2024 Recipients
Pat and Linda Kerrigan
Described as “faithful, generous, and kind,” Pat and Linda Kerrigan have spent their lives practicing the Franciscan values of hospitality and peacemaking. Whether it be inviting old or new friends/acquaintances to their house for dinner to share a meal, serving as mentors for local youth, or hosting international guests for a few days, weeks, or even years, the door to the Kerrigan home is always open to anyone needing a place to feel included and welcomed.
Their passion for all things international began with a joint Peace Corps assignment teaching English in South Korea as newlyweds, and since then they have embraced learning from and forming friendships with people of other diverse backgrounds and cultures.
The couple also has invested themselves in community service. In the past, Pat and Linda have served on the La Crescent Applefest Board, parochial and public school boards, and have participated in Catholic parish ministry and FSPA homeless initiatives. Pat has been a board member of Family and Children’s Center, La Crosse Mental Health Coalition, Riverfront, United Way, and Marywood Spirituality Center. Additionally, he was a charter member and served as president of La Crescent Rotary and received the Paul Harris Fellow Award. Linda has volunteered at the Franciscan Spirituality Center, La Crosse Jail Ministry, and La Crosse Area Restorative Justice Program. Currently, they volunteer with La Crescent Neighbors in Action and Salvation Army.
The Kerrigans have provided financial support to Franciscan Spirituality Centers, as well as the FSPA Peace Garden, scholarships, and other initiatives at Viterbo University, Pat’s longtime former employer.
View Pat and Linda Kerrigan video presentation
Steve Tanke
La Crosse has been incredibly good to Steve Tanke and his wife, Suzanne, and it has been his pleasure to give back to the community in return. A long list of area charitable and civic organizations has benefitted from his leadership, volunteerism, and financial support.
Tanke has been a driver for Mobile Meals for more than 25 years, helps with the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign by delivering kettles to various sites, and has been a member of numerous ad hoc committees. He is a past board President of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, the La Crosse Family YMCA (now a trustee), and the American Red Cross. He was also a board member with Coulee Recovery, La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce, Aquinas Schools Foundation, Franciscan Spirituality Center, La Crosse Downtown Rotary, and was the inaugural co-chair of the La Crosse Mental Health Coalition. Tanke has served in various capacities with his church and on numerous community committees.
The Tankes have provided financial support to the YMCA, Salvation Army, Boys & Girls Clubs, Coulee Recovery, La Crosse Community Foundation, various other area nonprofit organizations, and their church.
Community service and giving back is an extension of Tanke’s faith. The former owner of Klein Insurance Group and Mid-City Steel, he finds being involved and solving problems to be very rewarding.
View Steve Tanke video presentation
Jim Bagniewski
Longtime School District of La Crosse and Viterbo University educator and administrator Jim Bagniewski believes people are meant to help each other, and he strives to make a difference in the lives of others through a wide variety of community service. Bagniewski has been the chair of Bluffside Neighborhood Association for the past ten years and also serves on the Mayor’s Neighborhood Revitalization Commission, the All Neighborhood Association, and as the Mobile Meals Board secretary. He was recently elected to the La Crosse School Board.
A member and Chair of the Roncalli Newman Catholic Church Parish Council for many years, Bagniewski has helped host the Welcome Back Sunday Picnic for students, Holy Thursday Dinner, the annual Thanksgiving potluck, and other social events. He is a past member of the boards of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse, Parenting Place, FSPA’s Justice & Peace, the La Crosse Public Education Foundation, and La Crosse Nonprofits Incorporated.
For his extensive volunteer work with theExchange La Crosse Area Furniture Bank, Bagniewski received a WXOW Jefferson Award in 2021. He has also been involved with the community gardens, spent time working for Habitat for Humanity, and served as a substitute math teacher for the La Crosse School District.
Internationally, Bagniewski collects books for the organizations of Books for Africa & Africa Strong, and has made two trips to Uganda. He and his wife, Carolyn, hosted two students from Luxembourg this past year. “I just like to help out where I can,” he said.
View Jim Bagniewski video presentation
Dick and Tony Bennett
Famed father and son college basketball coaches Dick Bennett and Tony Bennett have based their coaching philosophy on the Biblical tenets of humility, passion, unity, servanthood, and thankfulness. These “five pillars,” as created and practiced by Dick and continued by Tony, and their devout faith in Jesus Christ have been at the center of their ministry as coaches. The principles have led to great team success on the basketball court, but more importantly in shaping the lives of the young men they’ve had the privilege to coach.
Dick Bennett began his college coaching career at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He then coached the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Phoenix from 1985–1995, leading the team to two regular season conference titles, three conference tournament championships, and three NCAA tournament appearances. Coaching the University of Wisconsin from 1995–2001, the Badgers made four NCAA tournaments and advanced to the Final Four. He finished his coaching career at Washington State University, retiring in 2006.
Tony Bennett was a standout player for his father at UW-Green Bay and was selected by the Charlotte Hornets in the 1992 NBA draft. He spent three seasons with the team before a foot injury ended his NBA career. Later succeeding his father as the head coach of the Washington State Cougars, Tony’s team twice tied the record for wins in a season with 26. Today, he is the head coach at the University of Virginia. Foremost among his many achievements and accolades, Tony led the Cavaliers to the 2019 NCAA National Championship. He has twice been named AP National College Coach of the Year.