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July 14, 2020
Cristo Rey Network Presents Spirit of Cristo Rey Award to W. Nicholas Howley
Originally published on the Cristo Rey Network website
Today, the Cristo Rey Network announced that the organization recently presented The Spirit of Cristo Rey Award to W. Nicholas Howley in recognition of his extraordinary commitment to the mission and success of the Cristo Rey Network.
Nick’s partnership with the Cristo Rey movement spans 15 years and began at St. Martin de Porres in Cleveland, where he serves as Board member and former Chair. His leadership expanded nationally in 2013 when he began his service on the Cristo Rey Network Board of Directors. Most recently, he served as Chair from 2016-2020.
“The Board wants to publicly acknowledge the leadership, business acumen, and remarkable philanthropic generosity demonstrated by Nick over these years,” said Cristo Rey Network Chair Emeritus and Chief Mission Officer John P. Foley, S.J.
Through The Howley Foundation, Nick and his family have generously supported transformative Network-wide initiatives to increase student retention, academic achievement, and college access.
“I am proud to have had the opportunity to work with and support Cristo Rey for the last 15 years,” remarked Nick. “By providing a unique mix of affordable, high quality college preparatory education, a work study learning experience and a focus on overall character formation, Cristo Rey has been at the forefront in helping support economically disadvantaged students across the country. By continuing to meet this important mission, I am confident Cristo Rey will play a critical role in helping address the issues of equality and social mobility for many years to come. I am grateful for the opportunity to be involved.”
Nick becomes only the seventh individual in more than two decades to have been awarded The Spirit of Cristo Rey.
“Thanks to Nick’s talent and selfless commitment, the Cristo Rey Network continues to grow and thrive on the national educational stage,” remarked Cristo Rey Network President and CEO Elizabeth Goettl.
Read more about Nick and The Howley Foundation’s philanthropy profiled in Philanthropy Roundtable’s recent article, “Strengthening Catholic Schools.”