On Friday, April 28, the Minnesota State Mankato Alumni Association and President Richard Davenport celebrated the acheivements of some of the University's most distinguished alumni. Seven alumni received awards in four different categories. Each honoree had the opportunity to tell their own story in a special video presentation. You can view each presentation by clicking on the appropriate link after each award recipient's name.
Dr. Michael V. Martin - view video
BS: Business Administration: General '69
MA: Economics '71
Like most entering freshman, Michael Martin didn’t quite know what he wanted to major in or what he wanted to do with his life. “The institution actually gave me some objectives. Those four years were transformational. I believe that’s what great universities do,” says Michael. After receiving his undergraduate degree in 1969 in Business Administration and his master’s in 1971 in Economics, Michael entered the world of academia, striving to create those transformational experiences for new generations of college students. Michael’s first job after graduation was as an instructor at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He left Eau Claire to work on his PhD in applied economics at the University of Minnesota. He then headed west to Oregon State University as an assistant professor. Over the course of 15 years, he worked his way up the faculty promotion system and served as president of OSU’s Faculty Senate. In 1992, Michael came back to work at the U of M, serving in a variety of capacities including Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences; associate director of the Agricultural Experiment Station; and Vice President for Agricultural Policy. Michael left the U of M in 1998, this time to serve as Vice President for Agricultural and Natural Resources at the University of Florida-Gainesville, overseeing 17 academic departments and 17 research and educational centers. Michael has been awarded honorary professorships from Bangalore University in India and the Czech Agricultural University of Prague. He has also been awarded with an Honorary National FFA Degree from Florida and was named an honorary member of the Florida Blue Key Society. In 2004, Michael was named President of New Mexico State University. “The last couple of years have been a wonderful growth experience. This has been a great job to have.”
Dr. Isabel Schon - view video
BS: Open Studies '71
For Isabel Schon, a single mother working full time in Mexico, the thought of receiving a degree from an American university seemed like an impossible dream. However, with a little help from Dr. James Nickerson and his wife, Nita, and Professor Kent Alm, Isabel was able to make her dream a reality. The transition was difficult for Isabel. “Finances were an issue, and taking care of a child who didn’t speak English, and I was overwhelmed with this new environment.” Isabel found her professors and classmates to be understanding and kind, and soon she fell in love with the American university system and the “beautiful American libraries.” After graduating in 1971 with a degree in Open Studies, Isabel went on to earn her master’s in Elementary Education in 1972 from Michigan State and her PhD in Library Media Education from the University of Colorado in 1974. From 1974 to 1989, Isabel was a professor of Reading Education and Library Science at Arizona State. In 1989, Isabel became a founding faculty member and professor of Education at California State University at San Marcos. Isabel is currently considered an expert in the field of Spanish-language books for children. She is the Director of the Barahona Center for the Study of Books in Spanish for Children and Adolescents at California State University San Marcos -- the world’s largest center of its kind. She reads and evaluates every Spanish-language book for children published worldwide. Isabel has written over 22 books and 300 articles and book chapters, has presented at national and international conferences, and has provided consultation services to numerous schools, libraries and ministries of education in several countries. She has received several awards for her work, including the Denali Press Award, the Women’s Book Award, the ALA’s Grolier Foundation Award and the U.S. Role Model in Education Award.
Jeanne Votca Carpenter - view video
BST: English '73
“You’ve got to give of yourself. If you love what you do, you’ve got to demonstrate it every single day no matter where you are in life. You’ve got to demonstrate your passion and commitment.” Professor Harold J. Fitterer said these words to Jeanne Votca Carpenter when she was his student at what was then-Mankato State College. Over 35 years later, Jeanne continues to put these words into action every day, and Minnesota State Mankato is grateful for her passion and commitment. As an alumna, Jeanne gives back in a variety of ways. She has mentored students and serves on the College of Business Advisory Council and the Foundation Board of Directors. Jeanne has also served on the Alumni Board of Directors, is a lifetime Supporting Member of the Alumni Association, has been an Executive Lecturer for the College of Business, and was the spring 2002 Commencement speaker. “I’m all for Alumni, as ambassadors, reconnecting, telling the story of the University today and extending a warm invitation to come back and to take part,” she says. Jeanne also serves on the Board of Directors of the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation and was the former Public Relations Chair of the City of Minneapolis Mosaic Cultural Arts Festival. She serves on the marketing committees for Catholic Charities, Minnesota International Center, the United Way and Minnesota Zoo. Her passion and commitment are also reflected in her professional life. Jeanne recently launched her own consulting agency called Perception, offering executive visibility, corporate marketing, and public relations. Jeanne is the third member of her family to receive a Distinguished Alumni Award. Her father, Cornelius Votca '39, received a Harold J. Fitterer award in 1995 while her uncle, John Votca '50, received an Achievement award in 1980.
James J. Sheehan - view video
BS: Physical Education '73
James Sheehan first left his mark on the Track and Field program at Minnesota State Mankato as a student, setting records, earning all-conference honors and being recognized as an Outstanding College Athlete of America. “I learned to be competitive down at Mankato. I had to be competitive with the grades. I had to be competitive to win a race. And that competitiveness has carried forth in my life,” says Jim. This competitiveness is evident in the tireless efforts Jim has put forth to ensure that Minnesota State Mankato’s Track and Field program remains strong. He established the first ever Track and Field alumni group, serving as its president for 10 years. Jim also met personally with former President Richard Rush to discuss the need for an indoor track. Ultimately, Jim became instrumental in the design of the new indoor track in Myers Field House. He has also been a mentor to student athletes, established several Track and Field scholarships and has donated both time and money to implement an indoor/outdoor record board in the Field House. “I wanted to create pride for the school. I wanted to create pride in these athletes and for the alumni.” Jim’s competitiveness has also translated well into his professional life. In 1974, he started a successful insurance business, winning 14 trips along with numerous honors and awards. He is considered one of the top producing insurance agents by his peers. Jim also serves as Treasurer of the Dr. Harold Kletschka Foundation.
Melee E. Thao - view video
BS: Nursing '92
Born in Laos in 1966, Melee Thao and her family fled the communist-controlled country to a camp in Thailand in 1976. In 1980, speaking very little English, she and her family settled in the United States. Her experience of living in the camp fueled her desire to help members of the Hmong community to understand western medicine and live a healthy life. “The reason I went into health care is because I wanted to help people understand health, especially my people. I wanted to see what I can give to my community.” Melee earned a nursing degree from Minnesota State Mankato in 1992 and immediately went to work in community health care in Wausau, Wisconsin. She currently is an outreach specialist with Wausau Family Practice, working with the Hmong community as a nurse, social worker, case manager and patient advocate. Melee helped produce the first Hmong language educational video about sexually transmitted diseases, which has since been distributed in 20 states and three different countries. She has presented at several conferences on the issue of Hmong health and is currently producing a new Hmong language video about maintaining a healthy heart. For her community outreach, Melee was awarded with a 2005 Women of Vision award as well as a Woman of Tomorrow award from the YWCA of Wausau, the first woman ever to receive both awards in the same year. Melee recently graduated from the University of Wisconsin’s Physician’s Assistant program.
Dr. Aaron H. Doering - view video
MS: Geography '95
“Exciting. Authentic. Motivating… I saw the real application of what I was learning,” says Aaron Doering of his experience at Minnesota State Mankato. It was this experience, along with mentors like Professors Cecil Keen, Cindy Miller, Marty Mitchell and Don Roscoe, that inspired Aaron to become a professor himself. “The role models at MSU showed me how a professorship can have a major and positive influence on a student’s life,” he says. After receiving his master’s degree in Geography in 1995, Aaron taught middle and high school for five years in Rochester, Minnesota. Aaron received his doctorate from the University of Minnesota and now serves as an assistant professor there, teaching learning technologies in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. In 2004, with funds from the National Geographic Society, Aaron helped conducted a series of workshops showing social studies and earth science teachers how to use GIS and visualization software to enhance learning. Aaron, along with fellow polar explorers, used this software to create a free online learning environment, allowing over 3 million students and educators the ability to interact with learners throughout the world while experiencing the Arctic through a six-month Arctic Transect – a 2200-mile dogsled expedition across the Canadian Arctic. Aaron is also the program education director for an adventure learning project called “Go North” which launched this past February. More than 900 Minnesota schools and 3000 schools globally are tapped into the project, giving students the opportunity to observe the culture of remote Arctic communities and to study environmental issues affecting the Arctic. “Students want this type of information, this type of content. They can experience the world without even having to leave the walls of the classroom.”
Matthew J. Hillmann - view video
MS: Educational Technology '02
Matthew Hillmann loves computers and kids. So, naturally, Matt became a computer teacher. For several years, he worked for Madelia Public Schools as a teacher, coach and as district technology coordinator. Matt created an education technology model in Madelia that is credited for rising test scores and has become a model for other districts. For his efforts in demonstrating outstanding achievement in K-12 education through technology, Matt received the 2001 TIES Minnesota Technology Leadership Award. When he wanted to expand his knowledge of educational technology and enhance his teaching skills, Matt looked to Minnesota State Mankato. The University provided “the perfect program…at the perfect time.” Matt earned his master’s degree in 2002 in Educational Technology. That same year, Matt was a semifinalist for the National Technology Educator of the Year award. In 2003, Matt went to work for Belle Plaine Public Schools as the District Technology Coordinator. One of Matt’s first initiatives was to implement a new, comprehensive student information strategy, providing Belle Plaine administrators, teachers, and parents with instant access to up-to-the-minute attendance, grading and discipline information. For the past year, Matt has served as Acting Principal of Belle Plaine Junior High while simultaneously working towards his Specialist degree in Education Administration at Minnesota State Mankato. He has been an adjunct professor here and has presented at several conferences on the issue of educational technology. He is a member of the International Society for Technology in Education and member of the Belle Plaine Rotary Club.
