Nancy Wilgenbusch Distinguished
Professional Award
Dr. Elizabeth H. O'Brien '62

Elizabeth's career in deaf education spanned four decades. She held leadership positions in several national organizations related to deafness and was
a member of the original staff that implemented
the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) in 1968. Dr. O'Brien was the first woman awarded Professor Emeritus from NTID.

Service to Society Award
Kathleen R. Mitchell '68

Kathleen attended St. Ignatius, St. Mary's Academy and Marylhurst College. With a B.A. in education and an M.A. in teaching, with a focus in art education, she has taught at St. Ignatius for two
years, Jesuit High School for 14 years and St.
Mary's Academy for 23 years. In 2011 she
was awarded Oregon Teacher of the Year by
the Oregon Art Education Association.

Service to Marylhurst Award
Sister Barbara Gfeller, SNJM '50

Sister Barbara never dreamed when she entered the Holy Names novitiate that she would spend her next 60 years teaching and what far off places she would go. After earning her doctorate, she served at Heritage College in Washington state, Bethlehem University in Israel, Marshall College in the Marshall Islands and in Lesotho. She taught biological science at Marylhurst for 16 years, and has also served on the board of trustees since 2001. She currently volunteers in the school library at St. Mary's Academy, The Dalles, and with St. Vincent de Paul Ministry.

Distinguished New Graduate Award

Patrice J. Williams '12

Patrice, a native of Atlanta, Georgia, is a recent graduate of Marylhurst University's MBA Program. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in psychology in 2009 from Spelman College. With a background
in substance abuse counseling, she helped Georgia's incarcerated women recognize and achieve their potential. Williams' ultimate goal is to serve as an agent of positive social change.