(Picture 1) St. Ambrose University President Amy Novak, along with Bishop Dennis Walsh, present the McMullen Award April 24 in Christ the King Chapel. This year’s recipients were Paul and Alva Sachs, above, and Don “Duke” Schneider, Picture 2.
By Anne Marie Amacher
The Catholic Messenger
DAVENPORT — Three people described as servant leaders who have made a profound institutional impact received the St. Ambrose University McMullen Award on April 24. Bishop Dennis Walsh presented the awards in Christ the King Chapel to Paul and Alva Sachs, and Don “Duke” Schneider. Paul Sachs and Schneider were classmates who graduated from St. Ambrose in 1976.
The Sachs have “built a life centered on education, family and service,” St. Ambrose University President Amy Novak said during the ceremony that followed Mass. “Through their shared commitment to giving back, they have inspired countless others to do the same.”
Paul Sachs “exemplifies excellence in leadership, service and professional achievement. Coming from a family of seven children, scholarships were essential in enabling him to attend St. Ambrose,” Novak said. After earning his accounting degree, he worked on multiple high-profile accounts as a partner at Arthur Andersen before becoming a founding managing director of Protiviti. He recently retired from the global business-consulting firm.
In 2002, Paul Sachs joined the St. Ambrose University Board of Trustees and played a role in key capital campaigns. His wife, Alva, “an award-winning children’s author and founder of Three Wishes Publishing Company … has dedicated her career to inspiring young readers,” Novak said. “Through her literacy foundation, she provides empowering resources for children and educators, fostering fluency, concentration, creativity and brain development at an early age.”
The Sachs are “relentless champions for the Ambrose Annual Fund, ensuring that all students have access to a St. Ambrose education,” Novak said. “As compassionate philanthropists with nearly 40 years of consecutive giving, few individuals embody the university’s core values of courage, wisdom, justice, and service as they do.” The couple “demonstrates that true success is measured not only by professional achievements but also by the impact one has on others and the world.” They also have dedicated hours of support to the Ronald McDonald House and Habitat for Humanity.
(Picture 2) St. Ambrose University President Amy Novak, along with Bishop Dennis Walsh, present the McMullen Award April 24 in Christ the King Chapel. This year’s recipients were Paul and Alva Sachs, , and Don “Duke” Schneider, who pictured here.
Schneider has been synonymous with St. Ambrose for more than four decades, Novak said. “His life’s work has left a lasting impact on generations of students, faculty, alumni and the university as a whole. Duke’s journey with St. Ambrose began in 1972 when he arrived as a student in the Communication Department. He was deeply involved in the college’s media outlets, contributing to the radio and TV stations, the school newspaper and theatre productions.”
He returned to campus a few years after graduation as operations manager of the college TV station. During his 43-year career, he played a pivotal role in expanding St. Ambrose’s digital media platforms and shaping the careers of hundreds of students. “His leadership equipped them with the skills needed to succeed in an industry where technology is constantly evolving. But Ambrosians know Duke for more than just his professional role — he was always there,” Novak said. “He attended campus events to ensure every story was covered. He taught students the nuances of covering live sports and was always available to help students struggling to edit a news story, work the camera or perfect their on-screen delivery. His dedication to student success and the SAU community was unwavering.”
“… Duke guided aspiring communicators with wisdom and encouragement, fostering relationships that continued long after graduation. His passion for storytelling and his commitment to his students left an indelible mark. Today, his phone is still filled with messages from alumni sharing updates on their careers, awards and life milestones — a testament to the profound impact he has had on so many.” Novak said his “legacy will continue to inspire the St. Ambrose community for years to come.”
The McMullen Award is named for Bishop John McMullen, the first bishop of the Diocese of Davenport and founder of St. Ambrose. Recipients “embody St. Ambrose’s mission as an inclusive, Catholic, and diocesan community of learners” that “empowers all Ambrosians to act courageously, to seek wisdom through faith and reason, to work for justice, and to lead lives of service.”
Paul Sachs said he was “floored when we got the call” to receive the McMullen Award. “This is very humbling. We don’t do things for the glory and recognition. We do what is our passion. We are involved. We want to make things happen.”
Schneider said he felt overwhelmed to be a recipient. “Look at the names of past recipients. To be recognized with them is such an honor. I’m usually a behind-the-scenes guy.” He felt honored to receive the award alongside his classmate, Paul Sachs. The two remain friends today.
