ROCHESTER — During a special ceremony that will be held this month, St. Bonaventure University will honor Father Laurence Tracy and two other local leaders with its Gaudete Medal for contributions to the Rochester community.
The medal honors business and community leaders who exemplify the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi and inspire, encourage and enlighten others through their personal and professional lives, according to a university press release. Gaudete means "rejoice" in Latin.
The April 24 ceremony at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center will honor:
* Father Tracy, who has provided 40 years of service and support to the city’s Latino community and advocated for social justice, peace, racial equality and workers’ rights for all people. He is one of the founders of the Rochester City School District’s bilingual council.
* Former Monroe County Court Judge Patricia Marks, who retired in 2011 and subsequently served as interim president and chief executive officer of the Veterans Outreach Center, where she continues as a board member and chairwoman of its development committee. She received the state Senate’s "Woman of Distinction" award in 2012.
* Ronald Salluzzo, a St. Bonaventure alumnus, who is a partner in the Higher Education and Academic Medical Centers markets of Attain LLC. He also is a board member with Stevens Institute of Technology, the Eastman School of Music and St. Ann’s Community Foundation and a former university trustee.
For more information on the Gaudete event, contact Anne Goergen at agoergen@sbu.edu or 716-375-4085.