On Sacred Heart Schools Day, the 149th birthday of Sacred Heart Schools, Amy Olson, Vice President of Mission and Community; Sacred Heart Schools President, Dr. Karen McNay; and Charles Francesconi, the second president of Sacred Heart Schools, presented the 2026 Francesconi Award of Integrity to Laura Timpe from Sacred Heart Preschool.
The Francesconi Award of Integrity is the highest honor given by Sacred Heart Schools to faculty or staff on Ursuline Campus. After singing "Happy Birthday" to Sacred Heart, the preschoolers were delighted to see their beloved Ms. Laura win this award! She was joined by her family and SHP Director Kim Washle.
Laura's faithful commitment to the Ursuline Core Values of Reverence, Service, Leadership, and Community is evident in every aspect of her work, both within our school and beyond its walls. As a teacher and now the assistant director of SHP, Laura is the epitome of a team player who supports others with genuine positivity and unwavering belief in their potential. She lives and leads by example through reverence in her daily work with children.
Laura Timpe is a person of deep faith who lives by St. Angela's words: "Give good example," inspiring students, families, and colleagues alike. This year marks her 22nd year with Sacred Heart Schools where she works with commitment, dedication, and a contagious laugh. Congratulations to Laura Timpe!
The Ursuline Sisters of Louisville, under the leadership of Mother Superior Martina Nicklas, OSU, opened the Academy of the Sacred Heart, a co-educational school for students in grades one through twelve, in October of 1877. Our four schools--Sacred Heart Academy, Sacred Heart Model School, Sacred Heart Preschool, and Sacred Heart School for the Arts--will celebrate Ursuline Heritage Month all month long!
Past recipients of the Francesconi Award for Integrity:
2024 – Bob Wheatley (Sacred Heart Academy)
2023 - Tricia Forde (Sacred Heart Model School)
2022 – Amy Olson (Office of Adminstrative Services)
2021 – Sr. Lorna Weiler (Sacred Heart Academy)
2020 – Cynthia Crabtree (OAS)
2019 – Laura Chipe (Sacred Heart School for the Arts)
2018 – Lauren Stinnett (Sacred Heart Preschool)
2017 – Donna Moir (SHA)
2016 – Ann Carol Grant (SHMS)
2015 – Sr. Judith Rice (OAS)
2014 – Ted Elsesser (SHA)
2013 – Sanu Lama (SHP)
2012 – Susan Snyder (SHMS)
2011 – Beverly McAuliffe (SHA)
2010 – Ruth Kelly (SHA)
2009 – Marsha Pierce (OAS)
2008 – Gerry Keene (SHSA)
2007 – Dan Van Meter (SHA)
2006 – Sr. Colette Kraemer (OAS)
2005 – Betty Prough (SHMS)
2004 – Anna Jo Paul (SHSA)
2003 – Sr. Louise Marie Willenbrink (SHA)