From attending a UD summer camp for women in engineering as a high school student to advancing to senior and executive leadership roles in international companies, Nelda “Janine” Connors ’87, ’90 has always found a way to express her love of problem-solving.

Connors graduated from the University of Dayton with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering. Shortly after, she set her sights on Japan and secured an international fellowship through the Rotary Foundation, becoming one of only 21 individuals worldwide selected for the opportunity.

In Japan, Connors studied economics at the University of Tokyo on a 21-month scholarship. Those months quickly turned into five years and included life-changing experiences, such as training in the Toyota Production System with Masaaki Imai, author and expert in the Japanese business philosophy of continuous improvement.

Her passion for working and living internationally took her to Germany, where she was responsible for business across Europe; and to China, where her business responsibility spanned a region in Asia and the Pacific.

Connors held senior executive leadership roles at Atkore, Tyco International, Eaton Corporation, and Ford Motor Company. In 2010, Connors broke barriers when she took Atkore public as a minority woman CEO.

Her passion to learn, lead and serve has led her to provide strategic, financial and governance counsel as an independent director on the boards of many companies. She has also volunteered on boards of educational, nonprofit and public institutions. Most recently, she was named as a director to the Automotive Hall of Fame and chairs its diversity, equity and inclusion committee.

Connors’ additional accomplishments include being named Industry Influencer in the Automotive Hall of Fame and in lists such as Forbes 50 over 50: Investment, WomenInc., and the Black Enterprise registry of corporate directors.

Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to found Pine Grove Holdings, LLC, a boutique investment firm in 2011, where she currently serves as chair and CEO.

Distinguished Alumni Award
For national or international achievements

This award is the highest honor accorded by the Alumni Association and recognizes a graduate of the University of Dayton who has earned special distinction, thereby reflecting great honor on the University of Dayton and its alumni.

The award is given to a person who has sustained a record of accomplishment and whose reputation is widespread.

In selecting the distinguished alumni, special attention shall be given to the accomplishments that embody the University’s goal to participate effectively in the quest for a more perfect human society. To be eligible, a person must hold a degree from the University of Dayton, and must have received the degree at least 25 years prior to being nominated for the award. Unless there is a compelling reason to merit an exception, only one award will be given each year.

Past Recipients

Katherine Schipper ’71
Richard A. Abdoo ’65
John B. Alexander ’25
Paul W. Armstrong ’67
Edwin G. Becker ’14
Lori Hinnenkamp Beer ’89
Erma F. Bombeck ’49
David Bradley ’71
Ricardo Bressani, Ph.D. ’48
Edward L. Buescher ’45
Simon Burick ’30
Doris I. Charles ’52
Ronald W. Collins ’57
John E. Condon ’51
Carl J. Crane ’24
L. William "Bill" Crotty ’52
Richard P. Davis ’72
Ralph D. Delaney ’55
Joseph Desch ’29 (posthumously awarded)
Eileen Dolan ’79
Dr. Sean Donahue ’84
F. Thomas Eggemeier ’67
Richard H. Finan ’54
Brother Raymond L. Fitz, S.M. ’64
George E. Freitas ’29
Thomas J. Frericks ’53
Donald R. Geiger, S.M. ’55
William E. Hammer, Jr. ’62
James C. Herbert ’63
Martin J. Hillenbrand ’37
Carroll A. Hochwalt ’20
George K. Houghtailing ’29
Howard L. Hughes, S.M. ’51
Cordell W. Hull ’56
Clement G. Jauch ’08
Soichi Kawazoe ’30
Joseph E. Keller ’29
Thomas C. Kennedy ’59
Donald M. Knowlan ’51
Ambassador W. Robert Kohorst ’75
John L. Lahey ’68, ’70
Frank F. Ledford, Jr. ’55
John A. Lombardo ’71
John J. Lucier, S.M. ’37
Peter A. Luongo ’65
John T. Makley ’57
Torrence A. Makley, Jr. ’40
Al H. Mahrt ’12
M. Michele Mariscalco, M.D. ’77
Lourdes Maurice, Ph.D. ’83, ’86
Paul V. McEnroe ’59
John F. McHale ’78
Theodore Q. Miller ’68
Simon Nathan ’42
Colombe Nicholas ’64
Charles H. Noll ’53
John L. O’Grady ’68
Joseph D. Park ’29
Charles J. Pedersen ’26
David Phillips ’62
Shirley A. Pohl ’57
Rita M. Rapp ’50
Irmengard Raush ’55
Raymond A. Roesch, S.M. ’36
Col. Gordon R. Roberts ’74
LTG (Retired) Thomas Seamands ’81
Dr. Richard M. Schoen ’72
Sanford M. Shapero ’50
Katherine Schipper ’71
Barry J. Shillito ’49
Tsu T. Soong, Ph.D. ’55
James R. Spotila ’66
Eugene Steuerle ’68
George E. Thoma ’43
Fred Tenover, Ph.D. ’76
Charles L. Weber ’58
John R. Westerheide ’47
Charles W. Whalen, Jr. ’42
Bernard L. Whelan ’09
Donald W. Wigal ’55
Charles R. Wilke ’40