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May 19, 2026, Adrian, Michigan – During the weekend of Siena Heights University’s final Commencement, 11 Adrian Dominican Sisters, Associates, and Co-workers were among more than 60 people recognized for their dedicated service to the University.

Founded and sponsored by the Adrian Dominican Sisters in 1919, Siena Heights closed its doors at the end of the 2025-2026 academic year. The announcement was made by University administrators and the Adrian Dominican Sisters General Council in June 2025 to allow the university to come to an honorable close.

“You have not simply followed a path – you have forged one,” Dr. Cheri Betz ’07, President, said at the beginning of the Honors and Awards Ceremony, May 8, 2026, in the University’s Performing Arts Center. “You’re a torchbearer to the world. You allow us to weave your legacy into the very fabric of Siena Heights University.”

Among the 10 recipients of Dr. Betz’s President’s Distinguished Service Awards were two Adrian Dominican Co-workers: Jennifer Hunter, Chief Operating Officer, and Sara Stoddard, Chief Financial Officer. The two worked closely with Siena Heights University administrators during the final academic year. 

Harry “Dusty” Steele, Chairman of Siena Heights University’s Board of Trustees, presented the Chairman’s Distinguished Services Award to members of the Board, including Sisters Mariane Fahlman, OP, Frances Nadolny, OP, Corinne Sanders, OP, and Mary Soher, OP. 

Tim Fortescue ’01, Chair of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee of the Board of Trustees, bestowed the Catherine of Siena Medal – the highest honor of the University – on nine individuals, including Sister Peg Albert, OP, President of Siena Heights from 2006 to 2023; Trudy McSorley, and Adrian Dominican Associate and long-time faculty member and administrator; and Sister Sharon Weber, OP, who ministered for more than 40 years at Siena Heights, most recently as Vice President of Academic Affairs. The final Siena Heights Medal was presented to the Adrian Dominican Congregation and accepted by Sister Elise D. García, OP, Prioress of the Congregation.   

Two surprise Honorary Degrees were bestowed during the closing Commencement Ceremony on May 9, 2026: Sister Nancy Murray, OP, who travels throughout the world with her one-woman portrayal of St. Catherine of Siena and other notable Sisters and saints, and her brother, comedian Bill Murray. The commencement celebrated the graduation of 440 students who crossed the stage to receive their degrees, bringing the desired honorable closure to a beloved institution.  

“President Cheri Betz, Provost Julie Barst, Board Chair Harry Steele, and the other outstanding members of the President’s Cabinet and Board of Trustees, as well as incredibly dedicated faculty and staff rightly celebrated the awesome achievement of bringing the University to honorable closure through this most challenging year,” Sister Elise said later.

 

 

 

 

Caption for above feature photo: From left, Sisters Mary Soher, OP, Corinne Sanders, OP, and Frances Nadolny, OP, wait to receive the Chairman’s Distinguished Service Award from Harry “Dusty” Steele, Chair of the Board of Trustees of Siena Heights University. Sister Mariane Fahlman, OP, also received the award but was unable to attend the event.

June 16, 2025, Adrian, Michigan – The Adrian Dominican Sisters and Co-workers celebrated the milestone years of the employment of 35 Co-workers, who represent a combined 465 years of service. The carnival-themed celebration, held June 13, 2025, at the Motherhouse Campus, included a picnic lunch for all Co-workers and a recognition ceremony.

Two Co-workers shared the honor of working with the Adrian Dominican Sisters 40 years. Rowena Heck, of Food Service, and Teresa Horn, currently in the Office of Information, recently shared their experiences.

Rowena began working part-time for the Sisters when she was a high school senior, starting out in Food Service – washing dishes, sweeping, mopping, and performing other kitchen tasks. Over the years, she has been involved in nearly every element of Food Service. “Right now, I do everything in the kitchen except [serving as] the main cook,” she said. 

But for Rowena, her work for the Adrian Dominican Sisters has become like her home. “This place really helped me through life,” she said. Married at 25, she had two sons, Michael and Jared. She at first took them to after-school care, but the Sisters encouraged her to bring them to work. “The Sisters would help them with their homework,” she recalled. “They enjoyed teaching them spelling and writing.” One Sister took Jared with her when she fed apples to the deer. “It’s like their home, because they always came here before school started and after.” 

The late Sister Anthonita Porta, OP, who brought the Montessori education system to St. Joseph Academy, helped get Rowena’s sons into the Academy. In addition, Rowena said, the Human Resources Department worked with her when she needed time off when her mother was dying. “There aren’t many places that work with you when you go through crises,” she said. “When I had to take [time] off because of my mom, they were there for me.”

Rowena said her biggest challenge over the years was during the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the Congregation to close the dining room for Madden Hall, the administrative building. She was transferred to the dining room in the Dominican Life Center, serving the Sisters who were residents there rather than Co-workers. “Now I’m getting closer more and more with the Sisters in the area,” she said.

Overall, Rowena said, “It’s been an awesome ride, and I’m hoping to put in more years.” 

Teresa Horn, who began working for the Adrian Dominican Sisters as “a struggling college student” at Siena Heights College (now University), has worked in a variety of positions over the past 40 years: secretary in the Ministry/Personnel and Retirement Offices; Campus Administration; Technology; Communications and Technology; and finally the Office of Information, where she currently works with the Congregation’s database. 

Teresa has fond memories of the past 40 years, particularly of her years as administrative assistant for Campus Administration. Her responsibilities ran the gamut, from working with Sisters moving into the Motherhouse and working with policies and procedures to planning special events and responding to the needs of the Sisters and Co-workers during storms and power outages. Finally, Teresa worked on the telecommunications project, working with consultants to install an updated telecommunications system on the Motherhouse Campus. “I absolutely loved that job,” Teresa said. “Our office was the hub. We oversaw everything.”

She also likes the balance of prayer time, Church, and work time, including permission to attend the funeral of a Sister who impacted her. The Sisters and Co-workers at the Motherhouse often celebrate special feast days, such as the Feast of St. Dominic, “where we can all be together and sing and share Scriptures together. It’s nice to have that kind of environment.”

Teresa also emphasized the team spirit she encountered during her work. “Everything that I have done over the 40-plus years has always been accomplished because of others that I worked with,” she said. “We always did things together as a team and I am so appreciative of the support that was given to accomplish the end goals.”

Service has also been an important component of her time with the Adrian Dominican Sisters. “I always loved helping others with their needs – whether they were staff, resident, vendor, or visiting guest,” she said. “I believe helping others makes their day just a little lighter.”

Other Co-workers recognized during the recognition event included:

•    35 Years: Jan Perry, Dominican Life Center (DLC) Administration, and Marilyn Paus, Weber Retreat and Conference Center.

•    25 Years: Melissa Comfort, Nursing, and Diane Keefer, Resident Services.

•    20 Years: Barb Watson, Environmental Services, and Sister Sandy Exley, OP, Resident Services.

•    15 Years: Michelle Kadrovach, Finance Office, and Amanda Johns, Nursing.

•    10 Years: Joel Henricks, Campus Administration; Amy Palmer, Development Office; Sandra Place, DLC Administration; Kathi Serrato, Environmental Services; Lacey Bales, Facilities and Grounds; Beckie DuShane, Finance Office; Jeanette Desgrange, General Council Administration; Stacy Colley, Devin Horstman, Heather Ruskowsky, and Amanda Wilt, Nursing; Robyn Wellman, Office Support Services; and Heather Warren and Frreya Willnow, Resident Services.

•    5 Years: Keith Gordon, Eleta Moll, and Ashley Serrato, Environmental Services; Levi Pike, Food Service; Stephanie Garcia, Gwi Jeong Jung, Madison Morgret, Lisa Paulette, Louann Pursifull, and Alison Tripp, Nursing; and Russ Amo, Transportation.

The Adrian Dominican Sisters, an equal-opportunity employer, always seek Co-workers in a variety of fields, willing to serve as partners in mission with the Sisters. See our employment page at https://adriandominicans.org/Employment for more information on the culture of the workplace and current job openings.

 

Feature photos at top - Left: Rowena Heck, left, receives her Service Award for 40 years with the Adrian Dominican Sisters from Jason Wilkins, Director of Food Service. He was dressed as a ring master in keeping with the celebration’s theme, Carnival. Right: Teresa Horn, left, recognized for 40 years of service with the Adrian Dominican Sisters, stands next to Sister Joy Finfera, OP, Director of the Office of Information.