From left: Denise Keeley, Dorothy Gonzales, Lynne Redman Hill, Judith Redwine, Barbara Chenicek, OP and Rita Schiltz, OP.
Alumni Awards Day 2001:
Honorees impress with talents and achievements
By Lanetta J. Williams ‘04
here is a path that leads from Siena Heights to the rest of
the world and every year, new graduates lay more bricks
on that path, paving the way for Siena Heights students
in the future.
Once a year, the University and the Alumni Association recognize
a few individuals who have helped build that pathway. Alumni
Awards Day is filled with a host of activities that honor the award
recipients and enable them to visit classes, meet current students,
and share information to help future alumni succeed.
At this year’s awards ceremony on March 27, Judith McNally
Redwine ‘66 of Fresno, California, was awarded the Outstanding
Alumni Award, Barbara Chenicek, OP ‘57 and Rita Schiltz, OP
‘46, both of Adrian, received the St. Dominic Award. The Sister
Ann Joachim Award was given to Dorothy Gonzales ‘78 of East
Lansing. The Recent Graduate Award was given to Denise Keeley
’88 of Adrian.
“It’s not surprising to have an awards class of all women, since Siena
Heights has such a long history of graduating strong women,” said
Lynne Redman Hill, alumni relations director, noting that this year’s
award winners were all female.
This year’s awards day was a powerful, emotion-filled event, Hill
said. “So many people have emailed me and sent notes saying how
inspirational it was. Everyone who attended was very moved.”
“It’s amazing what these women have done,” she added. They are
“trailblazers who have changed the world.” The message of the
day seemed to be, “Don’t let things stand in your way,” Hill said.
“Barriers don’t have to stop you. They can help you grow through
them.”