Golden Apple Foundation President and CEO Elaine M. Schuster to Receive 2001 C. Albert Koob Merit Award
(Chicago - April, 2001) — Golden Apple Foundation President and CEO Elaine M. Schuster, PhD, has been selected as the recipient of the 2001 C. C. Albert Koob Merit Award from the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA). The NCEA will honor Dr. Schuster as an outstanding contributor to the mission of Catholic education during the association's annual convention in Milwaukee. The award is named in recognition of a former NCEA president.
"I am most honored to be recognized for my 10 years as superintendent of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago. I'd like to think I contributed to the quality education of thousands of young people," said Dr. Schuster upon learning she had been selected to receive the prestigious award.
Prior to joining the Golden Apple Foundation in January, 2001, she served a 10-year term as superintendent of schools of the Archdiocese of Chicago, the largest non-public school system in the United States. Dr. Elaine Schuster has served the schools well during a difficult period of fiscal strain and consolidation. Her accomplishments include school planning, development and construction, technology implementation, building bridges between Catholic and public school leaders, helping persuade the Illinois legislature to offer tax credits for educational expenses.
Two additional national awards will be presented at the NCEA Convention to outstanding leaders in Catholic education. The Most Rev. Eugene J. Gerber, D.D., of Wichita, KS, will receive the 2001 John F. Meyers Award for his work to eliminate tuition from all 36 diocesan elementary and secondary schools in Wichita. Sr. Theresa Kelly, FMA, Principal of Pope John Paul II School in Paterson, NJ, will be honored with the 2001 Catherine T. McNamee, CSJ, Award. The school she oversees is a success despite serving a community of extreme poverty level.
The Golden Apple Foundation was founded in 1985 to promote excellence in classroom teaching. The Foundation sponsors the annual Golden Apple Awards for teachers, the statewide Golden Apple Scholars teacher recruitment program, the Golden Apple Teacher Education (GATE) program, and various workshops and programs.