Former Executive Director, Core City Neighborhoods, Inc.
Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
1994
Citation:
While unselfishly dedicated to God and Humanity as a member of the Religious Sisters of Mercy, you have distinguished yourself as a compassionate, innovative and thoughtful leader. In the effort to revitalize community neighborhoods and address the plight of the homeless, your leadership during the past decade has helped Core City Neighborhoods achieve the physical and economic revitalization of a Detroit Westside neighborhood through community organizing, business initiatives, improved housing and programs in crime prevention and home repair. During your administration, 50 rental housing units were renovated and more than 100 home repair projects completed. The success of this award-winning revitalization plan has made it the model for other inner city communities. In addressing social needs, you have created and implemented a variety of unique programs. Through your vision, the McAuley Institute was developed to offer technical assistance on housing development to non-profit groups. This initiative grew from your work in coordinating the "Shelter the Homeless Project" on behalf of the Sisters of Mercy of the Union. In each of your earlier roles - as a community center director, a pastoral minister, a regional councilor for the Religious Sisters of Mercy, an elementary school principal, a college instructor and teacher - you have demonstrated your gift for innovation and leadership in service to others. For your pioneering work in community development, you have received numerous awards and recognition, including the St. Vincent DePaul Spirit of Caring Award, the Wayne County Winning Way Award and the Spirit of Detroit Award. In recognition of your ongoing commitment to community service, University of Detroit Mercy is pleased to award you an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree. Commencement, University of Detroit Mercy, May 14, 1994.