Trustee named and two new committee appointments announced, bringing critical expertise and commitment to school's governing body.
Janice Suchan, an experienced architectural engineer, was appointed to Notre Dame’s Board of Trustees. David Rice ND’81, left, was named to the board’s education and student affairs committee, and current trustee Elizabeth Brisley was named the committee’s new chair.
The board also announced the appointment of alum and longtime Notre Dame advocate David Rice to a position on the board’s education and student affairs committee. In addition, Elizabeth Brisley, a trustee since August 2017, was appointed as the education and student affairs committee chair, replacing Rob Huth, whose term on the board recently ended.
Currently a member of the board’s building committee, Suchan, whose daughter, Jamie Finn, graduated from Notre Dame Prep last May, is senior principal and sector leader for the Detroit-area office of Stantec Architecture, a full-service global architectural and engineering firm. A 1994 graduate of the University of Detroit, Suchan has devoted her entire career to the management, development and design of educational facilities across the U.S.
“Janice has been a valuable member of our building committee and a wonderful resource for ideas and architectural guidance as we put the finishing touches on our new Easterwood Wing," said Stephen V. Pangori, chair of NDPMA's Board of Trustees. "She is totally committed to NDPMA's Catholic, Marist mission and both her faith and business expertise will be most welcome as we make plans for further improvements in our school community."
Well-versed in the science and art of architecture as well as its business and management, Suchan has been recognized by Crain’s Detroit Business as a “40 Under 40” rising star and early in her career was named American Institute of Architects Detroit’s “Young Architect of the Year.” She also serves as a member of both the University of Detroit Mercy School of Architecture Advisory Board and the ACE Mentorship Board's Michigan Chapter.
"I've truly enjoyed the time I've spent so far serving on the board's building committee," said Suchan, who is a member of the St. John Fisher Chapel University Parish in Auburn Hills, Mich. “I believe that my architectural expertise, leadership skills and strategic-planning experience can be of further value to Notre Dame as we consider future building or campus projects."
Education and student affairs committee appointments bring experience and commitment to school mission
A 1981 graduate of Notre Dame High School in Harper Woods, Mich., Rice, whose late father, Hal Rice, was a veteran teacher at NDHS and NDP, said he is passionate about Notre Dame and the Marists.
"As the child of a longtime educator at Notre Dame, I literally grew up around the school and the Marist Fathers and Brothers," he said. "I am committed to the school's mission and look forward to the opportunity to be directly associated once again with both the Society of Mary and Notre Dame."
Rice received a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Wayne State University, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan, and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants. He and his family are active parishioners of the St. Isidore Catholic Community in Macomb, Mich.
Trustee Elizabeth Brisley, who was named chair of the board's education and student affairs committee, has been a tireless supporter of Notre Dame and its students, according to Head of School Andy Guest.
"During this past summer, Liz spent countless hours working with our Corporate President, Fr. Leon Olszamowski, s.m., and me on setting goals and addressing strategic initiatives for her committee," Guest said. "We couldn't be more pleased that someone with Liz's experience, organizational skills and dedication to Catholic education will be leading such an important committee."
Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org.
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About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. Notre Dame Preparatory School enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower schools enroll students in pre-kindergarten through grade eight. All three school are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDPMA is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org