COLLEGE OF

Education and Human Development

2013 CEHD distinguished alumni award recipients

distinguished alumni awards 2013 group photo

Shirley J. Billigmeier

B.S., physical education, 1971
M.A., physical education, 1975
M.A., education, 1978

Dedication to health and wellness as an entrepreneur, business owner, nationally best selling author, and founder of the Rapunzel Project

Thomas J. Libby

M.A., art education, 1963

Notable career in the fields of art education and higher education

Frank R. Braun

B.S., 1948
M.A., educational administration, 1951
Ph.D., education, 1960
Renowned leadership in international development education

Michael J. McKasy

B.S., mathematics, 1970

Commitment to justice as a top U.S. trial attorney and dedication to community service and the field of education

Almond A. Clark

M.A., curriculum & instruction
Ph.D., vocational education, 1978

Distinguished career in education and business, and many community contributions

James P. Metzen

A.A., general education, 1964

Outstanding career with the state legislature and distinguished service to the citizens of Minnesota

Lea Ellis Dahl

B.S., marketing education, 1968
M.Ed., vocational education, 1995

Outstanding leadership in public school education and advocacy for at-risk students

Thomas Barrett Mich

M.A., educational administration, 1976
Ph.D., education, 1977

48-year career in education and leadership of Saint Thomas Academy

Robert Dykstra

M.A., educational psychology, 1960
Ph.D., educational psychology, 1962

Prominent and extensive contributions as a professor, educator, and researcher in the field of reading education and literacy

Rebecca L. W. Otto

M.Ed., science education, 1994

Outstanding career as an educator and public servant

Steven P. Geiger

Ph.D., home economics, 1983

Outstanding career reflecting excellence in leadership, strategic planning, teambuilding, and organizational change

Thomas G. Pearson

M.A., education, 1968

Distinguished career as a teacher, coach, and athletic director of Anoka-Hennepin School District, introducing women's sports to Anoka High School

Margaret J. Howland

M.Ed., early childhood education, 1944

Extraordinary career as a pioneer in the field of special education

Blair Larry Poitras

B.S., physical education, 1973

Distinguished leadership in business and as a community builder

Susan Jungck

B.S., elementary education, 1965

Outstanding career as a distinguished educator, researcher, and administrative leader

Thompson J. Pooton

A.A., general education, 1966

Successful career as an entrepreneur and leader who has served as founder, president, CEO, and board member of numerous corporations throughout the United States

Floyd E. Keller, Jr.

M.A., education, 1956
Ed.D., educational administration, 1974

Notable career in education as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, director of elementary and secondary education, adjunct professor, and educational consultant

Michael J. Sarafolean

M.S.W., social work, 1989

Distinguished career as an outstanding business executive and educator

Kim Louise Keprios

B.S., recreation, park & leisure studies, 1980

Distinguished career in service to individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities and their families

Benhong Rosaline Tsai

Ph.D., education, 1995

Notable career as an outstanding business executive and educator

Rachel Serene Anderson Leonard

M.A., educational administration, 1975

Distinguished career as an educator and community leader and extraordinary commitment and service to children, families, schools, and communities

Henry M. Wellman

Ph.D.,child psychology, 1975

Lifetime of contributions to our understanding of children's development, including the development of social cognition and metacognition

Diane Lucille Madden

B.S., elementary education, 1975
M.A., educational psychology, 1981
Ph.D., educational administration, 1990

Notable career as an outstanding business executive, philanthropist, and community leader