Siena Heights University announced its 2021 Alumni Award winners. This year’s recipients were honored Oct. 15 during Homecoming Weekend.

The Saint Dominic Award winner is Julianne Dolan (class of 1976) of Adrian, Mich. Dolan. Dolan has been a longtime theater educator in Lenawee County, working for Adrian Public Schools. She became the district’s first Fine Arts Director and continues to volunteer for arts-related events like Art-A-Licious and still direct shows at the Croswell Opera House. The Saint Dominic Award recognizes commitment to Christian education in family, school or community.

The recipient of the Outstanding Alumni Award is Angela Edward (class of 2009) of Jackson, Mich. Edward works as a social worker at Thome PACE, an organization that provides a variety of services to the elderly, allowing them to maintain independent lifestyles and stay out of retirement homes. She was also the 2020 winner of the Jackson Community Big Sister of the Year Award. The Outstanding Alumni Award recognizes outstanding professional achievements and/or volunteer contributions to promote Siena positively to the community, demonstrate strong leadership characteristics and serve as significant role models for others. 

The Honorary Alumni Award winner is former Siena Heights administrator, coach and faculty member C. Patrick Palmer of Bradenton, Fla. Palmer served as a coach, athletic director, faculty member, dean and in enrollment spanning over four decades. He retired from SHU in 2013 as Vice President of Enrollment Management. The Honorary Alumni Award recognizes non-alumni of Siena Heights who demonstrate exceptional commitment to and support for the mission and spirit of the University.

Receiving the Recent Graduate Award posthumously is Mitchell Prater (class of 2018), formerly of Toledo, Ohio. Prater was a dynamic leader while a student on the Adrian campus. A social work graduate, Prater was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and passed away Dec. 16, 2020. During his battle, the Facebook group “The Mitchell Project” provided insight into his final months of his life.  He is being honored for his work assisting others, especially those with disabilities and how he lived his life in the spirit of the Siena Heights mission. 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.