Ten great alumni make up the 2025 class of inductees to the CHS Distinguished Alumni Hall of Honor.

They will be inducted Saturday, Nov. 8. 

Peter Augustine ’83 - Business

Augustine started his career as an accountant at New Era Cap Company before being named president in 2003. Under Pete’s leadership New Era became a global sports and fashion brand headquartered in Buffalo. Since leaving New Era, Pete has lent his expertise as a board member for many local organizations including The Children’s Hospital of Buffalo Foundation and NativityMiguel School. Augustine was recently named chairman of the CHS Board of Trustees after serving as vice-chair for nine years.

Rev. Michael Corcoran, S.J. ’76 – Religious

Corcoran – a teacher by trade who taught math and religion at CHS for 10 years – served as the Superior of the Jesuits in Yap and Palau Micronesia. During that time he simultaneously served as the inaugural Principal and Director of Yap Catholic School, overseeing its establishment and growth from 35 students to an enrollment of 100 today. He is currently the superior of the Murray-Weigel-Kohlmann community at Fordham University, the health care community of the USA East Province of the Society of Jesus.

Rev. Jack Mattimore, S.J. ’76 – Religious

Mattimore has spent the majority of his career in service to those on the margins. After serving as the principal of Canisius High School he was simultaneously named chaplain of St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy, Roswell Park Cancer Institute and Holy Angels Academy. He then served as the chaplain of the federal detention facility in Batavia before being named director of Yap Catholic school. Upon his return to the U.S., Mattimore continued his prison ministry at Riker’s Island and at the Thrive for Life Prison Project – a non-profit that provides assistance to current and former inmates.

Dr. Michael McPhaden ’68 – Science

Dr. McPhaden is a leading National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration climate scientist studying large scale ocean dynamics as the Director of the Global Tropical Moored Buoy Array. For his work, McPhaden has been awarded a U.S. Department of Commerce Gold Medal, a Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Service and a shared Nobel Peace Prize for his contribution to the Assessments of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Rev. James Miracky, S.J. ’76 – Religious

Miracky began his career at Holy Cross where he taught English literature before serving as chair of the English department and then as the Associate Dean for Faculty Development. He was named Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences at Loyola University Maryland in 2010. In 2014 he was appointed Provincial Assistant for Higher Education for the Maryland and Northeast Provinces before they merged into the USA East province. He is currently the VP for Mission Integration at St. Peter’s University.

Hon. Patrick NeMoyer ’70 - Law (deceased)

NeMoyer served as the Erie County Attorney from 1988 to 1993 before being appointed U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York. In 1997, he was elected to the New York State Supreme Court. He was appointed to the 4th Department of the Appellate Division in 2016. He was named Judge of the Year by the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, Western District, in 2006, by the bar association’s Commercial and Bankruptcy Committee in 2001 and by its Family Law Committee in 2000.

Phil Perna ’70 – Business

Perna began his career as an associate at Hodgson Russ and M&T Bank before assuming the role of President and CEO of Supermarket Management – a company that franchises and operates four Tops Markets. In 1999 he became the Director and Executive Vice President of 7680 Transit Road, overseeing 16 Tim Horton’s locations. He still holds both of those roles today. He is a past president of Leadership Buffalo and has served on the boards for the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, Volunteer Lawyers Project and Sisters Hospital Foundation.

Rev. Thomas Slon, S.J. ’75 – Religious

Slon is an architect by trade who began his career focusing on Church renovation after Vatican II. He was named Socius of the USA East Province where he served as the second in command overseeing daily operations. He then returned to Buffalo to serve as the Superior of the Jesuits. In 2024 he was named Socius of the Jesuit Conference US, overseeing the six Jesuit provinces of the United States and Canada.

Rev. Michael Tunney, S.J. ’76 - Religious

An influential and renowned art teacher, Tunney founded the Studio Arts program at Canisius University and guided its merger with three other arts programs to create the Fine Arts department. Tunney then chaired the department before being named Superior of the Jesuits at Fairfield University. Since 2021 Tunney has served as the Provincial Assistant for Higher Education at the USA East Province.

Rev. James Van Dyke, S.J. ’77 – Religious

Van Dyke began his career as a beloved English teacher and rowing coach at Canisius High School. He served in similar roles at Xavier, McQuaid and Fordham Prep. In 2013 he was named principal of Cristo Rey Atlanta High School. Since 2018, Van Dyke has served as the president of Georgetown Preparatory School where he has led the expansion of the school’s athletic and dormitory facilities through a $70 million capital campaign.

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The Distinguished Alumni Hall of Honor, Athletic Hall of Fame honorees and John Barnes Award winner will be inducted as part of a gala event on Saturday, Nov. 8.

Go to canisiushigh.org/alumniawards for more information.