The Distinguished Alumna Award Winners

Beaumont women are changing the world in every imaginable field and service. The Beaumont Distinguished Alumna Award is a prestigious honor awarded to those who have distinguished themselves through their work and service in the spirit of St. Angela Merici. 

2025 Distinguished Alumna Award Winners

Ellen Proctor ‘60

Ellen M. Proctor '60, a proud member of Beaumont School’s Class of 1960, was a visionary inventor whose groundbreaking work in medical imaging technology transformed women’s health care. A graduate of The Ohio State University and a gifted engineer, Ellen spent much of her career with the Xerox Corporation, where her talents and creativity led to innovations with lasting global impact. In 1976, Ellen was awarded U.S. Patent No. 3,971,950 for an independent compression and positioning device used in mammography—a critical advancement in the early detection of breast cancer. Her design improved image quality, enhanced diagnostic accuracy, and increased patient comfort, revolutionizing the field of breast imaging and saving countless lives. Her work exemplifies the power of science and compassion working hand in hand. Ellen’s legacy continues to inspire generations of young women to pursue careers in science, technology, and innovation. Her quiet brilliance, paired with her lifelong commitment to the service of others, embodies the values of a true Beaumont Woman. Though she passed away in 2013, Ellen Proctor’s enduring contributions to health care and her spirit live on.

Wendy Hoke and Ellen Proctor's Nephew, Ed Proctor

Sister Ritamary Welsh, OSU ‘63

Sister Ritamary Welsh, OSU ’63 built a long and distinguished career in leadership roles at Beaumont, the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland, and the Diocese of Cleveland. A member of St. Ann Parish, she joined the Ursulines after graduating from Beaumont. Her career in the classroom included Immaculate Conception, St. Timothy and St. Clare schools. Sister Ritamary served as the principal of St. Catherine School and then as assistant superintendent for the Urban Region Schools of the Diocese of Cleveland. She was elected to serve on the Ursuline Sisters’ Leadership Team in 1992. In 1997, she was named the third president of Beaumont School, serving in this role until 2007. She presided over the sesquicentennial celebration in 2000 and the Focus on the Future Capital Campaign, resulting in the Spiritual Life Center, including St. Angela Merici Chapel and the Theater. Following Beaumont, Sister Ritamary co-founded SDG Advisors, a consulting firm that helped Catholic schools with various administrative responsibilities. In 2008, Sister Ritamary joined the Ursuline Sisters Development team to assist with major gifts during their Bold Faith Campaign, which resulted in building the Sisters’ current residence, Merici Crossings. From 2020-2024, she served as President of the Ursuline Congregation. She is now retired and doing volunteer work. 

Wendy Hoke and Sister Ritamary Welsh, OSU '63

Sister Gretchen Rodenfels, OSU ‘65

Sister Gretchen Rodenfels, OSU ’65, has distinguished herself through a lifetime of service to her Ursuline Sisters, to her alma mater, and to countless students and families throughout the Diocese of Cleveland. Raised in St. Dominic Parish, she joined the Ursulines following her graduation from Beaumont. Her career as an educator included teaching students at St. Ann, St. Francis De Sales, St. Clare, and St. Mary of the Assumption schools. Moving into administrative roles, Sister Gretchen served as principal at St. John Bosco when the school received the National School of Excellence Award, and St. Anselm School.  From 1994-1997 she served as Beaumont’s assistant principal, then became its fourth president in 2007, serving in this role until 2017. During that time, she guided the Advancing Excellence Campaign which funded the STEM addition to the school.  Along with her 43 years in education, she is a licensed massage therapist, affording her the opportunity to provide a healing touch to those she encounters in her massage office and in her hospice ministry. In 2024, she was elected to the Ursuline Sisters Leadership team for a four-year term.

Wendy Hoke and Sister Gretchen Rodenfels, OSU '65

Loretta Randle O’Brien – Parham ‘70

Loretta Randle O’Brien-Parham '70 is a nationally recognized leader in academic librarianship and a proud lifelong advocate for Beaumont School. She holds a Master of Library Science degree from the University of Michigan and Bachelor of Science in Communications from Southern Illinois University. As the retired CEO and Director of the Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library, Loretta’s visionary leadership transformed the library into an award-winning center of research and innovation. Under her direction, the library was named Academic Library of the Year by the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) in 2017. Loretta’s commitment to academic excellence and information access spans decades. Prior roles include Director of the Hampton University Library, Deputy Director of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and District Chief of the Chicago Public Library. She has served in leadership roles with distinction through the American Library Association (ALA), including on the Board of the ACRL and as past chair of the Atlanta Regional Council for Higher Education’s library director’s section. In 2002, recognizing the needs of historically Black colleges and universities, Loretta founded the HBCU Library Alliance and served as its inaugural board chair, advancing preservation, access, and collaboration across HBCU libraries. Some of Loretta’s accolades include being named Academic/Research Librarian of the Year by ACRL and receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Michigan School of Information. Over the course of her career, she successfully raised more than $26 million for capital and program improvements at the AUC Woodruff Library, championing service to students and faculty with dedication and purpose. Through it all, Loretta has never forgotten her roots. She credits Beaumont with laying the academic foundation for her success and has promoted the school’s mission in every community she’s called home. Her passion for learning, equity, and service stands as a shining example of the Beaumont spirit in action. 

Wendy Hoke and Loretta Randle O'Brien-Parham '70

Honoring A Few of Our Many Distinguished Alumna Award Winners

2025
Ellen Proctor ’60*
Sister Ritamary Welsh, OSU ’63
Sister Gretchen Rodenfels, OSU ’65
Loretta Randle O’Brien-Parham ’70

2022
Meg Taylor Reusch, Ph.D. ’88

2019
Dr. Rita Hanna Pappas ’84

2018
Noreen Friend Fraser ‘71*

2016
Katherine Holzheimer ’71
Jessica Price Smith ’90

2014
Mary Deucher Fuerst ’57
Sharon Latkovich Valente ’75
Erika Ames Owens ’89

2013
Kathleen Gang Rini ’65
Eileen Ramerman Smotzer ’76
Johanna Keenan Henz ’92

2012
Dorothy Janusko Valerian ’62
Rosemary Leone Nemeth ’78
Mary Stevenson ’78

2011
Joan Broglio Kimmel ‘58*
The Honorable Melody Stewart ‘80
Dr. Molly McMahon Yohann ‘84

2010
Carolyn Hafele Kondrat ’65
Sister Maria Cimperman, OSU ’83
Colleen Connell ’94

2009
Nancy Graf ’54*
Kathleen Walton Monahan ’79
Marianne Rocco Walton ’57

2007
Megs Gallagher ’48*
Sr. Roberta Goebel, OSU ’62*
Marg Martin Paulett ’46*

2005
Carol Jean Gilles ‘49*
Nancy Kelley McLaughlin ’74
Elizabeth Porter ‘83*

2003
Margaret Pigott Flynn ’77
Nancy Bochin Hinds ’62
Marlene Tighe ’56*

2001
Terry Trivison Ford ‘49*
Sister Margaret Ann Kelley, OSU ’49*
Mary Ann B. Kinney ’57
Capricia Penavic Marshall ’82
Rosanne O’Neill Plent ’48*

*Denotes Deceased

Distinguished Alumna Award Nomination