The dates on their degrees span almost 40 years, but six recent award winners have one thing in common'they have made an impact on a nationwide scale by exemplifying the sorts of qualities UD represents.

For their achievements, the University of Dayton National Alumni Association gathered Sept. 16 to honor these six former students, all of whom have displayed the qualities of learning, leadership and service.

With graduation years ranging from 1965 to 2004, the six honorees form a diverse group. Every one of them went on to carry the university's community building philosophy into their future careers, traveling as far as Colombia to make a difference. The awards were presented to recognize all of them for their unique accomplishments.

Peter Luongo was given the Distinguished Alumnus Award for his work since graduating from UD in 1965 with a bachelor's degree in communication. He is the retired CEO and president of the Berry Company and a member of the Dayton Developmental Coalition.

While not only improving the city of Dayton by serving as campaign chair for the United Way of the Greater Dayton Area, he also finds time to involve himself in campus activities.

He is currently an executive-in-residence in the School of Business Administration, interim executive director of the SBA Center for Leadership and Executive Development and a member of the athletic board.

Rev. J.D. Grigsby Jr. is the recipient of the Christian Service Award, an award given to those who work to spread the Marianist spirit.

After being a star basketball player for the Flyers for two seasons, Grigsby earned an education degree in 1973 and a master's in guidance counseling in 1978, both from UD.

He taught in the Dayton Public Schools before becoming a pastor. He is currently working on his doctorate in Christian counseling, counseling youth at the county detention center and coaching basketball.

Both the Distinguished Alumnus Award and the Christian Service Award are given annually.

The Joe Boelle Memorial Award was given to 2004 graduate Maura Carew, who was the president of Pax Christi, a peace and social justice service group on campus.

Carew, who holds a degree in Spanish, has continued to advance the cause of social justice by traveling to Colombia to promote acceptance of different cultures.

Other honorees who all received the Special Achievement Award were Michele Mirto, Joseph Scaminace and Daniel Denlinger.

Mirto earned her law degree from UD in 1991. She is now director of the Volunteer Law Program in Arizona, providing pro bono legal services to the poor.

Scaminace, who received an economics degree in 1975, is president and CEO of OM Group in Cleveland and was recognized for his leadership skills.

Denlinger was a graduate in 1979 who returned to UD to receive his master's in engineering management in 1999, while working as staff developmental engineer at Delphi Corporation. ??

He helped UD establish a successful partnership with Delphi and many engineering majors from UD have participated in programs promoted by him.

Through these awards, the UD National Alumni Association recognizes all those alumni who are not only helping others but continuing to give back to their alma mater by helping further the education of current UD students.