Distinguished Service Award
LeAnn (First) Ridgeway ’86 | Award Recipient
LeAnn Ridgeway is the Chief Sustainability Officer for Collins Aerospace. In this role, LeAnn is responsible for leading sustainability strategies and implementation across the Collins Business Units.
She joined Rockwell Collins in 1988 and has held various positions of increasing responsibility, including vice president and general manager for Information Management Services (IMS), B/E Aerospace Integration, Simulation and Training Solutions; Vice President and Managing Director, Americas; and Senior Director, Engineering Services.
A native of Anamosa, Iowa, LeAnn earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Economics from Mount Mercy University. She earned her Master of Business Administration from St. Ambrose University and previously served on several non-profit boards in the Anamosa and Cedar Rapids area. She and her husband Tom have four adult children—Kris, Duff, Randi, and Erin.
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
Professional Achievement Award
Ryan Bosch ’01 | Award Recipient
Ryan Bosch joined the financial services industry in September 2001 after graduating from Mount Mercy with a Bachelor of Business Administration. Ryan is the Co-President of Bosch Financial, Inc. He served as a District Manager from 2014 to 2020, hiring 29 Financial Advisors in those 6 years—many of whom are still with the company today, including Alumni Board President and Bosch Financial, Inc. partner Nick Timm.
Ryan is involved on several boards and committees and loves supporting the Cedar Rapids local community in any way he can as a lifelong Cedar Rapidian.
Ryan and his wife Athena have a son, Maison, attending Radford University in Virginia and a daughter, Ainsley, in first grade at Erskine Elementary. He and his family enjoy traveling, golfing, camping, family movie nights, sports, and spending time with extended family.
Ryan feels his time at Mount Mercy was immeasurable because he not only gained a degree, but also competed in sports, built community relationships, and developed lifelong friendships.
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
Misericordiae Award
Elizabeth (Ripperger) McPartlin ’11 | Award Recipient
Beth (Ripperger) McPartlin serves as the Manager of Student and Employee Wellness at Harper College in Palatine, IL. She is responsible for the planning, development, implementation, and monitoring of all student and employee well-being initiatives. Beth manages wellness events including Fresh Check Day—an uplifting mental health promotion and suicide prevention event for college students.
Prior to her position at Harper College, Beth served as a Project Coordinator in the Office of the Provost at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. Beth also worked as a Wellness Coordinator at Student Wellness at the University of Iowa where she provided alcohol and other drug education as well as support for high-risk students. She also coordinated sexual assault and violence prevention programs and events throughout campus, as well as in various other roles.
Beth received her Associate of Arts degree at Kirkwood Community College, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Criminal Justice at Mount Mercy University, and a Master of Arts in Higher Education & Student Affairs from the University of Iowa.
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
Merit Award
Dr. Andrea (Wilhite) Hughes ’14 | Award Recipient
Dr. Andrea Hughes is a certified Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner who resides in Des Moines, IA. Andrea is currently the Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program Lead and an educator for the Graduate School of Nursing at Purdue University Global.
Andrea originally graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Mount Mercy University in 2014. She then obtained her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Creighton University in 2019.
Andrea continues to be an active member of Sigma Theta Tau, the Iowa Nurses Association, the American Nurses Association, and the Iowa Nurse Practitioners Society.
Andrea enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She and her husband, Ian, find many moments to be full of laughter with their 8-month-old son, Elliot, and 3-year-old Australian shepherd, Ava.
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