St. Agnes Academy-St.
Dominic School
St. Agnes Academy-St.
Dominic School
St. Agnes Academy Upper School teacher Betty Pate was honored as the 2008 recipient of the Albertus Magnus Award. The award, named in honor of Albertus Magnus, a scholar, evangelist and Dominican Bishop, recognizes an outstanding educator who demonstrates the four pillars of the Dominican tradition: prayer, study, community and service. The Board of Trustees of St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School presents the award each spring on the Feast of St. Catharine.
“Betty Pate spreads the Gospel within the school community and wherever she goes and in whatever she does, because she is a kind, loving, caring individual who has devoted herself to the preaching of love and goodness in our world,” said Dr. Joy Maness, Upper School Dean.
Betty Pate graduated with her BA in History and Political Science from Spalding University and received her Masters in Religious Education from Loyola of New Orleans. Betty joined the St. Agnes Academy Upper School faculty in 1979 as a theology teacher, and in 1998 she was named Chair of the Theology Department. In 1998 Betty received the CARE Award as an outstanding catechist in the Diocese, and more recently she was named recipient of the St. John Neumann Award for Outstanding Service.
Betty is known for her
dedication to her Saint Agnes activities. She has planned campus liturgies, the
annual Day of Caring, Reconciliation, retreats, LIGHT meetings and many prayer
experiences for the students. Throughout the years Betty has been a driving
force in developing the School’s total service commitments for grades 9-12. She
is very proud to be an OPA, Associate of the Dominican Order, and serves as
Co-Promoter for Associates with Sr. Cathy Galaskiewicz. She attends the
Dominican Associate Directors yearly meeting and has represented all the
Dominican Associate Directors at the Dominican Leadership Conference. Betty was
recently selected to be the Chairperson for the Associate Directors of the
United States. In addition, she has written a monthly column in the Dominican
Newsletter, Day by Day, on Associate Life.
“Living out the Dominican charism of study,
prayer, service, and community has strengthened not only my life but also my
teaching,” said Betty. “Whatever I learn is always shared with my students. As
I have been blessed with challenges and insights, the girls have also been the
recipients. I believe that teachers teach who they are, but I’ve also learned
that I’ve become a better person through sharing in the idealism and enthusiasm
of our young people.”
Betty is an active member of Blessed Sacrament Parish where she has coordinated RCIA and served in many capacities, including Lector and Eucharistic Minister. She has facilitated adult education with the Little Rock Scripture Study Program and has served on the Parish Council and the School Board. She has also served as the President of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus, Council #616. She and her husband were recently presented the Peter Drott Friend for Life Award by Birthright of Memphis for their outstanding service.
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