Alumni Spirit Awards
Alumni Spirit Awards
Thursday, Sep. 25, 2025
6:30 PM - 9:15 PM
Student Union Ballroom
McNichols Campus
About the Awards
Detroit Mercy established the Alumni Achievement Spirit Awards to recognize the University’s distinguished graduates from each of its colleges and schools who have
- excelled in their chosen professions,
- demonstrated outstanding leadership in their work, and
- devoted themselves in service to the larger community.
Award recipients reflect the University’s mission of excellence and service and bring pride to their alma mater.
Congratulations to all of our honorees!
Be a part of the celebration!
To register guests for the upcoming ceremony, use the form on this page.
For event sponsorship or to purchase an ad in the Spirit Awards program, use the links below.
2025 Honorees
Each year, one distinguished alumnus is honored from each Detroit Mercy college and school. This year's honorees are:
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Douglas Dascenzo '21College of Health Professions & McAuley School of Nursing Dascenzo has had a 40-year healthcare career during which he established himself as a transformational leader while staying committed to the needs of patients. His many honors include the 2024 Michigan Health and Hospital Association Grassroots Champion Award and the 2022 Detroit Mercy Nursing Leadership Impact Award. Dascenzo is currently the Regional Chief Nursing Office of Trinity Health. |
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Mike DiGiovanni ’70, ’72College of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences During a 31-year career with General Motors, DiGiovanni helped conceive and was the executive in charge of the automaker’s iconic Hummer, a civilian version of the military Humvee. A longtime supporter of Detroit Mercy, he has been an adjunct economics professor and instituted the GM Student Corps, which matches teams of high school interns with retired GM execs to plan and execute community service projects. |
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Michael P. Jacob ’81School of Architecture & Community Development A longtime player in Florida architecture, Jacob’s career has been forged with a commitment to create inspiring places that improve the quality of life for everyone in the community. The American Institute of Architects Florida branch honored his contributions to the field by creating the Jacob Leadership Institute to provide leadership training and support to architects. |
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Barbara A. Purifoy-Seldon ’70School of Dentistry Purifoy-Seldon is a retired associate professor at Detroit Mercy Dental. After serving in the United States Army, she was the first African American student in the Dental Hygiene program. She is well known for her work on race relations, state boards to ensure quality in dental education and community events. |
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Rosalie Tocco-Bradley ’78College of Engineering & Science Over her impressive career, Tocco-Bradley held several positions at St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor and the St. Joseph Mercy Health System including instructor of fundamental critical care support, and chief of staff at St. Joseph Mercy before being named chief clinical officer of Trinity Health Michigan in 2018. In 2020, she was named one of Crain’s Detroit Business’ Notable Women in Health. |
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Mark A. Wisniewski ’90School of Law Chair and CEO of the Detroit-based law firm Kitch Attorneys & Counselors, PC. He has served Detroit Mercy Law on boards and advisory committees and in 2016 received the Detroit Mercy Law Alumni Association’s Time & Talent Award for alumni who have provided distinguished leadership and dedicated service to the School of Law and its alumni association. |
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William P. Young ’90, ’04College of Business Administration Young has led major growth of his family’s businesses since he started working there upon graduation. He is president of Absopure Water Co. and past former chief information officer for Plastipak Packaging, Inc. He has also volunteered his time on Detroit Mercy advisory boards and cultural organizations in Detroit. |
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