University of St. Francis honors Cecily and John Leach with Caritas Community Care Award
The University of St. Francis will recognize exceptional contribution and commitment to the institution and to the greater community by honoring Cecily and John Leach of Joliet with the Caritas Community Care Award.
"The Caritas Community Care Award is given to those who have demonstrated exceptional continued support of the university and community, and who exemplify in their lives the qualities and teachings of Francis and Clare, the university’s patron saints. It is an opportunity for the university and our greater community to recognize and thank Cecily and John Leach for their humanitarian works both in our community and elsewhere," said University of St. Francis President Michael J. Vinciguerra.
The award will be presented at the 49th annual Caritas ball on Saturday, Jan. 28 at the University of St. Francis. Caritas, which means caring, is the oldest formal event in Will County, and has raised more than $2.5 million for educational programming and scholarships at the University of St. Francis.
The Leaches have helped shape the landscape of the City of Joliet through the many homes developed with their business, Leach Homes, which was founded in 1890. "Their commitment," according to Vinciguerra, "goes beyond offering affordable housing to thousands of families; they shape the community by supporting education and quality health care."
For more than a decade, the Leaches have helped make a career in nursing more than a dream for students at the University of St. Francis where they have generously endowed a scholarship that has benefited hundreds of students.
"Both John and Cecily Leach have modeled their lives on the Franciscan values of respect, service, integrity and compassion," said Vinciguerra. Besides supporting the education of nursing students, they have built parks, restored historical sites, maintained pioneer cemeteries and contributed to numerous charities. One of their projects involves the restoration of sight to thousands of blind by the Himalayan Cataract Project based in Nepal.
Mrs. Leach serves on the University of St. Francis Board of Trustees.
A Catholic, Franciscan institution, the University of St. Francis was founded in 1920 and serves more than 4,300 students nationwide. More than 60 areas of undergraduate areas of study are offered as well as 12 graduate programs. For more information about the University of St. Francis, visit www.stfrancis.edu.