Maj. Gen. John Altenburg, who attended CJ until midway through his senior year, received an honorary alumni award for his service in the U.S. Army.
Altenburg would’ve graduated in 1962. The honorary award is bestowed upon those who didn’t graduate from CJ, but made significant contributions to the school community.
Altenburg, a 1973 University of Cincinnati law school graduate, served in the Army for 40 years and was named the appointing authority for military commissions covering detainees at Guantanamo Bay by now former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfield.
Altenburg has been awarded many honors, including the Distinguished Service Medal, two Legion of Merit and two Bronze Star medals.
Other honorees included:
Father Ken Sommer, S.M. (1946); Christian Service Award. He became a priest with the Marianist order and helped found the Catholic Men’s Fellowship organization. The fellowship has more than 100,000 participants. He was also inducted into CJ’s athletic hall of fame in 1982 for football and basketball.
Steve Budde (1969); CJ Community Award. For more than 20 years, Budde coached, volunteered, announced and was liaison for many school improvements. He was also the first chairman of Project Lead the Way, which led to a program that encourages students to explore opportunities in the sciences.
Mike Gallagher (1978); Professional Achievement Award for his work on the nationally syndicated Mike Gallagher radio show.
He’s the sixth most listened to radio talk show in the country. Gallagher is also a contributor on the Fox News Channel.
The Rindler family, Paul and Doris, received The Legacy Award for starting a 45-year tradition by sending their eight children to CJ and its predecessor schools. That tradition continues with their children, who have done the same. There are 24 graduates of CJ and its predecessor schools in the family.
About the Author