Each year, University of Detroit Mercy chooses an alumnus of each of its Colleges or Schools to honor as someone who has excelled in his or her profession, demonstrated outstanding leadership in work and devoted himself or herself in service to the larger community. Award recipients reflect the University’s mission of excellence and service and bring pride to their alma mater.
This year the University will celebrate eight honorees — Detroit Mercy Law selected a husband-wife team profiled here— at a special ceremony Friday, April 12, in the Ballroom in the Student Union. We will introduce the award winners here until the event. If you are interested in attending the event, you can purchase tickets here.
Ralph McDowell is one of Michigan’s most highly respected banking, bankruptcy and creditor-debtor rights attorneys, practicing with Bodman, PLC in Detroit since 1986. His work has earned him accolades in leading journals, including Chambers USA and The Best Lawyers in America, which has awarded him Lawyer of the Year several times.
Nancy Glen’s remarkable career began in labor arbitration and included construction litigation and real estate law before taking time off to raise children and perform community volunteer work. She is the Director of Customer Happiness for ardentCause L3C, a Troy, Mich.-based technology company that works with the nonprofit sector.
Together, McDowell and Glen are active in professional, civic and charitable organizations, sharing their expertise and their time. They have three children and recently established the Ralph E. McDowell and Nancy A. Glen Expendable Scholarship Fund to benefit students of Detroit Mercy Law who demonstrate financial need.
This year’s other honorees are:
Allan Warnick, D.D.S. ’64, Chief Forensic Odontologist, Wayne County — School of Dentistry
Kathleen Reehil ’67, Retired, Workplace Strategist, Herman Miller — School of Architecture
Janet Robinson ’69, Provost Emerita, Lourdes College — College of Health Professions
Richard Kunnath ’71, President, Charles Pankow Foundation — College of Engineering & Science
Arlyce Seibert ’71, Retired Director of Schools, Cranbrook Schools — College of Liberal Arts & Education
John Lewis, ’74, Retired, Vice Chairman, Comerica, Inc. — College of Business Administration
