ODU Distinguished Alumni Awards

Sister Margie Davis, OP ’72 earned her Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Ohio Dominican College. A native of Columbus, Ohio, she is also a graduate of Our Lady of Peace Grade School, Bishop Watterson High School and The Ohio State University. In 1982, Sr. Margie took her first profession of vows and joined the congregation of Sisters of Saint Mary of the Springs, now the Dominican Sisters of Peace, which is ODU’s founding congregation. Sr. Margie has worked in various ministries, including as a case manager and team leader at Southeast Community Mental Health Center; at The Dwelling Place, a shelter for homeless women in New York City; and as director of Social Work at Mohun Health Care Center. Sr. Margie has served as the director of Campus Ministry at ODU since 2013. During her tenure, ODU has participated in numerous service trips, including annual Spring Break service mission trips to Haiti. Sr. Margie is heavily involved on and around her alma mater, such as attending campus events, coordinating opportunities to serve in the community, and meeting with students.

Reta Clemans Holden ’65 earned her Bachelor of Arts in Biology from St. Mary of the Springs College in 1965. She graduated from Newark Catholic High School, and attended The Ohio State University and Santa Clara University Graduate School of Business. Reta has worked at Battelle Memorial Institute; Syntex Corporation; Indianapolis Children’s Museum; John Strange Elementary School; H&R Block; Conner Prairie; and Trader Joe’s. She is a long-time member of ODU’s Alumni Association Council, and is a member of the President’s Society and Legacy Society. She also has given generously toward faculty research and student scholarships. Reta lives in Indianapolis, Indiana where she enjoys walking her dogs and hiking in Indiana’s State Parks.

Mira R. Wright ’78 earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Ohio Dominican. A former member of the Women’s Basketball Team, Mira was also the first African American to serve in a coaching role, as an assistant coach in 1979. Mira is a devoted and inspiring advocate of her alma mater – she has helped to recruit students to ODU; has served as a mentor; has attended numerous campus events; is a member of the President’s Society; and is an active member on ODU’s Alumni Association Council, on which she has served since 2011. She is also a graduate of Collinwood High School in Cleveland and Xavier University, where she earned a Master of Education in Counseling and Education. Mira has held the position of Director of Human Resources Administration for Columbus City Schools since 2003. In 2011, she established The Multicultural Gift Fund at Ohio Dominican, a fund that provides financial assistance to ODU’s multicultural students.

Joanne Charles McGinnis, '52
Joanne is the only surviving person to have started at St. Mary of the Springs Academy in the first grade, staying through elementary and high school and then graduating from St. Mary of the Springs College with a BA in History in 1952. She went on to earn her Master of Arts degree from John Carroll University in 1977. Joanne taught at various schools over her career teaching math, science, history, Core Curriculum, History, and as a Reading Specialist. Joanne has been an active volunteer over the course of her life, some of which included serving as a Board member of the Chagrin Valley Recreation Center as Chair and Co-Chair of The Recreation Center Volunteers; St. Vincent Charity Hospital in Cleveland Heights, OH; Reading Tutor at Kenston Public Schools in Bainbridge, OH and has served as a member of the Christ Child Society of Cleveland since 1967 to present day. Joanne is a founding member of St. Joan of Arc Church in Chagrin Falls, OH. She served as parish Council President under two Pastors, taught Catechism classes for over twenty-five years, and later prepared special needs children for the Sacraments. In 2011, she started and continues to lead, a group who visit people in nursing homes and those who are home bound. Joanne was married to her husband, Dick McGinnis, for fifty-six years, a wonderful and patient husband and father. Joanne and her husband had six children and five are living. Joanne states that Dick was "the wind beneath my wings."

Sr. Mary Faith Geelan, O.P., '60
Sr. Mary Faith was born in New Haven, CT and was educated in both public and Catholic schools in the New Haven area, except for a brief stint when the family moved to Arlington, VA while her father served one term s United States Congressman during the terms of Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman. Sr. Mary Faith entered the Dominican Sisters in 1955 after graduation from high school. Sr. Mary Faith graduated from St. Mary of the Springs with a BS in Elementary Education and History. She went on to earn her MA in American History from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN and then her MSW from Marywood University in Scranton, PA. Throughout her career, Sr. Mary Faith has served as a schoolteacher; Principal; Social Science Department Chairperson and Academic Vice Principal from 1959-1985 in the states of Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio. In July 1982, Sr. Mary Faith became part of the Leadership Team for the St. Mary of the Springs Dominican Sisters in Columbus. From 1992-1996, Sr. Mary Faith served as a family therapist and supervisor for partial hospitalization and outreach programs in Scranton, PA. In 1996, Sr. Mary Faith was named Prioress of the St. Mary of the Springs Dominican Sisters and served in this role until 2002. She then went on to serve as a Pastoral Minister; Mission Group Coordinator and Director of Pastoral Ministry. On March 5 this year, Sr. Faith became the Co-Mission Group Coordinator at the Mohun Health Care Center.  During her term as Prioress of the former Dominican Congregation of St. Mary of the Springs, along with the other members of her leadership team, they oversaw the construction of the present Motherhouse after the demolition of the former “high rise” Motherhouse building. During this same period, they also began discussions with members of the other Dominican Congregations to discern as to what they could do better together than as separate Congregations. These discussions eventually lead to the founding of the Dominican Sisters of Peace in 2009. Sr. Mary Faith served on the Board of Trustees for Ohio Dominican for many years between 1973-2015. Additionally, Sr. Mary Faith has served in a number of other leadership positions for the Dominican Leadership Conference and Leadership Conference of Women Religious, Region VI Ministry Committee of LCWR. 

Craig Denney, '90
Craig graduated summa cum laude from Ohio Dominican in 1990 with a BA in Economic and Business. Craig was a member of the Ohio Dominican Men’s Basketball Team for all four years and co-captain his junior and senior seasons.  Craig went on to get his Juris Doctorate from Case Western Reserve University School of Law; Master of Business Administration from Saint Martin's College; and then Masters of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. Craig is a Colonel in the Army Reserve and has over 23 years of military service. He currently serves as the Commander and Chief Trial Judge for the 150th Legal Operations Detachment (LOD) for the Army Reserve JAG Corps. This is the Military Judges' unit. Craig served as a Military Judge in the Army Reserve for more than six years before his selection as Commander of the unit. Craig's full-time job is serving as an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) for the Social Security Administration ODAR which handles disability cases in Nevada. Prior to being appointed as an Administrative Law Judge in 2016, Craig was a partner at the law firm Snell & Wilmer. His practice area was federal criminal defense. Before entering private practice, Craig served as an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) with the United States Attorney's Office in Nevada. He prosecuted federal criminal cases involving money laundering, fraud, drug trafficking, and firearm offenses. For more than a decade, Craig has been Adjunct Faculty at the University of Nevada Reno (UNR). He teaches undergraduate courses (Corporate & White Collar Crime, Organized Crime, and Federal Prosecution) in UNR's Criminal Justice Department. Craig recently served as President of the Washoe County Bar Association in Reno, Nevada. He is also Board Certified in Criminal Trial Advocacy. Craig is married to Dr. Valerie Fridland who is a full professor at UNR. They have two children, Cole and Taylor.

Rose Mary Fry, '71
Rose Mary Fry, an Ohio native, earned an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Ohio Dominican College and a graduate degree in Staff and Organizational Development from The Ohio State University.  She has 35 years of experience in the education, nonprofit and for-profit sectors.

Since September 2010, Rose Mary has worked as a nonprofit consultant, focusing on training and consulting services to new and established nonprofit organizations.  She was founding executive director of the Texas Nonprofit Management Assistance Network, a 501(c)(3) organization that helped identify and meet the needs of Texas nonprofits through work with nonprofit resource centers and academic providers.  Rose Mary also was executive director of the Nonprofit Resource Center of Texas in San Antonio, the oldest resource center in the state.

For approximately 33 years, Rose Mary has volunteered in the nonprofit with particular interest in the arts, education, and women's and children’s issues.  She was the first licensed consultant for the Standards for Excellence program in Texas, and she is the only licensed consultant with this credential in the state.

Rose Mary serves as a board member of the Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas, the San Antonio Public Library Foundation, and ACCION Network. She is cochair of Say Si Leadership Council, and a member of San Antonio 100.  Previously, she served as board president of ACCION Texas, Impact San Antonio and Texas Public Radio. She was campaign chair of Say Si’s Capital Campaign, president of the Hollow at Inwood Homeowners Association, and chair of the National Alumni Advisory Board for Ohio Dominican University. She is a 2009 graduate of Class V of the Masters Leadership Program in San Antonio and Bexar County, and a member of Impact San Antonio.

Dolores Liotta Christie, Ph.D. '60
Dolores Liotta Christie, Ph.D. graduated magna cum laude from the College of St. Mary of the Springs with undergraduate degrees in Biology and French. She earned her Masters of Art degree in Religious Studies from John Carroll University in 1978 and her doctorate in Roman Catholic Theology/Ethics from Duquesne University in 1988.

After retiring from full-time academic work in 2002, Dolores served as executive director of the Catholic Theological Society of America; chair of the Department of Religious Studies and chair of the Division of Humanities, both with Ursuline College; visiting Theology professor with Ohio Dominican University’s graduate program; and visiting assistant professor with John Carroll University.

Dolores now teaches courses in the Institute for Learning in Retirement, and does an occasional college session in bioethics and fundamental morals. She also serves on the Ohio Solid Organ Transplant Chemical Dependency Committee and on the Ethics Committee of Hospice of the Western Reserve. In her spare time, she lectures and writes. Dolores is widely published in esteemed periodicals, including The Encyclopedia of Bioethics, Moral Choice and Commonweal. She earned first place in The Catholic Press Journalism Award for Best Magazine Article in 1997.

In 1999, Dolores was appointed to the Ohio Dominican Alumni/ae Board. She served as an advisory board member for the Cleveland Catholic Diocese, Office of Women in the Church and Society; the Cardinal Suenens Program in Theology and Church Life; and the Cleveland Catholic Diocese Marriage and Family Office. She also was a board member for the Jesuit Retreat House in Parma, and currently is a board member for the Internal Medicine Foundation of St. Luke's Hospital. Her professional memberships include the American Academy of Religion, American Association of University Professors, Bioethics Network of Ohio, Society of Christian Ethics and the Society of Biblical Literature.

Lucia Delewese McQuaide, '70
Lucia Delewese McQuaide served the Diocese of Columbus as Episcopal moderator of education and superintendent of schools from 1989 until her retirement in 2014. As superintendent of schools, she was responsible for the overall direction of Catholic Schooling in the diocese. As Episcopal moderator of education, Lucia supervised the offices of Catholic Schools, Religious Education and Catechesis, and Youth and Young Adult Ministry.

A lifelong resident of Columbus, Ohio, Lucia earned a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Ohio Dominican College, a master's degree in Early and Middle Childhood Education from The Ohio State University and a master’s degree in Religious Education from Loyola University of New Orleans.

Lucia was a member of the School Study Council of Ohio, the American Association of School Administrators, the National Catholic Educational Association and the Chief Administrators of Catholic Education for which she served as president.

She has received the Today's Catholic Teacher Distinguished Diocesan Leader Award, the Diocese of Columbus Service Award, recognition in the National Register's Who's Who in Executives and Professionals, the Bishop Watterson High School Alumni Award and was the St. Joseph Cathedral Gala Honoree. Lucia also is an member of the Ohio Dominican University Education Hall of Fame.

Lucia serves on the Cristo Rey Columbus High School Board of Directors. She also is a member of the Executive Committee, Our Lady of Bethlehem Board of Trustees, the Carol Flanagan Footsteps Foundation Board, Communities in Schools Board of Directors, St. Timothy Parish Finance Council, and is the immediate past chair of the Ohio Dominican University Alumni Council.

Lucia and her husband, Ted, have been married for 37 years. They are the parents of twins Shelley Johnson and Ted Jay McQuaide, and the proud grandparents of Kiley Johnson and Kayla Johnson.

Mary Ann Daniel Oprisch, '50
Mary Ann Daniel Oprisch, a resident of Altlanta, Georgia, received her B.A. in Art with a minor in Home Economics from the College of St. Mary of the Springs in 1950. Her involvement and connection with Ohio Dominican has continued since graduation.

She established a scholarship in memory of her parents, The Charles and Olga Daniel Endowment Fund, for students with financial need and academic eligibility. Her sister, Lillian Daniel Savord ’47, is also an alumna, as is her niece, Marie Daniel Blubaugh ’71, who is married to Stephen Blubaugh ’71. 

Mary Ann is an artist and has won numerous awards for her watercolor, and pen-and-ink drawings. She is a member and past officer of the National League of American Pen Women. 

Mary Ann is a member of Sacred Heart Church in Atlanta and a past president of the St. Pius Church Guild in Scarsdale, New York, and past president of the Japanese Scholarship Committee at the University of Bridgeport, Connecticut. She was also a member of the Southport Women’s Club.

She retired from the Information Desk at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport in 1986.


Maggie Ellen Wagner Olsen-Kohner, M.D. '65
Maggie Ellen Wagner Olsen-Kohner earned her B.A. in Biology with a minor in French from the College of St. Mary of the Springs in 1965, and went on to earn her M.D. from The Ohio State University in 1969.

She is a Dermatologist in Los Angeles and owner of Margaret Olsen MD, Inc, and A Beautiful Skin. She is a founding member of the Dermatology Foundation, and a member of the American Board of Dermatology and the American Medical Association.

In addition to her practice, Maggie is a clinical attending physician at Wadsworth VA Hospital, the Chief of Dermatology at St. John’s Hospital and Health Center, a Venice Family Clinic Volunteer, and a featured speaker for the American Cancer Society. Maggie is also a spokesperson for Skin Cancer Lectures.

She has been heavily involved with Ohio Dominican since her graduation, including serving as a member of the Board of Visitors and a member of the Board of Trustees from 2004-2007. She has also opened her home for alumni events, and to host present and former ODU presidents and vice presidents of Advancement.

Maggie established the Margaret List Wagner Scholarship to provide financial assistance to ODU students with financial need who maintain an acceptable grade point average with consideration to students majoring in Nursing and/or Science.

Maggie and her sister established the Edward F. Wagner Endowed Scholarship at Ohio Dominican in memory of their father. It is awarded to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.


Sr. Margaret Ormond OP, '65
Sr. Margaret is a graduate of the College of St. Mary of the Springs, earning her B.A. in History in 1965. She also received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, in 2011 from Ohio Dominican University.

Sr. Margaret is well-known throughout the Dominican Order for her years of teaching, service and cross-cultural ministerial experience.

She served as the prioress of the Dominican Sisters of Peace until 2015 and was prioress general of the Dominican Sisters of St. Mary of the Springs from 1990-1996 and general councilor in the 1980s. In 1987, Sr. Margaret was appointed the first international coordinator of Dominican Sisters International, an office established at the general headquarters of the Order in Rome. 

She spent 10 years traveling to many countries speaking on topics such as religious life and global realities faced by the Catholic Church. She facilitated Dominican Congresses in the Philippines, El Salvador, Hungary, South Africa, Kenya and Peru. Sr. Margaret also taught high school in New Haven, Connecticut. and Steubenville, Ohio.

In 1962, Sr. Margaret entered the Congregation of Dominican Sisters  of St. Mary of the Springs (now the Dominican Sisters of Peace). Throughout her life, she has been a strong advocate for women and the education of women, especially in many African countries while serving as a consultant on leadership among African Religious in 2008.


Kathie Kenny Rupp,  '65 
Kathie Kenny Rupp, a resident of Columbus, received her B.A. in Mathematics in 1965 from the College of St. Mary of the Springs. As a student, Kathie was very involved on campus, including serving as president of her senior class.

She continues her active involvement as an alumna, attending events on campus and serving on the Alumni Board since 2006. She is also a 2015 Reunion Representative for the Class of 1965 and was a member of the planning committee for Reunion 2000.

She and her husband, Garry, are members of Ohio Dominican's Legacy Society, and she participates in many “calling nights” held at ODU to thank donors for their gifts.

Kathie is very active in her community as a supporter of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Bishop Watterson High School and the Mid-Ohio Foodbank.

She served as president of the Parish Council at St. Peter Parish in Columbus in 2014, and was president of the Christ Child Society of Columbus and corresponding secretary and expansion chair for the National Christ Child Society, based in Washington D.C.

Kathie and Garry are members of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre.

Dr. Ed Burney ’74
Dr. Burney is a professor of Ophthalmology at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, and director of Anterior Segment Diseases and the Surgery Center at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland.He also is the director of Ophthalmology at the Louis B. Stokes Veterans Medical Center in Cleveland. He has taught and mentored more than 250 resident doctors and fellows. He volunteers in the community by offering glaucoma screening, mentoring high school students who are considering medicine as a career, and fundraising for his church. 


John Collins '69
Mr. Collins spent his 40-year career working in housing and residence life at universities and colleges throughout the east and Midwest. He has participated in the Great Lakes Association of College and University Housing Officers and the Association of College and University Housing Officers –International. He volunteers at his church and with Habitat for Humanity. 


Mary Anne Duffy Brennan ’64
Ms. Brennan worked for the Hamilton County Welfare Department and served as the co-owner of PSB Educational Services.She has volunteered as a literacy tutor and served on the board of trustees for the Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation. She also was president of several organizations: the Kidney Foundation of Greater Cincinnati and Catholic Social Services of Southwestern Ohio. Nine members of her family have graduated from ODU.


Mary Evelyn Ruetty '54
Ms. Ruetty retired from her 50-year career with Catholic Social Services in 2004. She held numerous positions including vice president of Administration at the Holy Rosary Family Center, Clinical Supervisor and social worker. Ruetty is a member of the Catholic Record Society of Columbus.


Matt Yuskewich
Mr. Yuskewich founded Winterset CPA Group in 1988. He is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Ohio Society of CPAs. He served on the Ohio Society’s PAC Committee of Fifty and as treasurer of the Ohio House Republican Campaign Committee. Former Governor Bob Taft appointed Yuskewich to the Ohio Business Gateway Commission. He also was chairman of the Board of Tax Appeals for the City of Upper Arlington. He previously served on the ODU Alumni Council. Yuskewich is active at St. Agatha Parish and Bishop Watterson High School.


Mark Weiner ’94
Mr. Weiner is the director of Licking County Victim Services, and has provided direct services to crime victims for 21 years. He is a member of the Ohio Crisis Response Team and the National Organization for Victim Assistance’s National Crisis Response Team.

Mike Wagenbrenner graduated from Ohio Dominican in 1968 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. Upon graduating he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and spent a one-year tour of duty in Vietnam.

He and his wife Polly Russ, also a graduate of Ohio Dominican, have been married since 1968. Mike and Polly have two children together, Megan Brown and Jeffery Wagenbrenner.

In 1976 Mike and his brother began Wagenbrenner Company Realtors and later that year Wagbros Co., a real estate partnership, was established between Mike and his two brothers, Tad and Tom Wagenbrenner.

Mike Wagenbrenner is also a member of the Ohio Dominican Board of Trustees and served, with his wife, as Co-Chairs of the ODC Fund in 1997-1998.

Mike is also involved in many activities in the Bexley and Grandview communities and is part of the Board of Directors of the Columbus Country Club.

Barbara Finsel Zoltanski is a 1952 graduate from the College of Saint Mary of the Springs (now Ohio Dominican University) where she received a bachelor of science degree in elementary education.

She and her husband, Edward, are parents of 10 children who have devoted their lives to public service through professions in medicine, higher education, law, engineering, finance and historic preservation. 

Barbara's grass roots expression of civic responsibility includes serving as a school board member and voluntary Central City teacher for at-risk youths. She also led a successful effort to provide the first federally-funded hot lunch program within her community elementary school. Barbara was among the last educators in Lucas County to serve in a four room rural school.

She also led a campaign to preserve a Maumee Valley historic structure targeted by expanding industry. She researched and regularly authored a local history newspaper column.

She is a self-motivated steward who struggled relentlessly to inform, recruit and defend the quality of air and streams threatened by development in Monclova Township and the nearby native-American river basin.

Long before the term "globalization" was commonplace, Barbara held a community-wide fund raiser to heighten awareness and generate support for impoverished Guatemalan children. She involved the local community to respond to the plight of Chernobyl victims when she opened her country home to raise needed funding for pure milk and daily food for Polish children.

She served as a host parent for cultural exchange guests and served as an advocate for minority and mentally-challenged persons. Barbara successfully championed the provision of publicly provided transportation for faith-based schools in her district. 

Her civic memberships have included the League of Women Voters, American Association of University Women where she was president of its investment group, The Foundation for Life, Heartbeat of Toledo and the Auxiliary of the Little Sisters of the Poor.

For seven consecutive decades, Barbara has considered herself an activist, one who is in search of sustainable solutions to the pressing needs of the under-served.

She is a member of a family of educators spanning four continuous generations which began with her grandparents, John and Mary Finsel in 1878.

Through her 22 years as president of Ohio Dominican, Sr. Mary Andrew built a reputation for visionary leadership that is seen in the many advances the college has made. Through her leadership, the college adopted a Vision 2005 Plan that in many ways is one of her greatest legacies. It was an ambitious plan for increasing resources, enrollment, and excellence at Ohio Dominican.

Sister Mary Andrew was one of only a handful of women college presidents when she took office in 1978 at the age of 39. In her term as president she led the college through a period of unprecedented growth and has established herself as a national advocate for higher education and private colleges and universities.

Sister Mary Andrew was born in Zanesville and raised in Newark, Ohio. She graduated from St. Francis DeSales High School, now Newark Catholic High School, in 1957.

Shortly thereafter, she joined the congregation of the Dominican Sisters of St. Mary of the Springs, the founders of Ohio Dominican College. She received her BA in Chemistry from Ohio Dominican College in 1962.

She earned an MS and PhD in chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley. In 1965, she returned to Ohio Dominican as a faculty member in chemistry. In 1973, she was elevated to academic dean of the college.

Finally, in 1978, she was named college president after the retirement of her friend and mentor, Sister Suzanne Uhrhane.

Anita J. Ellis graduated in 1970 from Ohio Dominican with a Bachelor of Arts degree in fine art and art history. She earned her master's degree in art history from the University of Cincinnati in 1975.

Anita has additional coursework at various institutions including Cambridge University in Cambridge, England.

Anita is the Director of Curatorial Affairs and Curator of Decorative Arts at the Cincinnati Art Museum where she has provided expertise and leadership with respect to exhibitions, publications, collections, development and management for nearly 30 years.

A recognized authority on Cincinnati Decorative Art, especially ceramics, she has lectured extensively throughout the United Sates and is widely published in national and international art journals and magazines.

In 1992 she won the Florence Roberts Head Book of the Year Award for Rookwood Pottery: The Glorious Gamble. In 1995, she published Rookwood Pottery: The Glaze Lines, which remains the most extensive handbook on the subject. And, in July 2003, her most recent book, The Ceramic Career of M.Louise McLaughlin made its debut. 

Anita originated and was the Project Director for The Cincinnati Wing: The Story of Art in Cincinnati, a permanent cross-media display in 18,000 square feet of a renovated wing in the Cincinnati Art Museum.

This project was awarded grants from such prestigious organizations as the Luce Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and both Planning and Implementation Grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Because of her work for The Cincinnati Wing and her active professional and community involvement, Anita received the prestigious YWCA Career Woman of Achievement Award in 2004.

Anita serves on the Board of Trustees for numerous organizations including The American Ceramic Circle. 

Gilda Jackson graduated from Ohio Dominican in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics. She later earned her Master's Degree in human resource management from Pepperdine University.

After graduation, Gilda was commissioned as second lieutenant, and completed Naval Supply Corps School. She was promoted several times throughout her career, eventually serving as the Commanding Officer of the Naval Aviation Depot located aboard Marine Corps Air Station.

She has been involved in the "Adopt-a-School," participated in "Shadow Day," volunteered for the Literacy Council; and has volunteered for the academically-challenged children.

She has been recognized as the first female Commanding Officer of the Cherry Point, NC Naval Aviation Depot in its 56-year history; as the first African-American female to make the rank of Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps; and has received medals for Navy Commendation, Navy Achievement, and Marine Corps Good Conduct.

Recently, Gilda was inducted into the Hall of Excellence by Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges, Inc. for exemplifying the traditions, ideals, strengths and values of private higher education.

Fen Yu-Lewis graduated from Ohio Dominican in 1967 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in chemistry and mathematics. She earned her Master of Science Degree in chemistry from The University of Akron in 1971.

Fen began teaching at Strongsville City Schools in 1974 as a chemistry teacher, and also organized extracurricular projects for students. Fen has been recognized for her work with numerous awards.

She has received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching; the American Chemical Society Central Regional Award in High School Chemistry Teaching; a Tandy Technology Scholar; the Irene Heller Award; and the Most Influential Teacher Award.

She has been involved with many community organizations and has volunteered numerous times over the years. She was the Fluorine Chapter Vice President for the National Chemical Honor Society for Women; Board of Directors for the Cleveland Regional Council of Science Teachers; and Active Presenter, Consultant, and Instructor of various workshops, programs, and conferences.

Fen works part-time as a tutor at Highland High School and as a student teacher evaluator for the University of Akron.

She has written a number of publications and has been involved in numerous projects throughout her life.

Ann DeCain Blackham graduated from the College of St. Mary of the Springs in 1949 with a major in English and a minor in art. She is the founder and president of Ann Blackham & Co. Inc. of Winchester, and Chairman of the Mass. Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers & Salesmen.

She has participated in local, state and national political initiatives. In the late 1960's she organized a pilot childcare program in the U.S. Department of Labor and also ran for the Senate in her state. 

She has served on a Presidential task force for women's rights and responsibilities and co-authored a government pamphlet. She was the first chairperson of the Governor's commission on the status of women and was involved in the successful passage of the equal credit and equal rights amendments in her state.

Ann has stayed involved with campus activities over the years and represented Ohio Dominican at the 75th Anniversary Academic Convocation of Emmanuel College. She currently serves on Ohio Dominican's Board of Visitors.

Richard Maxwell earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Ohio Dominican in 1969 and his Masters in Education Administration from Xavier University in 1974. 

Richard is a certified financial planner and the President and Owner of Maxwell Financial Management, which was listed in the 2001 Business First Book of Lists as the 10th largest Greater Columbus fee-based financial planners. 

In addition, he has been a member of the Board of Trustees and the Legacy Society at ODU. He has been a member of Columbus Life Underwriters and National Life Underwriters; International Association for Financial Planners; and Central Ohio Association for Finical Planners, among numerous other affiliations.

He has earned countless sales and services awards; received the Gamma Award; and held numerous speaking engagements.

Sister Mary Ann Fatula, PhD, graduated from the College of Saint Mary of the Springs in 1966 with a bachelor's degree in Latin and mathematics. She received her master's degree in theology in 1968 from St. Michael's College in the University of Toronto.

She earned her Ph.D. in systematic theology from the Catholic University of America in 1981. She currently holds the position of Professor in Theology at Ohio Dominican University.

Sister Mary Ann is a member of the Catholic Theological Society of America and the College Theology Society.

She is the author of four books: Catherine of Siena's Way; The Triune God of Christian Faith; Thomas Aquinas: Preacher and Friend; and Holy Spirit, Unbounded Gift of Joy. She also has had numerous articles and papers published.

In 1982, 1990, and 1998, Sister Mary Ann was selected as the recipient of the Conley Award, which is voted on by Ohio Dominican's students, in recognition of her outstanding teaching abilities and dedication to her students. 

Corrine Hall Hughes earned her degree in history and elementary education from St. Mary of the Springs College in 1961.

She served as an elementary school teacher for many years with the Columbus Public and Catholic Schools, later becoming Alumni Director at Ohio Dominican College.

Corrine continues to stay busy at Ohio Dominican having served on both the Revels and Msgr. Fisk Scholarship Committees. She served on the Ohio Dominican Service Learning Council and as a tutor for the Dominican Learning Center.

She has also been involved in Corpus Christi Parish activities including parish council and liturgy committee. She was named the "1995 Corpus Christi Parish Catholic Woman of the Year" and was a nominee for "Diocesan Catholic Woman of the Year." She is a member of Kappa Gamma Pi, the Catholic Honorary Society.

Corrine serves on several community committees including the Arts Committee for the Martin DePorres Center and the Health Care Committee for B.R.E.A.D. Corrine is also a community performer in dance. Corrine has left her mark on the university through her service and dedication.

She and her husband, Thomas, had seven children. Five graduated from Ohio Dominican.

Joan Kennedy Ensign graduated in 1982 from Ohio Dominican College. She majored in general studies and gained her master of arts degree from the University of Dayton.

Joan served as a special events coordinator for Ohio Dominican and later as a self-employed gerontologist.

Joan supported her husband, William J. Ensign, former mayor of Toledo, for nearly three decades as a professor of political science at Ohio Dominican.

Joan and Bill have six children.

Joann Obermeyer Rauh graduated from St. Mary of the Springs in 1952 with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry and minors in Math and English.

Her first job out of college was with Procter and Gamble in Cincinnati, researching cooking oil and workings as a member of the team that developed Duncan Hines cake mixes. She later taught high school English and Math while she and her husband lived in Europe.

She was elected to the county council four times; has served as president of her local meals on wheels; was a member of the County Council for Retarded and Vocationally Handicapped; member of the Council of Economic Development; and volunteered as a CCD Teacher for her church.

As a person who excels and everything that she does, Joann also has a private and commercial pilot license.

Dr. Joseph W. Shannon III, a clinical psychologist in private practice, graduated from Ohio Dominican College in 1977. He received his Master's Degree and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from The Ohio State University.

He is the Founding Vice-Chair of Ohio Dominican's National Alumni/ae Board. Joseph held the position of Director of Career Counseling and Placement at Ohio Dominican and was a member of the alumni mentoring program. 

He has been active in the American Psychological Association; and a former director of training (volunteer) for Columbus AIDS Task Force. Dr. Shannon directed the Freshwater House Clinic in Columbus and has provided both strategic short-term counseling and long-term psychotherapy services.

He has written numerous articles for psychological journals and has appeared on "CBS This Morning" and "PBS Viewpoint."

In 1985, Dr. Shannon started his current private practice, Shannon and Associates, where he develops and presents professional workshops to medical, allied medical and mental health professionals.

Sr. Natalie Kennedy OP graduated in 1930 from St. Mary of the Springs College with a bachelor of arts degree.

Sr. Natalie remained an active member of the Ohio Dominican community while she lived with her fellow Dominican Sisters at St. Mary of the Springs convent.

Sr. Natalie passed away in February 1993.

Sister Colleen Gallagher graduated in 1953 from St. Mary of the Springs with a bachelor's degree in Art and a minor in English. In addition, she received her Master's degree in Education from DePaul. 

Since graduation she has been a teacher, a principal, a Diocesan School Supervisor; has served as Vice President for Mission Development for Mt. Carmel Health Services in Columbus.

Prior to this she held the same position for the Franciscan Health System working out of St. Anthony Medical Center. She has served as chaplain at two hospitals and was a pastoral Associate at St. Matthias in Columbus.

Sister Colleen was a teacher of English as a Second Language and Scripture in Puerto Rico. She has been active in the provision of services to AIDS patients and was a member of the Interfaith Ministry Committee for AIDS in the Metropolitan Area Church Board.

She is currently serving the Dominican Sisters of Saint Mary of the Springs as Promoter of the Arts, and will celebrate 50 years as a Dominican during her Golden Jubilee in 2004.

Mary Lu Hatem Harrison graduated from the College of St. Mary of the Springs with a BA degree in 1963. She received a Master's Degree in Social Work from the National Catholic School of Social Service at The Catholic University of American in 1965.

She began her career as a Child Welfare Social Worker in Athens County, and then moved to Franklin County Children's Services as a Child Welfare Supervisor. She had a 25-year career at The Ohio State University Medical Center that included 16 years as Director of the Social Work Department.

Her professional associations included the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), the Ohio Chapter of NASW, American Hospital Association, Society for Social Work Administrators in Health Care, founding member and President of the Central Ohio Chapter of the Society for Social Work Administrators in Health Care, Ohio Hospital Association, and President of the Society for Hospital Social Workers.

She was also an annual lecturer for the Social Work and Health Policy class at The Ohio State University.

Following her retirement in 1995 from The Ohio State University Medical Center, she has worked part-time as a Home Care Social Worker for the University Home Care Services Corp and also for Care Star, a Case Management agency for the Ohio Home Care Wavier Program.

Parish involvements include Sacristan, Eucharistic Minister, Parish Shut-in Ministry as Eucharistic Minister and a member of the B.R.E.A.D. Committee.

She served as President of the Ohio Dominican Alumni/ae Association, and Co-Chair of the Yuletide Revels in Merrie England for 12 years.