Alumnae Association presents Humanitas Award to Melissa Roberts-Wheeler ’97

June 5, 2017 (Notre Dame, Ind.) — The Humanitas Award, awarded annually by the Alumnae Association of Saint Mary’s College of Notre Dame, IN, recognizes an alumna of the Catholic liberal arts women’s college who is outstanding in her personal and volunteer accomplishments and is recognized for her concern for the interests and welfare of her fellow human beings. Her actions exemplify the qualities of personal dedication, compassion, selflessness, and sacrifice through social action, education, and reform within the community, the Church, and the world.

This year’s recipient is Melissa Roberts-Wheeler ’97 of Fort Wayne, Ind. for her service in Catholic education and with Catholic Relief Services (CRS). The award was announced Saturday, June 3, at the Reunion Banquet held on campus.

According to her award citation, Roberts-Wheeler has taught theology at her alma mater, Bishop Dwenger High School in Fort Wayne, since 2001 and has served as the school’s Social Justice Coordinator since 2005. She was also named head of the Theology Department from 2003-2012. Working in these capacities, she has touched the lives of countless students.

In 2012, Roberts-Wheeler was named Diocesan Director for Catholic Relief Services (CRS) for the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. As the Director, she is responsible for representing the Diocese at national CRS events and coordinating the organization’s work within the Diocese. Bishop Rhoades, Bishop of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, chose Melissa for this role after she prompted him to consider how the Diocese might be more involved in social justice on a regional and global scale. Her ability to simultaneously manage this role along with her teaching and Social Justice Coordinator roles is remarkable and certainly noteworthy. Furthermore, her passion for forming community and spreading the faith are exemplified through her leadership in these three positions.

One of her nominators and classmates, classmate Molly Schleeter Bell, Class of 1997, wrote, Roberts-Wheeler’s “character and moral compass guide her in all aspects of her life…A giver, a woman of faith, a volunteer, a teacher. She deserves this award because she would never expect it with the way she lives her life as the reward to others.”

About Saint Mary's College: Celebrating over 175 years of empowering women to make a difference in the world, Saint Mary’s College is recognized as a pioneer and continued force in the education of women. A Catholic, liberal arts institution in Notre Dame, Indiana, the College offers more than 50 undergraduate academic programs and also offers co-educational master’s degrees.