University to Honor Michael J. Hare ’83 with Hogan Award
Michael J. Hare ’83, one of the most influential figures in Delaware business, politics and not-for-profit community, and one of Saint Joseph’s most dedicated alumni, will be honored with the Rev. Joseph S. Hogan, S.J. Award at the University’s Leadership Awards Dinner on Thursday, Oct. 24 at the Loews Hotel in Center City.
The annual award recognizes an alumnus/alumna who exemplifies the Christian principles of faith, hope and love and outstanding loyal service to the University.
“I always thought, in my mind, that a great Hawk was someone who had the humility and the work ethic of St. Joseph, who embraced the Jesuit ideals of being someone for and with others and who lived the mantra of ‘The Hawk Will Never Die,’ not simply as something to yell from the grandstand, but something to live. It means never to quit and that’s something to which I aspire,” Hare said.
As an undergraduate, Hare served as president of the student association and was manager for the men’s varsity basketball team. He has remained active as an alumnus, serving as co-chair of SJU Young Alumni (1988-91), chair of the SJU Wilmington Alumni Chapter (1987-93), a member of the Alumni Board of Governors and National Alumni Board, and co-chair of the original Hawktoberfest. A men’s basketball season ticket holder for over 30 years, he also served as co-chair of the Hawk T Committee and is a member of the SJU Real Estate and Construction Alumni Advisory Board.
Hare reflected on his Saint Joseph’s experience and his connection to the University as an alumnus.
“Undeniably, it’s the people. ” Hare said. “It’s the relationships that I have enjoyed that have sustained my relationship with the University and make it such a special place.”
Professionally, Hare has used his public administration degree to help transform his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware over the past three decades. Hare is executive vice president for development at The Buccini/Pollin Group, a real estate development and management company co-headquartered in Wilmington and Washington D.C. He previously served as deputy director of the Riverfront Development Corporation of Delaware, where he helped lead the $1 billion transformation of the Wilmington Riverfront, was employed by the Delaware Economic Development Office and served as an at-large member of the Wilmington City Council.
“I’ve been blessed in my life as evidenced by my education and my career,” Hare said. “And throughout our community, you see people in need and in some small way try to recognize that and to be a positive force in making their lives better.”
Hare received the Ignatius Award from Saint Joseph’s in 1995 and was inducted into the SJU Men’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001 as a member of the 1980-81 team that advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.
He graduated from the Archmere Academy and also attended the Fels Center of Government at the University of Pennsylvania.
