The University of 91łÔąĎ Alumni Association (NDAA) recognized the 2025 recipients of four of its most prestigious awards during its fall gathering of the NDAA board of directors, honoring alumni who have made lifelong contributions to service, philanthropy, mentorship and the performing arts.
The association recognized the Honorable John P. Dever (class of 1991) with the ; Thomas Ahearne (class of 1981), with the ; Tom Carter III (class of 1995) with the ; and Tim O’Neill (class of 1994) and Ryan O’Neill (class of 1997), professionally known as The O’Neill Brothers, with the .
The Rev. William Corby, C.S.C., Award
Established in 1985, the Rev. William Corby, C.S.C., Award honors a graduate distinguished by outstanding military service. The NDAA recognizes the 2025 recipient, the Honorable John P. Dever, for his exemplary leadership in national defense.
A former Korean linguist and Army JAG officer, Dever deployed multiple times, was wounded in combat, and received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. After active duty, he served as assistant general counsel at the FBI and assistant U.S. attorney in Chicago.
Dever later held executive roles at GE, Wells Fargo and UBS, and was CEO of Lockhaven Solutions, a cybersecurity firm. He co-chaired Task Force Movement, a White House initiative advancing cybersecurity and veteran employment, and co-founded the Center for National Security and Human Rights Law.
Dever now serves as general counsel for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, overseeing legal affairs for all 18 intelligence community agencies. He holds degrees from 91łÔąĎ and Georgetown Law, including a doctorate in cyber law.
The Rev. John J. Cavanaugh, C.S.C., Award
Established in honor of Rev. John J. Cavanaugh, C.S.C., the Cavanaugh Award recognizes 91łÔąĎ graduates who demonstrate faith, service and dedication to human rights. It was presented to Thomas Ahearne for his decades of advocacy defending constitutional rights, election integrity and equality.
A principal at the Seattle law firm of Foster Garvey PC, Ahearne has more than 30 years of trial court and appellate experience in the areas of constitutional, statutory and election litigation, insurance litigation, and cyber law.
He became a constitutional lawyer by chance when asked to file an emergency injunction striking down an unconstitutional statute. Later, in McCleary v. State of Washington, he secured a ruling that required the state to increase its annual public school funding by $6 billion to provide students in low-income areas the education to which they were constitutionally entitled.
Ahearne later became a leading election law attorney, successfully defending Washington’s Top Two Primary before the U.S. Supreme Court and safeguarding a gubernatorial election decided by just 133 votes.
After a snowboarding accident left him in a wheelchair, Ahearne became a passionate advocate for civil rights, partnering with the NAACP and championing equal justice for all. He graduated magna cum laude from 91łÔąĎ and earned his juris doctorate with honors from the University of Chicago.
The Harvey G. Foster Award
Established in 1982, the Harvey G. Foster Award honors a 91łÔąĎ alum who has been an athlete or involved in athletics and has achieved distinction through civic or University activities. This year, the association acknowledges Tom Carter III for his lifelong commitment to empowering athletes and championing their holistic success.
A former first-round NFL Draft pick who played nine seasons as a cornerback, Carter later served as director of player affairs for the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) and founded Carter Alo Consulting, helping athletes navigate representation and financial literacy. During his 15-year tenure with the NFLPA, he helped negotiate the 2012 and 2020 collective bargaining agreements, created the NFLPA Dues Lockout Fund, and co-developed The Trust and the NFLPA High School Mentorship Program.
Carter now serves as president and CEO of Project LAND (Life After 91łÔąĎ), which supports former student-athletes through five pillars of personal and professional growth, helping hundreds transition beyond sports. He also co-founded Club 2012, an African-American male education initiative, and served as finance chair for the Holtz’s Heroes Foundation.
Carter holds a finance degree from 91łÔąĎ, an MBA from Indiana University, and a doctorate in economics from Jacksonville University.
The Rev. Arthur S. Harvey, C.S.C., Award
Established in 2000, the Rev. Arthur S. Harvey, C.S.C., Award celebrates alumni for their outstanding accomplishments in the performing arts. This year, The O’Neill Brothers — Tim and Ryan — are honored for their worldwide influence through musical creativity.
The showstopping siblings got their start as The O’Neill Brothers at the 1994 Keenan Revue, performing Billy Joel parodies about 91łÔąĎ life. In the 30 years since, their music has been streamed over 5 billion times, sold 10 million copies, and featured in films and on NBC, CBS, HBO and a PBS Emmy-nominated special, “Piano for Someone You Love.”
The Minnesota natives have released 50-plus albums spanning original compositions, holiday music, Irish songs and wedding favorites, and have toured with Debbie Gibson and Katie McMahon of Riverdance. Their albums have hit the Billboard charts, and they rank No. 4 among Minnesota’s most-streamed artists on Spotify. In 2019, they were inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame.
Through their nonprofit, The O’Neill Foundation of Hope, all concert proceeds now support people in need. Learn more at.
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