One thing was clear as the St. Edward's University Alumni Association pored over nominations for the Homecoming 2007 awards program — alumni nationwide are making a significant impact on their professions and their communities and benefiting the lives of others. Four outstanding alumni have been chosen from this year's batch of nominations, and they will be recognized at Homecoming 2007 for their exceptional accomplishments.
2007 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients
Ray Smilor, '69, graduated from St. Edward's with a BA in English Literature and began his career as a teacher for both the Texas School for the Deaf and the Austin Independent School District. Today, he serves as the executive director of the Beyster Institute at the University of California–San Diego, which helps business leaders build successful companies worldwide through training, education and outreach. In addition, Ray can be found traveling the globe as a highly sought-after speaker, addressing audiences in China, Japan, Canada, England, France, Italy and Australia about business and entrepreneurship. Ray also has found time to author a considerable number of publications, including his most recent book, Daring Visionaries: How Entrepreneurs Build Companies, Inspire Allegiance and Create Wealth.
Various organizations have benefited from Ray's volunteer efforts — he has been a board member for The San Diego Foundation's Organization Success Working Group, the Texas Lyceum Association and the Laguna Gloria Art Museum, among others. And, his generosity to St. Edward's is significant. Ray and his wife Judy, '71, have created two scholarships: The Ray and Judy Smilor Family Endowment and the Michael Cinal Memorial Endowed Scholarship.
A retired bank executive, Wayne Henning, '63, is the former executive vice president and regional chief operating officer for Old National Bancorp in Evansville, Indiana. After graduating with a BBA in Business Administration, Wayne enlisted in the United States Army and then remained in the Reserves through 1969 while beginning his career at Old National Bank. He earned an MBA from the Stonier Graduate School of Banking and climbed the ladder at Old National Bank as it became part of Old National Bancorp, the largest financial services bank holding company in Indiana. His 42 years at the bank, coupled with ongoing community support in various capacities, earned him the recognition and gratitude of the Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners — in 2006 they declared his retirement date, Feb. 23, “Wayne Henning Day.” Earlier this year, Wayne also received the covenant “Distinguished Hoosier Award,” one of the highest awards given by the State of Indiana to its citizens, and he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Southern Indiana for his commitment to public higher education and to his local community.
Among the many boards he has served on are the Evansville Association of Commercial Banks, the Greater Evansville Leaders Association, the United Way and the Mesker Zoo. In 2006, Wayne was given the Key to the City of Evansville from Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel. For St. Edward’s, he was instrumental in starting the Evansville Alumni Chapter. Wayne remains involved in the life of the university by keeping in touch with fellow classmates and attending various events. Most importantly, he believes in the lasting value of a St. Edward’s University education and has supported St. Edward’s for more than 30 years, helping current and future students.
2007 Alumni Achievement Award Recipients
A second-generation St. Edward's University graduate, Dr. Joseph A. Lucci III, '80, received his BA in Chemistry in 1980. He then went on to the University of Texas Medical School at Houston and has since carved out an impressive career in medicine. Currently, Dr. Lucci serves as both an associate professor and the director of the Division of Gynecological Oncology at the University of Miami, where his research interests include cancer immunology, human papillomavirus and tumor vaccines.
Dr. Lucci has shown continued support for the School of Natural Sciences by serving as chair of the Advisory Board and contributing to the John Brooks Williams Natural Sciences Center. To recognize his contributions, the Microbiology prep room within the John Brooks Williams Natural Sciences Center will be named in recognition of one of Dr. Lucci's mentors, a current Natural Sciences professor.
A retired financial examiner, Betty A. Reichel, '88, spent 15 years working for the Texas Credit Union Department. Upholding the highest ethical standards, Betty protected the interests of credit union members and promoted public confidence in credit unions. She is a graduate of New College at St. Edward's University, having earned a Bachelor of Liberal Studies in Finance. Currently a resident of Dallas, Betty is an active member of the Spring Valley United Methodist Church. She has traveled to Guatemala and Bolivia with the church’s “Volunteers In Mission,” which is similar to projects run by Habitat for Humanity.
Betty remains closely tied to the St. Edward's University community. An active member of the Dallas Alumni Chapter, Betty also served on the planning committee for the New College 30th Anniversary Celebration. In 2005, she traveled to London as part of the Alumni Association's travel adventure held in conjunction with the 1,000th birthday of St. Edward. In addition to her significant volunteer efforts, Betty has established two scholarships for the university: The Betty Alice Reichel, '88, Endowed Scholarship and The Bernard Kormann Reichel, Sr. Memorial Endowed Scholarship, established in memory of her father who valued education and set an example for her through his own practice of lifelong learning. A familiar face on campus, Betty can often be seen at major university celebrations, such as Homecoming Weekend.
Ray Smilor, '69, graduated from St. Edward's with a BA in English Literature and began his career as a teacher for both the Texas School for the Deaf and the Austin Independent School District. Today, he serves as the executive director of the Beyster Institute at the University of California–San Diego, which helps business leaders build successful companies worldwide through training, education and outreach. In addition, Ray can be found traveling the globe as a highly sought-after speaker, addressing audiences in China, Japan, Canada, England, France, Italy and Australia about business and entrepreneurship. Ray also has found time to author a considerable number of publications, including his most recent book, Daring Visionaries: How Entrepreneurs Build Companies, Inspire Allegiance and Create Wealth. 
A retired bank executive, Wayne Henning, '63, is the former executive vice president and regional chief operating officer for Old National Bancorp in Evansville, Indiana. After graduating with a BBA in Business Administration, Wayne enlisted in the United States Army and then remained in the Reserves through 1969 while beginning his career at Old National Bank. He earned an MBA from the Stonier Graduate School of Banking and climbed the ladder at Old National Bank as it became part of Old National Bancorp, the largest financial services bank holding company in Indiana. His 42 years at the bank, coupled with ongoing community support in various capacities, earned him the recognition and gratitude of the Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners — in 2006 they declared his retirement date, Feb. 23, “Wayne Henning Day.” Earlier this year, Wayne also received the covenant “Distinguished Hoosier Award,” one of the highest awards given by the State of Indiana to its citizens, and he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Southern Indiana for his commitment to public higher education and to his local community. 
A second-generation St. Edward's University graduate, Dr. Joseph A. Lucci III, '80, received his BA in Chemistry in 1980. He then went on to the University of Texas Medical School at Houston and has since carved out an impressive career in medicine. Currently, Dr. Lucci serves as both an associate professor and the director of the Division of Gynecological Oncology at the University of Miami, where his research interests include cancer immunology, human papillomavirus and tumor vaccines. 
A retired financial examiner, Betty A. Reichel, '88, spent 15 years working for the Texas Credit Union Department. Upholding the highest ethical standards, Betty protected the interests of credit union members and promoted public confidence in credit unions. She is a graduate of New College at St. Edward's University, having earned a Bachelor of Liberal Studies in Finance. Currently a resident of Dallas, Betty is an active member of the Spring Valley United Methodist Church. She has traveled to Guatemala and Bolivia with the church’s “Volunteers In Mission,” which is similar to projects run by Habitat for Humanity.