Brescia University honored three alumni at their Distinguished Alumni Banquet on Saturday, September 30th during their 2023 Alumni Homecoming and Family Weekend. The three inductees were Dr. Francis Hayden ’85, Sr. Anita Louise Lowe ’87, and Patricia Biscopink Merimee ’73. Also during the event, Dr. Preye Agbana ’17 received the Outstanding Graduate of the Last Decade this was the first time the award had been given.
Dr. Francis Hayden, from Owensboro, Kentucky, graduated from Brescia University in 1985 with a degree in Biology/Pre-Medicine, earned his MD from the University of Kentucky, completed his residency in Psychiatry, did a fellowship in Substance Abuse from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and completed another fellowship in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at New York University. While at Brescia, he was a Kentucky Legislative intern, staff for The Brescia Broadcast, active in theatre, and involved in Campus Music Ministry. Francis has made a career in community mental health, founding and serving as Clinical Director for his private practice, Wingspan Psychiatric LLC. He currently serves as Medical Director for the Guidance Center of Westchester in Mount Vernon, New York.
Sr. Anita Louise Lowe, from Louisville, Kentucky, graduated from Brescia University in 1987 with a degree in English with a minor in French with Secondary Education Certification and earned a degree in Theology from the University of Notre Dame. While at Brescia, she was a member and president of Alpha Chi, involved in Campus Ministry, led music group for mass, and led retreats for high school students. Sr. Anita Louise has worked as an English/French teacher for Marian Heights Academy in Ferdinand, Liturgist and Vocations Director of Communications for Sister of St. Benedict, and Public Relations Manager for Presentations Academy in Louisville. She is currently the Prioress of the Sisters of St. Benedict in Ferdinand, Indiana. Sr. Anita Louise has also served on several committees and boards including the Coordinating Committee of the Conference of Benedictine Prioresses and the Board of the National Religious Vocation Conference.
Patricia Biscopink Merimee, from Owensboro, KY, graduated cum laude from Brescia University in 1973 with a degree in Accounting. Patricia worked herself through college, working full time at Western Kentucky Gas while attending classes at night. She married Greg Merimee ’72 in 1972. Patricia then worked in the accounting office for Island Creek Coal Company in Lexington, KY and in the accounting office in the Billings Water Department in Billings, MT. After the birth of her second son, Patricia stepped away from the professional world to focus on raising and caring for her family, though she stayed very active in volunteerism and community service. She volunteered extensively for each of the schools her children attended. Patricia was very involved with United Way and was a member of the Alexis De Tocqueville Society in King County, WA. Patricia is also an avid supporter of Owensboro Catholic High School and Brescia University, where she and her husband are Society of the Arch members. Additionally, Patricia has volunteered often with Toys for Toys for over 20 years and currently serves Meals on Wheels in the Villages, FL. Patricia and Greg have two sons and split their time between King County, Washington and Florida.