Benedictine Spirit Award
John Gassler ’47 attended Saint Leo College Preparatory School. During his four years, he served as an altar boy, sang in the choir, and played in the marching band, among many other activities. Gassler credits the education he received as preparation for attending college at the Georgia School of Technology as an electrical engineering co-op student, and later graduating from Georgia Tech with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. Glassler has held multiple positions as an avionics engineer with companies such as Eastern Airlines, Sperry Gyroscope Company, and Sunbeam Electronics. Glassler served many years as a volunteer fireman and is very involved in the Knights of Columbus, serving in several local, state, and district capacities. Glassler has served on Saint Leo’s President’s Council for two years, contributed to two endowed scholarships, and established an endowed scholarship in he and his wife’s name. Glassler and his late wife Marie have been blessed with 10 children, 28 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren.
Distinguished Alumnus/a Award
James Cervera ’81 graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the South Hampton Roads Education Center and went on to earn a Master of Public Education degree from Old Dominion University. He is employed as the chief of police for the City of Virginia Beach, VA, as well as an adjunct professor at Tidewater Community College, specializing in criminology and social sciences. On May 31, 2019, Virginia Beach experienced a mass shooting at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center. Sixteen people were shot, resulting in the deaths of 11 employees and visitors. Years of enhanced training and a philosophy of discipline and compassion prepared him to lead officers to immediately respond to the active shooter scene and heroically save additional citizens from the violence. Cervera is an active member of many organizations, including United Way of Hampton Roads, An Achievable Dream Academy, LEAD Hampton Roads, and Virginia Beach City Public Schools. Cervera believes that his experience at Saint Leo University was the catalyst for his desire to be a lifelong learner.
Roaring Onward Recognition Program – Class of 2019
Antonio Cruz ’18 graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration through the Center for Online Learning and is currently enrolled in the MBA program at Saint Leo University. He has been employed as a district manager for TJ Maxx for 13 years and oversees 14 stores in South Florida. Cruz’s greatest professional accomplishment is helping others within his company excel and reach their professional goals. He attributes Saint Leo’s core values as inspiration for why he values giving back to others and helping them improve their lives.
Christopher Laney ’15 earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Saint Leo University. He is employed as the director of education and community investment with CareerSource Suncoast. Six years ago, Laney created a conference to inspire high school students to discover and follow their professional passions. In 2019, Laney was named a Florida Workforce Education Innovator of the Year by the Florida College Network. He believes that his experiences in a study abroad program while at Saint Leo led him to experience life through the eyes of others, and Saint Leo’s core values are what it means to be a part of the university.
Kevin Sullivan ’13 graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and is a personal injury attorney with Pipas Law Group. Sullivan is active in his community’s chamber of commerce and is a member of the local Habitat for Humanity board of directors. Sullivan’s favorite memory of Saint Leo is working in the Office of Admissions and the comradery with fellow students and staff members. He would advise current students to network and “make sure you always carry yourself in a good way, as you represent a great establishment.”