St. John's graduates are leaders in every field, from medicine and education to religious life, sports, business, technology, the military and many more. We are proud to recognize our distinguished alumni with an award presented annually to a graduate whose life personifies the spirit and values St. John's seeks to instill in students. St. John's established the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1993 to honor individuals who demonstrate a commitment to faith, family and service; who have achieved professional success; and who have made significant contributions to society as volunteers, mentors or benefactors. We proudly list the recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award by the year in which they were honored:

• 2025: David Hennessey '83 P'16, St. John's Prep Teacher and Coach (Watch Video)
• 2024: Mike Massaro '96 P'23 '25 '28, CEO of Flywire (Watch Video)
• 2023: Mike Niconchuk '07, Program Director for Trauma & Violent Conflict (TVC) at Beyond Conflict (Watch Video)
• 2022: Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Needham '60*, retired U.S. Army General (Watch Video)
• 2021: Art W. Coviello '71, Technology Investor and Advisor; Former CEO of RSA Security 
• 2020: Paul F. Niehaus, Ph.D. '00, Co-Founder of GiveDirectly and Segovia; Associate Professor at University of California in San Diego
• 2019: Thomas J. DeSimone '68, Executive Vice President and Member of the Executive Committee, WS Development (Watch Video)
• 2018: John Peter Frates III '03*, ALS Activist (Watch Video)
• 2017: Bishop Robert Reed '77, Auxiliary Bishop of Boston and President/CEO of the CatholicTV Network
• 2016: Mike Kennealy '86, Secretary of Housing and Economic Development for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
• 2015: John A. Driscoll '90*, Educator (Watch Video)
• 2014: David E. Monahan, MD '62, Physician, Chula Vista, California
• 2013: Bill O'Brien '88, Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach, University of Alabama
• 2012: Thomas W. Haas '74, Pilot, Flight Instructor, Trustee of Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
• 2011: Jude A. Curtis '77, Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, LLP
• 2010: John L. Dunlop '84, Program Officer, United States Agency for International Development
• 2009: Samuel T. Byrne '83, Managing Partner and Co-Founder, CrossHarbor Capital Partners
• 2008: The Rev. Gerard Dorgan '50*, Pastor, St. Mary of the Annunciation Church in Danvers
• 2007: Peter R. Dolan '74, Board Chairman Tufts University, Allied Minds PLC, ChildObesity180
• 2006: The Rev. Leo B. Shea, M.M. '56, Director of Development, Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers
• 2005: The Rev. James J. Ronan '62, Pastor of Saint Catherine of Siena and Saint Mary's Parishes, Charlestown, Massachusetts. Founder, Rostro de Cristo, Duran, Ecuador
• 2004: John C. Archer '68, President and CEO, Archer Insurance Agency, Inc.
• 2003: David W. Ives '75, Vice Chairman and CEO, Northshore International Insurance Services, Inc.
• 2002: Richard Iorio, MD '77, Chief, Adult Reconstruction and Total Joint Arthroplasty Service, Brigham and Women's Hospital
• 2001: James M. Sears '81, Attorney, Sears & Sears
• 2000: Joseph R. Levis '60, Chief Executive Officer, Crusader Paper Company
• 1999: James C. Zampell '71, President, Zampell Companies
• 1998: John J. Studzinski '74, Managing Director and Vice Chairman, Pimco
• 1997: David B. Perini '55, Retired Commissioner, Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management
• 1996: Brother James M. Boyle, C.F.X. '48*, Retired Superior General, Xaverian Brothers
• 1995: Joseph A. Milano '62, President, Union Oyster House and Honorary Consul General Thailand
• 1994: Paul L. Hennessey '52*, Retired Partner, Boston Partners Asset Management
• 1993: Thomas M. Leonard '54*, President, Essex National Heritage Commission

*Denotes deceased