Allen Lund and Kathleen Lund, parishioners at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Pasadena, were among six recipients of the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton awards presented Oct. 5 by the National Catholic Education Association.

The Lunds were honored during the 19th annual Seton dinner and awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. The Seton award is NCEA's highest honor, given in recognition of significant philanthropic, leadership or service contributions to Catholic education, and named for the first native-born American saint.

Allen and Kathleen Lund support grade schools, high schools, colleges, universities and parish religious education programs in the West. The couple recently funded construction of a bell tower next to the chapel at the University of Portland, where Allen Lund chairs the board of regents.

Mr. Lund also is a member of the board of the Catholic Education Foundation in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and serves as board chair of St. Francis High School in La Canada. Kathleen Lund has been a leading advocate in pro-life causes.

The couple established the Lund Family Scholarship that benefits St. Francis High School and Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy students attending the University of Portland. Together they have volunteered countless hours and provided financial support to the Catholic elementary and high schools attended by their six children. The next generation of 22 grandchildren is now enrolled in Catholic schools.

Additionally, six Seton scholars named by the NCEA include Christopher Rincon, a junior at St. Francis High School. The Seton scholarships are given every year in conjunction with the Seton Awards; Rincon is the Allen and Kathleen Lund Seton Scholar.

Rincon, 17, carries a 3.77 grade point average, is an Eagle Scout and involved in his parish youth group. He plays guitar and piano and is involved in St. Francis' theater program, student-run television station and LINK, a freshman mentoring program.