REV. MICHAEL L. DUNN '82
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Rev. Michael L. Dunn was born in New Hyde Park, Long Island, NY, and grew up in Danbury, CT. He is a strong proponent of Catholic education, and believes Catholic schools are increasingly vital in this “day and age.” 

Rev. Dunn attended St. Gregory the Great School and Immaculate High School. Though he was not yet considering the priesthood while a Mustang, he does remember being fascinated by his IHS religion classes. Upon graduation from Immaculate in 1982, Rev. Dunn attended Sacred Heart University in Fairfield CT where he received his bachelor's degree in 1986. After college, he worked as a counselor for troubled teenagers and was working towards a master's degree in counseling before his call to the priesthood. He attended the St. John Fisher Residence and Immaculate Conception Seminary and was ordained to the priesthood in 1994. 

Rev. Dunn’s assignments have included: St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Trumbull, Notre Dame High School in Fairfield, St. Mary Parish in Bethel, St. Theresa Parish in Trumbull and St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Weston, where he was appointed pastor, in 2010. Rev. Dunn returned to his  home parish St. Gregory the Great as pastor in 2017. Two years ago, Bishop Caggiano appointed him dean of our northern Fairfield County parishes. 

Rev. Dunn believes his most gratifying work comes from working with young people. He loves going into classrooms and answering students’ questions and is passionate about the importance of helping students find answers to their spiritual questions about God and His church.

THE BAKER FAMILY
Raymond & Diane (posthumous)
Andrea '84, Ray '86 & Mark '90
TRUE BLUE MUSTANG AWARD

Diane & Raymond Baker met at a CYO dance in 1960. They were both native New Yorkers, both from families with strong Catholic values and both recipients of a Catholic education – Diane from St. Vincent Ferrer High School and Raymond from Fordham University.

When Raymond’s career brought the young family to Connecticut, Diane’s first priority was finding a town with access to a Catholic education. She researched schools, met in-person with principals and asked whether–or perhaps insisted that–all three children be accepted. They settled in Newtown, where Andrea, Ray and Mark all attended St. Rose of Lima School and then Immaculate High School.

At IHS, the Baker family embraced the values of respect, responsibility and reverence, immersing themselves in the community and making lifelong friends. Andrea was a cheerleader. Ray and Mark were both four-year members of the basketball team. Ray was treasurer of the student council. As parents, Diane and Raymond were just as involved, attending countless games and school events, even after the children had graduated.

Andrea has dedicated her career to both financial services and Catholic-based initiatives. She worked for Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, various Hedge Funds and currently serves as a Major Gifts Officer at the Diocese of Bridgeport. She is an active parishioner at Assumption Parish in Westport. Andrea is a Dame of Malta and actively serves the community through Eucharistic ministry at Silver Hill Hospital.

Ray has spent his career in the insurance industry, and today is vice president of underwriting for Arch Capital’s High Excess Worker’s Compensation Division. Ray, his wife Kathy and their college-age son (also Raymond) reside in Holmdel, NJ and are members of St. Catharine’s parish. Ray coached CYO basketball for several years.

Mark’s career in finance and accounting has included roles in a range of companies and top law firms. He spent 17 years at Mastercard International, the last 12 years of which had increased roles of responsibility. Mark is currently a consultant with Profit Resources. He and his wife Erin live in Newtown and are members at St. Rose of Lima parish.

All three children earned degrees from Catholic universities, Andrea from St. John’s, and Ray and Mark from Fordham.