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DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARDS

The Dominican High School Distinguished Alumni Awards honor graduates who exemplify our five core values of Truth, Compassion, Justice, Community and Partnership. Recognition is awarded to individuals who carry forth and support the Dominican mission through professional, leadership and service achievements.

AWARD CRITERIA

Distinguished Alum of the Year: Recognizes a graduate who embodies the Dominican mission and five core values through professional, leadership or service achievements as well as through commitment to and support of the Dominican community.

Young Alum of the Year: Recognizes a graduate age 35 or younger who embodies the Dominican mission and five core values through professional, leadership or service achievements as well as through commitment to and support of the Dominican community.

Guidelines and Nomination Process

  • Two alumni awards, Distinguished Alum of the Year and Young Alum of the Year, will be awarded on an annual basis
  • Nominations will be accepted beginning November 15th of each year. Award criteria will be published in the Dominican Honor Roll of Donors publication, website, e-newsletters and various social media platforms.
  • Nominations will close on April 1st and award winners will be notified by May 1st. Award recipients will be announced through the Dominican Summer Magazine, website, e-newsletters and various social media platforms.
  • Alumni Awards will be presented at the Friday night event of Reunion Weekend in August. The distinguished alumni will also be recognized with a spotlight article in the Honor Roll of Donors publication.

Committee

  • Selection committee includes the Dominican High School President, Director of Advancement, Alumni Manager and two members of the Board of Directors.
  • The President will select the Board Members for this committee on an annual basis.

2023 AWARD RECIPIENTS

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Distinguished Alum of the Year

David Bowen ‘80

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Young Alum of the Year

Deysha Smith-Jenkins ’12

2022 AWARD RECIPIENTS

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Distinguished Alum of the Year

Brian Conole ‘73

Brian’s enthusiasm for Dominican has stood out for many years. He is the perfect choice for the 2022 Distinguished Alum Award because of his continued presence at Dominican, volunteering his time in service to many committees and alumni events.

Brian has shared his leadership skills with Dominican’s Board of Directors, serving as Board Chair, Corporate Treasurer and currently as Finance Chair. He created and has hosted the Arizona Alumni & Friends event which is now in its 4th year, helps with yearly recruitment for the annual Chicago Alumni & Friends event, has been a Career Day speaker and assists the Advancement team during Reunion Weekend. Within the last year, Brian jumped in as Dominican’s Assistant Tennis Coach for the Spring season, and is currently the Head Coach for the Fall season!

Brian recently retired as a Senior Vice President at Bank of America Business Capital where he found the greatest impact in his profession building relationships with his customers and their businesses. His friendships have had such a positive affect on so many. As one of his friends put it, “There is no one who has higher integrity than Brian. He also has an incredible sense of humor.” Brian truly is one of our school’s biggest advocates and models the Dominican core values of Truth, Compassion, Justice, Community and Partnership.

When asked how Dominican impacted him, Brain said, ” Dominican has had an important effect on my life in many ways. Specifically, excellent academic preparation for college and professional career, meeting lifelong friends and a foundation of Catholic values”. Receiving the Distinguished Alumnus award is an important honor for me and a continued purpose to help Dominican thrive in the future.”

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Young Alum of the Year

Andrew O’Connell ‘04

Andy has been giving back to the Dominican community ever since he graduated in 2004 and has been a glowing example of the Dominican High School mission, making him the perfect choice for the 2022 Young Alum Award.

Andy earned a Finance degree at Marquette University and is the Managing Director at Robert W Baird. He has been a speaker for Dominican’s Annual Career Day sharing his work experience with the students. For over a decade he has been an employee participant in Baird’s Dominican auction sponsorship, attending every auction and donating consistently to both the auction and KnightWalk. He also served as a keynote speaker for Dominican’s Knight Vision 2.0 kick-off event and spoke about the importance of Catholic education.

Andy volunteers at Holy Family, serving as a School Board member and liaison to the Finance Committee, and is a co-chair for both their auction and golf outing. He also volunteers as a basketball and Little League coach for his children. One of Andy’s friends had this to say about him, “Andy is awesome, he has the best personality and is a great husband and father. I feel lucky to call him friend.”

When asked what this award meant to him, Andy said, “It was an honor to receive the Young Alumni of the Year award and celebrate with family. It provided me an opportunity to reflect on the positive impact Dominican has had on my life as well as the impact Dominican will have on current and future students.”

2021 AWARD RECIPIENTS

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Distinguished Alum of the Year

MaryAnne Mullaney ‘75
MaryAnne has been a continuous supporter and advocate of Dominican since she graduated 46 years ago.   Through her key role in establishing St. Monica’s Kindergarten program and as a teacher there for the last 41 years, she has demonstrated strong faith, belief, and commitment to Catholic education.  Over the years, MaryAnne has shared her love of Dominican by attending events, supporting students through Knight Walk and scholarship support, and by facilitating tours for her young students.  The common theme found in MaryAnne’s nominations is that she truly models Dominican’s core values of Truth, Compassion, Justice, Community and Partnership.

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Young Alum of the Year

Amber Raffeet ’06
Amber obtained her B.A. in Spanish and Legal Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and law degree from University of Wisconsin Law School.  She works at Legal Aid Society in Milwaukee as Staff Attorney in the Guardian ad Litem Division advocating for children from indigent families in family court.  Amber is President-Elect of WI Association of African American Lawyers, member of the State Bar of WI Board of Governors and member of Women in Focus, Inc.  By offering to mentor and provide internship opportunities, Amber serves as an excellent role model for current Dominican students interested in pursuing a career in law.

2020 AWARD RECIPIENTS

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Distinguished Alum of the Year

Terry Flanagan ‘74
Terry Flanagan has been a volunteer, supporter and advocate of Dominican for decades. Not only is Terry a past Board of Directors member, but he has chaired the Building and Grounds Committee, Athletic Booster Club, served on the auction committee and attends every Dominican function. Terry is a successful Real Estate Executive for Coldwell Banker and has been the recipient of many awards and recognitions in his time there. Having sent his children to Dominican, he is a Legacy Past Parent who continues to anticipate the school’s needs and quietly support his alma mater.

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Young Alum of the Year

Mark Darnieder ‘06
Mark obtained his bachelor’s degree in History and Mandarin from the University of Wi Madison, and his Juris Doctor from Marquette University Law School. He is an attorney at Darnieder and Sosnay. Mark is a member of the Dominican Board of Directors and also serves on the Mission and Governance Committee. He is the Vice President of the UW-Madison Branch of Operation Smile and volunteers at the Riverwest Food Pantry. Mark is a supporter of Dominican and has been involved in Career Day sharing his work experience with the students.

2019 AWARD RECIPIENTS

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Distinguished Alum of the Year

Ted (T.J.) Moreau ’65
Ted “TJ” Moreau has been a supporter and promoter of Dominican for over 50 years. Ted has chaired every one of his class reunions including this year’s Class of ’64 & ’65 Reunion. As a founding member of The Bill Crowley Scholarship Golf Outing, Ted has served on the committee for each of its 36 years. Ted has chaired the Auction, served on Dominican’s Board of Directors, and founded Dominican’s student-run Investment Club. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and played football. With his MBA in Finance, Ted spent 40 years as a senior investment analyst with Baird. He is one of Dominican’s biggest advocates and attends school functions year-round: basketball games, Theatre performances, and nearly every major fundraising event.

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Young Alum of the Year

Makda Fessahaye ’07
Makda Fessahaye obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Communications Studies from Northwestern University, Juris Doctor from Marquette University Law School, and was named a “Rising Star” by Marquette University Law School in 2018. She is the youngest person to serve as the Administrator for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections’ Division of Adult Institutions, which oversees 36 correctional facilities and employs over 7,200 employees.

Makda is President-Elect for the Wisconsin Association of African-American Lawyers, a Supervising Attorney for Madison’s Unemployment Appeals Clinic and co-founder of Brunch of Professionals. While at Dominican Makda was involved in student government, theater, tennis and choir. She more recently has been involved in career day sharing her work experience with students.

2018 AWARD RECIPIENTS

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Distinguished Alum of the Year

Rebecca Jones ’79
Since graduating from Dominican, Rebecca Jones has been preaching and teaching the Gospel; faithfully carrying out the Sinsinawa Dominican mission. Rebecca received her bachelor’s degree from Loyola University Chicago and master’s degree from Marquette University. She served as a principal for 22 years in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and is currently in her 8th year at St. Eugene School in Fox Point. Under her leadership, St. Eugene School has received four Exemplary Recognition Awards in the areas of Mission and Catholic Identity, Academic ExcellenceInnovative Programs, and Educating the Whole Student. Rebecca was also a recipient of the 2018 Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Principal Leadership Award. Rebecca is a passionate advocate and promoter of Dominican High School, has attended countless fundraising and special events and is a continuous supporter of the annual fund. Her stepson, Joseph O’Keeffe is DHS ’05. Becky and her husband, former Dominican administrator, Eamonn O’Keeffe, are now part of Dominican’s current parent community with daughter Rose ’22.

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Young Alum of the Year

Aaron Schmidt ’01
Aaron Schmidt ’01 attended Emmanuel College in Boston earning his bachelor’s degrees in both Chemistry and Biology. He completed his PhD in Virology at Harvard Medical School in the Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology with Stephen C. Harrison. Currently, Aaron serves as an Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Immunobiology at Harvard Medical School and the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard. His research focuses on understanding the development of immune responses to viral pathogens such as influenza and dengue viruses. His research may help in the design of novel vaccines, including a so-called “universal influenza vaccine” that could result in a more effective and longer-lasting vaccine. Aaron’s contributions to the medical field have been featured in multiple publications and journal articles. He has contributed to the academic community by teaching both at the undergraduate and graduate levels and has served as a mentor for the Exceptional Research Opportunities Program for underrepresented minorities by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Aaron has stayed involved with Dominican through his contributions to the theatre department and his participation in the first Alumni Career Day where he spoke with students about his Dominican experience and how it positively influenced his career path.

2017 AWARD RECIPIENTS

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Distinguished Alum of the Year

Ida Androwich ‘60
Throughout her nearly 40-year tenure at Loyola University Chicago as a Professor of Nursing, Ida published and presented nationally and internationally in the area of Health Care Informatics, Healthcare Systems Delivery and Public Health. She wrote grants to obtain funding for research related to national efforts to standardize health care vocabularies. Ida has a strong passion for community and has served in elected/appointed national leadership roles for numerous associations and committees in her field. She was named the Health Information Management Systems Society Nursing Informatics Leader of 2009 and was awarded the Rutgers University’s 13th Annual Award for Advancement in Technology in Healthcare in 2010. In 2013, she received Loyola University’s Damen Award for Leadership and the St. Ignatius Award from the School of Nursing in 2015. Ida earned her BSN (Magna cum Laude) from Loyola University Chicago, a MS in Public Health Nursing and a PhD in Public Health from the University of Illinois. Currently, Ida serves as a Professor Emerita at Loyola. Ida and her late husband Charles, raised four children who all attended catholic high schools in the Chicago area. Ida continues to remain very connected to her high school roots and currently serves on Dominican’s Board of Directors.

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Young Alum of the Year

Kyle Feerick ‘01
Kyle Feerick ’01 is well known in the Shorewood community for his involvement with the Shorewood Men’s Club and the Shorewood Business Improvement District, where he serves on the board of directors for both organizations. Professionally, Kyle serves as a Funeral Director & Pre-Arrangement Consultant at Feerick Funeral Home. Families who have worked with him describe Kyle as caring and compassionate during their most difficult times. Kyle is also a renowned singer-songwriter and DJ with a passion for music. He has released several albums and plays and DJ’s at weddings and other private events throughout Southeast Wisconsin, providing fun and memorable events. After graduating from Dominican High School, he went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in Marketing with a minor in music from Cardinal Stritch University. Since his time as a student, Kyle has continued his support of Dominican by attending school events and fundraisers, volunteering his musical talents for various functions and providing sponsorship support. Kyle and his wife Becca live in Shorewood and have two children, Lilly and Oli.

2016 AWARD RECIPIENTS

Distinguished Alumni Awards

Distinguished Alum of the Year

Louie ‘66 and Jean ‘66 Maier

Louie ’61 and Jean (Hamilton) ’61 Maier, high school sweethearts and members of Dominican’s second graduating class, have been involved and supportive of our school community almost as long as Dominican has been in existence. Louie and Jean have consistently promoted Dominican while living in the Milwaukee area for the past 55 years. They have served in leadership positions on our Board of Directors, President’s Advisory Committee, Strategic Planning and most recently our Capital Campaign Steering Committee. Jean and Louie have  promoted and supported countless athletic, theater and fundraising events not only as alums, but as current parents, past parents and now as grandparents. They have also encouraged fellow Dominican graduates to stay connected through their organization and facilitation of reunion-focused events. Louie and Jean are living examples of our Dominican mission and we are so honored to have them as members of our school community!

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Young Alum of the Year

Amy Brown ’01

Amy Brown ’01 followed her Dominican career by graduating in four years with a double Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Management and Public Relations, Advertising and Applied Communication from University of St. Thomas. Afterward, Amy quickly rose in rank at Trade Press Media Group, now serving as their Director of Education, Conferencing and Membership. Over the past 15 years, Amy has remained involved at Dominican on an annual basis, supporting the school’s fundraising efforts and the Knight Vision Capital Campaign, serving as the Solicitations Auction Chair and Silent Auction Set-Up Chair and leading organization efforts for the Young Alum Auction Benefit Party. Amy regularly attends the Crowley Golf Outing, the Auction and other school events throughout the year.

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