During Aquinas College’s Commencement ceremonies May 4, Ellen Satterlee, CEO of The Wege Foundation, was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Public Policy. Since 1988, Ellen Satterlee has served as Peter M. Wege’s chief executive running the family foundation he set up in 1967.
Aquinas College said this of their new Honorary Doctorate: Ellen M. Satterlee’s life embodies a commitment to community and service which reflects the mission of Aquinas College and the Dominican charisms.
Well known in the community for her ability to translate Peter M. Wege’s mission into good works, the Dominican’s “charisms” match what Ellen Satterlee does for Peter and The Wege Foundation. Charism is a spiritual grace from God given to individuals for the benefit of humanity.
Aquinas College described her charism this way: Ellen’s lifelong dedication and tireless devotion inspire all those who know her.
A graduate of Aquinas College, Ellen Satterlee served ten years on the Aquinas College’s Board of Trustees. She is currently on the Grand Rapid Symphony Board and a member of the Grand Rapids Economic Club.
During her tenure on the Aquinas Board, Ellen was instrumental in hiring Juan R. Olivarez, Ph.D., as the college’s new president in 2011. Dr. Olivarez’s active leadership led to Aquinas College’s winning the highest national honor a college can earn for its commitment to civic engagement and service. This year Aquinas was named to the 2013 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.
