Assumption University Announces 2024 Alumni Award Recipients

Assumption University today announced its 2024 Alumni Award winners in advance of Reunion Weekend, June 7-9. Recipients include a retired judge, a CVS pharmacy executive, and a current NFL player and Super Bowl champion. Additionally, a member of Assumption’s Athletics Department will be named an honorary alumna.

The awards recipients are:

• Fr. Louis Dion, A.A. ’35 Outstanding Achievement Award:
  The Honorable Richard Garcia ’74, retired judge, Bexar County Children’s Court, Texas.
• Jack L. Bresciani ’72 Outstanding Alumni Award:
  Christine Picard Sawicki, R.Ph. ’89, P’21,’25. Healthcare & Pharmacy Executive, CVS Health, Adjunct Faculty, Assumption University.
• Young Alumni Award:
  Tampa Bay Buccaneer Zach Triner ’14, long snapper and Super Bowl LV Champion.
• Honorary Alumni Award:
  Rebecca Mastrototoro P’19,’25, ‪Assistant Director of Athletics for Internal Operations, Assumption University.

Recipients will receive their awards at a special on-campus reception hosted by Assumption President Greg Weiner at 5 p.m. on the afternoon of Saturday, June 8.

Recipient bios and descriptions of the awards follow.

Alumni Award Winners

The Honorable Richard Garcia ’74: Fr. Louis Dion, A.A. ’35 Outstanding Achievement Award

The Outstanding Achievement Award shall be given to an alumnus/a who has demonstrated exceptional achievement in his/her chosen field or interest. Qualifications sought in candidates may include, but are not limited to, outstanding leadership skills, community service, business accomplishments, preeminence in teaching or research, and/or entrepreneurship. 

The Honorable Judge Richard Garcia graduated from Assumption College in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He earned a juris doctor degree from St. Mary’s University in 1979.

Following graduation, he briefly worked as a staff attorney for Dade Legal Aid in Miami. He subsequently moved to Texas where he would establish his powerhouse reputation as an excellent attorney, jurist and public servant. In 1980, he began work for Bexar County Legal Aid in San Antonio. He entered private practice for several years in 1984. He returned to public service in 1988 as assistant district attorney for Child Protective Services. In 1990, Judge Garcia was unanimously appointed as an associate judge for family law cases by the Bexar County district judges. And in 2005, he was assigned to serve in the Bexar County Children’s Court, where he said he found his greatest fulfillment working to bring justice to young victims of abuse and neglect. According to Judge Garcia, he tried hard to keep families together but had no reservations about separating children from their families when he had doubts about their safety.  Following a prestigious career in law and public service, Judge Garcia resigned in 2021. Upon his retirement, he was honored by the Texas House of Representatives for his exceptional work with Bexar County Children’s Court and presented with a copy of the resolution. While now retired, he continues to advocate for victims of child abuse. Over the years, Assumption professors and staff have followed his career with interest, and Judge Garcia has remained close to many of his Assumption classmates. For his Achievements in law, the family court system, and pursuit of justice for victims of child sexual abuse, the University proudly awards its Fr. Louis Dion, A.A. ’35 Outstanding Achievement Award to The Honorable Judge Richard Garcia ’74.

Christine Picard Sawicki, R.Ph. ’89, P’21,’25: Jack L. Bresciani ’72 Outstanding Alumni Award

The Jack L. Bresciani ’72 Outstanding Alumni Award shall be given to an alumnus/a who have distinguished themselves by their outstanding dedication and service to Assumption University. 

Christine Sawicki ’89 is a CVS Healthcare Executive who leads customer success and experience innovation. A recognized innovator and strategist, she began her career as a CVS pharmacist in 1992. Since that time, she has worked in almost every healthcare setting and led initiatives in Product Development & Innovation, Pharmacy Design and Technology, and Marketing. While at Assumption, she studied chemistry and sang in the college chorale and chapel choir. After graduation, she received a pharmacy degree from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. She went on to earn an MBA from Anna Maria College. She has also received a Pharmacoeconomic Certification from the University of South Carolina and a Certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt through Villanova University. In addition to her career in the healthcare industry, Christine teaches as an adjunct faculty member at Assumption, in the MBA and Health Advocacy programs. She is a member of the President’s Council, an Advisory Board Chair of the Parent and Family Association, a member of the Froelich School of Nursing Advisory Council, and adjunct faculty for graduate studies in the Grenon School of Business. She regularly participates in alumni-student career and networking events and is a 1989 class ambassador and reunion committee member. Christine lives in Marlborough with her husband, Joseph, and their children, Olivia ’21, also an Assumption graduate, and Joseph ’25, a current student. For her continuous and outstanding service to the Assumption, the University proudly awards her its Jack L. Bresciani ’72 Outstanding Alumni Award.

Zach Triner ’14: Young Alumni Award

‪The Young Alumni Award shall be awarded to an alumnus/a who has graduated within the past ten years and has demonstrated professional and/or civic accomplishments through their career and/or service to their community, as well as a strong devotion to the University. 

Zach Triner is a long snapper for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the National Football League. After graduating from Assumption, he spent several years training and trying out with various

teams, including the New York Jets and the Green Bay Packers. Between tryouts, he sold mutual funds for Fidelity Investments before making his NFL debut in September 2019. Zach credits his Assumption experience and tenacity for eventually overcoming adversity. He says he discovered his Catholic faith after arriving at the University as a sophomore and making the school’s mission his own. Since that time, he has incorporated faith into every aspect of his life, personally and professionally, and achieved his dream of playing in the NFL. While at Assumption, Zach studied psychology and political science. He says his political science professor Mary Beth Burke remains among his most important role models. After graduating in 2014, Zach has remained engaged with faculty and others at Assumption, whom he credits for much of his success in life.  He recounts his University years fondly and has spoken to the Assumption community about the importance of “Faith and Perseverance.” Zach lives in Tampa, Florida with his wife, Carissa, and daughters, Indy and Sola. For his many contributions to football, and his embrace of the Assumption mission, the University proudly awards him its 2024 Young Alumni Award.

Rebecca “Becky” Mastrototoro P’19,’25: Honorary Alumni Award

Rebecca “Becky” Mastrototoro, our Assistant Director of Athletics for Internal Operations, has been an integral part of the Assumption family for the past 13 years. During that time, she has been a

fixture in the Athletics Department and is viewed as a trusted partner by her many colleagues in athletics and across campus. Most significantly, she has earned a reputation for placing the interests and wellbeing of Assumption students at the center of everything she does, and the students love her for it. Originally hired as the Administrative Assistant in Plourde Recreation Center, Becky was eventually promoted to Business Office Manager, and then Assistant Director of Athletics for Internal Operations. More recently, she has taken on the role of University Duck Keeper, housing Assumption’s famous ducks at her family’s home in wintertime. Known for her boundless energy, she has demonstrated a heartfelt commitment to the University and made the mission her own. She truly exemplifies the qualities that Assumption seeks in its employees, students—and alumni. Those who nominated Becky cite her selflessness and her “positively infectious, can-do attitude.” She is known to go out of her way to assist anyone who needs her help, never looking to cast the spotlight on herself. Becky lives in Holden with her husband, Leo, and her children, Lily, Noah ’19, an Assumption grad, and Bella ’25, a current student. According to Becky, she considers herself lucky to be a part of the Assumption family. Assumption, for its part, is equally grateful for Becky and proudly awards her its 2024 Honorary Alumni Award.