Alumni Feature
2011 SHU Alumni Award Winners Honored
They are the best and brightest.
Perfect examples of what Siena Heights is all about.
2011 Honorary Alumni Award
Michael H. Dawson, MD
Back row, left
“Doc” Dawson, Saints fan and longtime team physician, is the first-ever
recipient of this award. Mike has
been a dedicated member of the
Siena Heights Board of Trustees since
1999 and a leading supporter of the
University’s programs and mission.
He contributed generously to the
improvement of our athletic locker
rooms and the expansion of the
Fieldhouse, which now includes a
multi-purpose Fitness Center bearing his name. Most recently, he has
shared his time, talent and treasure
with SHU by serving on the football
task force, volunteering as a linebacker coach for the football team,
and gifting our community with the
new Dr. Mike and Lynne Dawson
Field, commemorating his commitment to both Siena Heights and his
beloved late wife, Lynne.
—The Honorary Alumni Award
recognizes non-alumni who demonstrate exceptional commitment
to and support for the mission and
spirit of the University. Individuals
selected for honorary alumni status
shall be inspirational role models
who have made a significant difference for Siena Heights by sharing
themselves through generous and
sustained gifts of time, talent and/
or treasure.
2011 Saint Dominic Award
Mary Cele Kane Doyle ’64
Front row, right
Mary Cele displayed leadership
qualities while still a student at Siena
Heights, serving as a class officer and
graduating as valedictorian. After
graduation, she worked as a teacher
in Joliet, IL, and a social worker in
central-city Chicago before entering
graduate school at Marquette University, where she earned a master’s
in college administration and served
as Assistant Dean of Women.
Following marriage to Jim Doyle
in 1971, she focused on raising her
family of seven children, living in
the Chicago area. Through her own
commitment to serving others, she
instilled in her family the importance
not only of having faith but also of
acting on that faith in daily life to
help others. As a lay parish leader,
Mary Cele facilitated prayer and
study groups, coordinated service
days, and led mission volunteer
groups. Since 2003, she has been
a member of the professional pastoral staff at St. Clement Catholic
Church in Lincoln Park, working
“with the highest ethical standards
and with great fervor” as Director of
Community Involvement.
In 1995, she founded “Living Room,”
a non-profit organization that helps
AIDS patients find housing. In 2000,
she moved to South Africa to develop and implement an HIV/AIDS
education program for Catholic
elementary schools. She also developed programs to meet the needs
of children orphaned by AIDS. Moving to Swaziland in 2008, she continued her hands-on ministry with
schools and teachers, raising awareness of social injustice. Today, Mary
Jane is back in the U.S., working for
Covenant House to meet the needs
of Detroit’s poor.
2011 Outstanding Alumni Award
Matthew J. Schwartz ’88, ’97, ’08
Back row, right
A three-time graduate of Siena
Heights, Matt is a dedicated educator, counselor and principal who
has devoted his career to serving
the community where he began.
Starting as a social studies teacher
and