- Alumni
On Thursday, May 2, 2024, the 35th Annual Alumni Association Dinner and All Classes Reunion was held at the St. Mary’s Cultural Center in Livonia, honoring the recipients of the 2024 Fr. Canning F. Harrison, CSB Distinguished Alumnus Award, Veno Hesano ‘67 and Hon. Sean Cox ‘75.
The Fr. Canning F. Harrison, CSB Distinguished Alumnus Award was founded in 1990 by the Alumni Association and awarded for the first time during the Second Annual Alumni Dinner.
Fr. Harrison worked at Catholic Central from 1952 until 1987. The award is in recognition of his work as Director of Alumni Relations (from 1973-1987), and is awarded to alumni and Basilian Fathers who have embodied the philosophy and mission of Catholic Central.
This year, the award was presented to two outstanding recipients in front of their families, friends, and other Catholic Central alumni from all class years.
“Veno and Sean are two CC men who live and share their Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge with others,” stated Tim Burke ‘86, Director of Development and Alumni Relations.
Mr. Hesano moved to Michigan from Iraq when he was eight months old. After graduating from Catholic Central in 1967, he embarked on a long, successful career in the service industry where he owned and managed several businesses in the metro Detroit area.
He has served Catholic Central at countless fundraising events, meetings, and celebrations, and employed many Catholic Central alumni at many of his businesses. Since retiring in 2020, Hesano spends his time volunteering at his church, playing with his grandchildren, and supporting Catholic Central in every way he can.
Hon. Cox graduated from Catholic Central in 1975 and attended the University of Michigan. He received his law degree from the Detroit College of Law (now Michigan State University School of Law) in 1983 and began working as a lawyer at Kitch Law Firm, and eventually, the Law Firm of Cummings, McClorey, Davis, and Acho, where he was a partner.
In 1996, he was elected Judge of the Wayne County Circuit Court, and in 2006, he was nominated by President George W. Bush to serve as a U.S. District Court Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan, where he continues to serve today.
Since starting his legal career, Hon. Cox has remained close to Catholic Central. He currently serves on the CC School Board of Directors and has co-organized CC Law Day for seniors for the past 20 years.
Catholic Central thanks the attendees for their support and dedication to the school’s mission and encourages all classes to attend next year’s Alumni Dinner and All Class Reunion.