Community volunteer Michelle Dowd of Danville named Saint Michael's College 2011 Alumna of the Year

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Michelle Dowd of Danville honored by her alma mater Saint Michael's College of Burlington, VT

COLCHESTER, VT (06/15/2011)(readMedia)-- Celebrating her 25th anniversary of graduation from Saint Michael's College, Michelle Labrecque Dowd of Danville, N.H., was named the college's Alumna of the Year for 2011 at ceremonies held during Reunion 2011 on June 11, 2011.

Mrs. Dowd and her husband Matt, and son Chris reside in Danville, where she has been an outstanding volunteer for various causes. After working in the banking industry for 20 years, she turned her focus to donating her time and energy to "being a CCD teacher, Boy Scout mom, a PTA officer, and a hockey mom," said Angela Armour, SMC director of alumni and parent relations.

An outstanding Saint Michael's College volunteer

Mrs. Dowd has been actively connected to Saint Michael's College since her student years when she worked on the yearbook and was a resident coordinator on campus. Upon graduation, she moved to Boston and got involved with the SMC Boston Alumni Chapter helping plan a variety of alumni events. She was praised for outstanding assistance to the college's Alumni and Parent Relations Office by "booking venues, helping with invitations and mailers, negotiating contracts, and attending the events." She helped organize her favorite events: SMC Professor Lance Richbourg's tours of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and the Boston Pops, two events that sold out for many years.

After 10 years of service, Mrs. Dowd took on the role of president of the SMC Boston Alumni Club, and became the primary link between the club and the college. She co-chaired her class's 10th and 20th reunion festivities.

"This year, Michelle was my go-to person as we planned a very new and different Silver Knight event, and I cannot thank her enough," said Ms. Armour, in presenting the award.

The citation concluded: "Michelle, for your many years of service to Saint Michael's College, and all of your efforts to keep thousands of alumni engaged with their alma mater, the Alumni Association is genuinely proud to name you a 2011 Alumna of the Year."

Learn What Matters at Saint Michael's College, The Edmundite Catholic liberal arts college, www.smcvt.edu . Saint Michael's provides education with a social conscience, producing graduates with the intellectual tools to lead successful, purposeful lives that will contribute to peace and justice in our world. Founded in 1904 by the Society of St. Edmund and headed by President John J. Neuhauser, Saint Michael's College is located three miles from Burlington, Vermont, one of America's top 10 college towns. Saint Michael's is identified by the Princeton Review as one of the nations Best 373 Colleges, and is included in the 2011 Fiske Guide to Colleges. Saint Michael's has 1,900 undergraduate students and 500 graduate students. Saint Michael's students and professors have received Rhodes, Woodrow Wilson, Pickering, Guggenheim, Fulbright, and other grants. The college is one of the nation's top-100, Best Liberal Arts Colleges as listed in the 2011 U.S. News & World Report rankings.