Chatfield Benefactor Robert A. Conway to Receive National Award

Robert A. Conway, noted Cincinnati businessman, philanthropist, and benefactor of virtually every Catholic educational institution in Greater Cincinnati, will receive the prestigious St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award from the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) on Monday, October 1 in Washington D.C.

Chatfield College joined with The Athenaeum of Ohio/Mount St. Mary’s Seminary to nominate Conway for the award.  Conway and his late wife, Ruth have been generous benefactors of Chatfield College and to Catholic schools and institutions throughout Greater Cincinnati for over 50 years.   Through The Ruth J. and Robert A. Conway foundation, the Conways helped support the construction of the Mongan Academic Building, where a classroom is named in their honor.  Support from the Conway Foundation also helps fund Chatfield’s Campus Ministry program.  As life-long benefactors of The Legacy Campaign at The Athenaeum of Ohio, the Conways endowed the Chair for Biblical Studies.

 “It was an honor and a privilege to have joined the Athenaeum of Ohio to nominate Bob Conway for this national honor,” said John P. Tafaro, Chatfield College president.  “We are thrilled to know that Bob has been named a recipient of this year’s award – the first-ever recipient to come from Cincinnati.  He has been a life-long champion for Catholic education in Cincinnati, and is certainly deserving of this honor.”

The Elizabeth Ann Seton Award is named after St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in recognition of her lifelong dedication to teaching.  This award is presented annually to exemplary individuals whose support and service impacts Catholic education.  Seton honorees have a scholarship presented in their honor to a deserving Catholic school student in the local community.  Other recipients this year include Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston and Chuck and Nan Geschke, Co-Founders of Adobe.

The Conway Foundation was founded in 1986 to support Catholic education .  In addition to Chatfield College and the Athenaeum of Ohio, The Conway Foundation has also helped support The Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Xavier University, the College of Mt. St. Joseph, Catholic Inner –City Schools, the Ursulines of Brown County, Ursuline Educational Services, Ursuline Academy, the Sisters of Charity, the Ursulines of Cincinnati, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, DePaul Cristo Rey High School, Purcell Marian High School, Seton High School, McAuley High School, Mother of Mercy High School, St. Xavier High School, Mercy Montessori Center, Boys/Girls Hope, Catholic Health Partners, and an endowed chair in Catholic Studies at the University of Cincinnati to promote scholarly research.

Rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, NCEA is a professional membership organization that provides leadership, direction, and service to fulfill the teaching and evangelizing mission of the Church.  NCEA’s membership serves 200,000 Catholic educators serving more than 7 million students enrolled in elementary and secondary schools, colleges and universities, religious programs and seminaries throughout the U.S.

Chatfield College held a luncheon in honor of Bob Conway on July 19, 2012.  Guests included NCEA President, Dr. Karen Ristau, NCEA Director of Advancement, Kenneth Famulare; Bob Conway, along with his daughter Loi Conway- Drath, and Father Benedict O’Cinnsealaigh, Rector of The Athenaeum of Ohio.  For photos of the luncheon, click here

(Back left to right)  NCEA President, Dr. Karen Ristau, Robert Conway.  (Front left to right) Father Benedict O’Cinnsealaigh, Rector of The Athenaeum of Ohio, Chatfield College President John Tafaro.