The NCEA Distinguished Alumni are Banks and Loseke.
The NCEA Distinguished Alumni: Honoring Banks and Loseke
Each year, the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) takes great pride in honoring exceptional individuals who have made significant contributions to their fields and communities, recognizing their achievements with the Distinguished Alumni Award. This prestigious recognition is reserved for those whose lives have demonstrated a commitment to excellence, community, faith, and service, all values that align with the mission of Catholic education. In 2025, two remarkable individuals, Banks and Loseke, have been named the NCEA Distinguished Alumni, celebrating their exceptional careers and dedication to their faith, professions, and community service.
This article will explore the achievements of Banks and Loseke, shedding light on their individual journeys, their paths to success, and the impact they have had in their respective fields. We will examine how their Catholic education shaped their lives, provided the foundation for their success, and helped them become leaders in their communities. Furthermore, we will reflect on how their stories are emblematic of the values that the NCEA strives to instill in its alumni—values that continue to guide future generations of students.
The Legacy of Catholic Education: Shaping Future Leaders
Catholic education has long been regarded as an institution that not only emphasizes academic rigor but also fosters personal growth, ethical development, and a strong sense of social responsibility. Schools that are part of the National Catholic Educational Association serve as beacons of hope, offering students a nurturing environment in which they can grow spiritually, intellectually, and emotionally. By emphasizing the core values of faith, service, justice, and respect, Catholic schools help shape individuals who go on to make meaningful contributions to society.
The Distinguished Alumni Award is given to individuals who embody the essence of Catholic education, showing that the lessons learned in Catholic schools go beyond textbooks. The awardees are leaders who have had a positive impact on their communities, using their skills, talents, and faith to uplift others. This year’s recipients—Banks and Loseke—represent the best of Catholic education and demonstrate how a strong foundation in faith and service can lead to extraordinary accomplishments.
Banks: A Lifelong Commitment to Community and Service
Banks, one of the 2025 NCEA Distinguished Alumni, has long been recognized for his contributions to both his profession and his community. A graduate of a Catholic school, Banks’ journey reflects the power of a Catholic education in molding individuals who are not only successful in their careers but are also deeply committed to making a difference in the lives of others.
Early Life and Catholic Education
Banks was born and raised in a community where Catholic education played a central role in his life. His early experiences in school instilled in him a strong sense of service, compassion, and responsibility, principles that would later guide his career and personal life. Banks attended a Catholic high school where he developed an early passion for community service, which led him to become actively involved in various outreach programs and volunteer initiatives.
Throughout his high school years, Banks was encouraged to embrace his faith and to understand the importance of helping others. His teachers and mentors in the Catholic education system not only imparted academic knowledge but also nurtured his sense of justice, kindness, and social responsibility. These lessons became a cornerstone of his character and would influence his later decisions, both personally and professionally.
Career and Professional Success
After high school, Banks pursued higher education, eventually entering the professional world where his natural leadership abilities began to shine. He quickly rose to prominence in his chosen field, which involved a combination of business and social impact. Banks leveraged his success to develop programs that would give back to his community. His career has been marked by a consistent drive to not only excel in his profession but to use his success as a platform for advocating for positive social change.
One of Banks’ most notable achievements has been his work with nonprofit organizations focused on education, poverty alleviation, and youth mentorship. He has served on the boards of several organizations that support underprivileged youth and has been an advocate for educational equity. Banks believes that every child, regardless of their background, deserves the opportunity to receive a quality education and to realize their potential.
As a business leader, Banks has also been involved in initiatives that promote economic empowerment and job creation, particularly in underserved communities. He has been committed to ensuring that individuals have access to resources that allow them to succeed and improve their quality of life. His work has had a profound impact, and he continues to be a driving force for positive change in his community.
Faith and Service: A Lifelong Commitment
Banks attributes much of his success to the foundation of faith and service that was instilled in him through his Catholic education. He views his professional accomplishments as an extension of his personal values and often says that his faith has been a guiding force in all his endeavors. He has been involved in several faith-based initiatives, including leading retreats and spiritual programs for young people, where he shares his own experiences of integrating faith and service into daily life.
Through his work, Banks has shown that success is not solely measured by financial gain or professional accolades but by the impact one has on others. His commitment to his community and his unwavering dedication to his faith have earned him the admiration and respect of colleagues, mentors, and the many lives he has touched throughout his career.
Loseke: A Champion for Education and Advocacy
Loseke, the second recipient of the 2025 NCEA Distinguished Alumni Award, has spent much of his career working in the field of education and advocacy. A graduate of a Catholic school, Loseke’s path is one of dedication to enhancing the lives of others through education, policy reform, and public service. Much like Banks, Loseke’s journey is deeply rooted in the values of faith, service, and community engagement.
Roots in Catholic Education
Loseke’s journey in Catholic education began at a young age. Raised in a Catholic family, Loseke attended a Catholic high school where he was inspired by the Jesuit values of cura personalis (care for the whole person) and magis (striving for the greater good). It was during his time in Catholic school that Loseke became passionate about the power of education to transform lives and create opportunities for individuals from all walks of life.
Loseke often speaks about how the faith-centered environment of his Catholic school provided him with the tools to navigate life’s challenges. Through the guidance of compassionate teachers and mentors, Loseke learned that education is about more than just academic success—it is about developing moral character, a sense of justice, and a commitment to serving others.
Advocacy and Career in Education
After graduating from Catholic school, Loseke went on to pursue a career that centered on public education and advocacy for educational reform. He worked tirelessly to improve public education systems, particularly in areas that serve underserved populations. Loseke was instrumental in advocating for policies that promote educational equity and access to resources for students in need.
He has held several leadership positions, working with local and national organizations to advance educational policy that supports underserved communities and minority populations. His work has been recognized by various educational associations, and he has become a leading voice in the effort to make education more accessible, fair, and effective for all students.
One of Loseke’s proudest accomplishments has been his role in helping establish scholarship programs for low-income students, ensuring that they have access to quality higher education. His work has also involved lobbying for more robust mental health services in schools and the integration of social-emotional learning into the curriculum to better address the needs of the whole child.
Faith, Service, and Social Justice
Like Banks, Loseke’s work has always been influenced by his Catholic faith. He has been deeply involved in local parishes, leading educational programs and organizing community service initiatives. His advocacy for social justice is grounded in his faith, which teaches that each person has inherent dignity and deserves the opportunity to succeed. Loseke has always maintained that education is the key to breaking cycles of poverty and that every child, regardless of their circumstances, should have access to the resources necessary to achieve their dreams.
Loseke’s commitment to faith-based service is evident in his personal and professional life. Whether working on educational reform or volunteering in his community, he has consistently exemplified the values that were instilled in him during his Catholic education. His dedication to serving others and advocating for justice has earned him numerous accolades, including recognition by several national educational organizations.
The Impact of Banks and Loseke: A Legacy of Service
Both Banks and Loseke have demonstrated the far-reaching impact of Catholic education on individuals and communities. Their success stories serve as inspiration to others, especially to current and future generations of Catholic school students. Their work has had a transformative effect on the communities they serve, from economic empowerment and youth mentorship to educational advocacy and social justice.
These two Distinguished Alumni embody the values of Catholic education—faith, service, and commitment to the common good. Their lives remind us that success is not just about personal achievement, but about how one’s actions can elevate and empower others. Through their work, Banks and Loseke continue to make a lasting difference, showing that the lessons learned in Catholic schools can extend far beyond the classroom and into the world.
