Each spring, the Alumni Association Board of Directors reviews nominees and selects recipients for the Alumni Awards presented at Homecoming.
Individuals are nominated by alumni, faculty, family, friends, trustees, and staff. If you know someone you believe meets the criteria or should be considered, please submit his or her name and supporting information to the Office of Alumni Relations using the nomination form in the files & links section below.
2021 Honorees
YOUNG ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Jim Mahony ’00
Jim Mahony graduated from Adrian College in 2000 where he was involved in Theta Chi Fraternity, the Student Government Association, played on the golf and tennis teams, and participated in numerous clubs and organizations… he was even involved in a few theatrical productions! After receiving his Masters in College Student Personnel from Bowling Green State University in 2002, he began working as a professional fundraiser at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. In 2006, he came back to Adrian College to work in the Office of Development. Jim had the pleasure of working with some amazing colleagues during the Renaissance I, Renaissance II, and IMPACT Campaigns. In 2012, Jim was promoted to Vice President for Development and had the privilege of serving AC in this role until July 2021. In August 2021, Jim joined the Gobel Group, a leading consulting firm working exclusively in healthcare philanthropy, as the Senior Director for Business Development.
Jim has served the local board of the Boys and Girls Club, the finance committee for the Holy Family Church, and currently serves on the board of directors for Share the Warmth of Lenawee.
Jim and his wife Lora ’00 have three children: Aiden (16), Cameron (13), and Quinn (10). Lora works as a third grade teacher at Madison Elementary School. The Mahonys still reside in Adrian, a community they continue to love and support.
“To say Adrian College has had a profound impact on my life would be a great understatement. Those four years of undergraduate education gave me an incredible foundation, brought an amazing group of friends and fraternity brothers in my life, and introduced me to my wife. The 15+ years of working at AC allowed me to give a little something back to a place that has given me so much. I am extremely honored and grateful to receive the Young Alumni Achievement Award.””
ALUMNI SERVICE AWARD
Dr. Bruce Diven ’77
Bruce Charles Diven graduated from Adrian College in 1977 with Bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and Philosophy with a Business Minor. Bruce served as president of Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity, Interfraternity Council president, and as a member of SACC Central Committee while at Adrian. He earned a varsity letter from AC in swimming and springboard diving. Bruce continued his education at Medical College of Ohio, where he completed a Bachelor of Physical Therapy degree. In 2008, he completed his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree through the Sargent School of Allied Health at Boston University.
Bruce started his professional career in Trenton, Michigan, with Detroit Osteopathic Hospital System and became Director of Rehabilitation Services, coordinating physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. He left the hospital system and started his own private practice, Rehab Connection, Inc., that provided services to the Trenton community for over 25 years. During this time, Bruce was also president of Great Lakes Physical Therapy Provider Network, providing insurance contracting and quality assurance oversight for over 80 independent clinics in Michigan and Ohio. Today, Bruce continues to practice physical therapy with a specialty in medical electronics.
Bruce has been active with Adrian College serving on the Alumni Board of Directors for three terms, a fraternity alumni advisor, and a guest lecturer for the Biology department. He continues as an adjunct and clinical professor for Wayne State University’s physical therapy program, serving on the physical therapy admissions committee for 30 plus years. Bruce has been active with Rotary International, serving as President of the Rotary Club of Trenton and Dean of Assistant Governors for Rotary District 6400, which includes the Detroit metro area and Windsor, Ontario. He is a member of the Monroe Rotary Club, and coordinates the POLIO Project and Rotary Youth Leadership Awards for Rotary District 6400.
Bruce and his wife, Kim ’77, live in Monroe, Michigan.
“Adrian College has had an amazing impact on my life and professional career. I was able to meet my wife of 43 years, make lifelong friends, and provide service to a college that has given so much to me. It has been my honor and privilege to work alongside many talented and dedicated AC alumni, who not only support the college financially, but also give their invaluable time and expertise to make Adrian College what it has become today.”
ALUMNI HUMANITARIAN AWARD
Carrie Hartley ’04
Carrie Hartley earned her Bachelor’s degree in English/Communications Arts and Sciences, graduating Magna Cum Laude from Adrian College in 2004. During her time at Adrian, she also earned her secondary education certificate and was a member of the Alpha Chi, Sigma Tau Delta, and the president of Kappa Delta Pi Honors Societies. Carrie was a member of the Adrian College Band, Circle K, and LINCS as a student.
After graduation Carrie earned her master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Siena Heights. She then started down the career path working in the non-profit profession, where she has been working with different organizations in Lenawee County for over a decade. She has worked with, shown leadership and been a mentor to many of the area’s youth. While employed at the Boys and Girls Club of Lenawee, she held such roles as Mentoring Program Director, Grant and Administrative Coordinator, and Director of Marketing and Community relations. Carrie is currently the Director of Development at Habitat for Humanity of Lenawee County. Over the last ten years, Carrie not only spearheaded fundraising efforts for nonprofits to advance their mission, she has impacted positive change for the residents of Lenawee County, especially those living in historic East Adrian, and area youth. She also served as a community ambassador to inspire financial support and volunteer participation.
Carrie has been active with Adrian College, serving on the Alumni Board of Directors for three terms, mentoring youth and college students, including student interns and AC Habitat Campus Chapter student leaders. She serves as the advisor of the AC Habitat Campus Chapter. Carrie has been active as a member, and now board member, for Zonta of Lenawee, participating in workshops at both the district and International level to advance the status of women and girls locally and worldwide. She served as the Fund Development Topic Council Co-President, Habitat for Humanity of Michigan from 2018-2019. She is a dedicated member of the Holy Family Catholic Church, the church she was raised in, and has continued to volunteer in music ministry.
Carrie resides in Clayton, Michigan. When she isn’t walking her dog, Sadie on campus, she enjoys spoiling her two goddaughters and new godson; being a part of their life is her greatest joy.
“I am so grateful for my Adrian College experience. My career developed differently from my “original plan” in Secondary Education, but it was here I developed a heart for service. Through it all, AC professors and classmates were my network, and are my lifelong friends and mentors. A liberal arts education gave me the foundation needed to be successful and adapt to an ever-changing world. I will always be a proud Bulldog.”
HONORARY ALUMNI AWARD
Pat DuMont
Pat DuMont is the College’s ‘mother’ to many. For the past 17 years, she has been the smile behind Sodexo, working as the catering manager. There isn’t a catered event on campus that doesn’t include her special touches. Her pride in working with Sodexo won her the Sodexo District Catering Champion in 2008.
Prior to coming to Adrian College, she was the kitchen manager at Geneva Area Schools, and was also chosen as Geneva’s Citizen of the Year.
Pat always wanted a large family. By hiring and training students to work in her area and watching them grow through their years as students, she is fulfilling that dream. The many relationships built with students and employees have turned into lifelong friendships. She also is accompanied by her daughter and future son-in-law, Katie DuMont ’18 and Nick Sears ’20, at many special events.
In her spare time, Pat volunteers with the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Department, with the Victim Services Unit. She is passionate about helping victims, survivors and their loved ones’ work through a crisis.
Pat resides in Adrian, Michigan, loves cooking and baking, reading, working in her yard, but her favorite thing to do is spend time with family and friends. She credits her late husband, Ralph, for his never ending support of her career. We are so fortunate to have her here on our campus.
“Being the Catering Manager for Adrian College these past 17 years has given me the opportunity to meet and work with such a wide variety of people in our community. It is my privilege to assist in making all of our catered events special.”
OUTSTANDING ALUMNI EMPLOYEE AWARD
Beth Weidmayer Heiss ‘98
Beth Weidmayer Heiss graduated from Adrian College in 1998, with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Communications. As a student at AC, Beth was a member of the softball and volleyball teams, a member of the Alpha Phi Sorority, served as a resident director in Davis Hall, was the President of Public Relations Student Society of America, and the Vice President of Alpha Kappa Psi.
After receiving her Master’s of Business Administration from Wayne State University in 2001, she began her professional career as a Direct Marketing Promotion Coordinator. For the next 15 years, she would hold many different titles: production coordinator, quoter, operations specialist, targeting specialist, marketing manager, and then ventured into the world of consulting. In 2008, Beth returned to Adrian College as an adjunct professor in the business department. During that time, Beth was able to initiate some courses of her own. One of those was The Study of Happiness, and also co-taught Dr. Docking’s Leadership class. In 2014, she was named the Director of Institutional Research and Assessment, where she worked on collecting data and creating helpful programs for students. She has helped in retention initiatives, with programs such as PALs (Peer Active Leaders), First Year Experience Programs and developed and facilitated our campus wide CliftonStrengths assessments, training, and workshops.
Beth had an instrumental part, along with a co-worker, that helped students establish a chapter on campus for the National Society of Leadership and Success in 2018. She is now the co-advisor for this group, which has been one of Adrian College’s fastest growing student organizations. In the first semester, there were 58 members, and to date there are over 200 students who have been officially inducted into the NSLS. This fall, Beth has made her move back to the classroom and taken on her new role as full-time professor in the Adrian College Business Department.
Beth resides in Chelsea, Michigan, with her three daughters: Emily (14), Mary (11), and Amy (8). When Beth isn’t busy attending and coaching sports for her daughters, you can find them at the family barn caring for their animals.
“There are so many smart, hard-working and positive alumni working for Adrian College. I’m thankful to work with some of the best administration, faculty, staff, coaches and students. I remember when I went here and played sports, sat in class with Ann Theis, one of my favorite professors, and thought to myself, I want to teach here. It feels good to be living out my dream here at Adrian College.”
AC STEWARDSHIP AWARD
Dr. John Weeks
Dr. John Weeks, Adrian College history professor emeritus, began his career at AC in 1970. He received a bachelor of arts degree from Albion College, and a master’s and Ph.D. from Ohio State University. He began his career in higher education at West Liberty University (formerly West Liberty State College), as a history professor for seven years.
John’s contributions to Adrian College included membership in numerous campus committees, including faculty president for two years, study abroad advisor, swim coach, academic status and review chair, and longtime football spotter and announcer. He was also the AC Chapter advisor for Phi Alpha Theta, and held leadership roles with the Phi Delta Kappa honors society and the American History Society.
John’s passion was his students; his greatest success was assisting students to reach their highest potential, and made himself available to answer questions, not only about history, but life. The relationships he built with his students have turned into lifelong friendships. One of his greatest pleasures has been seeing what some of his former students have achieved.
John has a long list of community service involvement. He and his wife, Ginny, have been longtime members of the United Methodist Church, Adrian Civitan, where John served as a club officer, area and district officer, and governor (2000-2001) for the Michigan District Foundation. He was awarded the Outstanding Service Award by Civitan of Lenawee in 1976, Michigan Civitan Foundation Fellow, and the Michigan Civitan District Honor Key. Volunteer positions include the Bay View Association Archives director for 30 years, and assisting with the Lenawee County Historical Museum archives. A member of the Adrian Historical Commission, John has authored two books, History of Bay View, and History of Adrian First Methodist Church.
Since retiring in 1998, John enjoys reading, volunteering, and continues to be an active member of Civitan. He and his wife reside in Adrian, Michigan, and have two daughters, Brenda Weeks Maloney ’86 and Deb Weeks Mitchler.
“As a humanities professor, Adrian College provided me the opportunity to encourage students to pursue their own dreams and establish their desired careers to benefit others.”
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD
Deena Boone Evensky ‘74
Deena Boone Evensky graduated from Adrian College in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree in English and quickly began a different path in the financial industry. She later earned relevant certificates including Certified Financial Planner in 1987.
Since that time, Deena has built a successful professional career encompassing property and investment management, business consulting, and financial planning. She made great strides in the profession and shared her knowledge and experience authoring seven books, speaking at numerous U.S. and international financial forums and has been a contributing writer for Financial Advisor, and Financial Planning magazines. Deena also served as chairperson and owner/partner for Evensky & Katz financial planning and investment advisory group from 1989-2018. She also volunteered for local humanitarian organizations such as Hospice, Salvation Army, the S. Plains Food Bank and Boy Scouts of America.
Deena took her experience to another level as a professor for Texas Tech University in the Personal Financial Planning Department from 2006-2018. There she established serious academic training for future financial planners to better serve clients. Her work in academia has influenced the financial planning industry and provided meaningful internships and networking for college students interested in the field. She received the honor of Professor Emeritus from Texas Tech in 2019.
Deena has been recognized several times for her leadership and achievement beginning with the Adrian College Young Alumni Achievement Award (1993) and including Wealth Manager’s Top 50 Women in Wealth Management (2009); many accolades from Investment Advisor Magazine and in 2015 as one of the “35 for 35” leaders who have influenced the financial planning industry; Trailblazer Impact Award, Schwab Institutional (2013), Iconoclast Award, Insiders Forum (2014); Women to Watch Award, Investment News (2015); the Alexandra Armstrong Lifetime Achievement Award (2016); and the A. William Gustafson Distinguished Leadership Award (2019).
She was also awarded an honorary doctorate from Adrian College in 2001, served on the College’s Board of Trustees from 1997-2004, and continues to offer her support and expertise to her alma mater.
Deena resides in Lubbock, Texas, with husband Harold Evensky, where she is enjoying retirement.
“I came to Adrian as a first-generation college student – young, broke, but eager to learn. I cannot think of another place on earth that nurtured me and gave me more opportunities than I ever expected. I am immensely proud that the fine education and experiences I received here set me on a path of profound success, personal gratification and infinite gratitude.”