Alumni Awards

Donald E. Houseknecht ’10 

The Leo Award 

Donnie Houseknecht, a 2010 summa cum laude graduate of King’s College in accounting and business administration, is honored with The Leo Award for his outstanding achievements. As a Senior Manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) in New York City, Donnie excels in operational efficiency, strategy, and anti-money laundering initiatives, leading major projects across the globe. 

Beyond his professional success, Donnie is a dedicated mentor to King’s College students, offering guidance and organizing PwC Challenge competitions. His commitment to community service is evident through his work with Best Buddies International and the Special Olympics, supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

Donnie’s journey reflects the energy, pride, and sense of purpose celebrated by The Leo Award, making him a deserving recipient. 

John M. Williams ’67 (Posthumously) 

Alumni Award for Service to Society 

John M. Williams, a 1967 King’s College graduate, was a tireless advocate for people with disabilities. As Director of Communications for the American Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities, John’s work was instrumental in shaping national policies and advancing the rights of those with disabilities. He coined the term "assistive technology" in 1982 and consulted with over 20 manufacturers to bring innovative solutions to the global disabled community.  

A prolific journalist, John authored over 1,600 articles, using his platform to raise awareness and champion the cause of those often unheard. Despite personal struggles with stuttering and Parkinson’s Disease, John’s advocacy never wavered. His life and career earned him numerous awards and left a lasting impact on society. John’s legacy is one of compassion, innovation, and unwavering commitment to justice and equality.  

In Memoriam 

John passed away, leaving behind a legacy celebrated with the King’s College Alumni Award for Service to Society. His life’s work continues to inspire and make the world a better place. John could not have lived his life so fully or accomplished so much without the unending love, support and encouragement of his wife Lisa, and his children, Sean, Faith and Brandon. 

Raymond Gerard Zavada ’78 
The Robert J. Ell Alumni Award for Outstanding Service to Alma Mater 

Raymond Gerard Zavada, a 1978 graduate of King’s College with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, is honored with the Robert J. Ell Alumni Award for Outstanding Service to Alma Mater. Ray's 45-year career in public accounting, including his leadership at Zavada & Associates, reflects his dedication to creating opportunities for King’s College students by annually hiring interns and offering them full-time positions. 

Ray's commitment extends beyond his professional life. As an active alumni volunteer, he has served as chairman of the King’s Phonathon and regularly returns to guest lecture, inspiring future accountants. His dedication to Catholic education and community service is evident through his involvement with local schools and his church. 

A lifelong resident of Kingston, PA, Ray and his wife Corinne, married for 43 years, have raised three daughters and enjoy time with their grandchildren. Ray’s unwavering commitment to King’s College and his community makes him a deserving recipient of this award. 

Rev. Dr. Paul V. McCullough III, LTC (USA Retired) ’98 

Alumni Award for Service to Society

Rev. Dr. Paul V. McCullough III, a 1998 graduate of King’s College with a bachelor’s and master's degree in management information systems, embodies the spirit of service honored by the King’s College Alumni Award for Service to Society. A retired Lieutenant Colonel, Paul has served both his country and community with distinction. His roles included Commander of the Defense Logistics Agency Support Team in Kuwait and Deputy Director of Supplier Operations. Transitioning to civilian life, he continued his dedication through initiatives like Operation 500 with the American Bible Society, supporting veterans and military families. 

As President of the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the Association of the United States Army, Executive Pastor at Calvary Church, and an Adjunct Professor at Drexel University, Paul’s leadership extends across various fields. He has also been instrumental in aiding homeless female veterans through his work with HAVEN. His radio program, "Serving Our Nation," has further inspired many to embrace servant leadership. 

Rev. Dr. McCullough’s life is a testament to compassion, faith, and community service. Alongside his wife Heather and their two children, he remains a pillar of support and inspiration. 

Thomas Haffey, D.O. ’73 

Alumni Award for Outstanding Professional Achievement in Arts & Sciences 

Thomas Haffey, D.O., a 1973 graduate of King’s College with a degree in Biology, is being honored with the Alumni Award for Outstanding Professional Achievement in Arts and Sciences. Dr. Haffey has built an extraordinary career in cardiology, earning multiple fellowships, including those with the American College of Cardiology (FACC), the American Osteopathic College of Internists (FACOI), and the American Heart Association (FAHA). 

Throughout his career he has held key leadership roles, including Chief of Staff at North Suburban Medical Center, and serves as a Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine at two esteemed universities. Dr. Haffey’s dedication to research and medical education has left a lasting impact on the field.  

Currently residing in Westminster, Colorado, with his wife, Marilyn, and their two children, Marie and Thomas Jr., Dr. Haffey credits his family and faith as the guiding forces behind his personal and professional life, embodying the values that King’s College celebrates. 

Jessica Kuc Shappell ’13  

The Leo Award

After earning a bachelor’s degree in professional writing from King’s in 2013 and a master’s degree in English from Farleigh Dickinson University in 2015, Jesse worked at the Miller-Keystone Blood Center in Bethlehem for two years as a grant writer and development coordinator. Afterwards, she spent two years at Habitat for Humanity Lehigh Valley, eventually becoming its Director of Marketing and Development. Her success in doubling participation for the annual ‘She Nailed It!’ fundraising competition earned it the 2019 AFP Eastern PA National Philanthropy Day Special Project of the Year. She then served as the Executive Director of ITNLehighValley, where she led a team of administrative staff, drivers, and volunteers to provide safe and affordable transportation to seniors and visually impaired individuals, including a mobile COVID-19 vaccination initiative for homebound adults.  

Jessie is currently the Executive Director of Equi-librium Inc., which provides accessible and affordable Equine Assisted Activity & Therapy (EAST) to individuals with physical and developmental disabilities or special social and emotional needs. Equi-librium is one of only seven Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International accredited centers in Pennsylvania and the only one to offer both therapeutic horseback writing and carriage driving. Jessie is also an active volunteer with Hellertown Lower Saucon Little League, Saucon Valley Elementary School, and Kiwanis Club of Easton. 

Rachel Edelman '11

Alumni Award for Outstanding Professional Achievement in Arts & Sciences  

Rachel graduated from King’s College in 2011 with degrees in Elementary Education and Spanish, as well as an additional certification in English as a Second Language. After graduation, Rachel moved to Boston to complete a two-year service and teaching program through AmeriCorps and Mother Caroline Academy, where she taught fifth grade at an all-girls school. Rachel then transitioned to the Jesuit-sponsored Nativity Preparatory School where she taught its inaugural fourth-grade class. During her time in Boston, Rachel also began the Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program at the University of Notre Dame to pursue a master’s in educational leadership. After graduating from Notre Dame, Rachel moved to Indianapolis to begin working with the Notre Dame Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE).  

After the University and the Archdiocese of Indianapolis formed a partnership to revitalize five Catholic elementary schools in the city, Rachel served for six years as the Regional Director of School Culture in Indianapolis. Rachel now serves as the Coordinator of School Culture Formation on the national team of the Notre Dame ACE Academies, collaborating with the principals of several schools to nurture Catholic identity and fortify academics with the resources available through the ACE program. She is also an academic supervisor for the ACE Teaching Fellows Program, where she supports first and second year teachers around the country. For the past four years, Rachel has also taught in the Remick Leadership Program, becoming the lead instructor for two courses. 

Theresa Covert Walker, C.P.A. '88

Alumni Award for Outstanding Professional Achievement in Business

Theresa was recruited by PricewaterhouseCoopers after graduating from King’s College in 1988 with a degree in accounting and finance. Five years later, Theresa joined Schering-Plough, where she worked for 16 years in various finance roles related to manufacturing, research, and strategic planning, as well as foreign assignments in Canada and France. She ultimately rose to Assistant Treasurer, and was responsible for global cash management, capital markets, and cash flow forecasting. She also managed debt and equity offerings to finance the $16 billion acquisition of Organon Biosciences.  

After the 2009 Merck/Schering-Plough merger, Theresa became Executive Director of Finance within Merck’s Manufacturing Division. She managed $2 billion in capital spending and $1 billion more in the company’s global supply chain, quality, and engineering divisions. Theresa later assumed the role of Vice President of Business Development and was responsible for identifying new opportunities to grow Merck’s business in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Russia, and Asia. Global teams led by Theresa secured a multi-year oncology deal in Japan, numerous promotion and distribution deals throughout Europe, and several successful transactions involving women's health and primary care products, among other accomplishments. Theresa is currently Vice President at Plexus Ventures LLC, a global consulting firm specializing in business development support for the pharmaceutical and biotech industry. 

Rubin Doster III ’04 and April Tanner Doster

Alumni Award for Service to Society

Rubin, a gifted defensive tackle who was a three-time All-MAC selection, graduated from King’s with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. April graduated with a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience and psychology from King’s and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Penn State. Rubin and April met as first-year students at King’s College and married shortly after graduation. At the age of 24, when Rubin’s mother suddenly passed away, Rubin and April fostered and ultimately adopted four of Rubin’s nieces and nephews that were in his mother’s care. Later, in December 2016, they fostered three more young children who were escorted by the state police into the Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center where April works as an ER nurse. The children had just been rescued from an abusive household that left them dangerously starved, abused, and neglected, and a case worker was unable to find them a suitable home. Rubin and April later adopted all three children. 

James T. O’Hara, Esq. ’58

The Robert J. Ell Alumni Award for Outstanding Service to Alma Mater 

Born and raised in Hazleton, Pa., Jim was the first member of his family to go to college. Jim graduated from King’s in 1958 with a degree in accounting. He then went on to secure his LL.B. from Catholic University in 1962 and later his LL.M. in Taxation from Georgetown University in 1966, where he later served as an adjunct professor for 20 years. He ultimately joined Jones Day as a partner in 1972 and practiced business tax law there for 50 years. He has written several tax-related articles and coauthored a two-volume treatise on corporate taxation published by Shepard’s/McGraw Hill.  

Jim is also a dedicated member of the Jones Day Border Project, a pro bono initiative for migrant children and mothers, many of whom were detained by the U.S. government after fleeing life-threatening gang violence in their home countries. Jim has made numerous trips to the U.S.-Mexican border, assisted hundreds of refugees detained in Laredo, Texas, and provided critical legal counsel and representation for women and families seeking asylum and citizenship in the United States. Jim, along with Ray Kane ’50, helped form the King’s Washington Area Alumni Club (KWAC) in 2003, of which he is still an active member. KWAC conducts various social activities for its members, hosts annual conferences for students aspiring to start their careers in the area, and serves as a valuable resource for King’s fundraising campaigns. Jim now lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife of 60 years, Katie.