Three Dominican Alumni Awarded During 2022 Reunion Weekend

Three Dominican University alumni were recently honored during the first on-campus, in-person Reunion event held since 2019.

The two-day celebration, held June 10-11, drew approximately 200 alumni and guests to tour the campus and its latest additions, view the Archives display, attend President Glena Temple’s Presidential Briefing, and reminisce with old friends. Special luncheons were held for the classes of 1971 and 1972, as well as for Rosarian alumni representing the class of 1970 and earlier.

Alumni were also invited to share their experiences at Rosary College and Dominican University during oral interviews. These 15-minute interviews are being compiled for a future history exhibit that is envisioned.  

Receiving special recognition during Reunion 2022 were Vanessa Jackson ’03, recipient of the Caritas Veritas Award; Kathryn Klem Large ’71, recipient of the O’Keefe Outstanding Volunteer Achievement Award; and Portia A. Anderson ’12, recipient of the Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award.

Vanessa Jackson is chair of the Alumnae/i Leadership Council at Dominican and manages daily operations and productions at The Lemon Ad Stand, a creative marketing and adverting firm she co-owns in Maywood.

Kathryn Klem Large’s volunteer work dates back decades, from her time as a Cub Scout den mother to more recently creating quilts for veterans. She has helped build homes for Habitat for Humanity; has been a 50-year member of her local Christ Child Society chapter, which provides necessities, educational opportunities and support to children and families living in poverty; and was a member of Psi Iota Xi Sorority, a philanthropic organization, for 37 years.

Portia A. Anderson, a first-generation college graduate, received bachelor’s degrees in Spanish and political science from Dominican University, and master’s degrees in educational leadership and policy, and organizational leadership. She has worked in equity and inclusion roles within higher education and is currently the assistant dean for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging in the College of Architecture + Planning at the University of Utah. She is also the co-founder of the University of Utah Black Cultural Center.

Awards were presented to the alumni during a dinner in the social hall on June 11. The dinner also included the induction of Darcy Kammeier ’10, Lio Tovar '11, Ken Trendel and President Emerita Donna Carroll into the Athletics Hall of Fame, Class of 2022.