The Rev. Ken De Groot, O.Praem., ’58, and Sister Melanie Maczka, HMIED

The Rev. Ken De Groot, O.Praem., a priest from St. Norbert Abbey in De Pere, Wis., and Sister Melanie Maczka, HMIED, co-founded the renowned Casa ALBA Melanie in Green Bay, Wis.

Maczka’s advocacy extends to numerous boards and committees, and her decades of service have been recognized with numerous awards and accolades, including the prestigious Ohtli Award from the Mexican government in 2015 for her trailblazing leadership.

De Groot felt called to the priesthood and the Norbertine order from a young age, inspired by the dedicated priests who taught at his Norbertine high school. Throughout 60 years of priestly ministry, he has found his greatest joy in serving those in need. His decades ministering in the Hispanic community invigorated his vocation, even into his 80s, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to service and compassion.

Drawing from 25 years of ministry experience at St. Willebrord Parish, De Groot and Maczka established Casa ALBA Melanie in 2012 alongside leaders. Named after Maczka, Casa ALBA Melanie has grown under De Groot’s and Maczka’s leadership into the most prominent Latino advocacy and support nonprofit in northeast Wisconsin, setting a standard for the region. Today, Casa ALBA Melanie provides critical services and empowerment to Latinos in need. Driven by compassion and faith, De Groot and Maczka created an organization that addresses urgent needs and uplifts some of the most vulnerable local families.

The mission of Casa ALBA Melanie is to “nurture the well-being and wholesome development of all members of the Hispanic community” in the area. The organization has worked diligently to empower and integrate Green Bay’s Latino population into the broader community through education, outreach and social services. Today, Casa ALBA Melanie is a resource center for legal aid, enrichment programs and educational opportunities for preschoolers and non-traditional students. It provides health care services in Spanish, addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by the immigrant community. Its approach is holistic, ensuring every aspect of an immigrant’s life is considered and supported.

This last decade saw De Groot and Maczka turn Casa ALBA Melanie into a hub of resources and support for thousands of immigrant families. Their work reflects the Norbertine tradition of radical hospitality, steeped in community, compassion and service. Throughout the Covid pandemic, De Groot and Maczka tirelessly worked more than 60 hours per week to ensure Latino families’ basic necessities were adequately provided. To ensure this important work could continue, De Groot and Maczka obtained substantial donations for Casa ALBA Melanie, providing a strong and stable foundation for the organization.

De Groot and Maczka have significantly impacted immigrant families and their children, some of whom attended St. Norbert College and are graduating today. Many others have completed their education and are valuable contributors to our community. As De Groot and Maczka moved into retirement in 2022, Casa ALBA Melanie began a new chapter with Hispanic leadership, achieving one of its key goals – empowering the Latino community to independently lead and sustain its initiatives.

As leaders and advocates, De Groot and Maczka have also been mentors, inspiring countless individuals to follow paths of service and community engagement. Their legacy transcends the tangible successes of Casa ALBA Melanie, leaving an indelible mark on the community and its members.

Honoring them both today is fitting recognition of the enduring impact of their work to shape a more inclusive, supportive and empowered community. Their example stands as a beacon to others to aspire to make a difference in the world through compassion, commitment and leadership.

In recognition of the legacy they have built, one rooted in empowerment, resilience and unwavering commitment to social justice and community building, St. Norbert College confers upon the Rev. Ken De Groot and Sister Melanie Maczka the honorary degrees of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa.

By Gratzia Villarroel Hurst

Associate Professor of Political Science and International Studies