Previous Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients

Name Class Year(s) / Program of Study 'Year Award
Jay Abdo '96; Interdisciplinary Studies 2015 Achievement Award
Mary Ryan Ajax '74; Psychology 2007 Humanitarian
Brett Anderson '11'; Nursing 2019 Young Alumni Award  
Larry K. Anderson '67; Political Science 2000 Harold J. Fitterer  
David L. Andreas '76; Sociology 1998 Harold J. Fitterer  
Al Annexstad '67; Social Studies 2001 Achievement
Keith K. Appel '56, '59, '62; Biology & Art 2013 Achievement
Marlin J. Appelwick '76; Mathematics 2002 Achievement
Gregg Asher '82, '86; Fiance, Accounting & Continuing Studies 1987 Humanitarian
William A. Bassett '74; Urban and Regional Studies 2002 Harold J. Fitterer 
Lou Bellamy '67; Psychology 1992 Achievement
Cynthia Bemis Abrams '86; International Relations; German 2001 Young Alumni
Linda Benson '68; Mathematics 1985 Humanitarian
Sophia Bera '05; Theatre Arts & Gender and Women's Studies 2016 Young Alumni
James Bracke '69, '73; Biology 1985 Achievement
David Bronner '67, '68; Business Administration 1995 Achievement
Rodney A. Brown '80; Business Administration 2009 Humanitarian
Chad Brownlee '07; Psychology 2013 Young Alumni
Susan McNamara Bruss '81; Community Health & Womens Studies 2002 Humanitarian
Herrington Bryce '60; Economics & Sociology 1982 Achievement
Donald W. Buchanan '49, '55; Physical Education 2003 Harold J. Fitterer 
Larry Buendorf '59; Business Education 2001 Achievement
Peter I. Buerhaus '76; Nursing 2003 Achievement
Nancy Busse '71, '75, '98; Music, Special Education & Education Admin. 1998 Humanitarian
Michael P. Cairl '83; Construction Management 2005 Harold J. Fitterer 
Timothy Cameron '87; Computer Science 2000 Young Alumni
Charles W. Cantale '88, '95; Specialist & Experiential Education 1996 Harold J. Fitterer 
Brian B. Carlson '86; Computer Science & Marketing 2003 Harold J. Fitterer 
Lyndon Carlson '64; Social Studies 2007 Achievement
Danny G. Cater '89; Marketing 2005 Humanitarian
Jaymie L. Cater '90; Marketing 2002 Young Alumni
Matthew J. Christensen '98; Computer & Information Science 2007 Young Alumni
Cathy Clardy Patterson '77; Management & Industrial Relations 2004 Achievement
Diana Marie Clawson '05; Law Enforcement & Spanish 2010 Young Alumni
Everett Earl Collin '50; Social Studies 1967 Outstanding Alumni
Geraldine Colby '69; Sociology 2014 Humanitarian Award
Thomas Conlin '52; Business Administration 1999 Harold J. Fitterer 
James Connors '68; Mathematics 2015 Harold J Fitterer Service Award 
Marcia Krog Copeland '63; Home Economics 1998 Harold J. Fitterer 
Daren M. Cotter '04; Computer Information Science 2009 Young Alumni
John W. Coumbe '66; Speech Education 1972 Outstanding Alumni
David Cowan '70; Political Science 2011 Harold J. Fitterer
Coventry Cowens '68; Rec, Parks & Community Education 2015 Humanitarian Award
Richard A. Crawford '53; Business Administration 2003 Harold J. Fitterer 
Virginia A. Dahlstrom '88; Physical Education 2012 Achievement
Jessica Davis '01; Biol: Human Biology 2019 Achievement Award
Mark E. Davis '63; Business Administration 2000 Achievement
Patrick Dean '78; Nursing 2018 Achievement Award
Dirk Derksen '67; Biology 2014 Achievement Award
Eugénie de Rosier '69; English 2011 Humanitarian
Christopher Dietz '10; DNP Nursing Practice 2015 Achievement Award
Stephen M. DiMeglio '87; Mass Communications 2010 Achievement
Aaron H. Doering '95; Geography 2006 Young Alumni
Rosemary Doescher '70; Elementary Education 1991 Harold J. Fitterer 
Ron Doggett '61; Business Administration 1993 Achievement
David Afriyie Donkor '95, '98; Theatre Arts & Multi-Disciplinary Studies 2003 Young Alumni
Russell L. Dorland '47; Social Studies 1982 Humanitarian
William J. Dorn '58; Business Education 1983 Achievement
William L. Duncan '57; Business Education 1972 Outstanding Alumni
Duke H. Durfee '75; Theatre Arts & Art 2003 Achievement
Joleen Hartung Durken '63; Vocational Home Economics Education 2017 Harold J. Fitterer
Andrew R. Een '43; Social Studies 1981 Harold J. Fitterer 
Carl M. Egan '67, '69; Political Science & Urban and Regional Studies 2008 Harold J. Fitterer 
Aileen Eick '71; Home Economics 2000 Harold J. Fitterer 
Gerald Eick '75; Accounting 1998 Harold J. Fitterer 
Sarah R. Eidet-Bishop '98; Interior Design & Construction Management 2005 Young Alumni
Elvira Epp '62; Elementary Education 1983 Humanitarian
Henry Epp '47; Industrial Education 1983 Humanitarian
Michael Fagin '71, '73; Rehabilitation Counseling, Economics, & Curriculum and Instruction 1986 Harold J. Fitterer 
David Falk '69; Business Administration and Economics 2016 Achievement Award
Albert E. Fallenstein '65; Accounting 1981 Humanitarian
Thomas J. Fallenstein '04; Computer Information Science 2009 Young Alumni
Jay L. Fennell '57, '61; Business Education 1972 Outstanding Alumni
Vincent L. Ferguson '74; Education Administration 2004 Achievement
William Finney '70; Sociology 1994 Achievement
Harold J. Fitterer '50; English 1978 Service Award
William Flies '64; Mathematics & Physics 2012 Harold J. Fitterer
Celestia Fraction '72; Rehabilitation Counseling 1986 Humanitarian
David R. Frauenshuh '66; Political Science 2011 Achievement
Marlene Hanson Frost '77; Nursing 1999 Humanitarian
Joan Garvin '58, '68; Physical Education 1983 Harold J. Fitterer 
Donald D. Gebhard '69; Health & PE (Men) 2014 Achievement
Robert Gerdts '57; Speech Communication 1984 Achievement Award
Alan A. Gerhardt '80; Construction Management 2009 Achievement
Mark A. Goodburn '84; Accounting 2001 Achievement
Duane P. Grandgenett '66; Chemistry 2012 Achievement
Gregg R. Gropel '92; Community Education 2010 Humanitarian
Dee Grover-Thomas '77, '94; Home Economics Education & Education Administration 2002 Achievement
Shirley Grundmeier '82, '85, '90; Music & Theatre Arts 1999 Harold J. Fitterer 
Winston Grundmeier '52; Chemistry & Mathematics 2004 Harold J. Fitterer 
Josh Hackbarth '01; Management Information Systems 2017 Recent Alumni
Garrison L. Hale '71; Business Administration 2009 Harold J. Fitterer 
Norb Harrington '75, '83; Business Administration 2000 Harold J. Fitterer 
Joseph D. Harris '66, '70; Elementary Education & Special Education 1991 Humanitarian
Evelyn Hatfield '57; Elementary Education 1992 Humanitarian
Glen E. Haydon '73; Continuing Studies 1977 Achievement
Dennis Hejlik '75; Elementary Education 2007 Achievement
Nicole L. Helget '01, '07; English & Creative Writing 2012 Achievement
Edward Helm '70; Psychology 2007 Achievement
Sandra Hey '68; English & Speech Communication 2000 Achievement
Robert B. Heyer '53; Mathematics 1976 Achievement
Craig M. Hillier '89; Marketing 1995 Young Alumni
Matthew Hillmann '02; Educational Technology & Education Administration 2006 Young Alumni
John R. Hoffman '99; International Relations 2010 Young Alumni
Robert H. Hoffman '66; English & Education Administration 2004 Achievement
Daniel Houlihan '79, '83; Sociology & Psychology 2013 Harold J. Fitterer
Timothy A. Huebsch '02; Computer Science: Management Information Systems 2012 Young Alumni
David Hunerberg '65; Accounting 1998 Achievement
Robert A. Idso  '73, '84; Political Science & Continuing Studies 1994 Humanitarian
Krista K. Jacob '99; Womens Studies 2003 Humanitarian
Wendell L. Jahnke '57, '62; Business Education & Ocupational Therapy 2005 Harold J. Fitterer 
Sara A. Janson Class of 1892 1961 Outstanding Alumni
Gregory A. Jarvis '89; Electrical Engineering Technology & Computer Science 2001 Young Alumni
David M. Jennings '76; Political Science 1986 Achievement
Dale Johnson '59; Social Studies 1998 Achievement
Eunice E. Johnson '72; English 1985 Harold J. Fitterer 
Patricia R. Johnson '71; Political Science 1999 Harold J. Fitterer 
Michael Jordan
'16; Management 2021 Young Alumni
Pamela Byers Kearney '67; English & Political Science 2005 Harold J. Fitterer
Todd Kelzenberg '01; Finance 2011 Young Alumni
Stuart Keroff '96; Social Studies: History 2017 Humanitarian
Jim Killen '57; Art 1999 Achievement
Obie F. Kipper '70, '74; Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services & Rehabilitation Counseling 2001 Harold J. Fitterer 
Robert H. Koenker '35; History 1967 Outstanding Alumni
Linda Koerselman '81; Accounting 2015 Achievement Award
William L. Kozitza '78; Accounting 2002 Achievement
Kelby K. Krabbenhoft '82; M.B.A. 2009 Achievement
Paul Krabbenhoft '84; Biology & Biochemistry 1993 Young Alumni
Donald C. Kreye '88; Marketing & Management 2012 Harold J. Fitterer
Scott Kuehl '91; Art 2005 Young Alumni
Mark Kunerth '91; Mass Communications: Public Relations 1999 Young Alumni
Michael LaCroix-Fralish '02; Biology: Toxicology 2011 Young Alumni
Alexandria R. T. LaFaye '94; English 2003 Young Alumni
Steven J. Landwehr '70, '74; Business Administration 2003 Achievement
Annette Toft Langdon '75; Nursing 2001 Humanitarian
Finn J. Larsen '39; Science 1963 Outstanding Alumni
Greg S. Lea '74; Accounting 2004 Harold J. Fitterer 
Michelle Murzyn Leba '00; Political Science 2010 Young Alumni
Jerry K. Lee '77; Accounting 2012 Humanitarian
Kuhn H. Lee '71; Economics 1987 Harold J. Fitterer 
Michael Leech '08; Mass Communications 2016 Young Alumni
Allen Lenzmeier '65; Accounting 2000 Achievement
John Linner '66, '70; Biology 1987 Achievement
TA Loeffler '91; Experiential Education 2008 Achievement
Matthew J. Longtin '95, '02; Geography 2002 Harold J. Fitterer 
Susan Adams Loyd '91; Speech Communication 2004 Achievement
Paul R. Lundberg '87; Computer Science 2000 Young Alumni
Bob Lykke '62, '67; Education 2013 Humanitarian
Richard R. Maas '61; Social Studies 1990 Achievement
Margaret MacRae

'70; Biology

1998
2012
Achievement
Humanitarian
Barry Madel  '85, '86; Marketing, Management & Business Administration 2000 Humanitarian
Norman Maguire '57, '59; Physical Education 1988 Achievement
David Malmberg '65; Speech Communication 1994 Harold J. Fitterer 
Mary Marso '68; Sociology 1999 Achievement
Carol Martin '13; Dental Hygiene 2016 Humanitarian
Michael V. Martin '69, '71; Business Administration & Economics 2006 Achievement
William Martinez '84, '93; Law Enforcement & Public Administration 1992 Young Alumni
Suresh Mathews '75; Computer Science 2014 Achievement Award
Matthew Mauch '98; Creative Writing 2002 Young Alumni
Gerald L. McCoy '60; English 1996 Achievement
Mary Jean Metag '52; Home Economics 2004 Harold J. Fitterer 
Duane L. Mettler '56; Physical Education 2001 Harold J. Fitterer 
Dennis Miller '82; Management & Industrial Relations 2008 Achievement
Donald Mitchell, Jr. '07; Educational Leadership 2015 Young Alumni Award
Gretchen Morris '49; Social Studies 1976 Service Award
Toshika Motoyama '85; Elementary Education 2000 Humanitarian
Daniel L. Mundahl '86, '88; Political Science & Public Administration 2009 Harold J. Fitterer 
Gunder Myran '57; Business Education 2011 Achievement
Charles Mundale '50, '71; Spanish & History 2005 Humanitarian
Susan Mundale '71; English 2005 Humanitarian
Lynn Nagorske '77; Accounting 2001 Harold J. Fitterer 
Richard C. Nash '72; Health & Physical Education 2010 Achievement
Deborah Natvig '71, '76; Nursing 2016 Achievement
Josiah G. Neal '42; Physical Education 1966 Outstanding Alumni
Bradley R. Nessler '77; Mass Communications 2009 Achievement
Loras J. Neuroth '68; Political Science 2003 Humanitarian
Maurice Oehler '55, '56; Chemistry & Education 2016 Achievement
Gerald Olson '58; Business Administration 1989 Achievement
Gladys Olson '71; English 1989 Humanitarian
Jeffrey Olson '81; Education 2013 Achievement
Lloyd Ostrander Class of 1927 1978 Achievement
Aaron Owens '05; Mechanical Engineering 2014 Young Alumni Award
Bruce J. Paradis '70; Economics 2005 Achievement
Emily Patterson '74; Open Studies 1984 Humanitarian
Stacy Pearson '99; Computer Management & Information Systems 2013 Humanitarian
Charles W. Pennington Attended 1931-1937 1979 Harold J. Fitterer 
Hal Peper '55; Chemistry 2007 Harold J. Fitterer 
Melissa Peterman '94; Theatre Arts & Mass Communications: Public Relations 1998 Young Alumni
Ann C. Peters '29, '42; Elementary Education 1972 Outstanding Alumni
Todd Pfingsten '89; Accounting & Bus Ad: Finance 2014 Harold J Fitterer Service Award
Michael D. Pflaum '78; Recreation, Parks and Community Education 2005 Achievement
Greggory Phelps '92; Electrical Engineering Technology 1999 Young Alumni
Shirley Skorr Piepho '76, '03; Business Education & Educational Leadership 2010 Harold J. Fitterer 
Lewis Pierce '59; Chemistry 1993 Humanitarian
Virginia Pierce '59; Elementary Education 1993 Humanitarian
Steve Potts '80, '87; English & History 2001 Humanitarian
Reverend Powers '54; Speech Communication 1977 Achievement
Jennifer Pritchett '99, '02; Philosophy & Gender and Women's Studies 2010 Young Alumni
Robert Rauenhorst '89; Geography 2015 Achievement Award
Ruth Annette Gabriel Reck '54; Chemistry; Mathematics 2009 Achievement
Kim Ries '86; Computer Science 2000 Young Alumni
John W. Roberts '42; ITS: Industrial Education 1991 Achievement
Kathryn R. Roberts '76; Education 2013 Achievement
Franklin Rogers Class of 1929 1966 Outstanding Alumni
Darrell Runke '46; Science 1978 Achievement
Randall Sampson '80; Accounting & Bus Ad: Finance 2017 Achievement Award
Melissa Schaefer '89; Aviation Management 1999 Young Alumni
Robert H. Scherer '38; Mathematics 1967 Outstanding Alumni
Alissa Warnemunde Schmidt '99; Interior Design & Construction Management 2013 Young Alumni
Chris Schmidt '01; Aviation 2012 Young Alumni
Robert Schmidt '49; Mathematics 1981 Achievement
Rod Schmidt '73; Bus Ad: General 2018 Harold J Fitterer Service Award
Richard R. Schmitz '64; Accounting 2002 Harold J. Fitterer 
Larry Schnoor '60, '64; Speech and Theatre Arts 1982 Harold J. Fitterer 
Isabel Schon '71; Open Studies 2006 Achievement
Deb Schoneman
'90; Finance, Real Estate and Insurance 2021 Achievement
Brad Schreier '73; Social Studies: Economics 1999 Achievement
Mark Henry Schuck '69, '70; Health and Physical Education & Continuing Studies 2010 Harold J. Fitterer 
Dean Schweickhard Class of 1912 1962 Outstanding Alumni
John A. Scocos '78; Geography & History 2002 Humanitarian
Rodney N. Searle '59; History & Political Science 1979 Achievement
William A. Sederburg '69; Political Science 2005 Achievement
Motoko Seko '98; Womens Studies 2001 Humanitarian
Patrick Sexton '85; Physical Education 2014 Harold J Fitterer Service Award
Mehr Jay Shahidi '74; Political Science & Economics 2004 Humanitarian
James Sheehan '73; Physical Education 2006 Harold J. Fitterer 
Alex Smekta '33; Elementary Education 1965 Outstanding Alumni
Cindy Smith '81; Biology & Psychology 2014 Achievement Award
James G. Sneer '59; Industrial Arts 2013 Achievement
Florence Sponberg '56; English 1988 Humanitarian
Allan Sprau '63; Mathematics 1988 Harold J. Fitterer 
Christy L. Steele '96, '04; Creative Writing & Speech Communication 2004 Young Alumni
Mark Stenzel '69; Mathematics & Chemistry 2015 Achievement Award
Jeffrey Stewart '79; Law Enforcement 2016 Achievement
Barbara Stoflet '94; Education 2013 Achievement
Mary Story '75; Home Economics: Food and Nutrition 2011 Achievement
Faith Sullivan '56; History 2001 Achievement
Debra C. Sunderman '79; Physical Education 1996 Humanitarian
Donovan L. Schwichtenberg '60; Business Education 2012 Achievement
Seng-Lai Tan '94; Biotechnology & Microbiology 2003 Young Alumni
Glen Taylor '62; Mathematics 1977 Achievement
Ronald Richard TePoel '72; Elementary Education 2010 Humanitarian
Paul Terry '77, '78; Health Science 1998 Humanitarian
Asrat Tessema '79; M.B.A. 2000 Humanitarian
Melee Thao '92; Nursing 2006 Humanitarian
Arthur "Sam" Thomas '60; Sociology 1999 Humanitarian
Jena Richards Thompson '96; Chemistry 2007 Young Alumni
Mary Thomas Todnem '56; Health Science & Physical Education 1972 Outstanding Alumni
H. Dean Trauger '69; Business Administration  2009 Harold J. Fitterer 
Antonia Valadez '81; Home Economics 1993 Harold J. Fitterer 
Mark P. Vanderbosch '79; Philosophy 2009 Humanitarian
Cynthia Vlasich '78; Nursing 1998 Humanitarian
Cornelius F. Votca '39, '69; History, Social Studies & Business Education 1995 Harold J. Fitterer 
John A. Votca '50, '63; Industrial Education 1980 Achievement
Jeanne Votca Carpenter '73; English 2006 Harold J. Fitterer 
Richard L. Wagner '60; Business Education 2004 Humanitarian
Edward R. Waltman '77; Education Administration 2003 Humanitarian
Paul Andrew Wandless '97; Art 2002 Young Alumni
Betty W. Wariari '08; Community Health 2011 Humanitarian
Mark M. Weber '94; Social Studies: History 2004 Young Alumni
Alice Klaseus Weed '73, '81, '83; Dental Hygiene, Open Studies & Community Health 2004 Humanitarian
Andy Welti '03; Social Studies: Geography 2008 Young Alumni
Jerry Wetterling '71; Mathematics 1992 Humanitarian
Patty Wetterling '71; Mathematics 1992 Humanitarian
Jonathan Whiting '09; Marketing 2018 Young Alumni Award
Tim Wierzbicki '89; Political Science: Public Administration 1998 Young Alumni
Doris Wigand '44; Elementary Education 2018 Humanitarian Award
Earle J. Wigley '26, '33; Elementary Education & History 1980 Harold J. Fitterer 
Stephen Wilcox '82; Elementary Education & Bus Ad: Finance 2019 Harold J Fitterer 
Larry Wild '77; Management and Marketing 2007 Harold J. Fitterer 
Howard Leroy Williams Class of 1926 1967 Outstanding Alumni
Matthew E. Wolff '99; Speech Communication 2009 Young Alumni
Walt Wolff '84; Continuing Studies 2011 Harold J. Fitterer
Dale Wolpers
'75, '83; Communication Studies, Curriculum & Instruction 2021 Harold J. Fitterer 
Chester Wood Class of 1924 1977 Achievement
Truman Wood '54; Political Science 1984 Harold J. Fitterer 
Renee L. Worke '80; Law Enforcement; Sociology and Corrections 2010 Achievement
Jackson Wu '83; Mathematics & Computer Science 2010 Achievement
Lee J. Yao '80, '81; Business & M.B.A. 2013 Achievement (postumously)
Paul Norman Ylvisaker '42; Social Studies 1967 Outstanding Alumni
Ginger Zierdt '02; Educational Leadership 2016 Harold J. Fitterer
Randall Zindler '93; Geography 2007 Humanitarian
John Zwach '28; Elementary Education 1964 Outstanding Alumni
Jim Zwickey '66, '76; History & Continuing Studies 1989 Harold J. Fitterer 
Nancy Peter Zwickey '63, '67, '99; Physical Education & Education Administration 2005 Humanitarian