Lantern Award Winners

The Lantern Award is our highest volunteer honor, presented each year to individuals whose extraordinary dedication and service shine brightly in our community. To celebrate our volunteers, we established the Lantern Award in 2009, recognizing those whose commitment exemplifies the spirit of the Lantern Center. At our 2025 annual Volunteer Appreciation Picnic, we were proud to honor four remarkable recipients: JoJean Decker; Charlotte Enright, OSF; Katie Fischer and Suzanne Rubenbauer, FSPA. 

Long-time board member JoJean Decker and her family celebrate her award at our picnic in July 2025.
Long-time educator Charlotte Enright, OSF loves dedicating her time to work with multilingual learners.
10-year volunteer Katie Fischer accepts her award with her husband Jerry Enzler who is also a tutor!
Suzanne Rubenbauer, FSPA is currently working with a student from Myanmar.

Champion Award Winners

Established in 2024, the Champion Award honors exemplary volunteer advocates whose passion and commitment enrich the lives of our students. These honorees go above and beyond—offering encouragement, sharing resources and using their voices to champion the mission of the Lantern Center. Their advocacy helps create opportunities, foster belonging and inspire confidence in every learner who walks through our doors.

Our 2025 Winners are pictured here (L-R) Bro. Brian McLauchlin, SVD, Mary Klein, Shirley Meriwether and R.R.S. Stewart/Dubuque for Refugee Children (not pictured: Lisa Ruppel).

2024 Champion Award winners: Catherine Bastin, Ana Contreras, Michelle Crawford, Catherine Douillet, Molly Englinton, Gina Guerrero Galvan, Char Goode, Marge Healy, PBVM, David Olson, Lana Santamaria, Sisters of Charity, BVM and Laure Stoffel.

Lantern Award Winners

2025 – JoJean Decker, Charlotte Enright, OSF, Katie Fischer, Suzanne Rubenbauer, FSPA
2024 – Jim & Suzanne Heinle and Tim & Mary Moothart

2023 – Becky Taylor-Harris & Beth Whisler

2022 – Marci Blum, OSF and Barb Day

2021 – Online Celebration of all Tutors

2020 – Eileen Mesler and  Susan Ivis, OSF

2018 & 2019 – Sharon Speckhard, Mary Toohey, Catherine Bastin and Dr. Julie Phillips

2017  – Mary Hoelscher and Larry Kruse

2016 – Mary Martens, BVM

2015 – Sr. Carol Ann Berte, OSF, and Pam Miller

2014 – Dianne Roche

2013 – Tom LoGuidice

2012 – Meghan Toohey and Sr. Rene Laubenthal

2011 – Sr. Carla Popes, PBVM, and Frank Reinert

2010 – Sr. James Marie Gross, PBVM, and Don Ruden

2009 – Sandy Amberg and Sr. Francesca Presseler, PBVM

2024 Lantern Award winners Jim & Suzanne Heinle and Mary & Tim Moothart.
Long-time volunteer Mary Martens, BVM was honored with the Lantern Award in 2016.
2013 Lantern Award winner and 10-year award winner Dianne Roche loves forming friendships with her students.

         Honoring a Decade
             of Dedication

At our volunteer appreciation night in July 2025, we extended a heartfelt gratitude to these volunteers who have dedicated 10+ years of service to the Lantern Center.

For a decade, their steadfast commitment has brightened our community and helped countless students find confidence, belonging and hope. Their loyalty and compassion embody the very spirit of our mission—thank you for lighting the way, year after year.  

 

L-R: Mary Jean Gregory, Jim & Suzanne Heinle, Katie Fischer, Dianne Roche, Mary Martens, BVM, Mary & Tim Moothart.  Tom LoGuidice and Sue Simon are pictured below. Not pictured: Barbara Day.
Tom Lo Guidice was recognized as a 10-year volunteer in 2025. We honored him with the Lantern Award in 2013.
Sue Simon is congratulated by Sue Ellis and Megan Ruiz.
"I teach them English. They teach me the world." - Katie Fischer, professor of English Emerita, Clarke University, author and long-time Lantern Center tutor!