The Spire

Owen Whaley ‘24

Chief News Editor

The Archdiocese of New York honored President Vincent D. Rougeau at the Annual Venerable Pierre Toussaint Awards Dinner in Manhattan on Nov. 6. First established in 1978, the Pierre Toussaint Medallion celebrates leaders distinguished in the realms of education, social justice, and spirituality. Past recipients include Holy Cross’ 28th president, Father John Brooks, S.J.; U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Suzan Johnson Cook; neurosurgeon Ben Carson; Olympic gold medalist Dominique Dawes; and, posthumously, Nobel and Pulitzer Prize-winning writer and educator Toni Morrison and jazz musician Mary Lou Williams.

“Calling this recognition an honor is an understatement,” Rougeau posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, on Nov. 13. “I was and am deeply moved and inspired by this evening and look forward to our continued work to advance education and justice.”

This year, the event’s theme revolved around celebrating diversity in leadership. “Diversity is the way the world is,” Rougeau said in his acceptance speech. “It’s the way the world should be. And so we need to embrace it.”

The annual dinner raises funds for the Pierre Toussaint Scholarship Program, which covers tuition and educational expenses for underprivileged college students, and a secondary school serving over 200 students in Sassier, Haiti.

Venerable Pierre Toussaint (1766-1853) was a Haitian-born enslaved individual who gained freedom and became a prominent philanthropist in nineteenth-century New York. Known for his devout Catholic faith and compassion, Toussaint worked to uplift communities of color and the poor. His legacy endures as a symbol of resilience and generosity, and he is on the path to sainthood in the Catholic Church.

Toussaint is also remembered for his extraordinary work ethic. Asked in old age whether he had plans to retire, Toussaint famously replied, “I have enough for myself, but if I stop working I have not enough for others.”