Mission Leadership Awards

The University’s Mission Leadership Awards—the Vivere ex Missione Award and Agere ex Missione Award—are presented to members of the University community who exemplify and live the mission of the University. The Mission Steward Award is presented to individuals who have played a particularly intensive, consequential, and ongoing role in stewarding one or multiple aspects of the university’s mission.

All members of the university community, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, and supporters, are invited to nominate students and employees for the Vivere and Agere Missione Awards and Mission Steward Award.

Vivere and Agere nominations for 2024 must be completed by March 15
Mission Steward Award nominations and letters of recommendation should be completed by April 1st.

Questions?

Please contact the co-chairs of the Mission Effectiveness Team, Mary-Catherine Harrison (mc.harrison@udmercy.edu) or Lori Glenn (glennla@udmercy.edu), with any questions.

Nominations Guidelines

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    Vivere ex Missione Award

    The Vivere ex Missione Award is an annual award presented to graduating students who best exemplify the mission of Áù¾ÅÉ«Ìà and demonstrate a commitment to academic excellence. There is a total of up to four awards presented each year. One qualified student is selected from each of the following programs and the award is presented at their respective Commencement Ceremony: McNichols Undergraduate programs, McNichols Graduate programs, the School of Law (Riverfront) and the School of Dentistry (Corktown). The Vivere ex Missione Award are presented at Commencement Ceremonies.
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    Agere ex Missione Award

    The Agere ex Missione Award will be presented this year to three individuals — a faculty member, a staff member, and an administrator — who exemplify and live the mission of Áù¾ÅÉ«ÌÃ.

    Award Eligibility and Selection

    Nominees must have been employed by the University for at least one year and meet the criteria inspired by Detroit Mercy’s Jesuit and Mercy traditions. All Detroit Mercy employees are eligible, except those from University Ministry, the Office of Mission Integration, the Institute for Leadership & Service and members of the Mission Effectiveness Team, whose mission-related activities are considered part of their responsibilities. Nominations will be evaluated by the Mission Effectiveness Team. The Agere ex Missione Awards are presented at the Spotlight on Excellence Celebration.

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    Mission Steward Award

    The Mission Steward Award is conferred on individuals who have played a particularly intensive, consequential, and ongoing role in stewarding one or multiple aspects of the University’s mission.

    Award Eligibility and Selection

    Any employee or retiree of the University is eligible for the Mission Steward Award. Up to one Mission Steward Award will be awarded in an academic year; however, an award need not be conferred every year.

    Nominations

    Letters of nomination (2 to 5 pages long) should be submitted to the chair(s) of the Mission Effectiveness Team, typically by April 1.

    Nomination letters should provide extensive and specific examples that demonstrate the nominee’s stewardship of one or multiple aspects of the University’s mission. Individuals may be nominated by any member of the University community.

Nominations

Please base your nomination on the following guiding values inspired by the mission of Detroit Mercy. Your nomination should provide examples to illustrate how your nominee integrates the University mission in their life and work at Detroit Mercy.

Four guiding values

  • Education of the whole person — Consistently works to develop their own talents and abilities, heart, mind and faith, and contributes to the development of those same qualities in others.
  • Service that leads to justice — Involvement in and leadership of activities of service, and fostering of reflection around issues of justice.
  • Recognition of the sacred in all — Promoting and upholding the value of, and respect for humanity and our Earth.
  • Community of inclusivity — The active engagement of bringing together the multiple identities within and surrounding our community.

Past Award Recipients

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    Vivere ex Missione Awardees

    2024

    • Cari Gamlin, Undergraduate
    • Christen Kemp, Graduate
    • Royce Garmo, School of Dentistry
    • Evelyn Galvan, School of Law

    2023

    • Jorge Reyna, Jr., Undergraduate
    • Ejiroghene “Daniel” Orhorhoro, Graduate
    • Emily Elmer, School of Law
    • Oliver Daniel, School of Dentistry

    2022

    • Semaj Shelton Jr., Undergraduate
    • Taylor Kile, Graduate
    • Fatmeh T. Cheaib, School of Law
    • Ellese Serena Blackmon, School of Dentistry

    2021

    2021 Vivere ex Missione

    • Amber Abram, McNichols Undergraduate, College of Engineering & Science, Biology
    • Maureen Murphy, McNichols Graduate, College of Health Professions, Doctor of Nursing Practice
    • Deja Davis, School of Law
    • Steven Santarossa, School of Dentistry

    2020

    • Dohna A. Dudley, McNichols Undergraduate, College of Business Administration, 5-Year Bachelor/MBA
    • Vania I. Noguez, McNichols Graduate, College of Business Administration, 5-Year MBA
    • Veronica Beltran, School of Law
    • Bilal M. Ibrahim, School of Dentistry

    2019

    • Saamera Awali, McNichols Undergraduate, College of Engineering & Science, Major: Biology
    • Michelle D. Spring, McNichols Graduate, College of Health Professions, Major: Health Services Administration
    • Kristoffer P. Butler, School of Law, Juris Doctor Program
    • Jonathan S. Zora, School of Dentistry, Doctor of Dental Surgery Program

    2018

    • Ayomide M. Okunlola, McNichols Undergraduate,  School of Architecture, Major: Architecture
    • Sravan Kopparthi, McNichols Graduate, College of Engineering & Science, Major: Software Engineering
    • Lori A. Mireles-Smith, School of Law, Juris Doctor Program
    • Karissa R. Burgos, School of Dentistry, Doctor of Dental Surgery Program

    2017

    • Nara J. Gonczigsuren, McNichols Undergraduate, College of Engineering & Science, Major: Biology
    • Sarah F. Cornwell, McNichols Graduate, College of Health Professions, Physician Assistant Program
    • William Ma, School of Law, Juris Doctor Program
    • Tatum Miles, School of Dentistry, Doctor of Dental Surgery Program

    2016

    • Paige Dykema, Major: Biology, College of Engineering & Science

    2015

    • Miranda Dufresne, Major: 5-Year Architecture, School of Architecture

    2014

    • Lakshima-Kamra Head-Hancock, Major: Religious Studies, College of Liberal Arts & Education

    2013

    • Chanel Pattah, Major: Biology, College of Engineering & Science

    2012

    • David Dumais, Major: 5-Year Physician Assistant Program, College of Health Professions

    2011

    • Patricia Walworth, Major: Biochemistry, College of Engineering & Science

    2010

    • Ervis Fama, Major: Biology & Psychology, College of Engineering & Science
    • Theresa Skora, Major: 5-Year Architecture,  School of Architecture
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    Agere ex Missione Awardees

    2024

    • Karla Lewis, Administrative Assistant
    • Arthur Ko, Associate Professor
    • Megan Novell, Title IX Coordinator/Equity Compliance Specialist

    2023

    • Katherine Miller, Interlibrary Loan Technician, McNichols Library
    • Rodney Warren, Assistant Director, Facility Operations/Construction Management
    • Genevieve Meyers, Associate Professor of Political Science, Director of the Pre-Law Program, Department Chair, Political Science

    2022

    • Tenzin Dadul, former Director of Digital Imaging Integration and Clinical Associate Professor at the School of Dentistry
    • Lara Wasner, Director of Language and Cultural Training, Study Abroad Coordinator and Fulbright Student Advisor
    • Tonisha Williams, Clinical Staff assistant, Law Clinics, for their outstanding work.

    2021

    • Janet Baiardi, Interim Dean of the College of Health Professions (CHP) & McAuley School of Nursing (MSON)
    • Greg Grobis, Associate Professor of Performing Arts and Department Chair

    2020

    • Matthew Mio, Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry, College of Engineering & Science
    • Jahzara D.E. Mayes, ReBUILDetroit Institutional Development Core Coordinator

    2019

    • Roy E. Finkenbine, Professor of History, College of Liberal Arts & Education; Director of the Black Abolitionist Archive
    • Cynthia Spires, Writing Center Coordinator and Adjunct Faculty, College of Liberal Arts & Education

    2018

    • Rosemary Weatherston, Associate Professor of English, College of Liberal Arts & Education; Director of the Women’s and Gender Studies Program
    • Amy Keyzer, Administrative Assistant to the Dean, Libraries/Instructional Design Studio

    2017

    • Carmen Stokes, Clinical Associate Professor, McAuley School of Nursing
    • Brigette Bedard Murphy-Barbee, Business Manager,School of Architecture

    2016

    • Gary Maveal, Professor, School of Law
    • Betty Jean Nelson, Head of Circulation, McNichols Library

    2015

    • David C. Koelsch, Clinical Associate Professor, School of Law
    • Sheroyn J. Jones, Dental Hygienist, School of Dentistry

    2014

    • Mirela Mesic, Graduate Recruiter and Coordinator, College of Engineering & Science

    2013

    • Gregory Ulferts, Professor of Business Administration, College of Business Administration
    • Margo Kempinski, Dental Hygienist, School of Dentistry

    2012

    • Mary-Catherine Harrison, Assistant Professor of English, College of Liberal Arts & Education
    • Chuck Hokett, Manager, Academic Computing & Audio Visual, Information Technology Services

    2010

    • Elizabeth Oljar, Assistant Professor of Philosophy, College of Liberal Arts & Education
    • Yvonne King, Administrative Assistant to the Dean, College of Health Professions

    2009

    • Eswara Prasad Venugopal, Associate Professor of Physics, College of Engineering & Science
    • Beverly Matlas, Assistant Treasurer and Budget Director, Budget and Financial Analysis

    2006

    • Gail Presbey, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Director of the James Guadalupe Carney Latin American Solidarity Archive, College of Liberal Arts & Education
    • Nancy Surma, OSF, Associate Vice President, Academic Services

    2005

    • Elizabeth Roberts-Kirchhoff, Associate Professor of Chemistry, College of Engineering & Science
    • Brad Kinsman, Director of Athletics, Athletics

    2004

    • Joanne Isbey, Associate Professor of English, College of Liberal Arts & Education
    • Gail Burnett, Secretary to the President, President’s Office

    2003

    • Michael Witkowski, Associate Professor, Sociology & Criminal Justice Studies, College of Liberal Arts & Education
    • Martina Kuechle, Senior Coordinator for Academic Affairs, College of Health Professions
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    Mission Steward Awardee

    • Gilbert Sunghera, S.J., 2023

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