2025 Stubnitz Award Recipients –
Dr. Stanley & Karen Caine
Dr. Stanley and Karen Caine are the recipients of the 2025 Stubnitz Award.
Dr. Caine and his wife, Karen, moved to Adrian with their children, Rebecca, Kathryn, and David, in June of 1989 when Dr. Caine assumed the position of President of Adrian College. Both Stan and Karen come from families who believed in service to others. They also believe that community members should work as a team for the benefit of all. Adrian welcomed them to the team.
Since coming to Adrian, the Caines have been members of the Adrian United Methodist Church and have volunteered with Meals on Wheels and Share the Warmth.
As president of Adrian College through 2005, Dr. Caine made efforts to connect the college with the community. He was a member of the NCAA President’s Council which allowed him to ensure that athletes in Division III had access to sports. He was a member of the Rotary Club and served with the Lenawee Community Foundation as part of the Investment Committee and the Lenawee County Educational Foundation.
Karen has been a member of the church choir, brass ensemble, and bell choir. For 16 years, Karen served as a coach for both high school girls and college women’s tennis. She also served as a substitute teacher for the Adrian school system. Karen has served on the Board of Housing Help since the 1990s, including spending time as President. She was a member of the Adrian Symphony Orchestra Board and has been a member of the Stubnitz Foundation Board since 2006, including being the current President.
The Caines had the opportunity to meet Dorothy Stubnitz before her passing. They are Lenawee Cares Pillars Club members and have demonstrated exemplary commitment to Lenawee County and the cause for volunteerism in the Lenawee community for decades – so much so that following his retirement from Adrian College, they remained in Adrian and continue to call it home. They are kind, thoughtful, generous and do good wherever they can to help others and make a difference.
The Stubnitz Award is presented annually to a person demonstrating exemplary commitment to Lenawee County and the cause for volunteerism in the Lenawee community. The award is named in memory of Lenawee philanthropist and businessman, Maurice Stubnitz.
Nominations
Nomination forms for the 2026 Stubnitz Award will be available in October.
Past Recipients
2025 Dr. Stanley & Karen Caine
2024 Katie Mattison
2023 Harry “Dusty” Steele
2022 De’Angelo Boone
2021 Lois and Graham Fleming
2020 Doug Gray
2019 Janis Montalvo
2018 Jim Hartley
2017 Londa Pickles
2016 Nate Smith
2015 Janelle Stewart
2014 Lad Strayer
2013 Mark & Mary Murray
2012 Joseph R. Williams
2011 Burt Fenby
2010 Allan F. Brittain
2009 Tom & Christine MacNaughton
2008 Art Weber
2007 Bill Kenyon
2006 Mike Wade
2005 Gerry Burg
2004 John Wanke
2003 John Robertstad
2002 Joy Smith
2001 Sam & Kathy Engardio
2000 Gary Owen
1999 Laura Schaedler
1998 Ceal Schwartz
1997 Bruce & Sue Goldsen
1996 Garry Clift
1995 Tom & Michalene Fenstemacher
1994 Mary Kilgore Vallad
1992 David Maxwell
1991 Frank Dick
1990 Russell Roback
1989 Shelley Hickman
1988 Robert Parish
1987 Madeline Hikes
1986 Dr. James Watson/
Joseph Wagley, Jr.
1985 Howard White
1984 Rev. Herbert Cottrell
1983 Ken Gonser
1982 Grace Miley
1981 Leroy Younglove
For more information, contact Kirsten Stiver.
