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By Liesel Riggs, Director of Communications, Siena Heights University
July 26, 2022, Adrian, Michigan – Siena Heights University announces its 2022 Alumni Award winners. This year’s recipients will be honored during Homecoming Weekend, which is planned for September 30-October 2, 2022.
The St. Dominic Award winner is Delinda “Dee” Crane (Class of 1987) of Blissfield, Michigan. Dee has had a long career in educating future teachers. She served as the Siena Heights Teacher Education Director and went on to retire from Blissfield Community Schools as a principal.
Dee went above and beyond to support her students, both professionally and personally. She spent many hours teaching and supporting her students and continued to follow their careers both in and out of Lenawee County.
The St. Dominic Award is given in recognition of the commitment to Christian education in family, school, or community.
The recipient of the Outstanding Alumni Award is Kermit Williams (Class of 2005) of Pontiac, Michigan. Kermit is a public servant to the people of Oakland County and the City of Pontiac, serving as President of the Pontiac City Council. He is also the Co-Executive Director of Oakland Forward, a local, nonprofit organization dedicated to building power to remove economic, racial, and social barriers to provide opportunities for individuals, with a focus on people of color, in Oakland County. He is committed to fight for just and equitable public policy for all and to do his part in helping others live their best lives.
The Outstanding Alumni Award recognizes alumni whose outstanding professional achievements and/or volunteer contributions promote the university positively to the community; who demonstrate strong leadership characteristics; who serve as significant role models for others; and who embody the spirit of Siena Heights University.
The Honorary Alumni Award recipient is retired Siena Heights University Chief Information Officer Robert “Bob” Metz of Adrian, Michigan. Bob retired in August 2021 after 41 years of service.
Bob started in the Data Processing Department with one other employee. In the 41 years since, the department grew to eight full-time employees, two part-time employees, and student workers. The university's computing needs changed drastically as new technologies became available, from portable computers to the internet to smartphones. Bob also led the university through the COVD-19 pandemic to pivot the Adrian campus to online learning.
The Honorary Alumni Award is given to non-alumni of Siena Heights who demonstrate exceptional commitment to and support for the mission and spirit of the university. Individuals selected for honorary alumni status shall be inspirational role models who have made a significant difference for the university by sharing themselves through generous and sustained gifts of time, talent, and/or treasure.
The recipient of the Sister Ann Joachim Award is Amanda “Marti” Martino (Class of 2013) of LaGrande, Oregon. After Marti graduated from Siena Heights, she earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Oregon.
Marti is employed with the Blue Mountain Land Trust as Interim Executive Director. The Blue Mountain Land Trust’s mission is to protect the scenic, national, and working lands that characterize the Blue Mountain Region in Oregon through collaboration with local communities and landowners. Her hard work and dedication have helped make major strides in conservation easements in the region, while preserving fish and wildlife habitats, forests, grasslands, and agricultural lands.
The Sister Ann Joachim Award is presented in memory of faculty member Sister Ann Joachim, OP, and recognizes significant contributions to the university and/or community through activities that demonstrate strong leadership, the ability to get things done, and the capacity to confront issues head on while maintaining the image and spirit of the university.
Receiving the Recent Graduate Award is Samuel Catrain Ruiz (Class of 2013) of Washington, D.C. Samuel is a Counselor in Congressional Affairs and Multilateral Financial Organizations Relationship Management at the Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Washington, D.C. A life-long learner, he earned a diploma for diplomats appointed abroad from the Foreign Ministry of the Dominican Republic and a Certificate in Negotiation Strategies from the University of Michigan. He is the nephew of Adrian Dominican Sisters Margarita Ruiz, OP, and Teresita Ruiz, OP.
The Recent Graduate Award recognizes alumni who have graduated within the past 10 years, and whose professional achievement, community involvement, and/or civic commitment demonstrate dedication to Christian values and the spirit of Siena Heights University.