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(Worcester, Mass.) — Four individuals will receive Worcester State University’s 27th Annual Distinguished Alumni Awards for their contributions to the education field, insurance and healthcare sectors, and the community on Wednesday, April 4 in the Student Center’s Blue Lounge. These awards are the highest non-degree recognition the university bestows on alumni.

The honorees are Catheryn McEvoy-Zdonczyk of Auburn, Stephen Sycks of Worcester, Vincent Nieroda of New York City and Todd Leach of Bow, New Hampshire.

McEvoy-Zdonczyk’s early success in the heathcare field will be recognized at the event. She is vice president of central and western Massachusetts for Harvard
Pilgrim Health Care, and was with Fallon Community Health Plan, leaving as senior director of government and community relations, until June 2011. She began her career after graduating from Worcester State in 1995, working for the trade-show marketing firm Admore Inc.

Sycks, director of operations at the March of Dimes and a 1991 graduate of Worcester State, will be honored for his service in the community. In particular, he is deeply involved with the Boy Scouts, co-founding a unit, leading troops and packs, and serving on the Boy Scouts of America Mohegan Council. Sycks other community service includes sitting on Abby Kelly Foster Charter Public School’s board of trustees, being a member of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce and North Worcester Business Association, and volunteering at Immaculate Conception Church in Worcester. 

Nieroda, president and CEO of American European Insurance Group in New York City and a 1968 graduate of Worcester State, will be recognized for his distinguished professional achievement. Prior to taking the helm at AEIG, he was president of Hanover Insurance Group’s personal lines division, and led Bunker Hill Insurance Company, Pilgrim Insurance Company, Boston Risk Management Consultants and North River Claims Services.  

Leach, president of Granite State College in Concord, New Hampshire and a 1983 graduate of Worcester State, will be honored for his long career in education. He was also a senior administrator at Northeastern University and a faculty member at Lasell College. Early in his career, he taught at MassBay Community College, where he was once a student, and Newbury College.

For more information on this event, please contact the Worcester State University Office of Alumni at 508-929-8141 or alumni@worcester.edu.

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