Three individuals dedicated to the mission of St. Ambrose University in Davenport have been chosen to receive the university’s distinguished McMullen Award.
Richard Geiger, professor emeritus of history, and the late John “Jack” Bush and his wife, Patricia, will be honored during the Feast of St. Ambrose Mass scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Dec. 2 in the university’s Christ the King Chapel.
The award recognizes those who exceptionally embody the university’s mission. Bishop Martin Amos will celebrate the liturgy. Sister Joan Lescinski, CSJ, president of St. Ambrose University, and Bishop Amos, chair of the Board of Trustees, will confer the awards. Leading the music will be a combined choir of St. Ambrose University Music Ministry, Chamber Singers and faculty and staff under the direction of Keith Haan.
Geiger taught history at St. Ambrose for 39 years and retired from teaching at the university in 2001. The Richard E. Geiger Lecture, an endowed lectureship at St. Ambrose, was established in his honor.
Jack and Patricia Bush, natives of Davenport, were married in 1952. Jack began his career in the family business, McCarthy Improvement Co., in 1956, gaining majority interest in the company in 1982. The business was eventually organized as the McCarthy Bush Corp., with Jack being named chairman and CEO in 1985. Jack was an outspoken advocate for Catholic education at all levels; he and his wife also were generous supporters of Catholic education.
