UCS News:
Please see the release below and call or e-mail me at mwalker@ucschools.com with any questions.

UCS Francesconi Award of Integrity bestowed on Sr. Colette Kraemer

LOUISVILLE, KY (August 2006) - At the recent Ursuline Campus Schools’ (UCS) Commissioning Service, Sr. Colette Kraemer, OSU, UCS director of mission effectiveness, was awarded the fourth-annual Francesconi Award of Integrity amidst a standing ovation from the 250 employees of UCS.

Kraemer accepted the award – the highest given by UCS – from former UCS President Charlie Francesconi, who was on hand to present the honor named after him by the UCS Administration and the Board of Trustees.

Sr. Colette Kraemer (center), the 2006 UCS Francesconi Award of Integrity Award recipient, is congratulated by former UCS President Charlie Francesconi and UCS President Dr. Cindy Crabtree.

The Francesconi Award of Integrity was established in May of 2003 at the end of Francesconi’s tenure as President, and is given annually at the UCS Commissioning Service to one employee who has contributed significantly to the UCS and/or Louisville community and enriches the lives of those around him/her by living the mission of UCS. The recipient’s integrity should be demonstrated through the daily interaction with others, and brings distinction not only to his/her campus entity, but the entire UCS community as well.

Kraemer, who will retire from UCS at the end of the 2006-07 school year, is in her 10th year as director of mission effectiveness. In past years, she taught at Sacred Heart Model School, was the head of the Sacred Heart Academy English department and served on the UCS Board of Trustees. Kraemer is also a graduate of Sacred Heart Academy. She received a cash award of $500 and will be recognized on a plaque that will hang this year in the Office of Administrative Services.

In his remarks Francesconi said why Kraemer was selected: “She is a person who is truly the epitome of integrity. She gives witness to the Ursuline Core Values of community, leadership, reverence and service. One nominator said, ‘[Sr. Colette] lives and breathes what it means to be a part of the Ursuline Campus School community. A role model and witness for all to see whether it be on the campus or in the community.’

“Another nominator wrote, ‘Her faith, compassion and integrity serve as a beacon of light on our campus. [Sr. Colette] is like a golden thread not only woven throughout each school, but is the golden thread that flows and connects each school on our campus into one community. She is the common thread that flows among us—sharing in our sorrows, celebrating our successes and always leading the way.’”

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Ursuline Campus Schools (UCS), sponsored by the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville, is a community of five Catholic schools located on the beautiful 48-acre Ursuline Campus at 3105 Lexington Road in Louisville, Kentucky. The priorities of UCS are the development of the Ursuline core values of community, leadership, reverence and service and strong academic programs. UCS offers a unique opportunity to experience the entire educational process, from early childhood through high school and is made up of the following member schools: Sacred Heart Academy (grades 9-12), Sacred Heart Model School (grades K-8), Ursuline Montessori School (ages 2-6), Ursuline Child Development Center (ages 1-5) and the Ursuline School for the Performing Arts (all ages). The total student population is nearly 2,000. Find the campus online at http://www.ucschools.com/.