Alverno College to Honor Three Outstanding Alumnae

Milwaukee, (March 12, 2026) – Alverno College will honor three alumnae during the college’s Alum Reunion and Awards Brunch on April 26. The event begins at noon and will include the presentation of the Alum Awards and the induction of Class of 1976 graduates into the Golden Guild.

Honorees

• Lauren Tatum ’20 will receive the Rising Star Award, given to an alumna who has demonstrated exceptional talent and achievements early in her career, highlighting her potential for future growth and impact. A public librarian working primarily with elementary school-aged patrons, Tatum designed and implemented an after-school club that provides snacks, crafts, and STEM programming. In May of 2026, she is slated to graduate with a master’s degree in library and information science from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.
• Holly McCoy-Perez ’10 ’15 will receive the Service to Community Award, given to an alumna who has made significant contributions to the community. She serves as the executive director of Literacy Services of Wisconsin, where she is committed to expanding access to education and building high-quality, competency-based pathways for adult learners. Under her leadership, thousands of adults have earned their high school diplomas and advanced toward family-sustaining careers.
• Tammy Belton-Davis ’93 will receive the Outstanding Alumna Award, given to an alumna who demonstrates strong leadership ability in her career or in service to the college or community. Belton-Davis, founder and president of Athena Communications, is an award-winning public relations and equity strategist. An active civic leader, she serves on the boards of Alverno College, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, TEMPO Milwaukee, and PRSA–Southeastern Wisconsin.

In addition to the alumnae being recognized, the college will also honor Richard Pieper with a Spirit of Alverno Award. This award recognizes a commitment to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and diverse community dedicated to empowering women through education.

Pieper, through the Suzanne and Richard Pieper Family Foundation, has been a longtime and generous supporter of Alverno College and its commitment to values-based leadership and education. His philanthropy and partnership have helped advance initiatives focused on character education and servant leadership, including support for programs and gatherings that bring educators and community leaders together at Alverno, such as the Wisconsin Servant Leadership Roundtable. His support also made possible the launch of the Suzanne Pieper Teaching and Learning Series, which convenes educators, parents, and administrators to explore strategies for nurturing thriving schools and communities.

Pieper is the past president of Pieper Electric, where he served for 52 years. In retirement, he focused on Wisconsin K-12 school cultures through the Wisconsin Character Education Partnership, an all-volunteer effort providing professional development to school leaders. Pieper served on the National Character Education board as president and was honored with the American Patriot Character Award. He is an emeritus member of the board of directors of the International Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership where he served as chair.

About Alverno College

Based in Milwaukee, Wis., Alverno College is a four-year independent, Catholic, liberal arts college for women. Founded in 1887 by the School Sisters of St. Francis, Alverno promotes the academic, personal, and professional development of its students in a collaborative and inclusive environment. Certificate programs, digital badges, degree completion programs, and graduate programs are open to all genders. A leader in higher education innovation, Alverno has earned international accolades for its highly effective ability-based, assessment-as-learning approach to education, which emphasizes hands-on experience and develops in-demand skills. The college, Wisconsin’s first Hispanic-Serving Institution, ranks among the top schools in the Midwest for its commitment to undergraduate teaching and social mobility by U.S. News & World Report.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.