Current Award Winners

Congratulations to the following alumni who were selected by the Alumni Board of Directors as the 2013 Alumni Award Recipients.

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Graduate of the Last Decade (G.O.L.D.)

Raquel M. Filmanowicz, B.S. Management '03

Named to the Milwaukee Business Journal’s 2010 “40 Under 40” list which recognizes successful young professionals making a difference in the community, Raquel Filmanowicz is currently the southeast region vice president for community affairs at BMO Harris Bank.  Filmanowicz is responsible for developing integrated community affairs plans including strategic philanthropic outreach.  Before coming to BMO Harris, Filmanowicz was the health operations administrator for the City of Milwaukee Health Department where she was responsible for the day-to-day operational activities of the three major health divisions in the city.  Prior to her appointment, Filmanowicz served as the department’s health communications officer where she directed communications for disease outbreaks including Monkeypox, West Nile Virus, and H1N1 influenza. 

Filmanowicz, whose career began in community relations, has been very active within the Milwaukee community, volunteering her time and expertise to numerous organizations.  She has served on the board of directors of PEARLS for Teen Girls Inc., the American Heart Association, AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin and has been a member of United Way of Greater Milwaukee’s Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program.  Filmanowicz is a native of Chicago and in addition to receiving her bachelor of science degree in business management from Stritch in 2003, she holds a certificate of corporate community involvement from Boston College.

Spirit of St. Francis Distinguished Alumni Award for Community Service

Sister Jane M. Nesmith, SBS, M.E. Religious Studies, '88 

Sister Jane Nesmith, SBS, earned a master’s degree in education and youth ministry from Stritch in 1988. Sister Jane received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Xavier University in New Orleans, and an associate’s degree in education from Blessed Sacrament Junior College in Bensalem, Pa.  In 1964, Sister Jane entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, and has devoted her career to the teaching profession and serving those in greatest need.  She has taught all grade levels, coordinated youth programs, served as director of campus ministry at Xavier University Preparatory School for 10 years (co-founding their youth ministry program), was a founding board member of the National Black Sisters Conference, served as pastoral associate at Immaculate Conception Church in Seattle and is currently celebrating her 17th year as pastoral life coordinator and administrator of St. John the Apostle Catholic Church in the Diocese of Evansville, Ind.  Sister Jane has served as a board member on the Evansville Minority Community Development Fund, Catholic Charities, and the Mayor’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Committee. 

Sister Jane’s most recent accomplishment includes the Neighborhood Education Enrichment Development Site (NEEDS), a transformed old elementary school which continues to meet the needs of low-income families.  Sister Jane serves as the executive director of the NEEDS Board and is committed to ensuring that the site accomplishes its mission for and with the underprivileged.  She has received numerous awards for her work with the community including Evansville’s Jefferson Award for community service in 2003.  In July 2012, she published her first book entitled, “Feed the Multitudes.”

Distinguished Alumni Award for Professional Achievement

Pamela A. Larde, Ph.D., Leadership, Advancement of Learning and Service, '09

Dr. Pamela Larde is a certified life coach and professor of qualitative research at Mercer University in Atlanta.  She earned her Ph.D. from Stritch in leadership for the advancement of learning and service.  She holds a master of education degree in college and student affairs from Azusa Pacific University and a bachelor of science in journalism and public relations degree from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, Calif.  Prior to her professorship at Mercer University, Dr. Larde was a doctoral advisor and assistant professor in the College of Education and Leadership at Stritch, where she provided academic advising to doctoral students and served on dissertation committees. Dr. Larde has also worked in various student development roles including serving as coordinator for student organizations and leadership at Marquette University and Claremont University Consortium. 

Dr. Larde has authored numerous publications, presented at conferences across the country and recently started her own publishing company.  She has received academic awards from institutions such as the American College Personnel Association Foundation, Wisconsin College Personnel Association, and the Ignatian Award for outstanding new professional in Jesuit student affairs at Marquette University.

Distinguished Alumni Award for Service to Stritch

Dr. Barb Loberg, M.S. Health Administration, '89

Dr. Barb Loberg received her master’s degree from Stritch in business and health administration in 1989, and went on to earn a Ph.D. in health services from Walden University in Minneapolis, Minn.  Dr. Loberg has extensive background in the healthcare field, including research in the theory and application of blood banking practices for the betterment of products for transfusions.  Dr. Loberg recently completed a second six-year term as a member of the Stritch Alumni Association Board of Directors.  During her tenure, she dedicated countless hours to Stritch and its mission. Outside of her board duties, she has been a stalwart advocate for Stritch and has helped with student outreach programs, alumni fundraising initiatives, and alumni mentoring.  In addition to her volunteer work with Stritch, Dr. Loberg is also involved in the National Association of Professional Women, the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute, and the church council for Kingo Lutheran Church in Shorewood.