Twelve Minnesota State University, Mankato graduates have been named 2010 Distinguished Alumni Award winners for exceptional achievement and contributions to their professions and communities.
The awards will be presented by the Minnesota State Mankato Alumni Association on Friday, April 23, at 6 p.m. in Centennial Student Union.
The event will honor Diana Marie Clawson, Woodbridge, Va.; Stephen M. DiMeglio, McLean, Va.; Gregg R. Gropel, Luverne, Minn.; John R. Hoffman, St. Louis Park, Minn.; Michelle Murzyn Leba, Mounds View, Minn.; Major General Richard C. Nash, New Prague, Minn.; Shirley Skorr Piepho, Mankato; Jennifer Pritchett, Minneapolis; Mark Schuck, Lake Crystal, Minn.; Ronald TePoel, San Antonio, Texas; Renee L. Worke, Owatonna, Minn.; and Jackson Wu, Taipei, China.
Awards will be presented in four categories:
DiMeglio, Nash, Worke and Wu will receive the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award.
DiMeglio graduated in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications. He is the primary golf writer for USA Today.
Nash graduated in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education teaching. He commands the 34th Infantry Division of the Minnesota National Guard.
Worke graduated in 1980 with bachelor’s degrees in law enforcement and sociology and corrections. She is a Minnesota Court of Appeals judge.
Wu graduated in 1983 with a master’s degree in mathematics and computer science. He was chairman and president of Nortel Greater China until his retirement in 2008.
Piepho and Schuck will receive the Fitterer Service Award.
Piepho graduated in 1976 with a bachelor’s degree in business education and in 2003 with a master’s degree in educational leadership. She is assistant director of event and meeting services at Minnesota State Mankato.
Schuck graduated in 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education and in 1970 with a master’s degree in continuing studies. He is head track and cross country coach at Minnesota State Mankato and also serves as student coordinator for the College of Allied Health & Nursing.
Gropel and TePoel will receive the Humanitarian Award.
Gropel graduated in 1992 with a master’s degree in community education. He is a trustee for the Dollars for Scholars program in Luverne.
TePoel graduated in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. He is a retired teacher and farmer.
Clawson, Hoffman, Leba and Pritchett will receive the Distinguished Young Alumni Award.
Clawson graduated in 2005 with bachelor’s degrees in law enforcement and Spanish. She is an officer with the U.S. Secret Service.
Hoffman graduated in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in international relations. He is regional managing director of the Minnesota Business Center for Principal Financial Group.
Leba graduated in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in social studies and political science. She is part-time curriculum coordinator and part-time geography teacher at Washington Technology Middle School in St. Paul.
Pritchett graduated in 1999 with bachelor’s degrees in philosophy and gender and women’s studies, and in 2002 with a master’s degree in gender and women’s studies. She is co-founder and owner of Smitten Kitten, a sexual health and wellness boutique with locations in Minneapolis and Denver and online.
Those who want more information may go to http://www.mnsu.edu/alumni/daa/2010awards.html.
Minnesota State Mankato, a comprehensive, doctoral university with 14,950 students, is part of the Minnesota State Colleges & Universities system, which comprises 32 institutions across the state.
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