Briar Cliff Celebrates Lovern and Roder for Outstanding Service and Impact
June 13, 2025
On May 10, during Briar Cliff's commencement ceremony, the university honored two alumni for their outstanding service and impact.
Spirit of St. Francis Award: Kent Lovern ’93 Honored for a Life of Justice and Compassion
Briar Cliff University was proud to present the 2025 Spirit of St. Francis Award to Kent Lovern, a 1993 alumnus whose life and career embody the values of humility, service, and compassion that define the Franciscan tradition.
President Matthew J. Draud called Lovern a “thoughtful leader, a patient listener, and a fierce advocate for justice grounded in compassion,” as he introduced the award during the university’s commencement ceremony.
After graduating from Briar Cliff with a Bachelor of Arts in History, Lovern earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Iowa College of Law. Since then, he has spent more than 27 years serving the people of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin — first as a prosecutor and now as the elected District Attorney. In that role, Lovern leads an office of over 125 attorneys and 175 support staff. His focus has never been solely on convictions, but on restorative justice, addiction treatment, mental health support, and the dignity of every person impacted by the criminal justice system.
“Each of these efforts reflects Kent’s unwavering commitment to the common good,” said Draud, pointing to Lovern’s work both inside and outside the courtroom. “He has held leadership positions with numerous civic and nonprofit organizations, including the Rotary Club of Milwaukee and the Sojourner Family Peace Center — the largest provider of domestic violence services in Wisconsin.”
Lovern's life of service is also deeply rooted in family. He and his wife Susan, also an attorney, have raised two sons, Sam and Zach, and continue to live out values that align with the Franciscan mission of building community and promoting justice.
In presenting the award, Draud stated, “Your life of service, grounded in humility and compassion, reflects everything this award stands for. Thank you for leading with empathy, for advocating with courage, and for always living the values that matter most.”
Presidential Distinguished Leadership Award: Dale Roder ’85 Recognized for a Lifetime of Charger Spirit
The 2025 Presidential Distinguished Leadership Award was presented to Dale Roder, a Briar Cliff alumnus whose four decades of service, generosity, and leadership have left a lasting legacy on Charger Athletics and the broader university community.
“This is someone whose legacy continues to shape our campus, our athletic programs, and the lives of countless students and alumni,” said President Draud in his introduction.
Roder graduated magna cum laude from Briar Cliff in 1985 with a degree in accounting and a minor in business. That same year, he was drafted by the Chicago White Sox, reflecting his excellence both in the classroom and on the field. Though his professional path ultimately led him away from baseball and into a successful career in business, Roder never stepped away from Briar Cliff.
He was a member of the Briar Cliff Athletics Hall of Fame inaugural class in 1991, recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2021, and a driving force behind the Touch ’Em All Club, a key support group for Charger Baseball. Under Roder’s leadership, the club has grown into a pillar of Charger athletics, bolstering the spirit and financial strength of the program.
In his acceptance speech, Roder was quick to deflect praise and credit those around him, including his wife Jane, who he said, “grants me tremendous leeway regarding my daily agenda, knowing the odds are high that Briar Cliff is a final destination.”
Roder also credited the vision of Kevin Capece, founder of the Touch ’Em All Club, and thanked the Briar Cliff athletic administration and Head Coach Corby McGlauflin for their continued collaboration and inspiration.
To the graduating class, Roder offered a simple but powerful message: “Don’t almost give … GIVE.” Urging graduates to find their passions and pay their success forward, he shared wisdom drawn from his own life journey, “Blaze your trail, graduates of 2025. Your legacy begins today.”
With deep Charger roots, a record of distinguished service, and a life guided by generosity and community, Dale Roder exemplifies the ideals celebrated by the Presidential Distinguished Leadership Award.