Father Rene Desmarais & Sister Margaret Dowd Scholarship
The late Reverend Rene L. Desmarais was a life-long resident of Port Huron. Known and loved by many, he was a man of compassion for his community and the ministry. From 1969 to his passing in 2006, Father Desmarais was the director of campus ministries at St. Clair County Community College and the Newman Center. He was also pastor at St. Joseph Church beginning in 1990 and St. Stephen beginning in 2004.
His service to the community went beyond his parishes. He served on committees and boards with Mercy Hospital and helped create the People’s Clinic. As a spiritual leader, teacher and volunteer, Father Desmarais showed his care and love for the community and its residents.
Another long-term area resident and Port Huron native, Sister Margaret Dowd led her ministries in Port Huron from 1966 to 2013 as a teacher at St. Stephen High School, and as a campus minister at St. Clair County Community College and the John Courtney Newman Center. In 1991, she became co-director of the John Courtney Newman Center and continued in this ministry until 2004.
Through the Father Rene Desmarais & Sister Margaret Dowd Scholarship Fund, their love and generosity will live on. The fund bearing their names provides support for students meeting the following criteria:
- Attending St. Clair County Community College or the Baker Culinary Institute in Port Huron
- Demonstrate financial need
- Preference for single parent households
