Madonna Honors Lions Clubs at Annual Dinner

LIVONIA, MICH. - Each spring, Madonna University honors members of area Lions Clubs, which established a scholarship fund in 1979 for students who are deaf, hard of hearing, or studying American Sign Language (ASL) or Sign Language Studies (SLS). This year, members from 11 clubs across southeast Michigan attended the April 16 event and presented the University with $7,000 during the "Parade of Checks."

Tom Laabs, Assistant Director for Advancement and Lions Club liaison, said he welcomes the annual opportunity to honor the long-standing relationship. "Breaking bread with dear friends and sharing stories of gratitude - who could ask for more?"

Madonna President Chris Dougherty expressed his gratitude for the Lions, whose scholarship fund now exceeds $885,000. "We are a very grateful community here," said Dougherty, who also conveyed thanks on behalf of the Student Senate.

Karen Sanborn, Interim Vice President for Advancement, thanked the Lions for the fundraising they do in their clubs to support the scholarship. "The positive impact you have had on our students and on the Madonna University community over the years is really amazing," she said. In 2025, eight students received Lions Scholarships totaling nearly $40,000.

Lions Scholarship recipients Maja Carlson, Nichole Murano, Anna Trempus and Sandreea Cueva, along with several of their family members, were happy to be part of the festivities.

Carlson, who will soon declare her major as ASL deaf studies, credited the Lions Scholarship, along with her family, professors, and Madonna's TRIO program, with helping her overcome challenges as a non-traditional and first-generation college student. "My main goal is to contribute to society," said a tearful Carlson. "I'm beyond grateful to be on this journey."

Murano also shared her story of coming to Madonna seeking a challenge after graduating from Gallaudet University, the nation's first university for deaf and hard of hearing students, in Washington, D.C. She is grateful for the Lions Scholarship, which is helping her earn a secondary standard certificate in ASL education so she can teach ASL to high school students.

Cueva, a senior psychology major and varsity golfer, explained that as a child growing up in the Philippines, she didn't realize she had hearing loss. She thanked the Lions Club for helping her on her journey to becoming an elementary school teacher. "Thank you for investing in students like me," she said.

Trempus, who majors in Sign Language Interpreting Studies, assisted by calling numbers for the Bingo games that ended the night. Winners were treated to boxes of cannoli donated by Livonia Italian Bakery.

Afterwards, many Lions members shared that their favorite part of the evening was hearing from the student scholarship recipients. "It is great to see those that benefit," observed one member of the Fraser Lions Club.

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