An evening of recognition, generosity and purpose brought the Marymount University community together for the 2026 Halo Awards Ceremony on April 9 at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C.
Now in its fifth year, the signature event honored distinguished alumni and community leaders whose lives and work reflect Marymount’s mission of service and excellence, all while raising critical support for the University’s Stay on Track Student Scholarship. Over 290 guests attended the Halo Awards, helping raise $460,000—a 56 percent increase over last year.
“Tonight, we come together to celebrate excellence, service and the power of community,” said Marymount University President Irma Becerra. “Your generosity strengthens Marymount’s Stay on Track Student Scholarship, helping our Saints overcome unexpected financial challenges and continue their education. Many of our students balance coursework with jobs, family responsibilities and financial pressures. When an unforeseen expense appears, whether it’s a medical bill, housing issue or loss of income, it can place their entire academic journey at risk. That is where you come in. Your generosity provides immediate, meaningful support, allowing students to continue their studies and move forward with confidence toward their goals.”
ABC7 News anchor Megan Clarke returned as host for the ceremony, which was chaired by distinguished alumna Susan Lacz ’83, CEO of Ridgewells Catering. The ceremony recognized three outstanding honorees for their professional achievements, leadership and service.
Michael J. Hershman received the Mother Gerard Phelan Gold Medal for his exemplary career in transparency, governance and global anti-corruption efforts. He began his career in military intelligence and government service, serving as an investigator for the Senate Watergate Committee. In 1983, he founded The Fairfax Group, an anti-corruption investigation and corporate compliance firm, and later co-founded Transparency International, the largest independent, not-for-profit coalition promoting transparency and accountability in business, government and civil society. He now serves as Chair of Marymount’s Board of Trustees.
“Marymount is a shining light among private colleges because of its focus on the individual student,” Hershman said. “That’s what attracted me to serve Marymount, and now as Chair of the Board, I have a responsibility to make sure the University upholds its principles despite the difficult conditions we are facing in higher education today.”
Courtney B. Spaeth, CEO of growth[period] and University trustee since 2014, was presented with the Saint of Service Award in recognition of her commitment to service and leadership. In addition to leading a global, multimillion-dollar consulting firm, she serves on several corporate and nonprofit boards, including the Greater Washington Board of Trade and the Trustees Council for Women at the University of Pennsylvania. She currently serves as Vice Chair of Marymount’s Board of Trustees.
“I think that service is something that hasn’t really been emphasized culturally in the last few years, but it matters,” Spaeth shared. “Helping each other matters, and making a difference matters. Any time that service can be recognized, it’s a tremendous accomplishment. I’m proud of it, and I’m proud of all the people at Marymount who give back every day.”
Elaine Levin ’89, president and CEO of POWERHOUSE, received the Distinguished Alumni Award for her accomplishments in the energy sector and her continued engagement with the University. With over 30 years of experience, she advises clients across the energy supply chain, including producers, refiners, marketers and end users. She has also taught hundreds of senior energy executives the principles of fuel and energy price risk management, most recently as instructor for POWERHOUSE’s practical fuel hedging class.
“I’m in a very male-dominated field – when I first started, there were many times I’d walk into a room and be the only woman,” Levin said. “I felt confident leading in that environment because of what I learned at Marymount. I’m so lucky that my path at Marymount led me to this career and that I’ve been able to do the University proud.”
In addition to this year’s honorees, Dr. Lisa Turissini, Professor of Education and former Director of Marymount’s School of Education, was recognized for receiving the Distinguished Faculty Halo Award, which was bestowed this past fall.
A highlight of the evening came from student speaker Miah Lopez, a senior Psychology major and member of the Women’s Swimming team, who shared how donor support has impacted her journey.
“The Stay on Track Student Scholarship helped me find my purpose when everything felt uncertain and gave me the strength to keep going when things felt impossible,” Lopez shared.
During her remarks, President Becerra also announced the creation of the Maggie Viniard Choate Endowed Nursing Scholarship, established in memory of the 2021 Marymount Nursing graduate and standout student-athlete on the Women’s Volleyball team. The scholarship will support future Nursing students as they pursue careers dedicated to caring for others.
