April - Tom Hickson
c/o 1992 - "HONOR"
March - Andrea McNab
c/o 2002 - "DEDICATION"
February - Cecelia Irish
c/o 2013 - "DEFINING"
January - Kerri Boros
c/o 2003 - "HOME"

December - Desirae Grunwell
c/o 2012 - "FAMILY"
November - Connor Mooney
c/o 2015 - "PROTRACTED"
OCTOBER - Tim Novak
c/o 1989 - "FAMILY"
SEPTEMBER - Sarah Mooney
c/o 2012 - "HOUYHNNHNMS"
AUGUST - Adam Pavlik
c/o 2001 - "COMMITMENT"
JULY - Alex Joynt
c/o 2015 - "TENACIOUS"
JUNE - Dr. Natalie Bartnik
c/o 2007 - "COMMUNITY"
APRIL - Matthew Federico
c/o 2001 - "REWARDING"
MARCH - Michael Williams
c/o 1990 - "BOND"
FEBRUARY - Peter Bartels
c/o 1987 - "COMPETITIVE"
January - Robi Stuart
c/o 2017 - "PREPARED"

December - Elizabeth (Irish) Marshall
c/o 2008 - "FOUNDATIONAL"
October - Nicole Buckingham
c/o 2015 - "COMPETITIVE"
September - Matthew Kelly
c/o 2000 - "OPPORTUNITY"
August - Erica Decker
c/o 2011 - "WELL-ROUNDED"
April - Megan Sullivan
c/o 2011 - "EMBRACING"
March - Michelle (Fulsher) Mitchell
c/o 1994 - "MEMORABLE"
January - Michael Bujold
c/o 2005 - "VALUES"

December - Ben Schuller
c/o 2009 - "INSPIRING"
October - Danielle (Kamm) Carter
c/o 2003 - "ENRICHING'
September - Jay Mohan
c/o 2005 - "REWARDING"
August - Jen (Thieme) Kehres
c/o 2003

Nouvel is continually proud of the impact our alumni make after they graduate. It is our honor to spotlight those alumni who truly represent our Nouvel Strong culture of believing, learning and succeeding. Our Alumni Spotlights feature outstanding alumni succeeding in their careers and showng pride in their Panther heritage.

Nominate your fellow Panthers for the Alumni Spotlight. Send an email to jgentner@nouvelcatholic.org or fill out an Alumni Spotlight Nomination form on this page.

Tom Hickson graduated from Nouvel Catholic Central in 1992. He then went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in political science and economics from Albion College in 1996. Tom is currently the Vice President of Public Policy and Advocacy at Michigan Catholic Conference. 

No stranger to the community, Tom has served on the City of Lansing Board of Public Service since 2020 and the Habitat for Humanity Capitol Region Board from 2011-2017. He has also been involved in Michigan Information and Research Services (MIRS) and has earned numerous awards as an association lobbyist. 

When speaking about Nouvel, Tom says, “I am ever grateful for my time at Nouvel to learn under intelligent and family oriented teachers who instilled in us the values of our Catholic Faith.  I have many great lifelong friends that I met in my time there and still stay in touch with.  We all agree that Nouvel gave us a better experience to prepare us for college than our peers at other schools.  It just seemed like we were more ready for a college setting.  Whether in the classroom or in athletics, Nouvel has always been in pursuit of excellence!”

One word Tom uses to describe his experience at Nouvel Catholic Central is “HONOR”. “The wonderful teachers (too many to mention), Coach Smokey Boyd, Coach Bob Szymanowski, Father Mike Steltenkamp all taught us to honor the Lord, the Catholic traditions, academics our family and ourselves.”
 

Andrea McNab graduated from Nouvel Catholic Central in 2002. She then earned a Bachelor of Science in Applied Biology from Ferris State University and a Doctor of Medicine from Wayne State University. She did her general surgery residency at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Jacksonville and a plastic surgery residency at Rush Medical Center in Chicago. Andrea is now an aesthetic plastic surgeon.

Service and achievements are no stranger to Andrea’s profile. She has been involved in Operation Smile, Habitat for Humanity, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, American College of Surgeons and the Los Angeles Society of Plastic Surgeons. She is also a regular blood donor. Throughout her career, Andrea has earned numerous awards and honors, some of which include; Rush University Plastic Surgery Chief Resident, Best Breast Reconstruction Resident Presentation at the plastic surgery national conference, UF Health Jacksonville Department of Surgery Award for Excellence in Patient Centered Care, G. Shahin Research Award for Physician in Training in Duval County, American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Resident Scholarship, Thaddeus Moseley UF Health Jacksonville Department of Surgery Research Award and UF Health Jacksonville Department of Surgery ICU Award.

When asked how she would describe her experience at Nouvel, Andrea uses the word “DEDICATION”. “Looking back, it is evident that faculty, coaches, and staff were dedicated to the education and success of the students. In addition, these same people challenged us as students to be our best selves and to push our comfort zones.”

Cecelia Irish graduated from Nouvel Catholic Central in 2013. She then pursued a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at University of Detroit Mercy. Cecelia is currently a registered nurse at Ascension St. Mary’s of Michigan and is working towards a master’s degree in healthcare management and leadership from Saginaw Valley State University.

While in college, Cecelia received an Emerging Leader award for her 150 hours of community service and was a recipient of Saginaw County’s Medical Society Scholarship. Cecelia is a Holy Spirit parishioner and served as the Freeland Middle School pom coach this past year.

Cecelia uses the word “DEFINING” to describe her experience at NCC. “Nouvel Catholic Central defined me as a young adult to outline not only my academics, but my morals and dedications. Through my years at Nouvel, I felt constant guidance and affirmation. Overall, I felt very involved in learning, with the reinforcement from teachers, faculty, and fellow students. There was never a doubt I was alone, even when trials arose. What defines me to who I am today is that fact that I can adapt to my goals and surroundings, which was taught to me at Nouvel through Faith and persistence in everything we did as a family. Nouvel shaped me for my future aspirations, defining me.”

Kerri Boros graduated from Nouvel Catholic Central in 2003. Upon graduation, Kerri attended Delta College and Saginaw Valley State University where she graduated with a Bachelors in Psychology in 2007. She then entered the workforce as a counselor in a high security juvenile rehabilitation center and began her graduate degree at Spring Arbor University. She graduated with a Masters in Counseling in 2011 and has obtained a certification in brain injury counseling. 

Kerri is now back at Nouvel where she is the High School Guidance Counselor. Prior to this new endeavor, she volunteered at the Saginaw Community Foundation as a scholarship reviewer. When she is not at work, Kerri enjoys using her crafting skills to donate to community causes. She is passionate about spreading awareness to causes such as Be the Match, particularly after her mother’s successful battle with plasma cancer.

Kerri and her husband Kyle were married in 2014 and now have two sons, Blake (5) and Bryce (3). Her oldest son is in the Young Fives program at Nouvel and her youngest will start in the Preschool program next fall!

To describe Nouvel, Kerri uses the word “HOME”. “I believe the true meaning of home is somewhere where you can live, learn, and grow and where you are supported and loved unconditionally. I was lucky enough to grow up in a home like this and be a part of the Nouvel (and St. Thomas) community my entire life. Although it has been many years since I left Nouvel, the only way I can describe the feeling of my return is coming home again. The sense of acceptance and community within the Nouvel family is unprecedented and I feel so blessed to be a part of it as an alumni, parent, and now staff.” 

Kerri credits her Nouvel education to so much of her academic and vocational success and hopes she can provide support from those successes to the current students at Nouvel.

Desirae Grunwell graduated from Nouvel Catholic Central in 2012 where she was involved in choir, theater and community service. After earning her associates degree from Delta College, she then studied at Saginaw Valley State University where she gained a Bachelor’s of Social Work and later a Master’s of Social Work. Desirae is now a clinical therapist based in the mid-Michigan area. She credits the theater department for giving her self-confidence to do things she is afraid of, public speaking skills and the ability to think on her feet quickly when things don’t go as planned.

During undergrad, Desirae worked with expecting mothers, families and caregivers throughout various internships. She provided supplies such as diapers, formula and clothes to those who needed as well as educational classes to expecting parents such as safe sleep and developmental steps. During graduate school, she worked at the LGBTQ+ center on SVSU’s campus where she provided safe space training to the community, ran educational groups, networked to bring new resources to campus and fundraised for AIDS and HIV research.

Outside of work, Desirae is active in the local and surrounding communities. She has participates in several protests and marches for freedom and equality. She is SOGI (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity) trained and has taught other professionals how to make their spaces, classes and work environment a safe space for LGBTQ individuals. She says, “If I’ve learned anything the last 26 years it's that everybody needs somebody. Somebody in their corner; somebody to listen and lend a hand when it's needed. I am both humbled and blessed to be that somebody.”

To describe her experience at Nouvel, Desirae uses the word, “FAMILY”. “It’s been almost a decade since I’ve graduated and I still find myself checking in one those I graduated with because I’m genuinely interested in their lives. Some of the bonds that have come out of my high school experience have withstood time, moves, varies degrees, marriages and the building of new families. It’s been such a privilege to see some of the people I went to school with grow and make their own lives. It’s been great to be able to reach out to some of my Nouvel family during some hardships in life and have them support you, no questions asked. I chose family because even if some of us don’t talk often or see one another, they are always the ones to wave at you at the store or share your posts when you take on a new endeavor.”

Connor Mooney is a 2015 graduate of Nouvel Catholic Central. Following high school, Connor pursued further education at Michigan State University where he earned a spot on the Dean’s list and graduated with honors studying public policy and international policy. During his time at MSU he formed a non-profit organization aimed at enhancing the lives of homeless individuals. 

Connor is now in his second year at the University of Wisconsin School of Law. He also conducts legal work for a non-profit called EXPO of Wisconsin where he advocates for and works with prior convicted individuals helping them ease back into society. Additionally, Connor is working for the Wisconsin Supreme Court conducting legal research and drafting bench memos for the Justice he works under.

To describe his experience at Nouvel, Connor chose the word “PROTRACTED”. “Protracted means something that either lasts for a long time or feels like it has lasted a long time. To me the years a person spends in high school are incredibly important for that person’s development. Like anyone else, I had good and bad times while at Nouvel, but no matter what the experience was, it is a time in my life that has helped mold me into the person I am now.” Connor adds, “my parents chose to send me to Nouvel because they believed it was the best for me and I owe any success I have to them.”
 

Tim Novak graduated from Nouvel Catholic Central in 1989 and went on to continue his education at Michigan State University. At MSU, Tim earned a degree in political science and pre-law. He also earned his teacher’s certification from Saginaw Valley State University in 2002. 

No stranger to Nouvel schools, Tim was a teacher at the high school for 6 years before starting as County Treasurer in 2013 - where he is currently employed. Aside from work, he coaches youth football, basketball and baseball, is a member of the Saginaw County Board of Health, the chair of the Saginaw County Land Bank Authority and is the former Saginaw County Commissioner. He also generously gives back his time to Nouvel where he is a field trip chaperone, volunteer for Pantherfest, mentor for students and helps with the scoreboard, clock and chain gang at athletic events.

Tim resides in Carrolton with his wife, Kristin (1994 NCC graduate), and two sons – Max (current NCCHS 10th grader) and Jack (current NCCE 5th grader). He and his wife love the Nouvel community and are happy to be able to experience being parents of kids attending the school. 

To describe his experience at the school, Tim uses the word “FAMILY”. “When you have attended Nouvel, you become part of a family for life. No matter what years you attended we all have a special bond.  I loved how students from different grades were friends.  This continues today as we see each other at events or activities or work (or as parents of kids at Nouvel now).”

Sarah Mooney graduated from Nouvel in 2012 where she was active in student government, NHS and athletics. She then went on to earn her Bachelors of Human Biology with a minor in health promotions from Michigan State University. Sarah now attends medical school at Loyola University, Stritch School of Medicine in Maywood, Illinois with the plans of starting a pediatric residency this coming July. 

Throughout undergrad, Sarah volunteered at a number of institutions including; Sparrow Hospital, Habitat for Humanity and a brain injury rehabilitation center. She also served as an undergraduate student mentor, a recreational therapy volunteer and a tutor for the last 3 years of medical school. She has been on the medical schools admissions committee for all 4 years of school and has been director of a student ran mentorship program at the medical school. In her free time, she enjoys spending time by Lake Michigan and exploring the many neighborhoods and amazing food Chicago has to offer.

Sarah chose the word “HOUYHNNHNMS” to describe her experience at Nouvel. She shared, “For as long as I can remember, I have planned on going into medicine but it was studying literature at Nouvel with Mrs. DeLong that made such a huge impact on my career choice. The way she made you think about the stories read in her class, made you think beyond the context given, and I have used that concept over and over again as a medical student and soon to be physician, both in and out of the hospital. I think back to this particular character from Gulliver’s Travels often because houyhnnhnms were simple, acted justly and fairly, were generous and were devoted to reasoning. I try to exemplify those characteristics daily in school, with my family and in the community. Mrs. DeLong’s classes not only laid the foundation for my future academic pursuits but also taught me many lessons on how to carry myself as I grow as person.”