Catholic Central alumni gathered Thursday evening, May 7, 2026, for the school’s 37th Annual Alumni Association Dinner at the St. Mary’s Cultural Center in Livonia. 

During the celebration, Ed Farragher ’62 and Jim Govan ’80 were recognized as this year’s recipients of the Fr. Canning F. Harrison, CSB Distinguished Alumnus Award. The honor is presented annually to alumni who have made a lasting impact through their professional accomplishments, leadership, and service.

Ed Farragher ’62 Bio

Ed Farragher was raised in a strong Catholic family in Northwest Detroit and is deeply grateful that his parents chose to send him to Catholic Central High School. Before CC, he attended Saint Brigid Grade School. A member of the Class of 1962, Ed values the lifelong friendships he formed at Catholic Central and remains in close contact with many of his classmates more than 60 years later.

After graduating from CC, Ed earned a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Detroit, followed by an M.S. and Ph.D. in Finance from the University of Illinois. Upon completing his doctorate in 1971, he began his career in academia at the University of Notre Dame before transitioning into commercial real estate lending at Citibank. After several years in the business world, Ed returned to higher education, serving as both a professor and administrator in the business schools at the University of Detroit, DePaul University, the National University of Singapore, and Oakland University.

Ed has served on the Board of Directors for the West Bloomfield Parks & Recreation Department and the Oakland County Mental Health Authority. He is also a longtime member of the Board of Directors for Schwartz Investment Council, Inc., the firm that manages the Ave Maria mutual funds.

A lifelong supporter of Catholic Central, Ed regularly attends athletic events, speaks with student clubs, participates in alumni activities, and engages with faculty and administrators. He is a member of both the Fr. Elmer Society and the St. Basil Legacy Society, and he has endowed a classroom in honor of his father, David Farragher. Grateful for the values of goodness, discipline, and knowledge instilled in him at CC, Ed strives to reflect these principles in all aspects of his life.

Ed is also an avid fan of Notre Dame football and Red Wings hockey.

Jim Govan ’80 Bio

Jim Govan ’80 is a proud Catholic Central graduate whose leadership and energy have made an impact everywhere he’s gone.

After graduating from CC, Jim attended Ferris State University, where he played football, joined a National Fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha, served as a Student Body Senator, and was appointed Chairman of the Ferris Centennial Statue Project. Under his direction, Ferris unveiled a bronze statue honoring its founder, Woodbridge Nathan Ferris, a Michigan Governor, statesman, and educator. Thanks to Jim’s efforts, Ferris now proudly displays “Woody” at the heart of its campus, much like Michigan State’s famous “Sparty.”

Following college, Jim worked at the Michigan State Capitol as a Personal Aide to Senate Majority Leader and future Governor, John Engler. During that time, he married Dorothy at St. Paul’s in Lansing and even celebrated their wedding reception right on the Capitol lawn. 

Together, Jim and Dorothy built a beautiful family, including daughter Ellie, who is married to Jake Berkey and the proud parents of three (Reagan, Riley, and another little one expected February 1st), and Michael, a 2012 CC graduate, who married Courtney Mercier, a Livonia Ladywood grad and triplet whose two brothers are CC alumni as well.  

Jim’s family legacy at Catholic Central runs deep. His brothers Phil ’73 and Michael ’75 also share the school’s proud tradition. Though Phil passed away in 2016, the Govan family continues to honor his memory by supporting CC students in need each year through a scholarship fund.

Professionally, Jim has enjoyed an outstanding career in marketing consulting and business development. Most recently, he spent 15 years at Ernst & Young as Director of Business Development for EY's Global Automotive Sector, helping his team win the General Motors Global Audit, one of the firm’s biggest achievements in its storied history. Today, in retirement, Jim channels his passion into real estate and development.

Jim’s dedication to Catholic Central is lifelong. He served with the Dad’s Club, earning the Father John Menner Award, completed three three-year terms on the CC Board of Directors, and is a two-time CC Hall of Famer, both as a member of the 1978 Wrestling State Championship Team and as co-captain of the 1979 Football State Championship Team.

Jim credits his father, his family, the Basilian Fathers, and coaches Tom Mach and Mike Rodriguez as the mentors who shaped his values of faith, leadership, and service.

Thank you to all of the alumni, family members, and friends who attended and helped make this year’s dinner such a special evening!