News Highlights

12 graduates to receive 2009 Distinguished Alumni Awards April 24

At Alumni Association banquet

12 cited for exceptional professional achievement.

2009-04-27
Minnesota State University, Mankato Media Relations Office news release [3/31/2009]

Twelve Minnesota State University, Mankato graduates have been named 2009 Distinguished Alumni Award winners for exceptional achievement and contributions to their professions and communities.

The awards will be presented at a Friday, April 24, dinner and ceremony hosted by the Alumni Association. The event, at 6 p.m. in Centennial Student Union, will honor: Rodney Brown, Hudson, Wis.; Daren Cotter, Saint Paul; Thomas Fallenstein, Mankato; Alan Gerhardt, Minnetonka, Minn.; Garrison Hale, Little Falls, Minn.; Kelby Krabbenhoft, Sioux Falls, S.D.; Daniel Mundahl, Mankato; Bradley Nessler, Duluth, Ga.; Ruth Annette Gabriel Reck, Davis, Calif.; H. Dean Trauger, Mankato; Mark Vanderbosch, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; and Matthew Wolff, Victoria, Minn.
Awards will be presented in four categories:

• The Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award, for graduates who have achieved high rank or honor in their professions, a widespread effect on their communities, and accomplishments over the course of their careers;
• The Harold J. Fitterer Service Award, for graduates whose efforts have preserved, promoted and supported Minnesota State Mankato;
• The Distinguished Alumni Humanitarian Award, for graduates whose lives exemplify service to humankind and who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to humanitarian causes;
• The Distinguished Young Alumni Award, to graduates 35 years old or younger who have reached professional achievements early in their careers, and have positively impacted their communities.

Gerhardt, Krabbenhoft, Nessler and Reck will receive the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award. Hale, Mundahl and Trauger will receive the Fitterer Service Award. Brown and Vanderbosch will receive the Humanitarian Award; and Cotter, Fallenstein and Wolff will receive the Distinguished Young Alumni Award.

Rodney Brown is a 1980 Business Administration graduate who is vice president of family services for Lutheran Social Services.

Daren Cotter is a 2004 graduate of the Computer Information Science program. He is founder and owner of CotterWeb.

Thomas Fallenstein also is a 2004 Computer Information Science graduate who is CEO/president of Costumes Galore.

Alan Gerhardt is a 1980 graduate with a degree in Business Administration and Construction Management. He is chief operating officer of Kraus-Anderson Construction.

Garrison Hale is a 1971 Business Administration graduate and is currently city administrator of Little Falls, Minn.

Kelby Krabbenhoft is a 1982 graduate with a master’s degree in Business Administration. He is currently CEO/president of Sanford Health.

Daniel Mundahl is a 1986 Political Science graduate. He currently is chief administrative officer of Bethany Lutheran College.

Bradley Nessler is a 1977 graduate of the Mass Communications program. He is a play-by-play sportscaster with ABC Sports and ESPN.

Ruth Annette Gabriel Reck is a 1954 Mathematics and Chemistry graduate who currently is a professor at University of California at Davis.

H. Dean Trauger is a 1969 graduate of the Accounting program. He served for many years as vice president for finance and administration at Minnesota State Mankato.

Mark Vanderbosch is a 1979 Philosophy graduate. He is the former president and chief financial officer of Kids in Distress.

Matthew Wolff is a 1999 graduate of the Speech Communication program. He is currently regional vice president of Ameriprise Financial.

Those who want more information may go to www.mnsu.edu/alumni/daa/.
 

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