Neumann University bestowed three Presidential Humanitarian Awards during its 18th Scholarship Gala last Saturday at the Drexelbrook Catering and Special Events Center.

Honored were Mario J. Civera Jr., Eileen C. McDonnell, and Sister Clare Christi Schiefer, OSF.

Civera was born and raised in Delaware County, and lives in Drexel Hill. He is a public servant with 41 years of experience in various levels of government, and is now chairman of Delaware County Council.

McDonnell has been chairman and chief executive officer of Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company since July 2013. She previously served as chief executive officer, president, and chief marketing officer for the company.

Sr. Clare Christi serves as president of the Pennsylvania Catholic Health Association. She directs the efforts of a statewide organization comprised of Catholic hospitals, nursing homes, healthcare systems, sponsoring religious congregations, dioceses, and other related groups.

The Presidential Humanitarian Award was established anonymously in 2002 in honor of Dr. Rosalie M. Mirenda, president of the university, and her husband Tony, Neumann’s ambassador-at-large.

The award is given to those whose lives reflect:

• a commitment to serve humanity and empower the underserved
• a devotion to religious and family values
• an appreciation for philanthropy and giving back
• a willingness to take risks in the pursuit of vision
• a demonstrated respect for education and positive intellectual life

The crowd of 350 guests also recognized Dr. Mirenda, Neumann’s retiring president and longtime resident of Middletown Township, with several standing ovations during the evening. James Delaney, chairperson of Neumann’s Board of Trustees, led a special toast in which he called Dr. Mirenda “Neumann’s guardian angel.”

In its 18 years, the Scholarship Gala has raised more than $2 million for student scholarships.