LANSING, Mich. — Michigan’s leading professional network for women in higher education will honor three women at its annual conference in May.

The Michigan ACE (American Council on Education) Network for Women Leaders in Higher Education will present its Distinguished Woman Leader Award to:

Deborah Hautau, biology instructor at Alpena Community College	Caroline J. Simon, professor of philosophy and interim dean for social sciences at Hope College	Marcy Watson, senior associate athletic director at Central Michigan University.

The Michigan ACE Network has presented the award since 2001 to honor individuals who provide outstanding leadership to women and serve as advocates for women at a college or university.

The awards will be presented at the Michigan ACE Network conference, held May 22 at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing. For more information about the conference, visit www.miacenetwork.org.

Hautau has helped students succeed at Alpena Community College for nearly two decades. She serves as a science mentor for Girl Scouts and directs the Michigan Science Olympiad held annually in Alpena. She also created a study abroad program in Costa Rica.  Hautau received the 2011 Alpena Community College Endowed Chair Award, and the Outstanding Leader Award from the Girl Scouts of Michigan.

Simon joined the faculty at Hope College in 1988. She is one of two faculty mentors for Lilly Network’s national Lilly Graduate Fellows Program for selected doctoral students at elite universities.  She directs Hope’s Teagle Systematic Improvement of Student Learning Grant, and also serves as a member of the college’s Dean’s Council. Simon has served as a member of the executive committee of the Society of Christian Philosophers.

Watson joined Central Michigan as a physical education instructor and head coach for field hockey in 1972. She soon added women’s basketball to her coaching duties. Watson moved into athletic administration in 1989.  A noted basketball expert, Watson served as an official for NCAA Division I national championship women’s games, and has held several committee positions for NCAA Division I women’s basketball. In 2000, Watson was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. In 2008, she was named one of 10 contributors to the first decade of NCAA Women’s Basketball. Watson also received the NASO “Gold Whistle Award” for officiating in 2008, the first woman to be honored.

Media note: for headshots of Hautau, Simon and Watson, send an email to Michele Coffill at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .