Alumni Awards

Every year, Mount Mercy University will spotlight its very own outstanding alumni leaders for their professional accomplishments and service to the community.

Distinguished Service Award

hagen-mary-headshot.jpgMary (Kalkhoff) Hagen '77 | 2023 Award Recipient

Mary Hagen served as the Chief Nursing Executive at UnityPoint Health–Waterloo from 2013-2021. In her role, she focused on enhancing the patient’s and employee’s experience as well as leadership development. She served as an executive sponsor for a cross-system UnityPoint health team in the development of Values and Standards of Behavior which was critical in the enhancement of the culture at UnityPoint Health. Mary led several workforce initiatives and capacity expansion in response to disasters in the Waterloo area such as floods, tornadoes, and COVID-19.

Prior to this, Mary served a variety of roles at UnityPoint Health-Cedar Rapids. Her major accomplishments were leading the building and operationalization of the Helen G. Nassif Women and Children’s Center as well as the achievement of the initial Magnet Designation and first Redesignation. Magnet designation reflects the professional nursing practice environment, the outstanding clinical outcomes at St. Luke’s Hospital, and the rigor of redesignation assuring sustainable high performance.

Recognition

Mount Mercy Alumni Professional Achievement Award
UnityPoint Health FOCUS Luminary Award
Top 100 Iowa Nurse Lifetime Achievement Award

The Distinguished Service Award is awarded to any graduate who has improved the quality of life in the community by influencing social structures or establishing and promoting services to others or for outstanding service rendered to Mount Mercy over a period of years.

Mary Andrus '78, 1998 | Sister Vicky Arndorfer '70, 1992 | Dr. Dawn Axon Bazarko '85, 2011 | Dolores Trierweiler Beierschmitt JC'39, 1980 | Loraine Bomkamp JC'50, 1972 | Catherine Collins Boyle JC'33, 1965 | Colleen Shaughnessy Brems '75, 2007 | Sylvia Howes Campion JC'57,'59, 1987 | Sister Mary Cashman JC'33, 1978 | Marlene Schnoebelen Cebuhar '73, 1981 | Marie Clancy CM'28, 1981 | Dianne Quinn Danaher '68, 2000 | Linda Steele Dearinger '65, 1991 | Pamela Schmitz Delagardelle '84, 2012 | Edna Derga AC'47,JC'49, 1970 | Sister Regina Differding RN'29,JC'32, 1978 | Sister James Donahue RN'51,'59, 1999 | Marjorie Donohue AC'16, 1964 | Patricia Ryan Doyle '75, 2008 | Sister Susan Dunnwald JC'55,'66, 1986 | Lucyle Urich Florian AC'30,JC'32, 1966 | Sister Lawrence Hallagan JC'30,RN'36, 1970 | Mark Hennessey '88, 2016 | Sister Mary Agnes Hennessey AC'27,JC'30, 1976 | M. Blanche Kinley Hennessey AC'22,RN'31, 1970 | Pat McDonald Henricksen '64, 1989 | Mae Bresnahan Henry JC'31, 1979 | Ethel McElroy Herring '69, 1997 | Dr. Abby Hitchcock Heydman RN'64, 2009 | Gary Hinzman '76, 1985 | Dorothy Hronek JC'42, 1978 | Charlotte Hubbard JC'34, 1965 | Jaye Hunt Kennedy '82, 2016 | Tammy Clemenson Koolbeck '86, 1996 | Paula Eggleston Land '90, 2017 | Dr. Marilyn Langhurst '76, 1994 | Susan Liddell '76, 1999 | Viola Ludwig JC'35, 1966 | Sister Mary Lyness Memorial Fund, 2003 | Mary McGovern Magill '60, 1984 | Dr. Leslie Brusletten Marshall '90, 2005 | Margie McDermott McAllister JC'53, 1974 | Mary Eileen Sheehan McAndrews JC'42, 1974 | Cecelia Cashatt McGregor '74, 1982 | Venona McGuire RN'32, 1978 | Rose Mary Jennings Miner JC'48, 1977 | Dr. Susan O'Conner-Von '76, 2011 | Robin Bourret Perry '87, 2004 | Delaine Bachman Petersen '82, 1996 | Mary Plamadore JC'38, 1964 | Sister Mary Lou Podzimek AC'52,'66, 2002 | Margaret Ryan Trust RN'49, 1974 | Dr. Rachel Schemmel JC'49, 1971 | Sister Shari Sutherland '71, 1995 | Kathy Harbaugh Swift '77, 2018 | Dr. Mary Tarbox '74, 2019 | Dr. Marita Ball Titler '74, 2006 | Sister Ruth Torpey AC'25, 1976 | Liz Hennessey Valliere AC'52,JC'54, 1978 | Peggy Boyle Whitworth '64, 2000 | Sister Mary Cephas Wichman JC'51,'61, 1978 | S. Jayne Stevens Woodson '73, 1998 | Barbara Lemon Wright '66, 1983 | Diane McGrane Wyckoff '68, 1990 | Mary Ann (Miller) Osborn '76, 2020-21 | LeAnn (First) Ridgeway '86, 2022 |

Professional Achievement Award

enstrom-kathy-headshot.jpgKathy (Halvorsen) Enstrom ’96 | 2023 Award Recipient

Kathy Enstrom began her career with IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) in Cedar Rapids while she was still a student at Mount Mercy. After graduation, she was sworn in as a special agent and was assigned to the Chicago office. In this role, she investigated complex federal tax and financial crimes. She was promoted into management, eventually rising to the executive level. She was the First Female Special Agent in Charge in two CI field offices and had the honor of being the Deputy Chief of Staff to the IRS Commissioner, Charles Rettig. Kathy’s time in federal law enforcement concluded with her role as Chicago’s Special Agent in Charge of FDIC-Office of Inspector General.

Kathy is currently the Director of Investigations for the Moore Tax Law Group based in Chicago and New York. She assists clients facing governmental investigations and civil matters involving all manner of alleged tax, financial, and economic fraud.

The Professional Achievement Award is presented to a graduate for significant contribution or achievement in their chosen professional field.

Tracy Rich Alshouse '87, 2005 | Dr. Clara Baldus '76, 2004 | Patrick Ball '96, 2008 | Barb White Barhamand '77, 1997 | Lois Bentler-Lampe '86, 2010 | Hedy Kruidenier Bextine '91, 2004 | Jayni Riley Blackburn '70, 1991 | Anna Lappi Blakeley '78, 1996 | Mary Bruggeman Boeding '77, 1997 | Dianne Richardson Bonebrake '77, 2008 | Mark Bordignon '93,'12, 2001 | Greg Bordignon '82, 1996 | Peg Huber Bradke '76, 2004 | Greg Buelow '95, 2010 | Jean Bushman RN'55, 1995 | Lynne Campbell '88, 2003 | Bill Campbell '89, 2002 | Mary Clarke '82, 2010 | Jason Connell '99, 2016 | Mary Cooney Cooper '71, 1990 | Mary Corrigan-Psihoyos '85, 2008 | Eugenie Dean '69, 2000 | Greg Dickinson '83, 1988 | Madonna Feeney Edel JC'36, 1993 | Tasha Bohr Everman '89, 2006 | Melissa McKenna Fagan '88, 2009 | Mary P. Ferguson '75, 1995 | Lt. Kelly Fitzpatrick '83, 2008 | Sandi Fowler '93, 2009 | Sister Margaret Friedhoff '74, 1999 | Brian Gardner '96, 2011 | Larry Greco '76, 1994 | Cammie Hagen Greif '88, 2008 | Mary Kalkhoff Hagen '77, 2002 | Dotty Ranson Harpool and Family, 2000 | Carol Heaverlo '89, 2017 | Beth Hirleman Houlahan '77, 2002 | Matthew Hunter '89, 2001 | Rhonda Ballou Jackson '91, 2005 | W. Scott Jamieson '01, 2009 | John Kalis '04, 2018 | Dr. Dick Kettelkamp '93, 2009 | JoAnn Zinkula Kintzel '86, 2013 | Dr. Robert Kirkpatrick Jr. '96, 2008 | Mike Klappholz Sr. '77, 1994 | Pamela Pranger Kostle '83, 2012 | Kevin Kucera '81, 1995 | Mary Schulte LoVerde '75, 2001 | Judy Stender Lubben '03,'15 MBA, 2016 | Cindy Moroney Lyness '75, 1994 | Lt. Col. Tamara Riley Matter '84, 2009 | Dolores Law McMullen '64, 1996 | Dr. Jane C. Meyer '82, 2000 | Mary Moseman Meyer '78, 2000 | Dr. Tony Miksa '92, 2011 | Fran Carey Millard JC'57, 1990 | Lt. Charles Mincks '88, 2003 | Mike Myers '83, 2011 | Dr. Wendell Oderkirk '76, 1991 | Mary Ellen Oglesby '92, 2006 | Mary Kuiper Osborn '00, 1999 | Dawn Sherman Oxley '81, 2009 | Nathan Peck '97, 2019 | Janet Palmer Peck '82, 2001 | Darla Deal Petersen '87, 2010 | Connie Richardson '81, 2001 | Theresa Robinson '67, 1992 | Betty Van Steenhuyse Rogers '67, 2005 | Dr. Jean Hoffman Saigh '73, 1991 | Dr. Cindy Beyer Scherb '79, 2008 | Dorita Pion Sondereker '82, 2012 | Maria Meyer Steele '79, 2004 | Dale Todd '83, 2009 | Marie Hansen Trachta '63, 1996 | Dr. Ann Romick Valentine '80, 2007 | Scott Wallingford '97,'13, 2016 | Ann Palmer Wilson-Grant '86, 1998 | Julie Gach Woodruff '77, 2007 | Randi Youells '73, 2005 | Dr. Rae Yuan '92, 2004 | Connie Yuska-Bildstein '73, 1998 | Dr. Ann Pleiss Morris ’02, 2020-21 | Ryan Bosch '01, 2022 | 

Misericordiae Award

munsterman-stefanie-headshot.JPGStefanie Munsterman '14 MBA, '17 MSL | 2023 Award Recipient

Stefanie Munsterman (she/her) serves as Executive Director of the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission. The Commission works to eliminate discrimination and disparities and increase equity by responding to the needs of the community; investigating and mediating complaints of discrimination; and providing education and outreach to the community. Stefanie leads the strategic direction, community engagement, policy, vision, and operations of the Commission. She also serves as an Adjunct Professor with Mount Mercy University graduate programs.

Stefanie is passionate about equity and civil and human rights and believes it is our individual and collective responsibility to work towards building a community of belonging. She puts this passion into action in her professional and volunteer roles and serves on several boards and advisory councils, including the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights - Iowa Advisory Board; National League of Cities - Council on Youth, Education, and Families; IPR Sounding Board; Co-Chair of Inclusive ICR; President of the ACLU of Iowa; College Community School District - Equity Advisory Council; President of the League of Iowa Civil and Human Rights Agencies; Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance - Innovation Council; Cedar Rapids Affordable Housing Commission; Government Alliance on Racial Equity; Catherine McAuley Center; and Downtown Rotary. Stefanie also volunteers as a Sexual Assault Advocate for Riverview Center.

For her service to the community, Stefanie was honored with awards. Most notably, she was named as a Woman of Influence from the Corridor Business Journal, received the Woman of the Year Award from the Women’s Equality Coalition of Linn County, Forty Under 40 from the Corridor Business Journal, an Outstanding Service Award from the Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois, selected for the Louise Noun Award from the ACLU of Iowa, and the Spirit of the ADA Award from Great Plains ADA Center.

Stefanie originates from Kansas City, Missouri and her formal education includes a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Strategic Leadership from Mount Mercy University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Missouri Western State University.

She loves spending time with her two children, Alexandria (29, she/her) and Jules (17, they/them) and her pets. Stefanie also enjoys reading, music, theater, and being outdoors.

The Misericordiae Award is awarded for humanitarian service to others through professional or volunteer activities.

Marian Fischels Beckett '87, 1994 | Genny Monaghan Bennett JC'55, 2005 | Robin Wazac Borrett '81,'16 MSN, 2017 | Dr. Michael Condon '95, 2013 | Marcia Carroll Cooper '76, 2002 | Loretta Dostal RN'62, 1992 | Karen Driscoll Faricy RN'64, 2019 | Katie Ferris Feldman '80, 2010 | Rev. Barbara Egglestone Furman '86, 1998 | Julie Meloan Gallo '90,'94, 2000 | Dr. Susan Kelly-Taylor RN'69,'73, 1996 | Kellie J. Lala '89, 2009 | Sister Mary Lyness Memorial Fund, 1990 | Joan Kress McFarland '92,'16 MSN, 2016 | Lurine Russell McGee RN'43, 2003 | Ann Stanton McNee '65, 2008 | Joyce Nelson-Shellhart '77, 1997 | Deborah Reddick Oldakowski '78, 1994 | Sister Mary Lou Podzimek AC'52,'66, 1996 | Ann Woods Schrader JC'55,'70, 1995 | Joan McCoy Stien '91, 2001 | Paul Swanson '85, 2009 | Sara Ford Todd '85, 2012 | Jennifer Welton '05, 2018 | Barbara Posekany Zmolek '66, 1991 | Scott Droessler ’13, 2020-21 | Elizabeth (Ripperger) McPartlin '11, 2022 |

Merit Award

ighedo-amazing-grace-headshot.jpgAmazing-Grace Ighedo '16 | 2023 Award Recipient

Amazing-Grace Ighedo came to Mount Mercy University as a non-traditional student and mother. Throughout her time on the Hill, she made the dean’s list and received several scholarships including the Presidential Scholarship, Johnson & Johnson Campaign for Nursing’s Future, and the National Council of State Boards Nursing and Minority Nurse Awards. She received the Sister Mary Edward McConohy Nursing Award and Sister Mary Frances Warde Award upon graduation.

She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia at the University of Pennsylvania. At the prestigious Ivy-League School of Nursing, she has been recognized with The Goldie Brangman Award, Natalia Martin Endowed Fellowship, and was selected as an Amy Gutmann Leadership Scholar.

Prior to her anesthesia studies, Amazing-Grace worked in the Cardiac ICU, Surgical ICU, and the Surgical Neuroscience ICU. She’s received the Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

The Alumni Merit Award is awarded to alumni who graduated within the last 10 years whose use of their Mount Mercy education and leadership qualities show promise of significant professional growth and achievement.

Tracy Rich Alshouse '87, 1995 | Dr. David Altimore '88, 2012 | Megan Spurgin Andresen '98, 2007 | Frank Arroyo '89, 1994 | Michael Barnhart '97, 2004 | Amber Hageman Bisinger '00, 2006 | Dr. Tim Brezina '91, 1999 | Dr. Julie Madison Corkery '83, 1994 | Mary Corrigan-Psihoyos '85, 1990 | Danielle Delaney Cripe '05, 2012 | Doug Doyle '09, 2017 | Dennis Dozier '00, 2006 | Clare Armstrong Duffy '08, 2016 | Kathy Halvorsen Enstrom '96, 2002 | Brad Feickert '09, 2016 | Ed Ferreter '80, 1990 | Kris VonSprecken Franzen '91, 1997 | Gabe Gluba '04, 2010 | Steven Grieb '93, 2001 | Paula Back Gunter '08,'19 MBA, 2009 | Renee Marks Hanrahan '91, 1997 | Sarah Sherman Hermanson  '00, 2007 | Damon Hines '10 MBA, 2016 | Tricia Hoffman-Simanek '98, 2005 | Dan Husmann '02, 2012 | Missy Gerlach Janssen '08, 2010 | Michael Kaduce '09, 2018 | Sara Kendall '90, 1995 | Dr. Nate Klein '07, 2011 | Christine Harstad Landa '92, 2000 | Corby Laube '96, 2002 | Jolonda Mahoney '86, 1996 | Laura Howell McCreery '03, 2011 | Dr. Paula Schmitz McFadden '86, 1994 | Bridget Burke Metzger '02, 2007 | Dr. Jane C. Meyer '82, 1992 | Tamra Dyer Mitchell '84, 1991 | Michael Moseley '90, 1996 | Joe Nolte '95, 2003 | Les Oelke '80, 1990 | Justin Oeth '06, 2013 | Wendy Hamilton Orr '85, 1992 | Jodi Miller Palmer '99, 2006 | Adam Parsons '02, 2002 | Julie Blow Pegump '03, 2008 | Nichole Clefisch Plagge '97, 2006 | Malinda Dittberner Poduska '89, 1999 | Brittany Prins '07, 2010 | Todd Schissel '96, 2003 | Ny-Oka Thomas Sokol '03, 2009 | Dr. Mary Kay Steen-Mueller '82, 1992 | Dr. Eric Stenberg '89, 1994 | Debbie Karr Stien '96, 1998 | Jon Stuckenschneider '95, 2002 | Jennifer Partridge Sweeney '93, 1999 | Angela Takes '96, 1999 | Renee Fahey Thies '96, 200 | Susan Koss Tremblay '87, 1994 | Stephanie Klein Van Hemert '09, 2019 | Nicole Palof Van Zante '04, 2009 | Kimberly Larson Venner '97, 2001 | Alice Swenka Vontalge '90, 1997 | Sarah Jencks Watson '08, 2012 | Mike Wehr '03, 2003 | Lanny Zieman '06, 2012 | Arsalan Monawar '12, 2020-21 | Dr. Andrea (Wilhite) Hughes '14, 2022 |