Adrian College Recognizes Amazing Alumni posted 9/21/09
Awards ceremony to be held at Homecoming

ADRIAN, Mich. - Adrian College is proud to recognize this year’s alumni award winners at Homecoming on Saturday, Sept. 26. These alumni will be recognized publicly at 4:30 P.M. at the Alumni Awards Ceremony in Caine Student Center.

The event is free and open to public. The recipients and their awards are listed below.

Honorary Alumni Award
Hildreth H. Spencer- Adrian, Michigan

Nearby Lincoln Elementary School was being built when Hildreth was born to Dr. James Houston Spencer and his wife Cornelia. The architect for Lincoln, Howell Taylor, was a good friend of her parents, and a 1914 alumnus of Adrian College who also designed Cornelius House and the original version of the current Caine Student Center. At the time, Cornelia Spencer commented that she hoped they’d be in Adrian long enough for Hildreth to attend the new school.

The Spencer family did stay and her father’s service to Adrian College would span 44 years. Not only did Hildreth attend Lincoln from kindergarten through the sixth grade, but she went on to graduate from Adrian High School, earn a BA from Ohio Wesleyan University (Phi Beta Kappa), a MA from the University of Michigan, and a PhD from Northwestern University. She had a career in education in the northshore Chicago suburbs. Then, upon her early retirement, she returned to Adrian to be with her mother, who was then 89. While she returned to help care for her mother, she was also returning to what was her “second” home: Adrian College.

Adrian College was entwined in her life, from birth. When her father accepted the position of director of Adrian’s music department, her parents, then newlyweds, lived in South Hall their first two years in Adrian. Then they lived just a block from campus on West Maumee Street. Her mother also held positions at the College, including Dean of Women and instructor of voice. Hildreth’s childhood revolved around life at Adrian College. She spent time on campus, primarily in Downs Hall, and students and faculty were ever present at the Spencer home. Faculty members and students were her babysitters.

Former students of her parents continue to have contact with Dr. Spencer, Dr. HILDRETH Spencer that is! With a scholarship in her parents’ names, many friends and former students support current music students through that fund. Hildreth continues to support the memory of her esteemed and highly respected father, providing a substantial gift toward the renovation and enlargement of Spencer Music Hall, named in his memory.

Hildreth continues to live near campus and is always welcome here. She served on the library planning committee for the renovation of Shipman Library, enjoys attending musical recitals, visiting staff, and attending College events--even a football game on occasion in the President’s Box. While her degrees come from three other colleges, she loves this College as much as any alum.

The Honorary Alumni Award honors individuals who have shown extraordinary loyalty and affection for the College over time.

Distinguished Alumni Award
David A. Beachnau ’84 - Allen Park, Michigan

David Beachnau, Executive Director for Detroit Sports, has been with the organization since its inception in January 2001. Beachnau was instrumental in the research, development, and creation of Detroit Sports. In this senior management role, he is responsible for Detroit Sports’ day-to-day operations including bid development and hosting of regional, national and international sporting events in metro Detroit. In the summer of 2003, he oversaw the largest multi-sport event held annually for youth in the U.S., the AAU Junior Olympic Games; and hosted the event again in 2008. He was also at the forefront in securing multiple NCAA Championship events for the region including the 2009 NCAA Men’s Final Four, the 2009 NCAA Bowling Championships, and the 2010 NCAA Frozen Four, as well as serving as co-tournament manager for the 2007 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships.

Beachnau developed the Detroit Sports tagline, “Where Champions are made, and Championships are played. Detroit.”, and also led the 2008 re-branding initiative of the Detroit Metro Sports Commission to Detroit Sports.

He is one of the original founders and creators of the Big Day Prep Showdown, a season-opening high school football showcase, held at Eastern Michigan University. The Detroit Sports-owned event has been held annually since 2005.

Prior to his appointment with Detroit Sports, Beachnau spent several years as an account representative targeting event rights holders for the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau (DMCVB). He also spent eight years in the hospitality industry.

Beachnau has served as a member of the board for the National Association of Sports Commissions and is currently a board member with the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.

A Lansing, Michigan, native, Beachnau now resides in Allen Park, with his wife, Edie, and children, Kimberly and Tyler. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing in 1984 from Adrian College where he also lettered in basketball and baseball.

The Distinguished Alumni Award honors alumni who have graduated at least 25 years previously and who have earned regional and international recognition in their respective careers, are recognized for involvement in their communities, and who have demonstrated continued support to Adrian College.

Young Alumni Achievement Award
Steven J. Goda ‘93 - Dundee, Michigan

Steve began as an auditor for Ernst & Young LLP just out of college and in his third year was promoted to senior auditor. In 1996, Goda successfully passed his CPA exam with the State of Ohio and in 1997, he began his career with Domino’s Pizza International as an accounting manager. His responsibilities increased and promotions followed; he became assistant corporate controller and director of financial reporting in 2001 in which he was responsible for all aspects of Domino’s external financial reporting process. In 2004, he was nominated and selected by his peers for his outstanding work performed on the Company’s IPO for the 5-Star Reppy Award, an award which recognizes one Domino’s team member each year. In June 2007, he served as their director of internal audit.

In September of 2008, Goda was named vice president and corporate controller for Domino’s Pizza LLC. He is responsible for the accounting and financial reporting for the global SEC reporting entity with revenues of over $1 billion. He leads a team of 60 finance and accounting professionals for the corporation. In addition, Goda collaborates with other Company business leaders on key initiatives including franchisee financing, contract reviews, and operational financial performance as well as maintaining significant relationships with treasury, risk management, internal audit, tax and budgeting, and is actively involved in the Company’s 401K plan’s fiduciary committee. He routinely presents to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors on quarterly financial results and other relevant topics.

Goda earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accountancy from Adrian College in 1993. While a student, he was also involved in residence life, PALS (Peer Active Leaders), and was a four-year letter winner and team captain of the Bulldog baseball team. Steve was recognized for his athletic achievement this year by being inducted in to the AC Athletic Hall of Fame.

Goda is married to alumna, Aimee Staelgraeve Goda ’93, and they have three children, Katherine, Nicholas and Jacob. They reside in Dundee, Michigan.

The Young Alumni Achievement Award was first presented by the Alumni Board in 1986. It honors alumni who have graduated within the last 10 to 25 years and who have demonstrated significant professional and personal achievement that reflects credit and honor upon Adrian College, the faculty and fellow alumni.

Alumni Service Award
Ann Batdorf Vreeland ’74 - Bryan, Ohio

Ann returned to Adrian College to finish her degree in the early 90s, completing her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art. Her affinity is with her first class, of 1974, but she truly enjoys working with students, faculty and alumni from all eras. Her service and talent have been evident on campus through the years. She regularly donates pottery for the annual sale benefiting the art department where her works are highly sought and reap increased funds for this project.

Vreeland has tutored AC students in Art History, History, 2-D Design, and Ceramics and she served as secretary and board member on the College’s Art Alumni Board. She co-chaired the Art-2-Go Auction to raise funds for the Art Department and has participated in several art, scholarship and achievement days to recruit incoming freshmen to the College.

Vreeland has also been a very loyal alumna, helping with fund-raising projects through the years. She and her husband Howard have been faithful and generous supporters to their alma mater. Ann and Howard funded the teaching assistant program that allows graduated students to spend an extra year to refine their portfolios and help the art department, providing for a stipend, living quarters, and studio space. They also supported the purchase of the wood kiln and building to house it on campus in 2007. Vreeland provides for internships at her studio so current students may gain hands-on experience in business and in art. She and her husband have supported other capital projects on campus as well as special projects involving students, unrelated to art, such as the choir trip to China.

In addition to her extensive service to Adrian College, Vreeland is a board member for Children’s House Montessori Preschool, a PTO board member, a 10-year volunteer as an emergency crisis-intervention responder for Sarah’s House (local shelter), and is former president and long-time member of the Bryan Civic League as well as a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church council. Vreeland is also a member of the Toledo Potter’s Guild and was recently juried into the Art Market at historical Honey Horn on Hilton Head Island, S.C.

She and her husband, Howard Vreeland ’72, live in Bryan, Ohio, and have two grown children, Keith and Vanessa.

The Alumni Service Award honors alumni volunteers who have dedicated much of their time, talent and service to Adrian College for a project or in various ways over a prolonged period of time.

Alumni Humanitarian Award
Elizabeth “Mickey” Blair St. Clair ‘46 - Jacksonville, Florida

Elizabeth St. Clair, also known as “Mickey”, has been a respected and well-known member of the Adrian community for many years. She has been an active participant in educational, civic and spiritual life, reaching out to those around her to encourage, uplift and engage them in making a better world. Her recent move to Florida has not curtailed her passion for giving to others.

St. Clair has been dedicated to education. In 1946, she earned her bachelor’s degree from Adrian College in Secondary Education/Biology and later a master’s from the University of Michigan. She went on to teach Biology for 35 years at Madison High School. She served as an officer and delegate in local, county and regional levels for the Michigan Education Association during which she worked to incorporate important state-wide improvements in education. At a micro level, St. Clair spent time tutoring pregnant teens to help them earn a high school diploma; she also trained student teams to present health education to their peers for Family Counseling Services. She was selected by the Lenawee County Federation of Women’s Clubs as 1974 Lenawee County Teacher of the Year.

St. Clair has a special association with the PEO (Philanthropic Education Association), an international organization comprised of women who provide aid for needy, qualified students. Though it operates mainly from the U.S. and Canada, the PEO strongly promotes scholarships for students from third-world countries enabling them to complete their final degree (master’s or doctorate) and return to serve in their home countries.

Many of St. Clair’s local activities have been related to the United Methodist Church. She taught Sunday School, was a Stephen Ministry leader, and president of United Methodist Women. She helped to create baby quilts and layettes given to Church World Services, and in recent years directed the crafting of nearly 100 quilts for the homeless of Lenawee County as well as lap robes for veteran groups. She has also worked with Habitat for Humanity recipients, volunteered for the Department on Aging and served as a hospital auxiliary volunteer.

St. Clair also served her alma mater as a board member and volunteer for many years for which she was honored with the Alumni Service Award in 1996. Now living in a Methodist-Presbyterian Retirement Home in Jacksonville, Florida, she continues to reach out to others, offering presentations and encouragement to those around her.

Mickey and her late husband, Siah L. “Saint” St. Clair 1916, have two grown children: Mary St. Clair Stritmatter ’73 and Thomas St. Clair ’68 and well as other Adrian alumni family.

The Alumni Humanitarian Award honors alumni who have demonstrated an altruistic lifestyle that reflects Adrian's founding spirit of service to others.

Alumni Humanitarian Award
Mary St. Clair Stritmatter ’73 - Hoquiam, Washington

Mary St. Clair Stritmatter has devoted much of her time to The Center for Women & Democracy, an organization whose mission is to promote women’s full representation, participation and leadership in government and public affairs, while respecting the political, economic and social diversity of cultures worldwide.

She joined the Center as a board member in 2004 and quickly became chair of the fund development committee, focusing on a broad-based approach to revenue-generating efforts. She served on the executive committee when the organization transitioned from the University of Washington’s Arts and Sciences program to an independent 501c3 in 2005 and donated office space during its first critical year as a stand-alone organization.

Stritmatter’s passion grew particularly for training women to become involved and to run for political office. Though the Center serves female students from UW and others in the U.S., its international outreach attracted her. She served on a joint training mission with the NDI (National Democratic Institute) to Guadalahara, Oaxaca, and Mexico City, Mexico. NDI provides political and cultural overviews of other countries to educate volunteers to be aware and respectful of the challenges, tailoring their training to fit the country and culture. Stritmatter trained women on volunteer recruitment and solicitation, putting on events and focusing on a clear and relevant message. One of her most rewarding moments came after working closely with a woman there (through an interpreter) to devise a campaign strategy and the satisfaction of a new confidence and hope instilled.

Stritmatter has served as a speaker and teacher for the Center’s outreach. She has offered the opening session, “Why Women, Why Now” as well as other seminars that include Basics of Public Speaking, Creating Your Professional Image, Crisis Management, Image Under Pressure, Media Training, Media Strategy and others.

Stritmatter had a career as a professional bar executive serving Hartford County (Conn.), Connecticut, Nevada, and Washington State Bar associations as director and executive director. Professional memberships include Public Justice, Washington Association for Justice, National Association of Bar Executives and The Center for Women & Democracy.

She is the daughter of the late Siah St. Clair 1916 and co-recipient Elizabeth Blair St. Clair ’46; her brother is Thomas St. Clair ’68. She also has several other Adrian College alumni relatives. She and her husband, Paul Stritmatter, reside in Washington.

The Alumni Humanitarian Award honors alumni who have demonstrated an altruistic lifestyle that reflects Adrian's founding spirit of service to others.