September 22, 2025
Each year, the Alumni Association of Ursuline College recognizes three graduates for their outstanding achievements and contributions. Congratulations to 2026 award winners Gretta Gowan Ryan, ‘66, Nicole McKinney-Johnson, ’18, and Rebecca Bittala McMahan, ’13, who will receive their honors during a ceremony in the Pilla Dining Hall as part of the 2025 Homecoming Weekend festivities. Learn more about their accomplishments below.
Gretta Gowan Ryan, ’66 received the Amadeus Rappe Award, which is presented to an outstanding graduate of Ursuline College or St. John College for their professional accomplishments.
Ryan graduated from Ursuline College in 1966, the final class to graduate from the Cedar Hill Campus, with her bachelor’s degree in history and social studies. After graduation, she taught Social Studies at Empire Junior High in Cleveland, then Seventh Grade at St. Clare School in Lyndhurst. Taking a few years at home with small children, she returned to work for the City of Cleveland Heights, where she served as Community Relations Coordinator, Real Estate Programs Coordinator, and Ombudsman, communicating with residents and acting as liaison to school, church, synagogue, business, and other community groups and social agencies, as well as with landlords and Realtors, to promote Cleveland Heights as a full-service, diverse and vibrant city. Now, retired after thirty-four years, she has more time to pursue personal projects and interests.
Gretta and her husband, Tim, and recently celebrated their 55th anniversary. They have three children, two children-in-law, and five young adult grandchildren, all of whom they are extremely proud.
“My days at Ursuline College will always be among my fondest memories.”
Rebecca Bittala McMahan, ’13 received the Crystal Award for her dedication and support of the college and the Alumni Association.
McMahan found her passion in the field of social work and graduated from Ursuline with her bachelor’s degree in social work in 2013. She went on to get her Master of Applied Social Science from Case Western Reserve University and recently completed her Doctorate from the University of Alabama. She currently works as a Primary Care Social Worker at the Cleveland Clinic.
Most of her work has been with the LGBTQ+ community and made it the focus of her doctoral research. She presented at the 2023 National Transgender Health Summit on writing gender affirming surgery letters for trans and gender diverse clients.
Rebecca has served on the Ursuline College Alumni Board from 2020 to the present..
Nicole McKinney-Johnson, ‘18 received the Rising Arrow Award, which recognizes an outstanding graduate of Ursuline College who earned his or her degree within the last 10 years.
McKinney-Johnson is the President & CEO of Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (CRCC), a role she assumed in June 2024. Prior to this, she was a member of the CRCC Board of Directors for four years.
The Cleveland Rape Crisis Center supports survivors of sexual abuse, rape and human trafficking by promoting healing, prevention, and advocating for social change in Northeast Ohio.
The CRCC was founded in 1974 and this year it is celebrating two great achievements: their 50th anniversary and the appointment of the first black woman president, our very own, Nicole McKinney-Johnson.
Nicole holds a bachelor’s degree in human resources (HR) & Organization Management from Wilberforce University (2005) and an MBA from Ursuline College (2018).
She has served on the Executive Leadership Team for the American Heart Association “Go Red” Fundraising Committee and was recently appointed as a Trustee Foundation Member for UH Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital. Nicole also serves on the Foundation Board at Lakeland Community College and is an adjunct professor at both Ursuline College and Lakeland Community College.
She humbly serves in ministry, recently giving her initial sermon at her place of worship, Calvary Church of God in Christ. She is also on the “word team” and the music ministry. Nicole is married to her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Duane Johnson and they have an amazing daughter, Adrienne that proudly serves in the US Navy.
Nicole’s lives daily by this African Proverb - “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Her favorite scripture – Philippians 4:13 - “I can do all things through Christ that gives me strength.”
