Alum Awards Recipients
Each year, Alverno recognizes alums for their professional achievements, dedication to Alverno or leadership in the community and beyond. The following is a list of our alum award winners.
Outstanding Alumna Award
This award recognizes an alumna who demonstrates strong leadership ability in her career or in service to the college and/or community. It is awarded to an alumna who exhibits integrity, enthusiasm and professionalism.
2023 Mari-Anne Hechmann ’91
2022 Ellen Hopper '96
2020 Dr. Maureen Hellwig '68
2019 Patricia Race Hoefler '63
2018 Ellen Gardner '69
2017 Kathleen Marsh '84
2015 Cecelia Gore '92, '08
2014 Chris Her-Xiong '02
2013 Joan Reardon '52
2011 Dr. Sirri A. Nomo-Ongolo '67
2010 S. Margaret Earley '52
2009 S. Julie Knotek '46
2008 Jeanne Peppey Lowry '88
2007 Kiyoko Toyama '81
2006 Karen Doppke '64
2005 Jean Bartels, Ph.D. '81
2004 Kathleen O'Brien, Ph.D. '67
2003 Stephanie A. Arend '85
1999 Gabriella Birkholz Klein '83
1998 S. Mary Hueller '43
1997 S. Mary Diez '67
1996 Carol Mohns Meils '75
1995 Susan Gebhardt Taylor '57
1994 Donna Gottfried Gaffney '68
1993 S. Georgine Loacker '47
1993 Jestene McCord '79
1992 Vivien Pledl DeBack '54
1991 Marian Colette '69
1990 Jeanette Mitchell '82
1989 Barbara Kluka '66
1988 Marilyn Shrude '69
1987 Judith Drinka '61
1986 Rita Wisniewski '75
1985 Patricia Dix Brewer '68
1984 S. Agnes Marie Henkel '60
1983 Maria Varela Zuniga '61
1982 S. Austin Doherty '54
1981 Vicky Sienkienwicz Debbins '60
1980 S. Dorothy Bock '50
1979 Georgiana Haumann Jungels '60
1978 Theresa Flemming Williams '63
1977 S. Theophane Hytrek '38
1976 S. Francis Borgia Rothluebber '43
1975 Barbara Ramusack Goodman '60
1974 Jean Platz '55
1973 Rose Purpero Spang '62
1972 Arletta Hartmann '52
1971 S. Joel Read '48
Service to the Community Award
This award recognizes an alumna who has demonstrated the importance of effective citizenship through providing outstanding service to the community and/or demonstrating leadership ability by directing a significant project in the community.
2023 Dionne Grayson ’96
2022 Dr. Clarissa Lawrence '12 '18 '21
2020 Ali Haigh '14
2019 Lynnea Katz-Petted '03
2018 Clara Theine '65
2017 Maria Lopez Vento '13
2015 Silvia Perez-Rathell '98
2014 Sr. Marie Nakitende '06
2013 Marilyn Chilton Boeldt '81
2011 Kathleen (McCrady) Simonse '68
2010 S. Celestine Schall '48
2009 Helen Gee '98
2008 Janet Jankowski Fitch '85
2007 Pat (Klauer) Rauch '62
2006 S. J. Dolores Brunner '42
2005 Peggy House, Ph.D., '63
2004 Arlene Einwalter, SSSF '60
2003 S. Phyllis Franzen '54
1999 Mary O'Brien Giorgio '66
1998 Marjorie Morgan '83
1998 Barbara Steinmetz '91
1997 Bonnie L. Peterson '83
1996 Patrice Kitzke Wessel '75
1985 Dolores Chrzan '56
1984 Cathy Labinski '62
1983 Claudia Siehr Porter '66
1983 Shirley Panosian '78
1982 Dee Ann Frazier Sitzberger '60
1981 Barbara Kotarski Johnson '62
1980 Rosemary Murphy '62
1980 Joan Holzem Lanser '53
1979 S. Bernadette Kalscheur '42
1979 Angelina Zammuto Jodi '64
1978 Marlene Peterson Conway '67
1978 Patricia Artz Berens '71
1977 Susan Rozga Witkowski '66
1977 Carol Wulff Wichmann '67
1977 Phyllis Cypcar Stefaniak '57
1977 Ruth Lehmann Rudd '52
1977 Judith Anderson Persin '63
1977 Carol Zinner Dolphin '62
Rising Star Award
This award recognizes a recent alumna who has achieved success in her career.
2023 Kristin Belkofer ’08 ’14
2022 Samantha Maldonado '09 '11
2020 Amanda Acevedo '12
2019 Carla Elena Echeveste '14
2018 Dr. Tia Vernon '08
2017 Katrina Goetz '05
2015 Moriah Iverson '06
2014 Mara S.K. Henningsen '11
2013 Michelle M. Sieloff-Feldman '04
2010 Kira Raichert '02
2009 S. Katy LaFond '02, '07
2008 Megan Kemmet Wanke '07
2007 Aimee Gironimi '04
2006 Eloiza Altoro-Acevedo '97
2005 Amy Pietsch '97
Professional Achievement Award
2018 Karla Ashenhurst '14
2017 Tiffany Barta '03
2015 Ellen Tripler '06
2014 Edith Hudson '10
2013 Judy Murphy '75
2011 Patricia Padjen McNulty '73
2010 Debra Amesqua '04
2009 Diane Chamness '84
2008 Beverly Roecker Hoege '83
2007 Roberta (Steiner) Akalin '68
2006 Mary E. Staten '81, '98
2005 Cathy Rick '71
2004 CAPT. Mary R. Ingram '77
2003 S. Mary E. Diez, Ph.D. '67
1998 Ellen Gardner '69
1998 Mary Ann Schwartz '62
1996 Joanne Carini Gelsthorpe '66
1995 Kathleen Lawler Demitros '82
1985 S. Leona Truchan '53
1984 Carolyn Guerra '63
1984 Vivien Pledl DeBack '54
1983 Peggy House '63
1982 Dorothy Budish '65
1982 Ivy Rawlins '62
1981 Rosemarie Kangery '55
1981 Lily Chia Brissman '64
1980 Virginia Borchadt Stadtler '62
1980 Norma Skrzypchak Lang '61
1979 Carol Gresko '64
1979 Celeste Raspanti '50
Spirit of Alverno Award
2018 Chicago Alumnae Chapter
2017 Carmen Schools of Science & Technology
2015 Young Alum Club
2014 Texas Alumnae Group
2013 Patricia Niggeman Hribar '65
2011 Susan T. Witkowski '66
2010 Mary Claire Jones '88 and the Alverno Theatre Alumnae Group
2009 Tracy Stockwell '95
2008 Carol Zinner Dolphin '62
2007 Catherine Dowdell '91
2006 S. Bernardin Deutsch '53
2005 Rose Spang '62
2004 Mari-Anne Hechmann '91
2003 Linda C. Peterson '02, '92
Service/Leadership Award
1999 Carly Davis '94
1999 Sherlyn Brown '94 & '98
1996 Rockwell Automation/Allen Bradley
1996 Barbara Williams Wyatt '82
Special Distinction Award
1998 S. Felissa Zander '62
1998 S. J. Dolores Brunner '42
Honorary Alumna
2021 Billie Aaron
2017 Kathleen Kies
2014 Kathy Hudson
2011 Jovita Carranza
2005 Mary J. Meehan, Ph.D.
2005 Zita Allen
1999 S. Marlene Neises
1980 S. Elizabeth Engel
1978 S. Solano Granger
1978 S. Laura Lampe
1976 S. Augustine Scheele
1975 S. Helena Steffens-meier
1974 Mary Phyllis Heaton Miller
1973 Lois Rice
