The brightest stars visible in the sky are often those closest to us. That’s an apt way to describe ARCS member Sandra Matteucci, who has been honored with the inaugural “Luminary Award.” Presented at the National ARCS board meeting in early June, the award recognizes Matteucci’s exceptional service to the National organization. 

The award is to be given in rare cases to recognize above and beyond service, according to Caron Ogg, National ARCS President.

Matteucci became a member of ARCS in Phoenix in 1990. She upped her commitment to the organization by serving as Phoenix chapter president in 2000 and 2001 and has steadfastly held various positions at the National level since 2000.

More than two decades ago, Matteucci was one of a handful of National leaders whose foresight and ground-breaking efforts resulted in the establishment of the corpus of the ARCS National Endowment. She has supported the National endowment continuously since then. 

Ogg announced that friends of Matteucci have made a collective gift of $65,000 to the endowment in her honor – befitting that ARCS will celebrate its 65^th anniversary in 2023-2024. More donations are expected in honor of Matteucci’s long service and her decisive, polite, down-to-earth leadership. Donate to the Luminary Award here. 

Receiving the award virtually, Matteucci said the recognition was “overwhelming. Thank goodness I wore ARCS blue today.” She also said she has made great friendships with other ARCS members.

Matteucci and her family support ARCS Foundation out of a great passion for the organization and the benefits it provides our society through the support and development of future scientists and innovators. 

She was born on August 8, 1938, at 8:08 a.m., weighing 8 lbs. and 8 oz. When her 80th birthday approached a few years ago, she decided to celebrate in style. She gathered family and friends from across her many philanthropic ventures to celebrate. Unknown to her, those who know her best decided to honor her unending passion and support for ARCS Foundation National and ARCS Foundation Phoenix with over $80,000 in donations in her name to celebrate this milestone birthday.

“I feel grateful to all who have chosen to celebrate my birthday with me this way,” she said at the time. 

Sandra Matteucci’s daughter, Anna Maria Matteucci, has followed the example and has also devoted herself to ARCS national, currently serving as Co-VP of Philanthropy on the national level.

The National Board approved the creation of the Luminary Award this year. It is a special, discretionary award that represents the highest-level recognition of service to ARCS National and is intended to be given occasionally when the dedication and service of an ARCS member merit significant and special recognition. 

Selected by the National President, the honoree was approved by the Executive Committee and ratified by the ARCS National Board. 
Read more about the Luminary Award and Sandra Matteucci.