Alumni Blog
Fanucci ’90 to Receive the 2023 Gregor Mendel Award
Posted September 17th, 2023
On Thursday, October 12, St. Augustine Preparatory School will bestow its highest honor, the Gregor Mendel Medal, to Hermits alumnus and current Mayor of Vineland, Anthony Fanucci ’90. Mr. Fanucci will receive the award at the school’s annual dinner and award ceremony to be held at the Buondonno Forum on the campus of St. Augustine Prep.
The Mendel Medal, awarded by the Prep since 1974, is presented to an outstanding constituent of St. Augustine Prep in recognition of their achievements and philanthropic efforts to be agents of change. The school community will proudly recognize Mayor Fanucci’s exceptional dedication to public service, his unwavering commitment to the betterment of Vineland, and his outstanding leadership in fostering unity and progress rooted in his Augustinian Values instilled at the Prep. Mayor Fanucci’s journey from a scholar and athlete at St. Augustine Prep to a respected community servant leader stands as a testament to the transformative power of a young man’s time at the Prep.
Throughout his career, Mayor Fanucci has consistently demonstrated a deep-rooted sense of responsibility and compassion. His vision and servant leadership have spurred economic growth, revitalized key areas within the city, and paved the way for new opportunities and advancements that will impact the area for years to come. His tireless efforts to create a thriving community have not only elevated the quality of life for the residents of Vineland but have also earned him recognition on a state level. In the process, he has continued to be a respected, loved, and valued member of the Hermit Brotherhood.
“We are proud to honor Mayor Anthony Fanucci ’90 with the Gregor Mendel Medal Award,” said Fr. Robert J. Murray, O.S.A., Ph.D., Head of School of St. Augustine Preparatory School. “His journey from the halls of our school to the office of the Mayor exemplifies the principles of service, leadership, and character that we seek to instill in our students. Mayor Fanucci is a true embodiment of these values, and we are looking forward to celebrating him and his contributions to our school and the community.”
The Gregor Mendel Medal Award will be presented to Mayor Anthony Fanucci at the school’s annual dinner and award ceremony to be held in the Louis and Josephine Buondonno Forum located on the campus of St. Augustine Preparatory School. The event will gather esteemed Friends of the Prep, community leaders, and the school community to celebrate Mayor Fanucci’s achievements and his enduring commitment to creating positive change.
The Mendel Medal is named on behalf of Gregor Johann Mendel (1822-1884), an Augustinian Friar and renowned botanist who discovered the basic principles of heredity through experiments in his monastery’s garden. His discoveries led him to become known as the Father of Genetics.
This year’s award dinner and ceremony are set for Thursday, October 12 on the campus of St. Augustine Preparatory School. A limited amount of tickets and sponsorship packages are still available online at hermits.com/mendeldinner or by contacting the Prep’s Advancement Office at advancement@hermits.com or (856) 697-2600 ext. 165.