Notables:

Sister Nadine Foley, OP (left) passed away May 13. She served on Siena’s Board of Trustees in the 1970s and ’80s and served as Siena Heights’ interim President during the winter and spring of 1994. Sister Nadine began her relationship with Siena Heights as a first-year student in 1941, and was a faithful alumna, attending Homecoming dinners and football games in recent years. She also taught philosophy and religious studies as an adjunct faculty member. In 1992, Siena Heights recognized her scholarship and leadership in the Church among women religious by awarding her the Siena Medal. Sister Nadine also served the Adrian Dominican Sisters Congregation as a member of the General Council from 1974-78; as the Vicaress from 1978-82; and as Prioress of the Congregation from 1986-92. She also was president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious from 1988-89 and a U.S. delegate to the International Union of Superiors General from 1989-92. In 1994, she became the Congregation Historian, a position she held until 2016. Sister Nadine published numerous papers and articles, including two volumes of the history of the Adrian Dominican Congregation: “Seeds Scattered and Grown” in 2006, and “To Fields Near and Far” in 2015.

The Siena community mourned the deaths of a current student and a recent graduate. Dont’e Fox passed away Jan. 5 after a brief hospital stay. Fox was a member of the Saints football team, a communications major and a student leader who was scheduled to graduate this May. Members of his family were present on May 7 to receive his bachelor’s degree. Mikayla Ferer, who gradu-
ated in May 2016, was killed in a car accident on Feb. 13. She was a former women’s soccer player who received her degree in nutrition. Members of the Siena community participated in a memorial run to fund a scholarship in her name.

The Honorable Margaret Noe ’75 (right) received the 2017 Amelia Earhart Award from the Zonta Club of Lenawee County in February. Noe, a circuit court judge in Lenawee County, Mich., was recog-
nized her for contribution to women’s leadership. The award is given to an individual who “exemplifies the pioneering spirit and excellence in her field, as well as works to increase the status of women within her community. She has been a judge since 2005 and appointed to the circuit court in 2009. Noe was appointed Lenawee County chief judge in 2015. She also has been the chair of the Siena Heights Board of Trustees since 2006.

Deb Keller ’74, ‘73/MA, ’02/Spec. (left) received the ATHENA Award in May 2017 for her efforts in cultivating and developing women in leadership. The award is given annually to a woman who assists women in reaching their full professional leadership potential, while demonstrating excellence, creativity and initiative. In her current role as executive assistant to the President at Siena Heights, she “makes things happen,” according to SHU President Sister Peg Albert, OP, Ph.D., past ATHENA Award recipient who helped present Keller with the award. “Whether it is organizing the weekly administration meetings to playing host to a dinner for hundreds of people, Deb always makes sure Siena Heights puts its best foot forward,” President Albert said. “Her welcoming spirit, whether it is with faculty or staff members, alumni, community members and, especially, our students, is a blessing.” Keller spent 38 years as a teacher and principal at St. Joseph’s Academy on the campus of the Adrian Dominican Sisters. She also has taught for 13 years in Siena Heights’ Teacher Education program, educating and mentoring college-age students as they prepare to make their own educational impact on the world.

Hollywood actor and stuntman Andrew Staton ’03 (right) visited the Adrian campus in March 2017 to conduct a couple of theater workshops. Staton, who starred in the horror thriller “Clowntown,” released last fall, said the time he spent at Siena Heights serves him to this day. “Siena prepared me quite a bit, actually, for my career,” said Staton, who moved to the Los Angeles area in 2011 after spending some time in Chicago after graduation. “The mission statement of Siena being competent, purpose-
ful and ethical I think follows in any type of business there is. The fact that I come from a place that holds you accountable. That makes you do what you say you’re going to do. That’s why I keep getting work, because people know they can depend on me.” He said he works in movie production as well as does stunts while developing his acting career. “You have to be good at your job and you have to be dependable at your job, or you won’t have a job,” he said. “That mission statement has kept me afloat as much as any technical experience that I’ve had or craft that I’ve learned.”

From The Sites:

Benton Harbor

2013
Kameron Morris (right) was recently promoted to director of mortgage sales by the United Federal Credit Union. In his new role, Morris will be responsible for managing mortgage sales through collaboration with both internal and external partners and developing and positioning UFCU mortgage advisors for success. He formerly served as Stevensville (Mich.) branch manager for UFCU starting his career there in 2011.

Jackson

2005
Brad Piros was recently named the national director of Loss Prevention at Little Caesars Pizza.

Annette “Mary” Watson recently changed career fields, leaving a 23-year banking career to become a Realtor in Jackson, Mich. She is also completing her master’s degree in leadership from Central Michigan University.

Monroe

2013
Steve Martin (right) was recently named the fire chief at Lincoln Park (Mich.) Fire Department. He has served the department for more than 21 years, and served as interim chief before being named to the permanent post.

Online

2012
Brian Sipe has been fire chief in Spring Lake (Mich.) since 2013. During his tenure, the department has completed capital replacement plans, purchased a new fire truck and just moved into a new fire station.

2013
Kris Jablonski (right) was honored at Henry Ford College’s Chef’s Certification Dinner hosted by the Culinary Arts Department. Jablonski recently became a certified executive pastry chef through the American Culinary Foundation by demonstrating a level of competence and expertise as well as passing a practical and written examination. Only 30 chefs received that certification in 2015. He has been teaching in Henry Ford’s culinary program since 2009.

Southfield

1990
Sharon Sikora, RN, BSN, MM, CNOR, RNFA (right) is currently the clinical director of surgery at Presbyterian Inter-community Hospital Health System in Whittier, Calif. She is completing joint BSN and MSN degrees with a specialization in informatics from American Sentinel University.

2005
Sean Huddleston was named the vice president for Equity and Inclusion at the University of Indianapolis. He will develop and implement the strategic vision to continue the university’s commitment to inclusivity, equity and community partnership. He is completing his Ed.D. in higher education and community college leadership from Ferris St. University. Huddleston will begin his new position June 5.

Main Campus

1971
Mary Phillips had her work of watercolors and acrylics “A Change of Seasons” on display at Chez Willy’s in Galesburg, Ill. The exhibit ran from Nov. 1-Dec. 31, 2016. A former longtime professor of art and art history, she currently serves as the curator of the art collections at Monmouth (Ill.) College.

1979
Michael Savona was recently named the interim principal at St. John’s Jesuit High School and Academy in Toledo, Ohio.

1982
Tony Gonzalez retired in April 2017 after 27 years as a Lenawee County District Court probation officer.

1983
Maureen Leonard (right) was named the events coordinator for Recruitment, Engagement and Partnership for the Rackham Graduate School at the University of Michigan. Her role entails managing events for the Rackham Merit Fellows as well as celebrations, conferences and seminars. She plans on attending SHU’s Homecoming Weekend 2018 to attend her 35th class reunion. She and her husband, Tom, reside in Farmington Hills, Mich., with their daughter, Elizabeth, who will graduate with an International Baccalaureate diploma in spring 2017.

Michael Morgan was the director of the 76th annual Old Members Show April 21-22 in Bristol, Conn. The show is reportedly the longest running stage variety show in America and raises approximately $20,000 annually for the Bristol Boys and Girls Club. The show theme was “There’s No Place like Home” which had a focus on family.

1994
Todd Marsee served as an expert reviewer for the Three Cities Art Club Feb. 6. Marsee reviewed art from club members. He is an award-winning watercolorist who has exhibited in galleries throughout Michigan and Ohio.

2004
Nancy Eaton completed her second year as an attorney with Walker, Watts, Jackson and McFarland, PLLC, in Adrian. Her current areas include criminal, probate and civic law, estate planning, litigation and trust and estate administration. She married Andrew Gordon on Nov. 25, 2016. They reside in Adrian.

2005
Rich Brown (right) was named to the 2017 “40 Under 40” list by the Knoxville (Tenn.) News Sentinel. Brown currently serves as the senior director of development for the University of Tennessee’s Haslem College of Business. He has been with UT since 2010, and his fundraising efforts help the institution fund student scholarships and programs as well as attract top faculty. Brown is also involved with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee, leading a $1 million campaign to help support the nonprofit agency.

2006
Ashley Gonzalez (right) recently joined the staff at Lenawee Broadcasting Co. (WLEN 103.9 FM) in Adrian. She will help with advertising, marketing and promotions. She previously worked at County National Bank and First Federal Bank. In May 2016, she also received the Young Professional Award from ATHENA Lenawee. The award recognizes a woman who assists women in reaching their full leadership potential and serves as a role model for young women both personally and professionally.

Celeste Morr is currently employed as the human resources coordinator for Fasco Employment Solutions in Adrian, Mich.

Christina (James) Schechtman ’13/MA was recently hired as a public relations specialist at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington.

2009
Orendall Jones was recently named as the human resources coordinator for Relevar Home Care in Mt. Clemens, Mich.

2010
Jennifer Belair will participate in an artist-in-residence program with Saint-Jean-Port-Joli in Quebec, Canada, for a mixed media book project titled, “I’m happy, hope you’re happy too.”

Ryan Tymensky has helped with casting since 2016 for the hit television show “This Is Us” on NBC. He is employed as an associate at Telsey and Company Casting.

2011
Kelly Ruder is completing her fourth year as a math teacher at White Pigeon (Mich.) High School. She is co-advisor for the class of 2018, and is currently completing her master’s degree in Evaluation, Measurement and Research at Western Michigan University.

2012
Kendall Acho was hired as director of business development for First-Down PlayBook in Knoxville, Tenn.

2013
Chandler Levit was hired as a technical recruiter for Medasource in Indianapolis, Ind.

Amanda Maze was recently named the program director at the First Tee of Mid-Michigan.

Jake Schirmer is employed as a national media consultant for iHeart-Media. He works on local, regional and national advertising campaigns through the iHeart app and its 850 radio stations nationwide.

2014
Julia Haupricht was named the head women’s volleyball coach at Edison St. Community College in Piqua, Ohio, in November 2016. Haupricht served as an assistant coach for the program last season.

Ines Rodriguez-Adams is working with GoMeta, an app development company, in San Diego, Calif. In October 2016, the company launched Metaverse that uses augmented reality similar to the popular Pokemon Go app. The app is available on the iPhone. She is helping promote the app through social media with a blog.

2015
Raphael Dunson was recently named an underwriter for United Shore in Troy, Mich.

Kody Richardson started as a trooper for the Michigan State Police on Nov. 7, 2016. He graduated from the 130th Trooper Recruit School and was assigned to the MSP Monroe post.

Tayler Thelen recently accepted a position as a senior performance improvement analyst for Beaumont Health in metro Detroit.

Deaths

Alumni

• Sister Jean Selcke, OP ’42
• Sister Maris Beaufait, OP ’45
• Sister Nadine Foley, OP ’45
• Doris (Barga) Rindler ’45
• Sister Dorothy Jehle, OP ’47
• Donna Jeana Schamberger ’47
• Sister Dorothy Miller, OP ’48
• Sister Helen Sorich, OP ’48
• Sister Marie Beatty, OP ’49
• Sister Elizabeth Kreiner, OP ’49
• Sister Alice Wolski, OP ’49
• Sister Sheila Flynn, OP ’51
• Sister Donna Wencel, OP ’52
• Sister Barbara Wetterer, OP ’52
• Sister Anne Marie Snyder, OP ’54
• Sister Joanne O’Connor, OP ’54/MFA
• Sister Mary Mack, OP ’56
• Joyce (Grundy) Fruge ’57
• Sister Aileen McClain, OP ’57
• Sister Michael Claire Wilson, OP ’59
• Sister Marianne O’Neill, OP ’60
• Julianne Labeau ’66
• Sister Rosemarie Kieffer, OP ’67
• Byron “Barney” Stickles ’80, ’83/MA, ’88MA—former trustee
• Marina Valdez ’91—former Social Work faculty member
• Donna Lowery ’15
• Mikala Ferer ’16
• Dont’e Fox ’17

Friends

• Mildred “Millie” Marks—former staff member.