The Ignatian Spirit Award honours a person who has made an invaluable contribution to their community and who truly demonstrates what it means to be a “Man or Women for Others.” The individual embraces the ideals of St Ignatius Loyola and reflects the characteristics and qualities inherent in a Jesuit education at St. Bonaventure’s College. The Ignatian Spirit Award is presented at our annual Ignatian Spirit Award Tribute Dinner.
Below are the past recipients of the Ignatian Spirit Award.
2016 Recipient – Mr. Gary Walsh ’66
Born and raised in St. John’s, Mr. Walsh is a Jesuit educated, award winning professional architect. A proud Alumnus of St. Bonaventure’s College, he completed his studies in 1966. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Memorial University, a Bachelor of Environmental Design Studies from Dalhousie University and a Bachelor of Architecture from Dalhousie University (formerly Nova Scotia Technical College). He has also studied architecture at the University of Kyoto (Japan). While attending Memorial, Mr. Walsh was inducted into the Athletic Honour Society with Distinction.
Mr. Walsh has had a distinguished record of volunteer service in the community with the Architects Association, Quidi Vidi Rennies River Foundation, Crow’s Nest Officers’ Club, St. John’s Board of Trade and Swiler’s Rugby Club. He was named the 2013 St. Bonaventure’s College Volunteer of the Year for his extraordinary service to his alma mater with the facilities and alumni committees and the Ignatius Society. In 2014, he helped establish the “Fallen 51 Dinner”, an annual event which honours deceased St. Bon’s Alumni who died in World War I. Funds from this dinner support our Bursary Program.
2015 Recipient – Dr. Michael Bautista
Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and raised in St. John’s, Dr. Michael Bautista is a Jesuit educated, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at Memorial University. He completed his Bachelor of Science degree, Medical Doctorate and Residency in Anaesthesia through Memorial University. Dr. Bautista is currently an Associate Professorand Residency Programme Director for the Discipline of Anaesthesia in the Faculty of Medicine at Memorial University. In addition, he currently serves as the President of the Canadian Anaesthesiologists Society, Newfoundland Labrador Division.
Dr. Bautista is known through out the St. Bonaventure’s College community for his inspirational leadership in the establishment of St. Bon’s as an independent Catholic school in the Jesuit tradition. He also served as the founding Chairman of the Board of Directors/Governors from the school’s reestablishment until 2011. Dr. Bautista continues to be an active participant in the St. Bonaventure’s College community by serving on both the Ignatius Society and Endowment Fund committees.
Dr. Bautista has also contributed to other areas of his community. From 1996-2005 he served on the Board of Directors of Cygnus Gymnastic Club, the oldest and largest gymnastics facility in the province. He served as President for the last three. He is also an active member of the St. Pius X Parish. He currently is a member of the St. Pius X Parish Council, and is a Sunday School instructor, helping to prepare children for Confirmation.
2015 Recipient – Dr. Andrew Furey
Born and raised in St. John’s, Dr. Andrew Furey is a Jesuit educated Assistant Professor of Surgery at Memorial University where he completed his Bachelor of Science degree, Medical Doctorate, Masters of Clinical Epidemiology, and Orthopedic Surgical Residency. Dr. Furey completed a Fellowship in Orthopedic Trauma at R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland before returning to Newfoundland to practice medicine.
He is the President of the Newfoundland Orthopedic Association and Director of Research for the Orthopedic Resident Training Program at the Memorial Medical School. He sits on multiple National Committees for the Canadian Orthopedic Association.
Dr. Furey is the Co-Founder and President of Team Broken Earth and has completed ight volunteer medical missions to Port au Prince, Haiti since the earthquake in January 2010. He is the Director of Orthopedic Surgery at the Bernard Mevs Hospital in downtown Port au Prince and a member of the Board of Directors for Project Medishare-Haiti. He is an active member of his community, helping to initiate and organize the Tri for Health, a triathlon to raise funds in support of mental health and co-chair of the Jack Hand Foundation. He is the recent recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and was named Memorial University of Newfoundland’s Alumnus of the Year for 2012. He lives in St. Philips with his wife, Dr. Allison Furey and his three children, Maggie, Rachael and Mark.
