Marianist Charism in Action

Brother Tom Giardino, SM, received the Cathedral Latin School Alumni Association 2026 Merit Award as Man of the Year. This award recognizes an individual whose outstanding achievements in their field bring distinction to Cathedral Latin School.

Bro. Tom Giardino’s lifelong dedication to the Marianist charism began at Cleveland's Cathedral Latin School, where the 1960 Salutatorian and student leader excelled in academics, journalism, and the school community. Following his discernment to enter the Society of Mary, he professed his first vows in 1962 and embarked on a distinguished international career as an educator, author, and religious leader. Notably, as International Director of Education in Rome, Bro. Tom directed the development of the foundational Characteristics of Marianist Education, a framework implemented across school systems in more than 30 countries. Throughout his decades of high-level administrative service, which include over twenty years as a University of Dayton Trustee, various executive director roles, and strategic contributions to Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin School's mission, he has remained deeply committed to advancing Marianist educational institutions worldwide.

Bro. Tom is presently working as an editor at the North American Center for Marianist Studies in Dayton and as an Assistant for Special Projects at UD. He is a Trustee Emeritus of the University of Dayton (23 years on the Board), is presently on the Board of St. Mary’s University (San Antonio, TX), and was previously on the Board of Regents for Chaminade University (Honolulu, HI). His previous roles include Executive Director of the Association of Marianist Universities.

Click here to read Bro. Tom Giardino's remarks at the communion breakfast of Cathedral Latin. 

Click here to read the latest issue of the school’s alumni association’s newsletter, Latin Alumnotes.