May 21, 2021

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MILWAUKEE — Marquette University’s Alumni National Awards honor distinguished alumni, parents and friends who embody Marquette’s mission through their character, personal and professional achievements, and their impact on the community and others. Fifty-two awardees will be honored this May.

Award recipients include individuals from each of the university’s colleges and professional schools. They embody Marquette’s spirit and mission in searching for truth, discovering and sharing knowledge, fostering excellence, promoting faith, and developing leadership through serving others.

Short profiles of the honorees, including Alumni of the Year Award recipients Darren and Terry Jackson, who will be honored at a special virtual ceremony Tuesday, May 25, at 6 p.m. CDT, are available on Marquette’s Alumni National Awards webpage.

All-University Award Recipients

Alumni of the Year Award

Terry Hall Jackson, Nurs ’87, and Darren R. Jackson, Bus Ad ’86  

Saint Paul, Minnesota, and Milwaukee

Terry and Darren Jackson took very different paths to Marquette. She was a fourth-generation legacy, while he was a first-generation college student. But when Terry administered the Eucharist to Darren at a Gesu Sunday Mass, he knew she was the girl for him. They have been partners ever since and, today, dedicate themselves to giving back, leading initiatives to support their alma mater and enabling quality education for limited income students. Read their full bio here.

Service Award

Craig R. Kasten, Bus Ad ’75

Mequon, Wisconsin

When his first venture achieved some “nice success,” entrepreneur Craig Kasten was excited. Finally, he could become a financial supporter of Marquette University Men’s Basketball. It was one among many of his service and philanthropic endeavors, making a positive impact locally and globally. “For me,” he says, “living the Marquette mission means finding a way to say, ‘Yes, I can help with that.’” Read his full bio here.

Professional Achievement Award

Harvey J. Anderson II, Eng ’84 

Piedmont, California

A self-described “wild child” growing up in Washington, D.C., Harvey Anderson says his time at Marquette changed his life’s trajectory, providing what he calls “a platform to develop the confidence to excel and contribute.” He has done just that with his successful career in tech-industry law and with his commitment to mentor and connect students who seek to do the same. Read his full bio here.

Spirit of Marquette Award

Jill E. Rauh, Comm ’02, and Ajmel A. Quereshi, Arts ’03

Takoma Park, Maryland

Jill Rauh, a devout Catholic, and Ajmel Quereshi, a Muslim, met through a student group devoted to justice issues. They soon discovered their similarities — including a shared commitment to advancing social justice, civil rights and a more equitable society — greatly outweighed their differences. Read their full bio here.

Friend of the University Award

Gene and Ruth Posner Foundation

Milwaukee

From his days as a law student, Gene Posner, Law ’36, embraced the concept of pro bono publico — “for the public good.” Today, the Gene and Ruth Posner Foundation continues to profoundly influence the Law School’s pro bono activities, enabling students to make a difference for people on society’s margins. Read the full bio here.

College, School and Group Award Recipients

The names of the alumni who will be honored are below. Visit the Marquette University Alumni National Awards webpage for additional informational on each award winner.

Helen Way Klingler College of Arts and Sciences

Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award – Dr. Troy A. Alexander, Grad ’00

Professional Achievement Award – Dr. Jennifer King Rice, Arts ’90, and Dr. James W. Rice, Arts ’90

A Person for Others Award – Dr. Terrence J. Rynne, Grad ’06

Young Alumna of the Year Award – Sara Elizabeth Dill, Arts ’02, Law ’05

Association of Marquette University of Women

Mary Neville Bielefeld Award – Rachel K. Monaco-Wilcox, J.D., Arts ’99, Law ’04

College of Business Administration

Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award – Michael J. Roffler, Bus Ad ’93

Professional Achievement Award – Derek L. Tyus, Bus Ad ’91

Entrepreneurial Award – Shari Cummings Noonan, Bus Ad ’96  

Young Alumna of the Year Award – Sarah Willems Somers, Bus Ad ’02

1. William and Mary Diederich College of Communication

Communicator of the Year Award – Jane A. Svinicki, Jour ’77 

Byline Award – Charles P. Pierce, Jour ’75

Professional Achievement Award – Denise Perry Cade, Jour ’84

Young Alumna of the Year Award – Jessica Thunberg Smith, Comm ’03            

James T. Tiedge Memorial Award – David A. Amoroso, Jour ’86, Grad ’91

School of Dentistry

Distinguished Alumna in Dentistry Award – Monica Dwyer Hebl, D.D.S., Dent ’85

Outstanding Dental Service Award – Tammy M. Boudry, D.D.S., H Sci ’99, Dent ’06

Young Alumna of the Year Award – Wendy AuClair Clark, D.D.S., M.S., Dent ’07            

College of Education

Distinguished Alumna of the Year Award – Dr. Adanna J. Johnson, Grad ’01, ’05 

Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology Achievement Award – Kristen C. Vareka, Grad ’08

Educational Policy and Leadership Achievement Award – Bryan S. Corcoran, Arts ’97      

Young Alumna of the Year Award – Dana Bellich Hirchak, Arts ’09

Opus College of Engineering

Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award – Brian P. Byrne, Eng ’65     

Professional Achievement Award – Anthony J. Binsfeld, Eng ’74

Entrepreneurial Award – Paul M. Stillmank, Eng ’85

Young Alumna of the Year Award – Aleisha Palaniuk Jaeger, Eng ’03

College of Health Sciences

Professional Achievement Award – William J. Wenninger, PT ’80         

Service Award – Mary Power Nachreiner, PT ’79

Young Alumna of the Year Award – Dr. Jasmine Y. Zapata, H Sci ’09

Friend of the College Award – Billie Ann Kubly

Department of Intercollegiate Athletics

Distinguished Alumna of the Year Award – Hon. Patrice A. Baker, Bus Ad ’88, Law ’91      

Friends of Marquette Athletics Award – Beth M. Pavletich and Joseph A. Pavletich, Jr., D.D.S., Dent ’87

M Club Hy Popuch Memorial Service Award – James A. Nasiopulos

Young Alumnus of the Year Award – Creighton J. Macy, Arts ’04, Law ’08

Robert L. and William P. McCahill Award – Allisa R. Barber, H Sci ’20 and Markus A. Howard, Comm ’20

Law School

Alumna of the Year Award – Deborah McKeithan-Gebhardt, Law ’87

Lifetime Achievement Award – James T. Murray, Jr., Law ’74   

Howard B. Eisenberg Service Award – Raphael F. Ramos, Law ’08

Charles W. Mentkowski Sports Law Alumna of the Year Award – Sarah A. Padove, Law ’12

College of Nursing

Distinguished Alumna of the Year Award – Marita MacKinnon Schifalacqua, Nurs ’73, Grad ’95

Professional Achievement Award – Dr. Marjorie Clowry Dobratz, Nurs ’69, Grad ’72

Young Alumnus of the Year Award – Dr. Christian Villanueva, Nurs ’15

Alumni Association Board of Directors

Pedro Arrupe Award – Evelia Guerrero, Nurs ’21                                  

Les Aspin Center for Government

Public Service Award – Dr. Arnold L. Mitchem, Grad ’81, Hon Deg ’04

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About Kevin Conway

Kevin is the associate director for university communication in the Office of University Relations. Contact Kevin at (414) 288-4745 or kevin.m.conway@marquette.edu.