OCSOA Awards
OCSOA is proud to annually recognize outstanding contributions made by our active and retired members as well as individuals who have contributed to the development, advancement and enhancement of Catholic Education in Ontario.
The links below outline the criteria for nomination of the awards and the past winners.
B.E. Nelligan
The B.E. Nelligan Award of Merit is presented by the Ontario Catholic Supervisory Officers’ Association to a person who has made an outstanding and tangible contribution to Catholic Education in Ontario. This award honours the person, who, as the first Director of Education for the Metropolitan Separate School Board, exemplified the noblest qualities in Catholic Education.
NOMINATION DEADLINE: JANUARY 16, 2026
B.E. NELLIGAN AWARD RECIPIENTS
2025 AWARD RECIPIENT
Linda E. Staudt
| 2025 | Linda E. Staudt |
| 2024 | Loretta Rose Notten |
| 2023 | Thomas John Fauteux |
| 2020/21 | Patricia Manson |
| 2019 | Michael Schmitt |
| 2018 | Michael Pautler |
| 2017 | Fr. Frank Kavanagh, OMI |
| 2016 | Theresa Harris |
| 2016 | Corrie Gicante |
| 2015 | Dr. Robert Dixon |
| 2014 | Mary Anne O’Leary |
| 2014 | Fred Sweeney |
| 2013 | Roger Lawler |
| 2012 | Don Drone |
| 2011 | Lorne Keon |
| 2011 | Phil DiFrancesco |
| 2010 | Greg McNally |
| 2009 | Kevin Kobus |
| 2008 | Edward J. Moore |
| 2008 | Archbishop M. Gervais |
| 2007 | John Wheatley |
| 2006 | John W. Watts |
| 2005 | Sr. Joan Cronin |
| 2004 | Bishop J. Doyle |
| 2003 | Patrick Dunne |
| 2002 | John Stunt |
| 2001 | Frank Musca |
| 2000 | James McGirr |
| 1999 | Eleanor Shannon |
| 1999 | Dr. W. Crossan |
| 1998 | Tony Truscello |
| 1997 | Vincenza Travale |
| 1996 | Paul J. Blake |
| 1995 | Msgr. Dennis Murphy |
| 1994 | Peter Ferren |
| 1993 | Dr. J.J. Flynn |
| 1992 | James Hansen |
| 1992 | William Bolger |
| 1991 | Frank Turner |
| 1990 | Guy O’Brien |
| 1989 | Pat Brennan |
| 1988 | Dr. John Vintar |
| 1987 | His Eminence, G.E. Cardinal Carter |
| 1986 | Rolly Fobert |
| 1986 | Tom Reilly |
| 1985 | Frank Clifford |
Distinguished Leadership
The OCSOA Distinguished Leadership Award is awarded annually to up to 2 active members who have demonstrated outstanding leadership on committees or projects which focus on enhancing the interests and needs of students.
NOMINATION DEADLINE: JANUARY 16, 2026
Dist Leadership Award DOWNLOAD
DISTINGUISHED LEADERSHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS
2025 AWARD RECIPIENT
David DeSantis
Algonquin & Lakeshore CDSB
| 2025 | David DeSantis, Algonquin & Lakeshore CDSB |
| 2024 | Norma McDonald, Catholic CDSB of Eastern Ontario |
| 2023 | Thomas D’Amico, Ottawa CSB |
| 2020/2021 | Tamara Nugent, Wellington CDSB |
| 2019 | Anna Marie Bitonti, Nipissing-Parry Sound CDSB |
| 2018 | Lorraine Naar, Halton CDSB |
| 2017 | Giacomo Corbacio, Halton CDSB |
| 2017 | Brian Beal, Simcoe Muskoka CDSB |
| 2016 | Sheila McWatters, Dufferin-Peel CDSB |
| 2015 | Julian Hanlon, Ottawa CSB |
| 2014 | Gail Robinson, Dufferin-Peel CDSB |
| 2013 | Michael Pautler, Halton CDSB |
| 2013 | Jackie Bajus, Hamilton-Wentworth CDSB |
| 2012 | Bruce MacPherson, Bruce-Grey CDSB |
| 2011 | John Kostoff, Dufferin-Peel CDSB |
| 2010 | James McCracken, Ottawa CSB |
| 2009 | Roger Lawler, Waterloo CDSB |
| 2008 | Martha Dutrizac, Huron-Perth CDSB |
| 2008 | Allan Craig, Kenora CDSB |
| 2007 | Angelo DiIanni, Niagara CDSB |
| 2006 | Margaret Nelson, St. Clair CDSB |
| 2005 | Patricia Amos, Hamilton-Wentworth CDSB |
| 2004 | Larry Langan, Huron-Perth CDSB |
| 2004 | Michael Baine, Ottawa Carleton CDSB |
Honorary Membership Award
OCSOA’s Honorary Membership Award is presented to an individual who has contributed to the development, advancement and enhancement of Catholic Education in Ontario. The Honorary Membership Award is a lifetime acknowledgement of distinguished service to Ontario’s public education system. The total number of Honorary Membership Awards granted shall be at the discretion of the OCSOA Board of Directors and the maximum number of recipients per year shall be two. The award is presented to an individual who displays leadership in each of the following:
- Encouraging improvement and achievement in Ontario’s publicly funded education system
- Demonstrating a contribution of fairness and equal opportunity for students of Ontario
- Contributing to the development of Catholic education within the publicly funded education system of Ontario
NOMINATION DEADLINE: JANUARY 17, 2025
OCSOA Honorary Membership Award DOWNLOAD
HONORARY MEMBERSHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS
2023 AWARD RECIPIENT
Bishop Douglas Crosby, O.M.I.
| 2023 | Bishop Douglas Crosby, O.M.I. |
| 2019 | Very Reverend Cornelius O’Mahony, EV, Vicar for Education, Diocese of Hamilton |
| 2018 | Bishop Gerard Bergie, DD, Bishop of St. Catharines |
| 2015 | The Honourable William G. Davis |
| 2014 | Archbishop Paul André Durocher, Archbishop of Gatineau |
| 2008 | Archbishop Marcel Gervais, Archbishop of Ottawa |
| 2008 | Carol Devine |
OCSOA CASSA NEL Award
The NEL Award Program is based on three premises: dedication and enthusiasm of administrators who guide children’s educational experiences; the scope and quality of children’s educational experiences through the character of the school system’s programs; the creation of environments which effectively promote children’s attitudes toward learning and their perceptions of themselves as lifelong learners. The Award is jointly sponsored by Nelson Canada and CASSA. Affiliate award recipients are recognized at the annual CASSA conference. The award was previously known as, XEROX Canada EXL Award, from 2002 to 2023.
NOMINATION DEADLINE: JANUARY 17, 2025
OCSOA CASSA NEL Award DOWNLOAD
CASSA NEL AWARD RECIPIENTS (OCSOA)
2025 AWARD RECIPIENT
Jody Weller
Nipissing-Parry Sound CDSB
| 2025 | Jody Weller, Nipissing -Parry Sound CDSB |
| 2024 | Katharine Stevenson, Durham CDSB |
| 2023 | Siobhan J. Wright, York CDSB |
| 2021/2022 | Denise Andre, Ottawa CSB |
| 2019 | Theresa A. Kennedy, Algonquin & Lakeshore CDSB |
| 2018 | C. Anne O’Brien, Durham CDSB |
| 2017 | Simone Rose-Oliver, Ottawa CSB |
| 2016 | John Stadnyk, Huron-Superior CDSB |
| 2015 | John Crocco, Niagara CDSB (National Award Recipient) |
| 2014 | Joanne Bénard, Nipissing-Parry Sound CDSB |
| 2013 | Tom D’Amico, Ottawa CSB |
| 2012 | Catherine Montreuil, Bruce-Grey CDSB |
| 2011 | Maria Esposito, Huron-Superior CDSB |
| 2010 | John Mackle, Peterborough Victoria Northumberland & Clarington CDSB (National Award Recipient) |
| 2009 | Barb Spadoni, Superior North CDSB |
| 2008 | Larry Langan, Huron-Perth CDSB |
| 2007 | James McCracken, Ottawa CDSB |
| 2005 | Don Drone, Wellington CDSB |
| 2004 | Kevin Kobus, Simcoe Muskoka CDSB |
| 2004 | Margaret Nelson, St. Clair |
| 2003 | Carol Pitt, Hamilton-Wentworth CDSB |