Club Meeting Featuring Chris Dougherty, President, Madonna University

The meeting was presided over by Present Nancy Darga with the Invocation by Rev. David Stechholz. Sharon Pommerville led Happy Bucks.

It was noted that our club member, Bill Fried, is in the hospital.

Participation in the Livonia Merry & Bright Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting was fun - thanks to all of the club members who were present and passed out candy along the route. Special thanks to Tammy Bonifield for providing her truck and the Rotary blow-up wheel. Tammy has a new title, "Roadrunner".

President Darga shared correspondence and reported on the current fundraising for Rebuild Rotary Park. The current cash donation is $52,888.00 and does not include expected additional contributions by the Livonia AM and Noon Clubs.

The Club is settling into our new meeting room at the new Senior Wellness Center. Storage was an issue, and it has been decided to rent a storage unit. Certain members are looking into size, location, and cost, but in the meantime, the senior center demanded that we remove most of our club’s stuff, so finding a storage unit is imperative.

Important dates to add to your calendar before the New Year is the last club meeting before Christmas on December 17th. For this meeting, please bring a morning-type food item to share. No meeting on Dec. 24th or Dec. 31st.

However, we will celebrate Christmas and the New Year together at Dave Stechholz’s home on Tuesday, December 30th at 6:00 PM.

Today’s speaker was the President of Madonna University, Chris 

Dougherty. Chris has a history of working for Catholic institutions and foundations, and became Madonna’s president in 2023. He is married with two adult daughters and lives in Plymouth.

Chris gave a general overview of 

Madonna’s contributions to the community and some notable accomplishments. As president, he is very proud of Madonna’s range of 

educational programs. Madonna is best known for their nursing program, but has expanded areas of education to include: Animal studies, a Broadcast and Cinema Arts Program, and other programs. Enrollment is increasing, and there were 300 freshmen in 2025.

Madonna University is one of four Catholic institutions in Michigan, founded by the Felician Sisters in 1937. Madonna currently has 500 residential students, is a member of the NAIA, and has 750 student athletes. 

Remember: Last meeting for 2025 is Wednesday, December 17th - bring a 

treat!

Marlene Katafias