College and University Alumni Awards
Active awards
This award is conferred only on graduates, or former students of the University, who have attained unusual distinction in their chosen fields or professions or in public service, and who have demonstrated outstanding achievement and leadership on a community, state, national, or international level. Find out more about Outstanding Achievement Award recipients »
2024: K. Charlie Lakin
2023: Kyla Wahlstrom
2022: Lowell W. Hellervik, Sarah C. Mangelsdorf, Richard A. Weinberg
2018: Judith L. Johnson
2017: Stanley L. Deno, John Edward Haugo, Leo McAvoy, David R. Metzen, Paula F. Goldberg, Helen M. Meyer
2016: Carmen Starkson Campbell, Margaret Sughrue Carlson, Robert C. Pianta
2015: Richard N. Aslin, Jane C. Sherburne
2013: Larry D. Yore
2012: Geraldine A. Evans
2011: Thomas P. Jandris
2010: Bud Grant, John E. Larkin, Linda Wells
2006: Mary Brabeck, Antoine Garibaldi, John Krumboltz, David Pearson
2004: Ismael Abu-Saad, Edna Downing, Aletha Huston, Carol Johnson, Maynard Reynolds, and Somwung Pitiyanuwat
2003: Clifton E. French, Mary F. Heinen, Dorothy McIntyre, and Mary Tjosvold
2001: Nancy M. Lindahl
1999: Sally Hasselbrack
1998: Gerald R. Patterson and Keith McFarland
1997: Janet Hagberg
1996: Linda Mona
1990: D. Bruce Johnson
1989: Margaret Matalamaki
1986: Wichit Srisa-an
1982: Gertrude Lippincott and Marian Radke-Yarrow
1980: Borghild Dahl and Edwin L. Haislet
1976: John R. Roach
1975: Robert M. Worthington
1974: Gladys S. Haugan and Stanley Holmquist
1973: Dave Moore
1972: James A. Goodman
1971: Willis E. Dugan and Robert B. Kamm
1970: Howard R. Jones, Walter D. Loban, and Daniel E. O'Keefe
1969: Marv Edward Dolan, Arno Joseph Jewett, and William O'Shields
1968: Helen Claytor, J. Harold Goldthorne, Malcom Shaw MacLean, Helen Nahm, James Nickerson, William Nilsen, and Jeannette Piccard
1967: Catharine M. Evans, Walter Frank Johnson, Jr., and Helen Harris Perlman
1966: Irvamae Applegate, E. E. Heinemann, and Eugene Joseph McCarthy
1965: Kenneth F. Anderson, Roger J. Cumming, Dorothy Leahy, William J. Micheels, and Kurt Reichert
1964: Anne H. Carlsen and Helen M. Starr
1963: Walter H. Gaumnitz, Phillip J. Rulon, and Leona E. Tyler
1962: Floyd R. Adams, Manuel Carreon, and Theodore C. Engum
1961: James K. Michie, Dora Smith, Viola Hoffman Hymes
1960: B. Lamar Johnson, Lucien B. Kinney
1959: Charles W. Boardman, William H. Cartwright
1958: Grace Armstrong, Erling O. Johnson, Nolan C. Kearney, Clara Brown Arny, George B. Smith
1957: Clarence L. Munn
1956: Theodore J. Berning, Leif S. Harbo, Evalyn Bergstrand Owens, George Selke, Homer J. Smith, Esther J. Swenson, Edwin Ziegfeld
1953: Edna P. Amidon, James G. Umstattd, Luella B. Cook, William D. Reeve
1952: Selmer H. Berg, Hazel M. Hatcher
1951: Irma L. Bullard, Charles E. Campton, Prudence Cutright, Alvin C. Eurich, Bernice D. Gestie, Samuel R. Powers, Henry G. Harmon, Agnes McCarthy, Edith L. McNaughtan, Ernest O. Melby, Georgina L. Lommen, William P. Shepard, Dean M. Schweickhard, Willard C. Olson, Henry J. Otto
This award recognizes service as a volunteer to the University, its schools, colleges, departments, or faculty, or to the University of Minnesota Alumni Association or any of its constituent groups.
2021: Marvin Banks
2020: Myrna Shaw
2017: Jan Ormasa
2016: Brenda Hartman
2015: Barbara Shin
2014: Janet Heidinger
2013: Doobie Kurus
2012: Carol Mulligan
2011: Marcia Carthaus
2010: Tom Harding
2009: Barbara Stephens Foster
2008: Mary Endorf
2006: Andrea Hjelm
2001: Nancy M. Lindahl
1995: Kathleen C. Ridder
1978: Richard M. Hyllested
1974: Marjorie D. Barnes
1973: Fredrick J. Dresser
1970: Grant H. Johnson
1963: Anne T. Richter
1960: Francis Lund
This award celebrates an exceptional individual who has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to better their community. Whether through professional or volunteer service, this alum makes a significant and positive impact on the lives of others and embodies the values of diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice.
- 2024: Kyle Whipple
- 2023: Angela Lewis-Dmello
This award is designed to celebrate the value of entrepreneurship and innovation across the University community. This award is presented to an individual who demonstrates a commitment to business and economic development. The contribution and leadership of this individual was a catalyst for job creation, smart growth/development, or economic improvement in their community. This individual embodies the entrepreneurial spirit and innovative thinking.
- 2024: Kelsey Joson
- 2023: Larissa Loden
This award celebrates an exceptional individual who speaks out about the need for strong state support of the University of Minnesota and higher education policies.
- 2024: Randy Griffith
- 2019: Jan Ormasa
Previous awards
The Mork Award recognized school-based educational excellence in teaching, counseling, or non-administrative roles.
2012: Matthew Hoffman
2011: Adele Munsterman
2010: Lynn Marie Jermal
2009: Illa Saxena
2008: Rose Regan
2007: Todd Beach
2006: Philip Cognetta
2005: Ruth Helm Osborn
2003: Florence Monsour
2002: Rosalind Horowitz
2001: Deborah Appleman
2000: Randy Miller and Jacqueline Richardson
1999: Linda M. Madsen and Wendy S. Shannon
1998: Julie M. Jensen
1997: Sally Hunter
1996: Geraldine M. Nelson
1995: Mohammad Ezzat and Abd El-Mawgood
1994: Gordon I. Swanson
1993: Judith Anderson Wain
1992: Ruth M. Hansen
1991: Dianne P. Hedin and Dianne B. Hopen
1990: Frances P. Lawrenz
1989: Daniel A. Von Bank
1988: David L. Dye
1987: Robert L. St. Clair
1986: Earl C. Benson
1985: William C. Phillips
1984: Wesley Matson
1983: Dianne Monson
1982: William Knaak
1981: Barbara Shin
1980: Ronald L. Olson
1979: Tom Bergstedt
1978: Gordon M.A. Mork
1977: Richard Hyllested
1976: Ernest Larson
1974: Gordon B. Johnson
1973: Courtney Tommeraasen
1972: John T. Lackner
1971: Alice Paulson
1970: Gen Olson
1969: Eleanor M. Herron and Fulton B. Klinkerfues
1968: Elmer R. Lundgren
The Wilson Award recognized individuals who demonstrated excellence in educational achievement outside in non-school-based settings (e.g. businesses, professional organizations, non-profits).
2012: Mary Melbo
2011: Dirk Miller
2010: Donna Tilsner
2009: Scott Erickson
2008: Robert Barnett
2007: Patricia Elder and Paula Goldberg
2006: Peter Pearson
2005: Carole Gesme
2004: Joel Barker
2003: Marilyn Sprague-Smith
2002: Sandra Hewitt
2001: Jean Illsley Clarke and Louise Sundin
2000: Janet Hagberg
1999: Barbara A. Tuckner
1998: John C. Sylvestre
1997: Sandra Thompson
1996: Charles J. Maguire
1995: Laura Langer and Scott Alan Sayre
1994: Judith L. Johnson
1993: JoAnn Christensen
1992: Patricia McLagan
The Gardner Award recognized excellence in the field of preK-12 school-based education.
2012: Laura Zabel
2011: Bryan Jackson
2010: Natalie Rasmussen
2009: Sara Egberg
2008: Shannon Bailey and Rojanne Brown
2007: John Kunz, Jr. and Linda Woessner
2006: Gregory Childs and Ann Little
2005: Diane Achter and Jill Jensen
2004: Daniel Hertz and Judy Jacobsen
2003: Kathie Huettl and Thomas Scott
The Emerging Leader Award recognized alumni who achieved early distinction in their career and provided volunteer leadership and service to their communities.
2012: Susie Miller
2011: Arunya Tuicomepee
2010: Amelia Franck Meyer
2009: Audrey-Marie Schuh Moore