Deacon Harold Condon accepts his award from Mary Jane, St. Joseph’s Alumni Coordinator and Mike, St. Joseph’s President.

St. Joseph’s Indian School is proud to recognize Deacon Harold Condon as our 2015 Distinguished Alumnus Award winner. He accepted his award during the Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation liturgy held at Our Lady of the Sioux Chapel on Sunday, April 12, where Harold shared in the celebration of Mass with Fr. Anthony Kluckman, SCJ.

“I learned a lot at St. Joseph’s Indian School,” he said. “But it was the spirituality, the faith I learned that gave me the strength to get through many things in my life. I watched my son serve two tours in Iraq. I lost a son to cancer. Through these times, it was my strength of faith that brought me through.”

Harold attended St. Joseph’s from August 1961 through May 1964, graduating eighth grade with the Class of 1964. After leaving St. Joseph’s, he attended high school at St. Paul’s Mission then graduated from Cheyenne Eagle Butte High School in 1968.

Harold went on to receive his degree in accounting from Rutherford College in 1972.

In the mid 1970’s Harold and his wife Geraldine moved to Chamberlain, South Dakota. He again found himself at St. Joseph’s Indian School, serving as St. Joseph’s Chief Finance Officer. Harold and his wife also helped in the boys’ dorm, working with boys in grades 5-8. Within a couple years, he started St. Joseph’s Lakota Studies program and, through that class, constructed St. Joseph’s first sweat lodge. Harold and Geraldine were instrumental in launching St. Joseph’s high school program and worked in one of our first high school boys’ homes.

Since leaving St. Joseph’s, Harold was ordained a Deacon in the Catholic Church and has helped minister in parishes on the Cheyenne River Reservation, in Pine Ridge and Parmelee. He has also held several offices for his tribe, including consultant and accountant.

Today, Harold still works for his tribe in addition to his 30 years in service as a Deacon in the Catholic Church. Harold, his wife Geraldine and their grandson live in St. Francis, South Dakota.

St. Joseph’s first Distinguished Alumnus Award winner was Sr. Madeline Le Compte, OSBS, recognized in 2006.

Distinguished Alumnus award winners have:

• Attended St. Joseph’s for at least two years.
• Made a positive contribution to others, their culture or their community.
• Participated in activities that have made a difference to the well-being of others.
• Acted in service to others.

Previous award winners include:

• 2014, Sam D.
• 2013, Del Iron Cloud
• 2012, Orville W., Casmir L.
• 2011, Rose K.
• 2010, Tammy W.
• 2009, Michael J.
• 2008, Mike L.
• 2007, Teresa F.
• 2006, Sr. Madeline L.