La Salle College High School in Wyndmoor announced that Kathy and Ward Fitzgerald, Class of 1981, have been named recipients of this year’s Saint Charles Borromeo Award, an annual honor which recognizes those who lead lives of deeply impactful service to others with humility.
Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, D.D., Archbishop of Philadelphia, will present the award to the Fitzgeralds on March 19, 2025, during a gala at the Crystal Tea Room in Philadelphia.
“The Seminary is proud to honor Kathy and Ward Fitzgerald for their efforts in the local community, the Catholic community and beyond, setting an example of servant leadership for others to follow,” said Most Reverend Keith J. Chylinski, Rector of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary and Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia. “Like Saint Charles Borromeo, who lived a life of service and humility, the Fitzgeralds share their many talents and unwavering generosity for the betterment of our local and global community.”
“Kathy and I are humbled to serve the Church and Archdiocese,” said Mr. Fitzgerald.
“Philadelphia is among the centers of the Catholic Church, holding the Providence as the only US city to be home to two saints – Saint Katharine Drexel and Saint John Neumann,” Mrs. Fitzgerald said. “We are blessed to be vessels of the Church to help Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary continue its mission of helping men called to be witnesses in the ministry of Jesus Christ to fortify their journey.”
According to school officials, Mr. Fitzgerald is the CEO and Senior Managing Principal of EQT Exeter, a global leader in real estate investment management with over 50 offices around the world. Prior to founding Exeter, Mr. Fitzgerald was part of the senior management team at Rouse/Liberty Property Trust, a publicly traded office and industrial REIT, which he helped take public in 1994.
He was inducted into the La Salle College High School Alumni Hall of Fame in 2018 for his leadership in the global real estate sector and was recently appointed to a five-year term as an Emeritus Trustee.
Mrs. Fitzgerald is a talented artisan and visionary creator. Her most recent projects include the St. Denis Adoration Chapel (Havertown) and the welcoming vestibule at the Inn of Amazing Mercy (Kensington).
In 2016, the Fitzgeralds were recognized with Papal Knighthood for their previous support of the Catholic Church during the World Meeting of Families with Pope Francis in Philadelphia.
About Saint Charles Seminary
Founded in 1832, Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary has been forming men for priestly service in the Catholic Church for more than 191 years. With a current enrollment of 143 seminarians, Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary is one of the largest seminaries in the country. In this very historic year, the seminary is preparing to relocate to Lower Gwynedd Township. Its new campus includes the construction of several new chapels, a college seminary dorm building, and a student life center which will consist of a refectory, classrooms, library, and administrative offices. Its inauguration is scheduled for August 2024. For more information on Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, call 610-667-3394 or visit www.scs.edu, Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, Instagram or YouTube.
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Photo: LSCHS