In this 175th anniversary year, we celebrate the outsized impact made by generations of Holy Cross alumni on their communities and the world. From the day our doors first opened to students, Holy Cross has devoted itself to transforming lives in the hope of transforming the world.
Holy Cross Difference Makers can be found in every field of work. They are volunteers, parents, coaches, teachers, CEOs, humanitarians, artists, politicians, scientists, activists, veterans and much more. Celebrate our 175th anniversary and join us as we raise funds to prepare today’s students for lives of impact!
On January 25 at 6 a.m. – January 26, at 11:59 p.m., join us in celebrating 175 years of Holy Cross Difference Makers.
- GIVE to help prepare today’s students for lives of impact.
- SHARE and invite your friends to give.
- PARTICIPATE in our Hashtag Mosaic.
Send us an inspiring story of a Holy Cross Difference Maker you know: DifferenceMakers@holycross.edu
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Most Rev. James Healy 1849
First valedictorian of Holy Cross and first priest, then bishop, of African descent ordained in the United States. -
Joseph Murray, M.D. 1940
1990 co-recipient of the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine for the first successful kidney transplant. -
Edward Bennett Williams 1941
A celebrated trial lawyer known for his tenacity and brilliance, Williams was “the man to see” in Washington D.C., representing clients like The Washington Post, Frank Sinatra and Jimmy Hoffa, among others. -
Michael Harrington 1947
Socialist historian and author of “The Other America,” which is believed to have inspired Lyndon Johnson's Great Society social programs. -
Rev. John Brooks, S.J. 1949
The longest-serving president of Holy Cross, credited with recruiting a more diverse student body, establishing coeducation, among many contributions to the development of Holy Cross. -
Bob Cousy 1950
One of the greatest passers and playmakers in NBA history, playing point guard for the Boston Celtics from 1950 to 1963, and a leader on and off the hardwood. -
Philip Berrigan 1950
Peace activist, author and founder — with his brother, Rev. Daniel Berrigan, S.J. — of the Plowshares Movement protesting weapons of war; spent 11 years in jail for civil disobedience. -
James David Power III 1953
Pioneer in consumer research and information, and founder of J.D. Power and Associates, the American-based global marketing information services company. -
Capt. Joseph Kerwin, M.D. USN (ret.) 1953
The first medical doctor to serve as an astronaut, exploring the physiological effects of space on humans as Science Pilot for the Skylab 2 mission in 1973. -
Capt. Thomas Kelley, USN (ret.) 1960
1970 Recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Vietnam War, putting the protection and medical attention of his men ahead of his own after a rocket-propelled grenade explosion. -
Anthony Fauci, M.D. 1962
Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health, and leader in HIV/AIDS research. -
Billy Collins 1963
U.S. Poet Laureate from 2001 to 2003, member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and hailed as the most popular poet in America. -
Chris Matthews 1967
An American political commentator, talk show host, and author known for his nightly hour-long talk show, “Hardball with Chris Matthews,” on MSNBC. -
Justice Clarence Thomas 1971
Associate justice of the Supreme Court and the longest-serving of the current members of the Court. -
Edward P. Jones 1972
Author who was recognized with the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for his book "The Known World;" recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship in 2004. -
Theodore Wells Jr. 1972
Rated by The National Law Journal as one of America's top white-collar defense attorneys, and renowned for his impact on social, political and community affairs. -
Maggie Wilderotter 1977
A leader of Fortune 500 companies and startups and repeatedly named by Fortune magazine as one of the “50 Most Powerful Women in Business.” -
Ann Dowd 1978
Emmy-award winning actress whose credits include "The Handmaid’s Tale," "The Leftovers," "Compliance" and "Marley & Me." -
Hon. Harry K. Thomas Jr. 1978
Former U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe, The Philippines, and Bangladesh known and recognized for his leadership and mentorship. -
Douglas Baker Jr. 1981
Chairman and CEO of Ecolab, Inc. listed among “The World’s Best-Performing CEOs” by Harvard Business Review and “Responsible CEO of the Year” by Corporate Responsibility Magazine. -
Bartlett Sher 1981
Tony award-winning director described by the New York Times as "one of the most original and exciting directors, not only in the American theater but also in the international world of opera." -
Mark Shriver 1986
President of Save the Children Action Network and former member of Maryland legislature, and an advocate for social justice and the right of every child to a safe and vibrant childhood. -
James Collins Jr. 1987
A pioneering researcher in systems biology and one of the founders of synthetic biology, and a fundamental contributor in both fields, including developing diagnostics for Zika and Ebola. -
Helen Slottje 1989
An attorney who has helped organize bans against fracking in dozens of New York communities, and was recognized as the 2014 North American recipient of the the Goldman Environmental Prize. -
María Eugenia Ferré Rangel 1989
Chief Communications Officer of Grupo Ferré Rangel, a media, real estate and social engagement company in Puerto Rico, which provided critical resources to Puerto Ricans following Hurricane Maria. -
Rear Adm. Nancy S. Lacore, USN 1990
The first alumna to achieve the rank of Rear Admiral, currently director of the Maritime Partnership Program, U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, as well as vice commander, U.S. 6th Fleet. -
Joanna Geraghty 1994
President and chief operating officer of JetBlue Airways Corp., the highest ranking woman at a U.S. airline according to Bloomberg. -
Dave Holmes 1994
Writer, producer and television personality, editor-at-large for Esquire magazine and host of a number of podcasts, including "Homophilia" and "International Waters." -
Lisa Taylor 1996
Attorney advisor at the Office of Civil Rights in the U.S. Department of Justice, Taylor is an expert in the areas of Civil Rights, Education, and Diversity & Inclusion. -
Rusmir Musić 2001
Originally from Bosnia-Herzegovina, and an adviser in sustainability in renewable energy, energy efficiency, urban transport and green buildings to IFC, an arm of the World Bank Group. -
Philip Dardeno II 2002
Co-chair and co-founder of the Holy Cross LGBTQ Alumni Network and associate director of the University Service Center at Boston University where he counsels undergraduate students. -
Jonathan Favreau 2003
An American political commentator, the former director of speechwriting for President Barack Obama, podcast host, and co-founder of the media company Crooked Media. -
Gerald Dickinson 2009
Assistant professor of law at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, and founder of the Reed Smith LLP Housing Rights Project, a pro bono initiative advocating on behalf of indigent tenants. -
Mary Iafelice 2011
Co-founder of Humble Ventures, a venture capital firm which focuses on funding women, minority and military veteran entrepreneurs. -
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