Alumni Awards
Detroit Mercy Alumni Achievement Spirit Awards
Each year, the University honors one alumnus from each of its schools and colleges for an Alumni Achievement Spirit Award. These honorees are leaders in their fields and have made their marks in other ways, too.
2018 School of Dentistry Alumni Achievement Spirit Award Honoree
It is no accident that as a pioneer in dentistry with more than 1000 continuing-education hours and three decades of experience, Dr. Stonisch gets exquisite results for her patients. Accredited by the AACD, a distinction held by few than approximately 400 dentists worldwide, Dr. Stonisch combines her experience with degrees in art and chemistry to produce smart, sophisticated smiles in her Grosse Pointe, Mich. comprehensive dental practice. She is a diplomate in the International Congress of Oral Implantologists as well as a mentor at the Kois Center in Seattle, Wash.
In her spare time, Dr. Stonisch has authored an easy-to-read, step-by-step guide to oral health and common dental dilemmas for patients, called Smile Fitness with a soft cover companion; the Smile Fitness Workbook.
In addition, she holds three patents for her SMILE-NOW peel and stick dental templates which allow dentists as well as patients to quickly and easily see smile possibilities.
Dr. Stonisch is committed to sharing her knowledge through lecturing in Michigan and throughout the United States. Most recently, she spoke for Detroit Mercy and Benco Dental at their Inaugural Lucy Hobbs Project. From topics like Women in Dentistry, Implants: the New Kid On The Block Creating The Smile You Use To Have, and Just Breathe, Dr. Stonisch’s expertise and charming personality will captivate any audience. Always leaving them with a positive message and motivation for success is her recipe for sincere smiles.
Alumnus of the Year Awardees
| 1972 Dr. Joseph Syron, '54 | 1994 Dr. Rodney Hyduk, '74 |
| 1973 Dr. Richard Litt, '65 | 1995 Dr. Joseph Caurdy, '61 |
| 1974 Dr. William Quinn, '42 | 1996 Dr. John Hinterman, '69 |
| 1975 Dr. Henry Dziuba, '42 | 1997 Dr. George Bletsaas, '66 |
| 1976 N/A | 1998 Dr. Charles J. Cooper, '58 |
| 1977 N/A | 1999 Dr. William Berkowski, '74 |
| 1978 Dr. Stephen Weshale, '52 | 2000 N/A |
| 1979 Dr. Julius Chikos, '54 | 2001 Dr. Timothy F. Kosinski, '84 |
| 1980 Dr. Leo Shipkop, '51 | 2002 Dr. H. Robert Steinman, '73 |
| 1981 Dr. Edward Ribitsp, '45 | 2003 Dr. Richard J. Persiani, '73 |
| 1982 Dr. Donald Pokorny, '53 | 2004 Dr. Jonathan P. Wiens, '73 |
| 1983 Dr. Paul A. Jacobs, '58 | 2005 Dr. Donald Sherman, '63 |
| 1984 Dr. Stephen Baynai, '52 | 2006 Dr. John A. DiBiaggio, '58 |
| 1985 Dr. Donald S. Rumon, '52 | 2007 Dr. Carl Misch, '73 |
| 1986 Dr. Richard N.DiLaura, '56 | 2008 N/A |
| 1987 Dr. Leo Shipko, '51 | 2009 Dr. Paul H. Pokorny, '78 |
| 1989 Dr. Leonard W. Wades, '54 | 2010 Dr. Richard Kulbersh, '75 |
| 1990 Dr. Daniel Goodman, '46 | 2011 Dr. Nicholas Fontana, '72 |
| 1991 Dr. Paul J. Mentag, '47 | 2012 Dr. Michael Maihofer, '74 |
| 1992 Dr. Robert Moseley, '51 | 2013 Dr. Robert Legel, '54 |
| 1993 Dr. William R. Chase, '72 |
Allied Dental Alumnus of the Year Awardees
| 1988 Ms. Pauline Schmidt, '55 | 2001 Dr. Joah M. McGowan, '62 |
| 1989 Ms. Mary Ann Hashimi, '71& | 2002 Ms. Jane M. York, '73 |
| 1990 Ms. Irene Woodall, '65 | 2003 Mr. Edward L. Cleland, '74 |
| 1991 Ms. Linda Popp, '72 | 2004 Ms. Barbara Posler, '70 |
| 1992 Ms. M. Elaine Parker, '64 | 2005 Ms. Karen McGuire Trompete, '74 |
| 1993 Ms. Janiece Popowich, '71 | 2006 Ms. Kathi R. Shepherd, '82 |
| 1994 Ms. Sherryl Harfst, '67 | 2007 Ms. Margie Coleman, '74 |
| 1995 Ms. Barbara Nelson, '59 | 2008 N/A |
| 1996 Ms. Linda Borowski, '59 | 2009 N/A |
| 1987 Ms. Annamae Manning, '52 | 2010 Ms. Judy Luxmore, '69 |
| 1997 Ms. Jacqueline Oliver '66 | 2011 Ms. Rene Louchart, '85 |
| 1998 Ms. Janet A. Newman-Graham, '73 | 2012 Ms. Brenda Marriott, '74 |
| 1999 Ms. Barbara Purifoy-Seldon, '70 | 2013 Ms. Colleen Kuxhaus, '73 |
| 2000 N/A |
Honorary Alumni of the Year Recipients
| Dr. Chester K. Perry | 1985 N/A |
| Dr. Stephen Applegate | 1986 Mr. Gerald J Zedan |
| Dr. Anthony Cadaretter | 1987 Dr. Charles J. King |
| Dr. Joseph L. Champagne | 1988 Dr. Anna Ettinger |
| Dr. Albert H. Dredge | 1989 Ms. Shirley Ann Wilson |
| Dr. Kenneth Gibson | 1990 Prof. Pamela Zarkowski |
| Dr. Chauncy Hall | 1991 Dr. Robert Bruce MacIntosh |
| Mr. Benjamin Levinson | 1992 Dr. Virginia Merchant |
| Dr. P.C. Lowery | 1993 Ms. Patricia Harris |
| Dr. Walter McBride | 1994 N/A |
| Dr. A. Alfred Nelson | 1995 Dr. Lloyd W. Lariscy, Jr. |
| Dr. Rene Rochon | 1996 Mr. Eric Jacobs |
| Dr. Alfred E. Seyler | 1997 Dr. Maureen A Fay, O.P. |
| The Very Rev. C.J. Steiner, S.J. | 1998 Ms. M. Agnes Shoup |
| The Rev. Charles Wideman, S.J. | 1999 Dr. Bruce S. Graham |
| Dr. William Fred Longe | 2000 N/A |
| Mr. Victor De Schryver | 2001 Dr. Edward O. Blews, Jr. |
| 1973 Dr. Martin Naimark | 2002 Mr. David P. Hafst |
| 1974 N/A | 2003 Dr. Leon Herschfus |
| 1975 N/A | 2004 Dr. Mert Aksu |
| 1976 N/A | 2005 Dr. George Goodis |
| 1977 N/A | 2006 Dr. S. Pamela Herrera |
| 1978 Dr. William Travis | 2007 Ms. Gerry Cherney, CAE |
| 1979 Mr. Edward Hoban | 2008 Fr. R. Gerald Albright, S.J. |
| 1980 Mr. Peter Morgano | 2009 Dr. Larry Anderson |
| 1981 Mr. Robert Miller | 2010 Dr. James Winkler |
| 1982 Dr. Theodore G. Mahaz | 2011 Dr. Daman Thanik |
| 1983 Mr. Frank Schumacher | 2012 Dr. Gary Jeffers |
| 1984 Dr. John Molinari | 2013 Dr. Sherif Badr |