Global Service Award
Haywood Barnes ’93 graduated from the Fort Eustis Education Center with a bachelor’s degree in human resource management. His military career spans more than 20 years and includes serving in the U. S. Army and Air Force. Haywood began his military career in 1960 and was stationed in Morocco. His career then took him to Vietnam, Spain, and Greece. While in the military, he served as a ground radio operator, jet engine mechanic, and operating room technician. After his military career ended, Barnes went on to earn additional degrees in religious education, including a doctoral degree in pastoral counseling from Anderson Seminary. He is a strong supporter of the All Pro Dads program, Active Parents, and Fatherhood Training.
Benedictine Spirit Award
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Natoy Baker ’11, ’20 graduated from University Campus with a bachelor’s degree in health care management, and from the Tampa Education Center with a master’s degree in business administration. Today, she is a recruiter for People Scout, Inc., where she is responsible for finding qualified professionals for positions with supply chain, health care, and hospitality companies. Baker also served as community program coordinator for Heartland Rural Health Network, where she helped develop a telehealth diabetes-testing program for people with Type 2 diabetes. During this time, Baker secured grants from the National Institutes of Health and Harvard University, which made it possible to partner with health departments in five counties to promote healthy eating for individuals with Type 2 diabetes. Baker also dedicates her time to the community as a volunteer for her local Boys & Girls Club, YMCA, and schools as another way to help promote healthy eating. Baker credits Assistant Professor Galo Alava for his support during her academic years. When times were tough, he encouraged her to complete her MBA. She holds a deep sense of devotion to Saint Leo and Alava, who provided the guidance she needed to graduate as she fought through personal challenges prior to completing her last semester.
Distinguished Alumnus/a Award
Peter Mulry ’67 is a member of the first, four-year graduating class of Saint Leo College. He was a member of the baseball team, and upon graduation, went on to coach baseball at Tampa Catholic High School for 11 years and at the University of Tampa for eight years. He has been inducted into the hall of fames at St. Mary’s High School, Saint Leo University, Tampa Catholic High School, and the Tampa Bay Sports Club. After retiring from coaching, Mulry embarked on a successful career as a realtor in Pensacola, FL. In 2012, he established the Peter J. Mulry Foundation, which supports Title 1 schools with a focus on literacy and life skills through sports. Mulry also is the author of several children’s books, used for learning life skills and improving reading. His fondest memories of Saint Leo are of the 67 students who stuck with the college during the accreditation process and had the privilege of being the very first graduating class. He also remembers being woken up in the middle of the night to help the brothers from the Abbey work the orange groves, as they needed to set up smudge pots to save the oranges from the freezing temperatures.
James Salgado ’07, ’14 attended classes at MacDill Education Office and received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration. He is retired from active/reserve duty after 28 years of service in the U.S. Air Force as a senior master sergeant. He continues to serve, full-time as a government contractor at U.S. Special Operations Command. In 2018, Salgado founded Operation Lend a Hand, Inc., designed on the principle of “my neighbor’s keeper.” Whenever a homeowner falls on hard times, the organization provides basic home services, such as painting, carpentry, yard cleanup, light tree trimming, pressure washing, and more. He has worked out full sponsorship of all materials from the Home Depot, along with food sponsorship from Jersey Mike’s Subs to feed volunteers. He also works with homeowners associations to relieve fees and fines that the homeowners may have accrued. Salgado is the recipient of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Citizen Award. Additionally, he is a mentor for Hillsborough County Veterans Inc. Court and received the Military Outstanding Service Award.
Roaring Onward Award – Class of 2022
Krystal Cox ’12 graduated from the Center for Online Learning with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and has worked for USAA for 16 years. She volunteers with the United Way and Meals on Wheels and has plans to open her own yoga studio this year. Her favorite memory at Saint Leo is graduation. She was a single parent and Saint Leo worked with her schedule and needs to help her be successful. Her daughter attends softball camps at Saint Leo, and Cox’s dream is for her to be a lion one day, just like her mom.
Allison Baldwin ’15 graduated from University Campus, with a bachelor’s degree in sport business. She teaches second grade at Salisbury School in Salisbury, CT, and coaches varsity soccer and lacrosse. Baldwin is an active advisory board member for Theta Phi Alpha and mentors Saint Leo students via Skype. She credits Saint Leo and the university’s core values for who she is today.
Benjamin Larison ’14 graduated from University Campus with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, went on to study law at Barry University (FL), and earned a master’s degree in law taxation from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, MO. He is an assistant state attorney in the 5th judicial circuit in Hernando County, FL. Larison remembers how Saint Leo was different from other universities because of the attention he received from his teachers, the staff, and the entire Saint Leo community. He favors the core values of excellence and integrity and continually does his best to serve as a representative of the Saint Leo community.
Mohammed “Ammar” Mohrat ’17 graduated from University Campus with a bachelor’s degree in computer science. Today, he is a software engineer for T-Mobile. Mohrat is a Syrian refugee who came to the United States on a full scholarship from Saint Leo. As a student, Mohrat was a member of the TKE fraternity and received numerous awards for his volunteer work on campus. He gave a TED Talk about his journey to the United States and credits Saint Leo with finding a home for him after leaving Syria. To give back in return for the help he received, he actively helps guide others refugees and exiled individuals from the Middle East in migrating to the United States. Mohrat says that his favorite memory while at Saint Leo was giving the commencement speech to his graduating class.
Bobrenti “Brent” Patterson ’21 graduated from the Center for Online Learning with summa cum laude honors, earning a bachelor’s degree in religious studies. He is a rehabilitation supervisor for the special care unit at the University of Alabama. After marrying his wife, Patterson felt a calling and converted to Catholicism. His conversion story, “The Eucharist Stole my Heart,” was featured on the cover of One Voice Magazine and Faith magazine, in addition to many others. Brent’s greatest personal accomplishment was his marriage and his faith in God. “I owe God everything,” Patterson said. “I have given my life to him, and he has made me a better human being and a better and caring husband.” Throughout his life, he has strived to help people through not only effective physical therapy rehabilitation, but also spirituality. Patterson’s fondest memory as a Saint Leo student is how open and friendly the professors were. They pushed him and his classmates to be their best and ensured they never fell behind.