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The recipients of the Josephinum’s 2024 Good Shepherd Award and 2024 Pope Leo XIII Award – the two highest honors it bestows annually – are The Most Reverend W. Shawn McKnight ’94, Bishop of Jefferson City, MO, and Mr. J. David Karam of Upper Arlington, OH, respectively.

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Bishop McKnight was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Wichita in 1994 after graduating from the Josephinum. Following completion of a doctorate from the Athenaeum of Saint Anselm in Rome, he returned to the Josephinum and for many years served in various teaching, formation, and administrative capacities. He was executive director of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat for Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations from 2010-2015. Upon completion of his term, he served briefly as a pastor in Wichita until his episcopal ordination and installation as Bishop of Jefferson City in 2018.

 

Throughout his priesthood and into his episcopacy, Bishop McKnight has maintained a strong connection to the Josephinum, most recently by accepting an invitation to join its Board of Trustees. “Bishop McKnight’s connectedness to the Josephinum, knowledge of the Church in the United States due to his work with the USCCB, and particular interest in the permanent diaconate have all been tremendous gifts to the Josephinum,” said Very Reverend Steven P. Beseau, Rector/President. “He brings insight and perspective to our national identity and to the continued efforts of the Josephinum Diaconate Institute. We are grateful for his strong commitment to our mission, which he exhibits most visibly by entrusting seminarians of Jefferson City to us for their formation.” 

 

Mr. David Karam is the Chief Executive Officer of the Sbarro restaurant chain. Before joining Sbarro, he served as president of Wendy’s International; president and vice president of finance of Cedar Enterprises, one of the largest franchisees in the Wendy’s system; and senior auditor for Touche & Ross. He and his wife, Lisa, are active members of Saint Agatha Church in Upper Arlington, Ohio.

 

As a member of the Josephinum’s Board for the past eight years, Mr. Karam has offered impactful direction and vision to the seminary, especially in the areas of finance and advancement. “The Josephinum has been a grateful beneficiary of Mr. Karam’s business expertise and his passion for the Church,” said Father Beseau. “He is a gifted visionary – always looking to the future to see what is possible. Not only does he see an incredible future for the Josephinum, he is tireless in his efforts to help us realize that future.”  

 

Both awards were presented at the Good Shepherd Dinner held at the Josephinum on April 15, 2024. The dinner is the Josephinum’s signature fundraising event; proceeds support the seminary’s programs for men discerning a vocation to the Catholic priesthood.

 

To support the seminarians of the Pontifical College Josephinum and the Good Shepherd Dinner, please click here. 

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