David Dacquino

Saint of Service Award

David Dacquino is the recipient of the Saint of Service Award (Outstanding Community Member). The award honors outstanding community members, alumni members or organizations that have displayed exemplary service to Marymount University or the Catholic community as a whole. They epitomize what it means to be a Marymount Saint. Dacquino holds 40 years of experience in the defense, aeronautics and technical services industries. He is currently Chair of the Board at RA Federal Services, which provides facilities management, construction and supply chain support for U.S. government projects operating in some of the world’s most challenging environments. Previously, he served as Chair and CEO of Serco as well as CEO at SkyLink and VT Group, in addition to high-level positions at Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. In addition to his service as a board member for Marymount, Dacquino also serves on the boards of Squire Solutions and Greater Washington Board of Trade. In 2021, he received a ‘Washington 100’ GovCon award for his contributions to government missions through contractor work. .

Susan Lacz

Distinguished Alumni Award

Susan Lacz, Class of 1983, is the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award. This award honors an alum who demonstrates significant accomplishments in their professional life as well as distinguished service to their community, state or nation. Lacz is the CEO of Ridgewells Catering and founding member of Elite Catering and Event Professionals, an association that brings caterers together across the globe to collaborate and advocate for the industry. She serves on the board of directors for the Greater Washington Board of Trade, Junior Achievement and Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO). As a former Marymount board member and alumna, she chaired the University’s most recent capital campaign. She also chaired Junior Achievement of Greater Washington’s 100th Anniversary Hall of Fame Gala. As an influential leader in the business community, she has been honored with the Washington Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business award and named to its Power 100 list. She was also a finalist for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Greater Washington Award.

Preston Caruthers

Mother Gerard Phelan Gold Medal

The late Preston Caruthers will be posthumously awarded the Mother Gerard Phelan Gold Medal. The medal is awarded for achievements of an exemplary nature. His son, Stephen Caruthers, will accept the award. Caruthers, a longtime financial supporter of Marymount and a higher education advocate, was known as ‘Mr. Arlington’ for his tireless work to enhance the quality of life of his fellow residents. He served as Chairman of the Arlington County School Board, was a board member of the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges (VFIC) and was appointed President of the Virginia State Board of Education. As a VFIC trustee, he co-sponsored Marymount’s membership in the organization. Caruthers was instrumental in the University’s acquisition of its Ballston Campus. His family also provided the naming gift towards the construction of Caruthers Hall, partnered with the Virginia Hospital Center Foundation to provide $400,000 in scholarships for Marymount Nursing students and established the Friends of Nursing program at what is now the Virginia Hospital Center.