Alex Smekta received a two-year education degree from Mankato State in 1933. He has spent most of his professional life in the field of government, sewing as Mayor of the City of Rochester from 1958-69 and 1972-79. He is currently an aide to U.S. Senator Dave Durenberger.
Among Smekta’s other interests are working with the Rochester Art Center, the Boy Scouts, the American Red Cross (which he serves as local chair) and the Kiwanis Club, which he has served as both president and lieutenant governor. He is also a member of the board of directors of the YMCA.
Smekta has maintained his ties to Mankato State by being one of the first members of the Rochester chapter of the Mankato State Alumni Association. He is also an annual contributor to the football scholarship fund.
Other members of the Smekta family who have attended Mankato State include his wife, Naida Smekta ‘33 and ‘40, who passed away in 1986 and his brother Joseph Smekta ‘39.
