Patricia Nees Klanac graduated from Marian College in 1968 with major in sociology and a minor in psychology. Since 2000, she has served as a licensed social worker for the Lakewood School District in Cleveland, Ohio. She has also served her community as a psychiatric social worker and foster-care social worker. In her present capacity in the K-12 setting, Klanac has implemented a “lunch buddy” mentoring program in which she enlists local organizations to provide mentoring to youth who lack positive role models. She also works closely with the Catholic Charities refugee program to help mentor and provide basic needs to Burmese refugees whose children attend the Lakewood school system.

In 2001, Klanac experienced one of the most rewarding moments of her career and her life when she learned how her work had impacted another individual. She was invited to make a surprise appearance on the Montel Williams television program to remark on the transformed life of a former foster-care client, Antwone Fisher, who had been kicked out of his home at the age of 14. By then an adult, Fisher had written a memoir, Finding Fish, about his harrowing journey through the foster-care system, which eventually became the basis for a movie starring Denzel Washington. Klanac had handled Fisher’s case and became a pivotal figure as he struggled to start his life over. Her counseling, he has said, did not end when the job was over; it lasted a lifetime. And, the recognition she received years later has stayed with her. As she wrote, “Very few of us are blessed to know how her actions have positive impact.” Klanac exemplifies hope, kindness, and the full spectrum of Franciscan values she learned years ago at Marian College.

Patty Klanac is a school social worker at Taft elementary school in Lakewood. On June 27, she will receive a Distinguished Alumni Award from her alma mater, Marian College, in Indianapolis.

She was nominated by more than 15 people—many of whom are fellow alumni from her class of 1968—including Antwone Fisher, who wrote about her in his memoir Finding Fish. She is a very special person, much beloved by the college and her classmates, and I imagine she is special to her students, too. We thought you would like to celebrate—and share—her good news. The ceremony will be June 27 in Indianapolis.

Patty will receive the Mary McNulty Young Award for Distinguished Achievement in Community Service. Named for Mary McNulty Young, an alumna from the class of 1947, this award recognizes individuals who work with others for the betterment of the larger community. Young has given generously and often to agencies in and around the central Indiana area that help those least able to care for themselves.