On Thursday, April 10, 2008, the following individuals were recognized at our annual Distinguished Alumni Awards celebration for the professional and personal achievements.
ACHIEVEMENT - Presented to graduates who have achieved high rank or honor in their professions, have a widespread effect on their communities, and are recognized for their achievements over the course of their careers.
TA Loeffler MS ’91 – view video
TA Loeffler is a lifelong adventurer. During her days at Mankato State, TA could be spotted riding her bicycle across town, backpack full of hockey gear, in the dead of a Minnesota winter, up and down the hills of Mankato. “I had a grand time in Mankato. What I remember is the camaraderie of coming together to really struggle with some hard academic material, but also building a learning community at the same time.”
These days, the hills she climbs are a bit bigger. They’re a bit colder, too. Her work has taken her to over 35 countries and countless mountain tops. Loeffler engages her students in a unique kind of experiential learning. As a professor at the School of Human Kinetics and Recreation at Memorial University of Newfoundland, as well as a coach, athlete, motivational speaker, author, filmmaker, and photographer, Loeffler inspires those around her not only to dream big, but to push themselves to the limit. “Being present and being yourself as a leader” are what’s important, TA says. And it’s critical “to push yourself and not be satisfied to just stay where you are, but to always be reaching for something that’s just beyond your grasp.”
Among her many honors, Loeffler was named Outstanding Experiential Teacher of the Year in 1999; she received the Memorial University Presidents Award for Distinguished Teaching in 2005; she has won the Association of Atlantic Universities Distinguished Teaching award; and was recognized by the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women in Sport as one of the Top Twenty Most Influential Women in Canadian Sport and Physical Activity in 2006. Just recently, Loeffler was named a 2008 3M National Teaching Fellow in Canada.
Dennis Miller ’82 – view video
“I have always told people I haven’t had a job in 25 years,” says Dennis Miller, former president and CEO of Midwest Wireless. It’s a strange comment coming from a man who grew the fledgling telecommunications company into one of the nation’s largest independent regional carriers, with over 450,000 customers, 640 employees and 380 cell towers.
But Miller goes on to explain, “I love what I do and to get paid for what I do is pretty special, so it hasn’t been work.” Miller knows the value of following professional passion, and that’s what he encourages others to do as well. “Find things that are really important to you and if you can turn that into a way of making a living, you will be a success because it’s not work to you, it’s love.”
After graduating in 1982 with a degree in Business Administration, Miller immediately entered the telecommunications industry. He has been honored for his work with the Minnesota State University College of Business Distinguished Business Person Award, and in 2005, he was named an Ernst and Young Minnesota and Dakotas Entrepreneur of the Year. In 2007, he “retired” after selling Midwest Wireless to industry giant Alltel.
Miller maintains a strong commitment to the community and to Minnesota State Mankato. He is a former member of the South Central Technical College Foundation board; served as board chair for Technology Plus and for the Institute for Wireless Education; was vice chair of the Mankato Area Hockey Association; and Immanuel St. Joseph’s - Mayo Health Systems board member and board vice chair. He is a former member of the Minnesota State Mankato Alumni Board of Directors and currently serves on the Foundation Board and the College of Business Advisory Council.
HAROLD J. FITTERER SERVICE TO MSU - Presented to graduates distinguished by their record of service to Minnesota State University, Mankato and to their communities. They have engaged in continuing efforts to preserve and promote MSU programs through their time, treasure and talents.
Carl M. Egan ’67, MA ’69 – view video
Carl Egan has seen great change on campus – some of it at his doing. Carl embarked on his Minnesota State University, Mankato career in 1964. As a student, he played in active role in campus politics, forming SAFE (Students for Academic Freedom and Education), starting the Vets Club in 1967, holding the National Collegiate Veterans’ Organizational Convention at Minnesota State Mankato, and joining Students for Mankato State. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Sociology, Egan remained at Minnesota State Mankato to earn his master’s in Urban and Regional Studies. He credits that achievement to encouragement from Dr. Robert Barrett, who started the program. “Had it not been for him, I would have probably ended college at the bachelor’s degree level. He impressed me with his leadership ability, his drive and passion for his program and it really drew me in.”
Egan summarizes his Minnesota State Mankato education as “a valuable and wonderful learning and socialization experience that prepared me well for life’s journey.”
He went on to work in private-sector construction before returning to Mankato in 1979 to teach. Egan was instrumental in establishing the construction management program at Minnesota State Mankato and structuring it to meet industry needs. Under his tenure as director, the Construction Management program grew in size and stature, becoming one of the most respected programs of its kind in the nation.
Egan received the Minnesota State Mankato Faculty Merit award in 1988; was a founding member of the University of Russian Academy of Education; was awarded title of Honorary Professor of Russia’s State Technical University – MADI, where he also received a Fulbright Scholarship in 2003; and was honored by the State of Minnesota with the Proclamation of Carl Egan Day on April 30, 2004.
YOUNG ALUMNI - Presented to graduates, 35 years old or younger, who have reached personal and/or professional achievements early in their careers, have positively impacted their communities, and show promise for continued success.
Andy Welti ’03 – view video
Elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2004, Andy Welti is currently serving his second term as the youngest of member of the state Legislature. As the DFL representative for District 30B, Andy’s background as a former substitute teacher at Plainview, Dover-Eyota and Rochester schools has given him a unique perspective on always-pressing educational issues. “I’ve seen what is going on in our classrooms – the cuts in electives cutbacks of teachers, and increases in class sizes.”
While at Minnesota State Mankato, Welti’s passion for politics went beyond the classroom to his avid involvement and dedication to community change. Beginning his freshman year, Andy became involved in the Student Senate as well as the College Democrats. He seized the opportunity to join Senator Paul Wellstone’s campaign as an intern. Welti recalls the day that Senator Wellstone passed away and Walter Mondale had taken his place as the candidate. It was Andy’s first step into the political spotlight as he gave the introductory speech for Mondale as he passed through Mankato on the campaign trail.
These days, Welti’s schedule begins early in the morning, and consists largely of committee meetings, making time for constituents and lobbyists, and then spending evenings writing responses and returning phone calls.
As for current Minnesota State Mankato students seeking their own meaningful collegiate experience, Welti leaves a few words: “You just have to stay committed to your academics, you have to go to classes, you have to study, and you have to put in a lot of time. Develop relationships with the professors and people on campus in order to have the best experience possible.”
