Opus College of Engineering Award Recipients
Professional Achievement Award
Adonica Henley Randall, Grad '79
Oconomowoc, Wis.
For Adonica, success is knowing what you want to do, then having a plan to do it. She is president and CEO of Abaxent LLC, a full-service business solutions provider, bringing with her 30 years of technical and business experience in strategic planning, project management and process improvement. In addition, she is an associate professor at Alverno College.
“Technical work is results-oriented,” she says. “I like being able to get results from something.”Serving in technical, sales and management positions in companies such as General Electric, AO Smith and IBM, she has brought this technical background to life.
“Marquette as a graduate school experience provided me methodology/frameworks to better solve problems, which led to developing more confidence to take on greater challenges,” she says.
In addition to her achievement in the business world, Adonica has been an associate professor in Alverno College’s Department of Computer Sciences for the past 11 years.
She previously served in leadership roles in the Wisconsin Leaders Forum and NAACP — Waukesha Chapter. She is also on the cabinet of the Waukesha United Performing Arts Fund, saying, “I think it is important that there is additional diversity — not just in race but culture and discipline — in the arts, which also helps attract a greater diversity in donors.”
Fun Facts
Hometown: Oconomowoc, Wis.
Favorite book or favorite quote: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Dream dinner date: Warren Buffett
Favorite Marquette memory: As a graduate student, I did not have much free time beyond studying and working at my day-job, but I do remember coming from campus and meeting my husband on the way home from night classes at a Dunkin’ Donuts for dinner. It was like dating again.
Marquette faculty or staff member who had an impact on you, and how? All my graduate professors. Every one of them made me feel (as the only female and minority in my classes) as a capable and contributing member of the team.
Marquette legacy: First in my family to go to college and graduate school.
Who has been the most influential person in your life, and why? My grandmother. She came to the U.S. at 14 with her sister from Canada. She could pull anything apart and make it work. She always told me I could do anything I was willing to work for.
