President, Lighthouse of Oakland County, Inc.
Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
1996
Citation:
As a visionary leader of an organization that provides a broad continuum of services to thousands of the poor and disadvantaged in southeast Michigan, you have demonstrated a level of selfless dedication, courage and faith that is an inspiration to all who know you. Your accomplishments as president and co-founder of the Lighthouse of Oakland County, Inc., are a tribute to your creativity and resourcefulness. You have developed and implemented the Interfaith Caregivers, a church soup kitchen, and a food bank for Oakland County. You have established the Pontiac Area Transitional Housing program, and you have taken the lead for additional initiatives such as a housing proposal for United Way, financing for a homeless shelter, rehabilitation of various buildings and houses, a neighborhood revitalization program, and the construction of new Lighthouse headquarters in Pontiac. You recently completed the successful $1 million Kresge Van Dusen Endowment Challenge capital campaign. Despite the enormous contributions of time and energy you devote to your work, you are well known for your personal involvement and generosity toward the people served through the Lighthouse and related programs. The nature of the numerous awards you have received testifies to your personal dedication and business acumen. You have been honored by the Junior League of Detroit, Focus HOPE, the Oakland County Chamber of Commerce, the Michigan Senate, the Salvation Army, Hospice of Southeastern Michigan, and former U.S. President George Bush, among others. In addition to your work with the Lighthouse and its affiliates, you have found time to participate on myriad boards and committees, including the League of Catholic Women, the Child Abuse and Neglect Council, the United Way Executives Association, the Oakland Hunger and Homelessness Task Force, as well as many others. Your support as an alumna of this University, especially you current role in our Commission on the Future, reflects your generous spirit as well. In recognition of your tireless dedication and innovative contributions to human services in the broader community, the University of Detroit Mercy is honored to present you with an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree. Commencement, University of Detroit Mercy, May 11, 1996.