2021 - Dr. Patricia Perillo ‘81

During her years at Ursuline Academy, Patty Perillo ‘81 participated in several student run clubs such as student council, National Honors Society, and drama club.  She served God and her fellow students in the liturgy club in which she helped organize school masses. She participated in several sports such as volleyball, basketball, and softball, and even coached these teams. 

Patty was the first in her family to graduate from college and learned, early on in her college career, that education has the power to transform individual lives and that of communities. She knew that she wanted to work in higher education and has dedicated over 30 years ensuring transformative learning experiences for students at 7 institutions including University ofMaryland, Virginia Tech, Davidson College and University of Delaware. 

She has received many honors and awards including ACPA’s Esther Lloyd Jones Professional Service Award, ACPA’s Diamond Honoree Award, and inductions into Phi Kappa Phi and Omicron Delta Kappa, to name a few. 

In addition, Patty has dedicated her time to God and Gangs, an organization devoted to youth violence and gang prevention, Relay for Life and the American Cancer Association, she has helped establish campus food pantries and worked with homeless students to ensure that everyone has a healthy meal and the resources to survive and thrive.