This award is presented to an alumnus who has distinguished himself through exceptional professional achievement. We are pleased to present the 2007 award to Lawrence M. Sullivan, Esq.'59.
Lawrence M. Sullivan, Esq.'59
Larry graduated from King’s College in 1959 with a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy. At that time, little did he know the impact and influence a team of teaching priests would have on his future. Following a successful career at King’s, Larry continued his education at the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, in Washington, D.C. Upon his graduation in 1964 with a Juris Doctor degree, Larry embarked on a career that would and still does influence the lives of thousands of people.
In his impressive 42-year legal career, five governors, both democratic and republican, have reappointed Larry as Delaware’s public defender an unprecedented six consecutive terms since 1970. Following in the King’s tradition of helping others in need, Larry has used this position to champion for the rights of the indigent. During his 36-year tenure as Delaware’s public defender, he created the first psycho-forensic evaluation unit of any public defender’s office in the nation. In this unit, masters’ level psycho-forensic evaluators intervene early in the criminal trial process in an effort to provide attorneys with reports of defendants’ mental health and capabilities. These evaluations are then used to make better-informed bail and sentencing decisions.
Among Larry’s long list of accomplishments has been his establishment of the first statewide-integrated videophone system for criminal justice in the nation. This communications system, which links trial courts, prosecution offices, public defender offices, prison facilities, police agencies, and social service agencies, allows individuals to communicate from remote locations on issues that are vital to the functioning of Delaware’s criminal justice system.
In 2006, Larry was presented with the highest national awards a public defender can receive—the American Bar Association’s Charles H. Dorsey, Jr. Award and the National Legal Aid and Defender Association’s Reginald Heber Smith Award—making him the only person to ever receive both of these awards.
While his legal career certainly keeps him busy, Larry and his wife, Kate enjoy spending time with their six children Casey, Kasia, Erin, John, Will, and Larry Jr. as well as their three grandchildren.
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This award is conferred upon an alumnus/alumna who has distinguished himself/herself through selfless and caring personal commitment to benefit others. This year's honoree is Howard B. Fedrick '64.
Howard B. Fedrick '64
Andrew Carnegie, the well-known philanthropist, once said that “no man can become rich without himself enriching others.” If one were to utilize this particular measurement of wealth to determine Howard Fedrick’s worth, his sum would be immeasurable.
After graduating from King’s in 1964 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and government, Howard embarked on a 40-year career of volunteering his time and talents to more than 20 educational and cultural organizations.
In his first volunteer endeavor, Howard utilized his teaching skills to transform students into confident speakers and debaters during his 12-year tenure as the Director of the Catholic Forensic League of Scranton. In recognition the league named him Director Emeritus in 1979. His volunteer time with the league and his full-time teaching jobs, first at St. Vincent’s High School and later at King’s, kept him very busy, but Howard still found time to dedicate himself to working with 10 other groups simultaneously.
As the years passed, word of Howard’s giving spirit spread, garnering many other requests for his help. Throughout the 1970s, Howard embraced his love of history and used it to forward the good works of many educational and civic organizations. Although this decade was filled with time well spent on many projects, Howard also discovered the one organization that would become the apex of his volunteer career – the Wyoming Valley’s Fine Arts Fiesta.
Beginning in 1977 as a volunteer, Howard was later appointed secretary of the board in 1980; chair of the performing arts committee in 1988 – a position which he still holds to this day; and President of board in 1995 – a title which he held for 11 years. During his continuing 30-year tenure with the Fine Arts Fiesta, Howard has tirelessly donated his time in supporting the vision of its founding members – to produce an arts festival that showcases the works of various types of artists that can be enjoyed and celebrated by the entire community.
Howard, who celebrated his 23rd wedding anniversary with his wife Mary Anne this past New Year’s Eve, is an assistant professor of history and chairman of King’s Faculty Council.
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Named for Robert J. Ell '50, the first Director of Alumni Relations, who served in that position until his retirement in 1991, this award is conferred upon an alumnus/alumna for extraordinary service, dedication and commitment to King's College.
Joseph J. Killian, C.P.A. '85
Joseph Killian’s career is the textbook example of how hard work, determination, and dedication are key in climbing one’s way from the bottom of the corporate ladder all the way to the top. In May of 1985, Joe was a new graduate of King’s with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and was
ready to leap into the next chapter of his life. And by accepting a position as an audit staff accountant at Price Waterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) – one of the premier accounting firms in the world – he did just that.
Although Joe’s rise from audit staff accountant to his current position as chief financial officer of operations is extremely impressive, he does not consider it to be the most important thing he has done in his career – that honor is reserved for King’s. As an alumnus who appreciates and recognizes the quality of a King’s education, Joe has successfully recruited and placed more than 85 King’s students into positions at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Joe’s willingness to help King’s students succeed does not end there. In recent years, PricewaterhouseCoopers has developed a collegiate competition where students from select colleges and universities throughout the United States compete against one another as they attempt to analyze and solve real world accounting problems. Although many of the schools that participate in this program are large institutions, some with student bodies of 25,000, Joe knew that King’s students could and should be part of this program, and he made it a reality. Needless to say, King’s students have been very successful in this program, and it has enabled many of them to garner successful employment with PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Joe has also been instrumental in securing funding for King’s McGowan School of Business Forum. This program, which matches King’s students with successful alumni, helps students acquire knowledge about their career interests and discover internship and job opportunities.
In his spare time, Joe enjoys playing golf, tackling home projects, and relaxing with his wife Mary and their sons, Matthew and Andrew .
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The Leo Award is named for the King's College mascot. It is awarded to a graduate of the last 15 years and suggests the energy, pride and sense of purpose, which the recipient personifies.
Janet C. Schwarzwalder '94
In May of 1994, Janet Schwarzwalder graduated from King’s College with degrees in international business a
nd economics coupled with the hope of landing a dream job in the capital of the United States’ international business world – New York City. Following a two-month job hunt, Janet accomplished what she set out to do – she obtained a job with an international corporation.
While working as an import/export documentation processor in the specialty chemical department of Mitsubishi International Corporation, Janet’s abilities were quickly recognized, and she was assigned with the task of setting up a new department. Having been assigned this special project, Janet vacated her previous job position but recommended that it be filled by someone who could make an immediate impact in it – another King’s alum. Not only was her suggestion taken into consideration, but it was also fulfilled.
Having seen the success of alumni networking firsthand, Janet conceived an idea that would later flourish into one of the greatest resources for current King’s business students, the McGowan Business Forum.
Named in honor of William G. McGowan ’52, founder of MCI Communications, the McGowan Business Forum provides King’s business students with an opportunity to meet alumni who serve as their mentors and role models. Matched by career interests with successful alumni, King’s students acquire knowledge of their chosen field as well leads about internship and job opportunities. Having networked with alumni in New York City in the fall of 2005 and in Philadelphia in the fall of 2006, Janet can take much pride in knowing that current and future King’s students will benefit from her acuminous thinking. In addition to her contributions to the McGowan Business Forum, Janet has also served on the Business Advisory Council of King’s William G. McGowan School of Business for more than a decade.
Janet is a senior financial analyst at Day & Zimmermann Group in Philadelphia. She is also busy planning her upcoming wedding to her fiancé Russell Timm.
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