Alumni Spirit Awards

Each year, one distinguished alumnus is honored from each Detroit Mercy college and school. This year's honorees are:

Douglas Dascenzo '21

College 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.

Mike DiGiovanni ’70, ’72

College 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.

Michael P. Jacob ’81

School 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.

Barbara A. Purifoy-Seldon ’70

School 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.

Rosalie Tocco-Bradley ’78

College 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.

Mark A. Wisniewski ’90

School 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.

William P. Young ’90, ’04

College 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.