Alumni notes

Congratulations to Cole Schaefer (BS ’20, business & marketing education) for being named to the 2025 Forbes 30 under 30 list in the Food & Drink Category. Schaefer, along with his co-founder and fellow U of M alum, Brian Waddick, own Smackin’. Starting out of their dorm room in college, they created a sunflower seed […]

Alissa Partee (BS ’07), Chief People Officer (CPO) at Restaurant Technologies, has transitioned into a new role as the company’s Chief Operations Officer (COO). In her previous role, Partee led the human resources team at Restaurant Technologies and joined the company as CPO in 2020. During her tenure, the company grew from 1,000 employees to […]

Mary R. DeGrote Goering (PhD ’16) has been named a 2024 Provost’s Unit Service Award recipient at the University of Minnesota. This award was given in recognition of her exceptional service that has strengthened the functioning and climate of the School of Nursing where she works. Her work on creating an online Prelicensure Preceptor Resource […]

On September 18, 2024 Sara K. Sterner was honored with the Cal Poly Humboldt Distinguished Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching, Tenure Line. She is a teacher education scholar who is passionate about teaching and has created a welcoming and safe classroom environment. Sterner uses technology and various teaching methods intentionally and seamlessly, demonstrating strong […]

Congratulations to Domonique Gilmer (K-12 administrative licensure certificate) for being honored with 2 awards earlier this year. In July, he received the Mentor Award from Sons of Bransford. This award recognizes Black men who exemplify redemption, responsibility, and resilience in overcoming life’s challenges. It celebrates those who provide extraordinary service to their communities, inspiring others […]

Joann O’Leary recently published her new book with co-author Sarah Vollman, Born Into Loss: Shadows of a Deceased Sibling and Family Journeys of Grief. Subsequent siblings, who are sometimes referred to as replacement children, are people who were born after the death of a brother or sister. This non-fiction, self-help, psychology book breaks new ground […]

Britta Babel (BS ’17, youth studies) was awarded Grassroots Professional of the Year by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) for her outstanding work in grassroots organizing in support of our mission to make cancer a national priority. This annual award is given to an ACS CAN staff member whose strong dedication […]

Each year, the University of Minnesota Alumni Association (UMAA) honors award recipients from around the globe who are shaping their industries and strengthening the University community. Congratulations to Randy Griffith (MEd ’84, physical education), Kelsey Joson (BS ’13, kinesiology), and Kyle Whipple (PhD ’18, STEM education) for being named 2024 alumni award recipients! They will […]

Jens Omli (PhD ’08) publishes the book, How Heroes Hero. Jens Omli is an author, speaker, and consultant who has helped mobilize and equip hundreds of heroes in North America, Africa, and Asia. He studied Psychology and Philosophy at Westmont College, earned a PhD in Sport & Exercise Psychology at the University of Minnesota, and […]

Congratulations to Hannah Boldt (MA ’18) for receiving the Goldy Triumph award for outstanding mid-range professional from the University of Minnesota Academic Advising Network (AAN). The recipient of this award is committed to student success by establishing advising practices that are culturally relevant, adaptive to individual student identities, and effective at addressing systemic barriers. Hannah […]

The U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board are pleased to announce that Jennifer Hairrell (MEd ’07) of Maple Grove Middle School in Minnesota has received a Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program award. As a Fulbright recipient, Hairrell will share knowledge and foster meaningful connections across communities in the United States […]

Congratulations to Dr. Larry Guggisberg for being named the recipient of the 2023 MASA Polaris Leadership Award by the Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA). Dr. Guggisberg was honored for his exemplary school leadership and a lifetime of achievement in education and the wider community at a statewide recognition ceremony at the 2023 MASA Fall […]

Congratulations to Elizabeth Welfel (PhD ’79, educational psychology), who was given the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award in Ethics Education by the American Psychological Association for her teaching and research while on the faculties of Boston College and Cleveland State University.

The Minnesota Institute for Trauma-Informed Education (MITIE), a joint partnership of the University of St. Thomas School of Education and Morrison Family College of Health, has named Eyenga Bokamba as its new director. Bokamba is a leader in education and the arts with over 20 years of experience advocating for healthy, creative communities. Ms. Bokamba […]

Joshua Mann (MEd ’14) was named a 2023 Minnesota Teacher of the Year finalist. He was one of eleven selected in the state. Mann was honored at a banquet with the other finalists on May 7, 2023. Learn more.

Chelsea Petree (PhD ’13) recently published the book titled, College Sophomore Ready: Expert advice for parents to navigate the sophomore year of college. This book supports parents through the “sophomore slump” and covers topics such as academic challenges, early career prep, student identity, mental health, and new adult responsibilities. This is the third book in […]

Amy Jean Holmblade Knorr passed away July 24, 2023. Amy Jean was born November 28, 1916 on a farm in Rochelle, Illinois and grew up on her parent’s farm in Whitehall, Michigan. She earned her B.S. Degree from Michigan State University, her Masters in Home Economics Education from the University of Minnesota, and her Ph.D. […]

The Pat Tillman Foundation (PTF) announced the appointment of Dr. Amber Manke (MEd ’12, PhD ’15), a 2012 Tillman Scholar, to its Board of Directors. Manke earned her Ph.D. in organizational leadership, policy, and development and a M.Ed. in adult education from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities and leads leadership development programs for […]

David Peterson (BS ’67) published the book, A Mind of His Own: An Autobiography. David spent his formative years in Minnesota. He holds a BS in Spanish Secondary Education from the University of Minnesota and an MA in Spanish American Literature from the University of Wisconsin that led to his appreciation of Latin American culture. […]

Tim Delmont (PhD ’80, educational policy & administration) published the book Everyday Dad: A Memoir About Single Parenting. It is the story of his first ten years as a single parent of his ten-week-old daughter and five-year-old son, following the unexpected death of his wife at age thirty-three. Tim shares his mistakes and joys as […]