Mr. Richard Duffel, Mr. Gregory Dolan, and SFC Wayne Atherton, USA (ret.) all received the Bene Merenti Award at this year's graduation.

The Bene Merenti Award is one of the most elusive within the halls of Xavier. Awarded to faculty and staff who have contributed 20 or more years of service to the school, the award honors those to whom Xavier owes much of her success. Through their many years of work, recipients live out the service that is such an important component of both Xavier’s mission and Ignatian ideals. This year, the awards were presented at The Riverside Church during the Class of 2014’s commencement exercises to SFC Wayne Atherton, USA (ret.), Mr. Richard Duffel P’93 ’99 and Mr. Gregory Dolan ’89.

Lt. Col. Roy Campbell, Senior Army Instructor, said SFC Atherton is, “a Xavier treasure, whether as an inspirational Army JROTC instructor, a varsity soccer coach or as the Raiders coach, he sets the highest possible standards for Xavier students and cadets.”

Similar praises were sung for each of the recipients. Mr. Christopher Stevens ’83 said that Mr. Duffel, “is as loyal as the day is long; he is a straight shooter who you can really rely upon. Rich will drop everything to help out, whether it is to run a First Aid / CPR certification course or drive a team bus to a game for a sport that he doesn't even coach.

“Receiving the Bene Merenti award is truly an honor,” said Mr. Dolan. “The past twenty years have flown by because this is what happens when you do something you love. Trying to mold young men in the classroom and on the basketball court is something I love to do. Every day I come to Xavier and I see myself entering a new journey opposed to it being a place where I work.”

Congratulations to this year’s recipients – that have ensured their imprint on the heart and soul of Xavier High School.