Meisch is SBU Alumus of the Year

St. Bonaventure University named John H. Meisch of Rushville, N.Y., the William P. "Stax" McCarthy Alumnus of the Year during the annual Alumni Reunion Weekend, held June 6-8 on the University's campus.

The award is named in memory of former annual fund and alumni director William "Stax" McCarthy, '72, and is presented to a St. Bonaventure graduate who offers continued service to the University and captures the spirit of St. Francis, St. Bonaventure and St. Clare.

Since earning his undergraduate degree at St. Bonaventure in 1958, Meisch has been an involved member of the St. Bonaventure University community. If there is a need on campus, Meisch has always been there to help - including Clare College, the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts dance and theater programs, and the Decades for Devereux campaign.

A principal sponsor of the University's annual Francis Week celebration, Meisch and his wife, Kay, have sponsored the Fr. Jerome Kelly Francis Week speaker for more than a decade. The Meisches are also frequent hosts for alumni and presidential events at their homes in California and Rushville.

Meisch completed his term on the National Alumni Association Board in 2007 but remains an active volunteer, including supporting the new NetCommunity initiative that will enable alumni to keep in touch with each other through an online network. He also is a member of the Seraphim Society and Devereux Society.

For several years he helped to organize and sponsor a brunch in the Los Angeles area, which was attended by St. Bonaventure staff members.

Meisch, who retired in 1991 from Ridge Lumber in Rochester, has served as parish council president, finance committee member and is an usher and lector at St. Mary's Church in Rushville. He has served on the Granger Homestead Board, the Sisters of Mercy Advancement Committee, and on the boards of Catholic Charities of the Finger Lakes and Nazareth schools. He has also assisted with fundraising for the Rushville Lions Club, the Thompson Hospital Cardiac Rehab Unit and the Sisters of Mercy.

In recognition of their service to their community, John and Kay Meisch have been selected to receive 2008 Sharing the Light Awards June 10 from Catholic Charities of the Finger Lakes.

Established in 1995, the Sharing the Light Award is given to people whose service contributes to the betterment of communities "and reflects God's healing light" to those in need of love, kindness, hope and understanding.

(Photo Courtesy of St. Bonaventure University)