Congratulations to Sister Remigia Kushner who recently was recognized as a “Lighting the Fire for Catholic Education” honoree at the Catholic School Administrators Association of New York State’s (CSAANYS) Gala and Annual Gathering in Latham, N.Y.
Sister Remigia is department chairperson, director of the graduate program in educational leadership that includes the Catholic School Administrator Program (CSAP) and professor of education at Manhattan College, a Catholic college in the Lasallian tradition. Prior to her 30-year ministry at the college, she served in the Archdiocese of New York as district superintendent of schools and associate superintendent of schools. Sister Remigia also was a high school teacher and administrator at schools in the Dioceses of Pittsburgh and Greensburg.
“I am deeply honored by this recognition. To be included among such inspiring advocates for Catholic education is truly humbling,” she says. While she and her colleagues received the Lighting the Fire award, Sister Remigia believes that “the participants, the Catholic school educators, and those who complete the educational leadership programs are the ones who keep the flame burning!”
Sister Remigia was among seven honorees that included Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan and two Sisters of St. Joseph from Congregations in New York: Sister Ellen Rose Coughlin (Watertown), superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Ogdensburg, and Sister Carol Cimino (Rochester), former executive director of CSAANYS and an adjunct professor in the educational leadership program at Manhattan College.
Carol Hayes, executive director of CSAANYS, said this year’s honorees reflect the significance of the organization’s 50th anniversary, which was celebrated at the gala in November.
“The award honors those that have dedicated their careers to the support of Catholic education in (New York State),” Hayes said. “Each year Catholic leaders are chosen based on recommendations from their colleagues for the award. This year the CSAANYS (executive board) made the choices in light of the 50th anniversary to honor those that have had significant and long-standing support for Catholic schools.”