Virtue, Honor, Education Tribute
The Virtue, Honor, Education Tribute was established in 2004 by the Oldenburg Academy Alumni Board to recognize a living or deceased Oldenburg Academy faculty or staff member who has made a meaningful spiritual and educational impact upon the alumni.
2018 Virtue, Honor, Education Tribute
Connie Wanstrath Deardorff
Connie Wanstrath Deardorff became a member of the I.C.A family in 1990. She taught and became principal in 2001. She served in this role until 2006 when she and her husband Phil moved to Columbus, Indiana where he was superintendent for Hope Community Schools. While living there, Connie taught ESL (English as a Second Language) students. In 2016, she returned to the Academy to teach part-time and work with our international student program. She retired in 2018. She and her husband Phil are longtime members of the Associate Program with the Sisters of St. Francis.
Students will recall her love of learning and her unique spirit for OA and its students. Connie was quick to participate in school events and activities such as costume days, school skits, and spirit days. She always brought an element of fun and surprise into the classroom. But Connie’s classroom extended beyond the walls of the school to the wider world. While teaching at the Academy, she helped organize and participated in the EF traveling tours, taking Academy students around the globe to places like the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, and Australia, just to name a few. Connie remained a student of the world, its people, and cultures. She wanted to share this learning with her students. Congratulations Mrs. Connie Deardorff on receiving the 2018 Virtue, Honor, Education Award.
Past VHE Recipients
2017: Mr. John Armbruster
2016: Mrs. Janey Stephens
2015: Sr. Marjorie Jeanne Niemer
2014: Mr. Kelly Munchel
2013: Sr. Mary Ammann, OSF
2012: Sr. Constance Smith, OSF '40
2011: Sr. Francis Kennedy, OSF '56
2010: Sr. Edith Martini, OSF '42
2009: Ms. Pamela J. Burroughs
2008: Mother Antonia Dreer, OSF
2007: Sr. Francesca Thompson, OSF
2006: Sr. Mary Gloria Gallagher, OSF
2005: Mother Marie Dillhoff, OSF
2004: Sr. Therese de Lourdes, OSF
