started a practice in Bayonne, where he became a well-respected bone surgeon.
LaPilusa belongs to several orthopedic societies, including the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery, the Eastern Orthopedic Society, and the Irish American Orthopedic Society in Ireland. Partially retired, he now travels to Third World countries, including Vietnam, Indonesia, Bhutan and Bangladesh to work with young orthopedic doctors and learn about their cultures.
Contact: Angela Sienko, alumni editor, 574-631-7005, asienko@nd.edu
Originally published by at newsinfo.nd.edu on June 09, 2008.