2006 Alumni Award Recipient, Pat Sorenson

After graduating from Michigan State University, Pat Sorenson received a Masters of Social Work degree from the University of Michigan and a law degree from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Pat's career has been devoted to advocacy for low-income and vulnerable children and families. She was the first director of Kids Count in Michigan, and is currently the Vice President of Michigan's Children, a statewide child advocacy organization that works with policymakers, business leaders, and communities to improve public policies affecting children. Active in many advocacy efforts, Pat was appointed by Governor Granholm to the state's Task Force on Children's Justice.

Pat attended Wardcliff Elementary School. She and her husband, Wayne Abbott, have three children, all of whom attend the Okemos Public Schools and are Wardcliff graduates. Both Pat and Wayne have been active in the PTO and other school activities.