Alumni Award nominations for 2024 can be made online before March 1, 2024. Click on the button to the left.
SAINT CATHERINE OF SIENA AWARD
After Paula Sanematsu (class of 2007) graduated from Siena Heights, Sanematsu obtained a Master of Science in Mathematics from the University of Tennessee Space Institute and joined Louisiana State University (LSU) to pursue a doctoral degree in Engineering Science. During her time at LSU, Sanematsu investigated image-based pore-scale flow and nanoparticle transport in porous media. She obtained her doctorate degree in 2015 and worked as a postdoctoral researcher at LSU and Syracuse University. Now, Sanematsu serves as a Senior Research Computing Facilitator at Harvard University’s FAS Research Computing. The Saint Catherine of Siena Award recognizes alumni whose outstanding professional achievements and/or volunteer contributions promote Siena positively to the community; who demonstrate strong leadership characteristics; who serve as significant role models for others; and who embody the spirit of Siena Heights University.
HONORARY ALUMNI AWARD
Tom ‘Push’ Puszczewicz of Blissfield, Michigan, is the 2024 Honorary Alumni Award winner. Affectionately referred to as the “Mayor” of Siena Heights University, Puszczewicz has served as the Campus Minister at SHU for over 25 years and made a lasting impact on the Siena Heights community. He has helped foster the faith of many students and demonstrates a consistent commitment to compassion, involvement, and positivity. Puszczewicz routinely involves himself in on-campus events, including making omelets at the notable “Late Night Breakfast” for students during finals week or acting as a card caller for bingo nights, among many other activities. In addition, he has successfully organized and promoted several blood drives on the SHU campus for the Red Cross, which reflects his desire to help others not just in the Siena Heights community, but beyond. The Honorary Alumni Award recognizes non-alumni of Siena Heights who demonstrate exceptional commitment to and support for the mission and spirit of the University.
SISTER ANN JOACHIM AWARD
De’Angelo Boone (class of 2007) of Adrian, Michigan, is the recipient of the Sister Ann Joachim Award. This award is presented in memory of faculty member Sister Ann Joachim, O.P., and recognizes significant contributions to the University and/or community through activities that demonstrate strong leadership, the ability to get things done, and the capacity to confront issues head-on while maintaining the image and spirit of the University. Boone has undoubtedly done so by spearheading the creation of the City of Refuge Food Pantry, which works to remedy food insecurity for underserved populations in the local Adrian area. In addition, Boone has greatly contributed to the Siena Heights University food pantry and helped on-campus summer residents gain awareness and understanding of food options available to them while the University Center is closed for the summer season.
SAINT DOMINIC AWARD
Michael Nelson (class of 2001) serves as the founder and Executive Director of JustWrite Inc., a nonprofit organization created to promote teen literacy. JustWrite hosts workshops, competitions, and outreach programs to encourage young writers to find their voice, express themselves, and develop their writing and literacy skills. In this year alone, 600 high school teens in Ohio and Michigan have benefitted from JustWrite, and Nelson’s continuous commitment to the organization and its mission is a direct reflection of his embodiment of the Siena Heights spirit. The Saint Dominic Award recognizes an alumna or alumnus for commitment to Christian education in family, school, or community. Named for the 12th-century Spanish nobleman who founded the Dominican order, the award honors a person who embodies the Dominican philosophy and the spirit of Siena, and who promotes pride in Christian ethics and education.
Saint Catherine of Siena Alumni Award
The Saint Catherine of Siena Alumni Award recognizes alumni whose outstanding professional achievements and/or volunteer contributions promote Siena positively to the community; who demonstrate strong leadership characteristics; who serve as significant role models for others; and who embody the spirit of Siena Heights University.
Saint Dominic Award
The Saint Dominic Award recognizes an alumna or alumnus for commitment to Christian education in family, school or community. Named for the 12th century Spanish nobleman who founded the Dominican order, the award honors persons who embody the Dominican philosophy and the spirit of Siena, and who promote pride in Christian ethics and education.
Sister Ann Joachim Award
The Sister Ann Joachim Award is presented in memory of faculty member Sister Ann Joachim, OP, and recognizes significant contributions to the University and/or community through activities that demonstrate strong leadership, the ability to get things done, and the capacity to confront issues head on while maintaining the image and spirit of the University.
Recent Graduate Award
The Recent Graduate Award recognizes alumni who have graduated within the past 10 years, and whose professional achievement, community involvement and/or civic commitment demonstrate dedication to Christian values and the spirit of Siena Heights University.
Honorary Alumni Award
The Honorary Alumni Award recognizes non-alumni of Siena Heights who demonstrate exceptional commitment to and support for the mission and spirit of the University. Individuals selected for honorary alumni status shall be inspirational role models who have made a significant difference for Siena Heights by sharing themselves through generous and sustained gifts of time, talent and/or treasure.
Nominations for Alumni Association awards are welcome at any time. Award winners are usually selected each spring and honored during Homecoming Weekend. Nominations remain in the candidate pool for consideration for up to three years. In order to be considered, all nominees are required to have a minimum of three support letters.
Alumni awards are open to graduates of Siena Heights University including Siena Heights College and St. Joseph College. The Honorary Alumni Award is presented to persons who are NOT graduates of Siena Heights, a Dominican university.
Potential honorees may be nominated for by SHU alumni, members of the faculty or staff, or other persons who know the nominee and the University well.
Final selection of award recipients rests with the Alumni Association Board of Directors, which reserves the right to consider a nominee for an award other than that suggested by the nominator. All awards may, but will not necessarily, be given annually.
Some helpful information to include in your nomination:
- A description of the personal qualities, characteristics and professional or volunteer accomplishments that qualify the nominee for award consideration. (See award descriptions for specific award critieria.)
- Names of other person(s) or organization(s) who will provide support for the nomination and/or further information about the nominee. NOTE: It is the nominator’s responsibility to solicit additional support as appropriate; testimonials are recommended.
Alumni Award nominations can be made online. Nominations for 2024 awards must be received by March 1, 2024. Click on the button to the left.
† = deceased
OUTSTANDING ALUMNI AWARD
1977 Barbara Dumouchelle ‘51†
1978 Marycatherine McCarty ‘45
1979 Miriam M. Stimson, OP ‘36†
1980 Margaret F. Flanagan ‘44†
1981 Lena Sylvester ‘49†
1982 A. Evelyn Capoun ‘48†
1983 Mary Ann McRobert ‘79
1984 Eileen Rice, OP ‘68†
1985 Pilar Cruz Lujan ‘55
1986 Marie Irene Miller, OP ‘36†
1987 Dorothy Browne, OP ‘32†
1988 Frances Bock Nowakowski ‘48
1989 Jean Cecile Hunt, OP ‘39†
1990 Nancy J. Potter ‘78
1991 Anthonita Porta, OP ‘63†
1992 Donita Sullivan ‘52†
1993 Helen Duggan, OP ‘41
1994 Nadine Foley, OP ‘45
1996-97 Anna Bakeman Tompert ‘38
1997-98 Kenneth B. Phillips ‘75
1998-99 Mary Duggan Cassabon ‘48
1999-00 Tim Bauer ‘82
2001 Judith McNally Redwine ‘66
2002 Karla Grohman Dunn ‘64
2003 Kenneth Thompson ‘77
2004 Karen Erickson ‘60
2005 Maurine Barzantni, OP ‘59
2005 Renee Richie, OP ‘60
2006 Iqbal Roshd ’83
2007 John Detro ’85
2008 Susan Kelly ’69
2009 Jacob Chi ’85
2009 Tod Marshall ’90
2010 Jamie Richardson ’87
2010 Allan Rodewald ’80
2011 Matthew Schwartz ’88, ’97 ’80
2012 Douglas Miller ’74, ’83
2013 Michael Morgan ’83
2013 Jason Sanderson ’92
2014 Darrell Issa ’76
2015 Michael Donovan ’75
2016 Catherine DeClerq, OP ’58
2016 Sharon McGuire, OP ’68 (posthumously) †
2017 Dr. Kyle Griffith ’92, ’97MA, ’00Spec.
2018 Michael Lane ’05
2019 Harold J. Love ’98, ’13
2020 Jere Righter ’95
2021 Angela Edward ‘09
2022 Kermit Williams ’05
2023 Douglas Small ’82
RECENT GRADUATE AWARD
1984 Lawrence Richardson, Jr. ‘76
1985 Rodney Houchins ‘81
1986 Charles Fort ‘74
1987 Michael Griffin ‘80
1988 Mary Jean Klebba ‘85
1989 Ann Johnston Hughes ‘82
1992 Philip Abele ‘79
1993 Michael B. Quinn ‘85
1996-97 Patrick F. Irwin ‘86
1999-00 Mary Helen Kloeckner Halley ‘89
2001 Denise M. Keeley ‘88†
2002 Margaret Smith Randle ‘99
2003 Anna Rodriguez-Webber ‘98
2005 Mark Murray ‘97 MA
2005 Mary Murray ‘97 MA
2006 Seyed-Jalal Hosseini ’96
2008 Judy Drake ’00
2009 Anthony Butler ’04
2010 Harold Love ’08
2011 Lacey Wilmot Rao ’02
2012 Traci Stewart ’02
2013 Erika Wolcott Henry ’07
2014 Kyle Leighton ’13
2016 Amy Wertenberger ’08, ’11MA
2018 Thomas Thompson ’09
2019 Zach Bailey ’14
2020 Ryan Bernard Tymensky ’10
2021 Mitchell B. Prater ‘18
2022 Samuel Catrain Ruiz ’13
2023 Tammy R. McCrory ’12
SISTER ANN JOACHIM AWARD
1984 Jane Korte Waldo ‘53
1985 Cecelia Schwartz ‘73
1986 Mary Poore ‘76
1987 Alice Robie Resnick ‘61
1988 William Kressbach ‘72
1989 Matilda Szaroletta ‘66
1990 Connie Berube Binsfeld ‘45†
1991 Julie Hyer, OP ‘72
1992 Margaret Scholz Noe ‘75
1993 Evangeline Davis, OP ‘38
1994 David Ballenberger ‘72
1997-98 Deborah Carrington Keller ‘74
1998-99 Tarianne DeYonker, OP ‘70
1999-00 Sharon Weber, OP ‘69
2001 Dorothy V. Gonzales ‘78
2002 Donna Kustusch, OP ‘63
2003 Daniel Malley ‘85
2004 Emery Harlan ‘86
2005 Carol Fowler ‘66
2006 Mary Ann Flannery, SC ’64
2007 Sister Mary Alan Stuart, OP ’62
2008 Karen Verlinden ’68
2009 Gabrielle Davis ’85
2010 Gregg Milligan ’85
2011 Mary Jane Lubinski, OP ’73
2012 Anne Birnbryer MacMillan Eichman ’67
2012 Sister Patricia Siemen, OP ’72
2013 Catherine Zick Robinson ’69
2014 Colleen Lewis Aguilar ’04, ’06
2015 Jacqueline Battalora ’88
2016 Patty Driscoll-Shaw ’70
2017 Margaret Lawler Michael ’82, ’85MA
2018 Paula Zimmer ’69
2019 Melissa Kirsch Sissen ’77
2020 Joseph Williams ’88
2022 Amanda ‘Marti’ Martino ’13
2023 Jeremy J. Romer ’08
SAINT DOMINIC AWARD
1983 Marjory Thompson Iott ‘49
1984 Jeanne Olivier Riesterer ‘47
1985 Betty Solem Clifford ‘46†
1986 Gayle VanHavel ‘76†
1987 Therese Craig, OP ‘48†
1988 Therese Roekle-Wales ‘68
1989 Judith Lavelle ‘58
1990 Dennis Frandrup, OSB ‘73
1991 Veronica Tamm, OP ’56
1992 Beatrice Cunningham Meyer ‘32†
1993 Mary Jo Stolpmann Fleming ‘47
1994 Juanita Flores, OP ‘74†
1996-97 Patricia F. Walter, OP ‘66
1997-98 Barbara Cervenka, OP ‘64
1998-99 Jean Agnes Klemm, OP ‘44†
1999-00 Joan Delaplane, OP ‘56
2001 Barbara Chenicek, OP ‘57
2001 Rita Schiltz, OP ‘46
2002 Phyllis Kreiner, OP ‘65
2002 Loretta May, OP ‘58, ‘63
2003 Mary Conway Stonehill Mullins ‘54†
2004 Patricia Brady, OP ‘63
2005 Nancyann Turner, OP ‘63
2006 Rosalie Esquerra, OP ’65
2007 Patricia McDonald, OP ’69
2008 Mark DiPietro ’83
2009 Mary Beaubien, OP ’55
2010 Trudy McSorley ’70
2011 Mary Cele Kane Doyle ’64
2012 Sister Angela Susalla, OP ’63, ’70
2013 Sister Jean Joseph Hughes, OP ’68†
2014 Dr. Thomas Bilan ’92
2015 Lois Hueneman Chazaud ’49
2016 Katie Guilbault Decker ’89
2017 Sister Paticia Dulka, OP ’68
2018 Sean Jorgensen ’95
2018 Beth McCullough ’86
2019 Sister John Norton OP ’57
2020 Damon Sloan ’07
2021 Julianne Dolan ‘76
2022 Delinda ‘Dee’ Crane ’87
HONORARY ALUMNI AWARD
2011 Dr. Michael Dawson
2012 Sister Patricia Schnapp, RSM
2013 Jennifer Hamlin Church
2015 Deborah Carter
2016 Dr. Louis Vaccaro
2017 Dr. Mark Schersten
2018 Dr. Robert Gordon
2019 Norman A. Bukwaz
2020 Sandy Vanderlaan
2021 C. Patrick Palmer
2022 Robert ‘Bob’ Metz
2023 Sister Beth Butler, OP †
† = deceased
