HONOREES — Among those honored during Thursday’s Baron Club Dinner at the Franciscan University of Steubenville were, from left, Laurie Labishak, recipient of the Kuzma Community Award; Clint Hurdle, former Pirates manager and keynote speaker; Mike Haney, recipient of the Father Terrence Henry, TOR, Award; and Joe Wallace, the school’s men’s basketball coach and executive director of community relations. (Photo courtesy of Ross Gallabrese, Herald-Star.)
On Thursday, April 30, 2026, Laurie Labishak, Market Director of Marketing and Communications and Interim Director of Philanthropy at Trinity Health System, was honored with the prestigious Kuzma Community Award at the Baron Club Awards Dinner, hosted by Franciscan University of Steubenville.
The Kuzma Community Award is a deeply meaningful honor in the Ohio Valley. Named in memory of the legendary Franciscan University basketball coach Hank Kuzma—a man whose life was defined by community leadership, faith, and a relentless dedication to Steubenville—the award recognizes individuals who embody that same spirit of selfless service and civic pride.
Laurie’s recognition is a testament to the profound impact she has made across our region. Whether she is shaping the way we communicate our mission of health and healing or stepping up to lead our philanthropic efforts to ensure our neighbors have the resources they need, Laurie lives out our core values every single day.
Here’s an excerpt from the Herald-Star’s report on the celebration:
Danny Andersen summed up what the Baron Club Awards Dinner at Franciscan University of Steubenville means in a simple statement:
“This is a special night of the year for us,” Andersen said Thursday before the 57th annual event at Finnegan Fieldhouse.
While the dinner serves as a major fundraiser for the school’s Division III athletic program, it also provides an opportunity to recognize members of the community.
Clint Hurdle, who managed the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2010 to 2019, was the keynote speaker. Mike Haney, coach of the Steubenville High School basketball team, and Richard K. Reiderer, a former Weirton Steel Corp. executive and longtime member of the university’s board of trustees, received the Father Terrence Henry Awards. Laurie Labishak, market director of marketing and communications and interim director of philanthropy at Trinity Health System, received the Kuzma Community Award…
…Labishak has a long history of involvement with both the community and the university. She helped secure funding for the school’s track and field complex, assisted in establishing a campus clinic serving students and faculty and contributed to the development of the Rink at Franciscan Square.
“I had the profound blessing to take a pilgrimage to Italy, walking in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi,” she said. “That journey gave me a deeper understanding of our collective mission. St. Francis, known for his joyful demeanor, urged his followers to be troubadours for God, bringing peace and song. I believe that the song we collectively sing in our community is one of unwavering collaboration, of working together for the well-being of every single person.”