Rev. David A. Sauter, S.J. received the Insignis Medal and Carlos J. Carhuas ’14 received the Joyce Award at the annual President's Councilors Dinner on October 2 at Columbia Country Club.

Acting President/Headmaster Jeffrey L. Jones commended Fr. Sauter for his dedication and faithful service to Georgetown Prep. During his 18 years at Prep, Fr. Sauter has served as a Jesuit Scholastic from 1966 to 1969, as Headmaster from 1972 to 1981, and again as a faculty member from 2002 to 2004.

“Fr. David Sauter exemplifies what it means to be a man for and with others,” Mr. Jones said.

Fr. Sauter entered the Society of Jesus in 1959, was ordained in 1972, and has served two other Jesuit schools as president: St. Joseph's Prep in Philadelphia, from 1981 to 2002, and Saint Ignatius Loyola Academy in Baltimore, from 2004 to 2009.

When Mr. Jones asked him to return to Prep as a member of the faculty, Fr. Sauter noted, “I knew that it was what God wanted me to do and what I wanted to do.”

During his acceptance speech, Fr. Sauter spoke movingly about his mission in life as a priest and a teacher, particularly since his return to Prep in 2009:

“These last few years are among the happiest in the midst of a very happy life. I love what I am doing. The students are wonderful. I look forward to every class, and I am overwhelmed with the privilege of sharing what I know about the subject and life with them. I am surrounded by men and women who love the students as much as I do and who work hard to give them all they can.

Sometimes people come to me for advice, and I am able to share some of my experiences with them. I am able to enjoy my priestly ministry every day in a variety of ways. I have always felt appreciated as a priest. I have never felt so needed, and I feel humbled and privileged to fulfill that need. It is truly never a burden but always a joy.”

In introducing Carlos Carhuas, Mr. Jones praised the devotion, enthusiasm, and selflessness the senior exuberates daily.

In his acceptance speech, Carlos vividly recalled the day he received his letter of acceptance to Prep and the life lessons he has learned thus far. He said, “I’m here today to tell everyone that from my time at Prep, I learned to understand myself, to see God in everything, and most importantly to be a leader.”

The John Edward Joyce Award is presented annually in memory of the namesake, a beloved member of Prep’s faculty for 36 years. When Joyce died in 2002, at the age of 87, he left his entire estate to Prep, in the hopes that his example might inspire others. A faculty member or student who best exemplifies Prep’s core values and ideals is presented a cash award in Joyce’s memory.

Established in 1981, the Insignis Medal is Prep’s highest honor. The award’s name is taken from the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius Loyola and his Meditation on the Kingdom of Christ, in which Loyola cites “Insignis in domino,” which is Latin for “Outstanding service to the Lord.”

The President’s Councilors Dinner is held annually to honor leading donors to Prep’s Annual Fund and past winners of the Insignis Medal.