December 21, 2022
Last month Ursuline honored three of its own during its annual awards reception sponsored by the Ursuline College -St. John College Alumnae Association. Honorees Jill Delaney Bryne, PhD, MSN, RN; Janice Roccosalva, MA, MEd; and Jocelyn Jones, MBA mingled among invited guests in the Florence O'Donnell Wasmer Gallery and also enjoyed Wasmer’s new exhibition, “Beyond Cute: The Doll Show.”
Jill Delaney Byrne PhD, MSN, RN,CNOR received the Amadeus Rappe Award, which is presented to an outstanding graduate of Ursuline College or St. John College for their professional accomplishments.
Dr. Byrne graduated in 1984 from Ursuline College with her BSN in Nursing. After years of observing the discomfort of operating room staff during long surgeries, she embarked on a research project and dissertation on occupational heat stress caused by wearing layers of personal protective equipment. She ultimately invented a disposable cooling vest, CoolSourceTM Cooling System now widely available to surgeons.
Long-time alumnae volunteer Janice Roccosalva, MEd. received the Crystal Award for her dedication to and support of the College and the Alumnae Association.
A double alumna of Ursuline, Ms. Roccosalva is a well-respected leader in education, most recently retired as the Principal of Villa-Angela St. Joseph High School. She has embarked on a second career as a volunteer at Hospice of the Western Reserve, the Marianist Urban Students Program (MUSP) at Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School, and as Eucharistic Minister, Lector, and Chair of both Parish Council and the Finance Committee of her church. An active member of the Alumnae Board, she served on the Ursuline 150th Anniversary Committee and is the co-chair of the Mission and Spiritual Life Committee of the Alumnae Board
Jocelyn Jones, MBA received the Rising Arrow Award, which recognizes the professional and personal accomplishments of an outstanding graduate of Ursuline College who earned their undergraduate or graduate degree from Ursuline College within 15 years.
Also, a double alumna, Ms. Jones volunteers extensively on the Ursuline alumnae/i Board as well as in her community while building her career at Progressive Insurance. As the chair of the Student Engagement Committee, and now as the President-Elect of the Board, she imagines new ways to connect with current students, the Ursuline College community, and alumnae. She is also an active volunteer with the Community Partnership on Aging and provides technology workshops to seniors.
Congratulations to all of our award winners. Thank you for serving as role models to our students and fellow graduates in your professional lives and personal commitments to your alma mater.
