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July 13, 2026, Adrian, Michigan – Julie Barst became the Director of Weber Retreat and Conference Center on June 29, 2026, succeeding Sister Janet Doyle, OP, who served in that role since 2016. 

Julie served as Provost and Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs during the last academic year of Siena Heights University. She sees her new role at Weber Center as an extension of her involvement with the Adrian Dominican Sisters for the past 14 years at Siena Heights University. During those years, Julie worked with many Sisters, both at the University and at the Motherhouse. 

“My first semester here at Siena, I joined the anti-human trafficking task force that Sisters Thérèse Haggerty and Jean Tobin started,” she said. “I have developed over 14 years such a deep respect for the Sisters and the Dominican Charism, and the opportunity to keep contributing to that mission was very exciting to me. It felt like a natural extension of a lot of the work that I’ve been doing at Siena.” 

A native of St. Charles, Michigan, in Saginaw County, Julie grew up one block from M-52, which leads circuitously to Adrian. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an accounting major at Central Michigan University. She also holds a master’s degree and a doctorate in literary studies, both from Purdue University. 

Julie began her career in accounting but realized that field was not fulfilling, so she reconnected with an earlier desire to be a teacher. “One of my passions has always been reading and talking to other people about fantastic books,” she said. “I love what you can learn about what it means to be human from reading other people’s stories, and you can step into someone else’s shoes.” 

After earning a PhD in 2009, she began her career in higher education at South Dakota State University as Assistant Professor of English. In her third year, she read about an opening at Siena Heights University, researched the school, and saw it as a good fit. She began her career at Siena Heights in 2012 as Assistant Professor of English, then moved up to Associate Professor, Professor, and Chair of the English Department. Later, she was named Chair of the Humanities Division and Assistant Dean of Academics before stepping into the Provost position in August. 

This past year – the last academic year of Siena Heights University – has been “very challenging but also very rewarding,” Julie said. As Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs, she worked with students to figure out their next steps. “One of the key priorities for my office was collaborating with other institutions on teach-out agreements for students unable to graduate this year,” she said. A teach-out is a legal document between Siena Heights University and another college or university, guaranteeing that the other institution will accept Siena Heights students’ credits, keep the same timeline for graduation, and waive application fees and residency requirements, she explained.  

“Because the Sisters gave us the gift of honorable closure that included a full academic year of operations, we were able to graduate our seniors and secure 20 teach-out agreements and 53 transfer pathways for our remaining students,” Julie said. 

Julie is looking forward to her new role at Weber Center. She brings much of what she learned at Siena Heights to this new role. As founder of Siena Heights’ Ethnic and Gender Studies Institute, she organized speakers, film screenings, and special events. Julie hopes to function as a teacher at Weber Center. 

“I’m excited to think of the programming I could bring in, and the audiences it might serve,” she said. She also hopes to add a course on current events in race or gender studies and to fulfill the role of hospitality, welcoming Sisters and the broader community to Weber Center. 

“I feel honored to have been chosen to continue the mission of the Weber Center,” Julie said, “and my hope is to build on the amazing foundation that Sister Janet and the others before her have created.”  

May 4, 2026, Adrian, Michigan – Former mayors of Adrian, Michigan, bestowed on the Adrian Dominican Congregation the 2026 Adrian Mayors’ Humanitarian Award. Sister Elise D. García, OP, Prioress of the Congregation, and Sister Frances Nadolny, OP, General Councilor, accepted the award on behalf of the Congregation during the Adrian Mayors’ Legacy Benefit April 18, 2026, at the Hills of Lenawee Golf and Banquet Center. 

Former Mayors Joe Wagley and Chuck Jacobson presented the award, citing the “long history” of the Sisters in supporting institutions across the country, as well as St. Joseph Academy, Siena Heights University, and Adrian Rea Literacy Center in Adrian. The Sisters were recognized for “their many contributions … especially their selfless, extraordinary work over many years in our beloved city. Our community has been and continues to be a wonderful beneficiary of their prayers, their presence, and their sacrificial service for the benefit of our citizenry and beyond.”

In accepting the award on behalf of the Congregation, Sister Elise outlined the Sisters’ contribution to Adrian and Lenawee County in its almost 150 years of presence in the city, beginning in 1879, when four Dominican Sisters came from New York to teach at St. Mary School and, a year later, additional Sisters came to teach at St. Joseph School. 

Through the years, Sister Elise said, the Congregation grew, leading Sisters to minister in most U.S. states and in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. “The Sisters came to be known as Adrian Dominicans after our Adrian, Michigan, home base,” she said. “We have carried that name wherever we have been missioned …. We are proud of our Adrian home.”

She concluded by noting that, in the Dominican Republic, the Sisters are known as Hermanas Dominicas de Adrián. Many in the Dominican Republic believe that Adrián is a saint. “We see no reason to disabuse anyone of that notion,” she said. “The people of Adrian, this beloved community and its sacred lands, have become holy ground for us. And we are so grateful to all who have made it so.”

The award, a vase, was created by Siena Heights University Professor Dennis Swartzlander. Its wooden base was created by Sam Beauford, of the Woodworking Institute in Adrian. 

The evening also included a presentation by former Mayor Gary McDowell to Adrian Public Schools, the mayors’ 2026 fundraising designee through the Adrian Mayors’ Fund. Adrian Public Schools focuses on academics, the arts, and athletics “and has long been known for modeling a ‘Tradition of Opportunities and Future of Possibilities’ for all students.”

The program also included live and silent auctions, live music by the Phoenix Theory Band, and final remarks by Mayor Angela Sword Heath.

“I was personally touched by the tribute of the various mayors,” Sister Frances said. “They knew our mission to be of service, and that we certainly fulfilled that mission.” She also appreciated the dedication of the former mayors.  

The Adrian Mayors’ Fund was established in May 2025 to partner with other individuals and organizations to raise funds to assist a worthwhile Adrian organization or group. The Adrian Mayors’ Humanitarian Award recognizes citizens or organizations in the city who have a positive local impact on education, social services, the performing and visual arts, health and wellness, business, and civic or nonprofit involvement.

Caption for above feature photo: Sister Elise D. García, OP, Prioress of the Adrian Dominican Sisters, front left, holds an award from Adrian Mayors with Sister Fran Nadolny, OP, General Councilor. Standing behind them are former Adrian Mayors Gary McDowell, Joe Wagley, and Chuck Jacobson, and current Mayor Angela Sword Heath.