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St. Francis Xavier Catholic School Announces Alumni Award Recipients

St. Francis Xavier Catholic School (SFX) in Birmingham recently announced the 2021-2022 recipients of the Reverend Robert J. Sullivan Alumni Recognition Awards.

Instituted by the school’s advisory board in 2021, the program seeks to recognize alumni who have excelled in academic and professional endeavors and who have made significant contributions to their communities. Nominations were submitted this past January, and the school recognized the selected award winners this month. The winners are listed below.

1950s/1960s - Marty Keely

Marty Keely began his tremendous law enforcement career in 1969 when he joined the Mountain Brook Police Department. In 1987, he was promoted to the rank of Chief of Police. While serving as Chief of Police, he received the 1990 U.S. Marshals Service Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award for his work in the Judge Robert S. Vance bombing case. Keely is a past member and president of numerous organizations, including the FBI National Associates, United Cerebral Palsy of Birmingham, AL, the Metropolitan Criminal Justice Executive Association, and the Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police. In 2002, President George W. Bush appointed Keely United States Marshal for the Northern District of Alabama.

1970s - Dr. David Sullivan

Dr. David Sullivan is a renowned doctor and professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where his primary affiliation is with the W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology. He is also affiliated with the Malaria Research Institute and the Center for Global Health. He has been recognized by various agencies and organizations for his groundbreaking research and scholarly publications. Dr. Sullivan has received numerous prestigious awards and honors throughout his career, including the 2000-2004 Pew Scholars Award in Biomedical Sciences and the 2011 BIAL Award in Biomedicine. His dedication to the field of biomedicine is nothing short of extraordinary.

1980s - Dr. Anthony Turkiewicz

After graduating from SFX and John Carroll Catholic High School, Dr. Anthony Turkiewicz attended Georgetown University for his undergraduate coursework and for medical school. He is an esteemed rheumatologist, currently practicing at Rheumatology Associates in Birmingham, AL. Dr. Turkiewicz is considered a leading specialist in his field and travels the country lecturing on medical issues. Outside of his outstanding medical career, he is the proud father of three children, an active parishioner at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, and an incredibly gifted pianist/organist.   

1980s - Fran Smitherman

Fran Smitherman is a 1988 graduate of SFX and a 1992 graduate of John Carroll Catholic High School. She received both her bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Alabama. Smitherman has been with Regions Investment Management for 24 years. She is currently Senior Vice President/Director of Equity Research. She volunteers at Habitat for Humanity and Junior Achievement, and she is also on the Board of Directors for Oasis Counseling for Women and Children. Smitherman has been a Creative Memories Advisor since 2002 and is a Forever Senior Executive Ambassador. For the past 6 years, Smitherman has served as the SFX School Yearbook Coordinator. The pages she has created over the years are a beautiful gift to all SFX families. Smitherman and her husband have two sons who both attend SFX.

1990s - Nick Hayes

Nick Hayes is a 1996 graduate of SFX. While at SFX, Hayes was an active student leader and was very involved in altar serving and athletics. He is fondly known as "Coach Nick" to the many SFX students he has coached in soccer and basketball over the years. Hayes is employed by Regions Bank and has two children who currently attend SFX.

1990s - Kristi Tomberlin

Kristi Tomberlin has devoted hundreds of hours of service to St. Francis Xavier School and Church through her leadership roles in the Girl Scouts program, the Home and School Association, and as a room mother for the school’s classes. Tomberlin also shares the news and updates about SFX with the broader community through her role as social media coordinator. Tomberlin and her husband David own and operate Mountainview Chem Dry, a local carpet and upholstery cleaning company. Through their business endeavors, they provide financial support and other areas of service to many organizations in our community. Tomberlin is also active in John Carroll alumni activities and frequently supports John Carroll students and organizations at their fundraisers and events. 

2000s - Michael Savela

Michael Savela is a 2000 graduate of SFX. He is also a graduate of John Carroll Catholic High School. Savela earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from Birmingham-Southern College and his master's degree in healthcare administration from the University of St. Francis. He is an amazingly talented professional pianist and loves to share his gift of music with others. His personal health challenges, combined with his musical talent, helped him develop a niche for motivational speaking. With this passion for encouraging others through music, Savela has had numerous speaking engagements, including addressing participants at the National Transplant Olympic Games. He is a phenomenal motivator and role model within the SFX community. 

2010s - Juan Perez

While a student at SFX and John Carroll Catholic High School, Juan Perez was very active in the parish's youth ministry program. He was a dedicated member of the youth group, rarely missing a meeting, retreat, or service project. Perez had a joyful spirit and a servant's heart. He was a friend to all and was known for his strong Catholic faith. He was an altar server and active volunteer for both the English and Hispanic communities at St. Francis Xavier Church. In the fall of 2021, Perez passed away after an aggressive fight with cancer. His legacy lives on, and he will be remembered as a dedicated servant leader who loved the Lord. Perez will forever be an inspiration to the school and parish.