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Honorable Rev. Darius G. Pridgen

Honorable Rev. Darius G. Pridgen

by | Feb 17, 2023

Darius Pridgen ‘81, is an Air Force veteran who received his B.S. degree in Criminal Justice from Buffalo State College and his M.A. degree in Organizational Leadership from Medaille College.

To be nominated for the Msgr. John Zeitler Memorial Award, individuals must possess an extraordinary dedication to Community and Family Life as well as an outstanding reputation as a spiritual leader in the community. This year’s nominee, Bishop Darius G. Pridgen, certainly manifests these fine qualities.

Bishop Pridgen is a mentor, community leader and organizer as the Senior Servant of True Bethel Baptist Church located in Buffalo. This church provides the community with food, clothing and shelter through their Taste of Faith Pantry and the Clothes Closet which extends help for individuals in need during difficult times. In 2015, under the Bishop’s leadership, a Mobile Outreach Van and Information Opportunity Bus were created to serve multiple areas
in the city. During the same year, Darius led the effort to build a Dollar General in the neighborhood.

Bishop Pridgen is also known as Buffalo Common Council President Pridgen. He is the first known cleric to be elected to public office in Buffalo’s history. He was first elected to the Buffalo Board of Education, where he served as Chairperson of the Big 5 School Districts and the Student Support Committee. He also served as Chair of the Rules Committee on the Council and currently is a member of the Board of Trustees at Medaille College.

To quote Bishop Pridgen, “I am called to build people who will build a community and who will change the world.”

Monsignor James N. Connelly

Monsignor James N. Connelly

by | Feb 17, 2023

To be nominated for the John W. Zeitller Memorial Award nominees must have the following specific qualities : They must have an extraordinary dedication to community and family life. They must have an outstanding reputation as a “spiritual” leader in the community. They must have been a significant mentorship of students and families. They must have recognized dedication to education and leadership. Finally, they must have established leadership and administrative skills.

This years nominee Monsignor James N. Connelly has all of these skills and more. It is hard to believe that Monsignor Connelly is 97 years old and is still active. Tonight he will be receiving the 1st Annual John Zeitler W. Memorial Achievement Award. Monsignor was a lifetime friend of the legendary John Zeitler. Zeitler was an assistant at St. Joseph Parish years ago and worked closely with Monsignor Connelly at the school. He said, “John Zeitler was an amazing friend. He was in charge of our youth program at St, Joseph and did the coaching and the intramural athletics. His knowledge of athletics was second to none. He was a wonderful person who was a great role model for our children and is greatly missed.

When Monsignor Connelly went to Bennett High School he took part in varsity baseball, track and cross country. He has great memories of Bennett and is honored to be receiving this prestigious award.