Distinguished Alumna Awards 2025

On September 20, 2025, President Wendy Hoke led the ceremony honoring extraordinary women who embody Beaumont’s highest ideals and Ursuline values. With more than 150 guests, including honorees, their families, friends, classmates, and members of the Beaumont community, we celebrated the legacy of Beaumont, which has been shaping lives for 175 years. Fulfilling her vision to honor the extraordinary lives of alumnae she has met over her nine years as President, the Distinguished Alumnae are women  who have changed the world, their field, or their communities, through a focus on bringing their distinctly Ursuline values into action.

You can view the entire ceremony on our website: www.beaumontschool.org/ alumnae/beaumont-awards.

Photo Caption: Ellen Proctor '60

Ellen Proctor ’60 (Posthumous)

Ellen Proctor, from the Class of 1960,  was a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Marquette University with a double major  in Math and Physics, earning her degree in just three years. At 34, while working for Xerox Corp., she received a patent for an independent compression and positioning device used in mammography – long before women’s many contributions in STEM were widely recognized. To say that Ellen’s contributions paved the way for generations of women in science is hardly sufficient to capture her impact. By all accounts not only was she a brilliant scientist, but she was a joyful person who loved to laugh. Her life is an example of persistence, bold curiosity, and the conviction to persevere in a male-dominated field. During her annual commencement address, President Hoke reminds the graduates that as a breast cancer survivor,  “a Beaumont alum literally saved my life.” Sadly, Ellen passed away in 2013 at the young age of 71. 

Her nephew, Ed Proctor, accepted the award on her behalf. “Behind every great woman, well, there is another great woman. (Ellen’s) mother, Katherine Conway Proctor, graduated from law school and was admitted to the bar in 1931. Katherine had three daughters, all of whom were successful.

None was as accomplished as Ellen. Ten short years after she graced these hallowed halls, she graced the cover of Mademoiselle magazine as woman of the year for her work in x-ray diffraction. Six short years later, she was granted a patent for mammography.

The most impressive thing about my  Aunt Ellen was the way she lived her life. Although she chose the single life, she had  a dedication to values and principles that my grandmother and this school instilled upon her. She lived an Ursuline lifestyle  and dedicated herself humbly to the progression of science but also to  women in the workplace.”

Photo Caption:  President Wendy Hoke and Sister Ritamary Welsh '63

Sister Ritamary Welsh ‘63

In Sister Ritamary’s first President’s Message in 1997, she noted that across the decades, the young women of Beaumont continued to exhibit the qualities that make it Ursuline. That service and stewardship are not mere words, but faith put into action for others. 

Her 10 years of leadership and service to  her alma mater were filled with action. Among her most impactful endeavors  were the 150th Anniversary Celebration in 2000, and the opening of the Spiritual Life Center and St. Angela Merici Chapel in 2004. Sister Ritamary was reminded of  St. Angela’s counsel “undoubtedly, you  will witness wonderful things if you direct all to the praise and glory of God and to  the good of souls.”

As former Board Chair Maria Coyne,  Class of 1978, (consequently the first  woman board chair) said, she appreciated their wonderful, mutually supportive relationship, in which they shared a very  clear understanding of what was the role  of the board, and what was the role of  the professional staff. Together, they served at a pivotal time in Beaumont’s history.

Not only did Sister Ritamary lead  Beaumont, but she went on to serve  six years on the Beaumont Board of Directors, and as congregational leader  of the Ursuline Sisters shortly after they moved into their new home, Merici  Crossings. She is the living embodiment  of what it means to be Angela. Across the decades, Sister Ritamary shared bonds with her blood sisters, her Beaumont Sisters and her Ursuline Sisters, always staying ever loyal to her alma mater.

“Beaumont School has always felt like a second home to me. The Sisters had a great influence on my life ... I tried to be like the Sisters who taught me – kind, interested in the students, and caring for each student individually. Care for the individual is an integral part of the Ursuline mission. That was so clear to me at Beaumont that it became a part of who I am. The Ursulines and Beaumont are a part of who I am and always will be. Thank you.” 

Sister Gretchen Rodenfels ’65

Little did Sister Gretchen Rodenfels know at graduation in 1965 that she would return to be Beaumont’s fourth President. But she led with courage and conviction and that most Ursuline quality of dynamic adaptability.  Her love of all things Beaumont and  Ursuline lives in her and her leadership  was defined by vision and practicality.

During her tenure she built – literally and  figuratively – foundations that would ensure Beaumont’s relevance and success well into the future. Namely, she and the Board of Directors at the time had the vision to make two large decisions, the success of which they would not see in their time, but which would prove to be game-changing.

Recognizing the growing need for women  in STEM, she led the $9.8 million Advancing Excellence Campaign, which built our STEM addition now known as the Sister Gretchen Rodenfels STEM Wing. This extraordinary accomplishment alone has allowed Beaumont to bolster its preparation for young women in the sciences.

The second big accomplishment is leading the decision to pursue the International Baccalaureate World School designation. This intense project of bringing in the fastest growing curriculum in the world represents courage and bold faith. Those changes take many years to take root, and we saw that this past year with the Class of 2025, which included four National Merit Finalists and students pursuing computer science, data science and public health, biology and pastoral care.

While her remarks were brief, Sister Gretchen thanked her classmates and  staff and said that Beaumont remains ever close to her heart.

Photo Caption: Loretta Randle O’Brien-Parham '70 and classmates

Loretta Randle O’Brien-Parham ’70

Loretta Randle O’Brien-Parham, Class  of 1970, one of Beaumont’s first African American alumnae, earned her undergrad  at Southern Illinois University and a Master of Library Science from the University of Michigan. She spent 19 years as CEO and Director of the Robert W. Woodruff Library of the Atlanta University Center, retiring in 2024, and has dedicated her life to increasing access to information and knowledge for others. 

According to her nomination from classmate Sheilah House, her professional work and passion for access to information services and archives was not just about herself; it was about a vision and mission to deliver quality library and archival services. To that end, she raised more than $26 million for capital and program renovations to the Atlanta University Center. In 2017, Loretta won the Association of College and  Research Libraries Academic Library of the Year for her work.

Loretta’s ability to see an opportunity and  her support of Historically Black Colleges  and Universities (HBCUs) is an example for our students today. For a life and career modeling the values of a Beaumont graduate – dedication, perseverance, collaboration, positive attitude, leadership and integrity,  it is an honor to recognize Loretta as a Distinguished Alumna.

“The Class of 1970 presented the first  Black graduates – five of us completed  our education here. My takeaway from  my years as a Beaumonster – rolled skirts, tasty lunches, religious studies, Latin and sewing class.

I received the best education and an introduction to communities and people different from me. ‘Beautiful girls you’ll  find there,’ I see that’s been edited out  of the alma mater, but we still are.  I found people different from me –  Italian, Polish, Irish, Lebanese, German  and more for the first time. 

To the credit of this diversity, those girls saw me and my community of African American sisters, and I think the Class of 1970 found out that though different, we were in many ways very much the same. Those were the very present years of the Civil Rights Movement ... I would never exchange my four years at Beaumont for any other. It is with pride that I say I’m a Beaumontster. Because the staff and faculty of Beaumont prepared me for this world.

I see the world with a kinder and more tender perspective. And for that I thank Beaumont and my mother Amanda Randle Rudd who put Beaumont in my view.

Just as valuable for me is my work with HBCUs libraries and archives. Preserving African American history has always been important and now it is essential. We must save all of our history, we must protect all of our history, and we must teach all of our history.

Differences must be learned, appreciated, and respected. I thank Beaumont for respecting my difference and I thank Beaumont and the alumnae for recognizing me this day.”