Nazareth Names Deirdre McKiernan Metzler of Fairport, NY a 2017 Outstanding Alumni

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ROCHESTER, NY (09/27/2017) For more than 30 years, Nazareth College has been recognizing the outstanding achievements of its graduates with the Outstanding Alumni Award. Each year, the Alumni Board selects individuals who truly exemplify the character of Nazareth graduates with dedication to their communities, professions, and personal achievements. These award recipients serve as role models for Nazareth students, encourage others to consider a Nazareth education, and further inspire a sense of Nazareth pride in their fellow graduates.

Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler '61 exemplifies the best attributes of a Nazareth graduate: intellectual curiosity, continual education, and service to others. After graduating from Nazareth with a degree in history, Hetzler spent several decades raising her family and working as a partner for a family realty business. In 1990, she went back to school and earned a master's in pastoral ministry from St. Bernard's Institute, launching a second career in parish and campus ministry and supporting students at colleges throughout the Rochester area.

Perhaps most notable is her work with the Irish American Cultural Institute, for which she currently serves as a national board member and through which she has led numerous tours of Ireland and helped others to understand and participate in the Irish culture. In 2013, she authored Irish America Reawakening: The Eoin McKiernan Story.