2011 McQuaid Medal for Distinguished Service Recipients
McQuaid Medals are awarded to members of the University community who have shown outstanding service to the University. This year's McQuaid Medal for Distinguished Service recipients are:

Robin L. Cunningham, Ed.S.
Associate Dean, Freshman Studies
Beloved by several generations of Seton Hall students, Robin Cunningham has served Seton Hall University since 1982. Currently she serves as associate dean of freshman studies, a post she has held since June 2010. Previously, she worked as a mentor in freshman studies and as director of the Seton Summer Scholars’ program, a six-week program that helps prepare students for the academic rigors of college. She also served, from 1982 to 2003, as director of academic support services for student-athletes.

The positions that Cunningham has held at the University have allowed her to mentor students and provide them with the tools and strategies they need to be successful, not only during their University stay but also throughout life.

Cunningham serves on the board of Team Walker, a non-profit organization that creates safe and constructive programs for inner-city youth. Team Walker was founded by Jerry Walker, a student-athlete whom Cunningham mentored while he was playing men’s basketball at Seton Hall. She also volunteers for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, an organization dedicated to fighting breast cancer.

Cunningham graduated from Seton Hall in 1978 with a bachelor’s degree in English. In 1984, she earned her master’s degree in student personnel services, and she received her educational specialist (Ed.S.) degree in 1996.

Her work has been recognized both locally and nationally. She was honored in 1991 with the Outstanding Adviser Award presented by the National Association for Academic Advisers. She also received a Distinguished Service Award in 1994 from the Ernst & Young Law Symposium at Seton Hall University School of Law, and received the President’s Award for Outstanding Service to Students in 1996. In 2002, Cunningham received the Most Valuable Person (MVP) Award for her service to the Seton Hall men’s basketball team. In 2005, she was honored as the University’s Woman of the Year and in 2008, she received the Humanitarian Award at Seton Hall’s Many Are One alumni awards gala.

Mary Ann Nardone
Clerk, Procurement Department
Mary Ann Nardone began her career at Seton Hall University in 1983 as a typist in the purchasing department when its offices were still located off-campus on Turrell Avenue.

“I’ve seen a lot of changes,” she says. “I’ve seen the new gym go up, the library, the seminary, the science building … even Seton Hall Prep was still here when I began working here.”

During the late 1980s, Nardone assisted the University community with the implementation of its FRS system. As one of the first to learn the new accounting system, she was able to help others in the community learn how to operate it.

In 2000, she became a clerk within the University’s procurement department, the position she currently holds. In this position, Mary Ann is responsible for allocating payment to external vendors based upon the invoices the University receives. She is charged with paying invoices for external billing and assisting the University community with Banner searches.

Mary Ann enjoys working in the procurement department and looks forward to interacting with students and other visitors. A proud graduate of Central High School in Newark, N.J., Nardone has taken several classes at the University to advance her career.

When asked what she enjoys most about Seton Hall, Mary Ann quickly responds, “The Chapel of the Immaculate Conception; I find it so peaceful and beautiful. It offers me the opportunity to connect with God.”

Nardone attends Mass on Fridays at the chapel, and visits each morning to offer prayer. She is a member of Holy Family Parish in Nutley, N.J., where she serves as a Eucharistic minister; she derives a lot of satisfaction from Sunday Mass as well as bringing the Eucharist to the home bound.

When asked what she likes best about working at Seton Hall, Mary Ann says, “Seton Hall is like a family; it’s not just a place to work. I enjoy the company of my co-workers, they’ve helped me through some difficult times.”

Charles A. Sullivan, LL.B., LL.M.
Professor of Law and Director of the Rodino Law Library
Seton Hall University School of Law

Well-regarded among his colleagues for his unwavering commitment to the University, Charles A. Sullivan has worked at the School of Law for more than  30 years. He began his career as an associate at Olwine, Connolly, Chase, O’Donnell & Weyher. He then taught at several law schools, including the University of South Carolina and the University of Arkansas (where he was on the faculty with Bill and Hillary Clinton), before arriving at Seton Hall in 1978.

Known as an outstanding classroom professor, Sullivan has taught courses in contracts, legal writing, civil procedure and employment discrimination. He also served as associate dean from 1994 to 2000. In his spare time, he has served as coordinator of the Law School’s writing program and information technology. He has also overseen the Law School’s budget committee.

An elected member of the American Law Institute, Sullivan has published in the areas of employment discrimination, employment law, contracts, and antitrust. He is co-author of major texts on employment law and has recently published in the Georgetown Law Journal, the Northwestern Law Review and the William & Mary Law Review.

Sullivan has been recognized by the University in a variety of ways throughout his career. Among other honors, he has received the Miriam T. Rooney award, given to those who have made a significant impact on the Law School community. On that occasion, Dean Patrick Hobbs remarked, “Without your guidance, wisdom and dedication, Seton Hall Law School would be a lesser institute.”

Sullivan was also selected as the inaugural recipient of The Andrea J. Catania Endowed Faculty Chair in 2010, chosen for his excellence in teaching, scholarship and service. As the director of the Rodino Law Library, he is credited with creating a strategic plan to bring the library to the 21st century, providing students with the skills needed to compete in the increasingly technology-driven legal field and supporting faculty in scholarly endeavors.

Sullivan received a B.A. from Siena College, an LL.B. from Harvard University, and an LL.M. from New York University.