The Msgr. Michael F. Sexton Continuing Education Endowment provides annual scholarships for professional staff in diocesan Catholic schools who wish to continue their education or pursue advanced degrees. Annually, professional staff who desire to advance their education to benefit our Catholic schools may submit applications for a Msgr. Michael F. Sexton Continuing Education Scholarship. The scholarship review committee reviews applications to make award decisions. Awards cover up to 80% of the recipient’s tuition. 

The 2024 Msgr. Michael F. Sexton Continuing Education Scholarship awards were made in May 2024 to Brittany Saibini and Matthew Ogonowski with certificates of recognition presented to each recipient at the annual Catholic Schools Office Formation Day on Sept. 13.

Saibini is a teacher at Holy Spirit Catholic School in Tuscaloosa, serving students in grades 6-12 in the school’s resource program. Through the Msgr. Sexton scholarship, Saibini is working toward a Master of Teaching in Special Education at Arkansas State University. Ogonowski, also of Holy Spirit Catholic School in Tuscaloosa, teaches history, government and economics, while also serving as the school’s dean of students. He is pursuing a master’s degree in instructional leadership at the University of Montevallo.

The 2023 recipients of the Msgr. Sexton Continuing Education Scholarship awards have completed their degrees. Victoria Jordan, counselor at Prince of Peace Catholic School, received her certificate in leadership and instruction from the University of North Alabama in May 2024, and Courtney Magee, principal of St. Joseph Catholic School in Florence, graduated with her master’s degree in instructional leadership from the University of North Alabama in December 2024. 

To support the Msgr. Michael F. Sexton Continuing Education Endowment, please visit https://bhmdiocese.org/monsignor-sexton-endowment.