Augsburg University is proud to announce the winners of the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award, First Decade Award, and Spirit of Augsburg Award. These outstanding alumni will be recognized at a public ceremony and reception on October 11 as part of Augsburg’s 2024

Distinguished Alumni Award

The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes significant achievement in vocation, for outstanding contribution to church and community, and for a life that exemplifies the ideals and mission of Augsburg University. The 2024 honorees are:

• Brian Greseth ’83, educator and superintendent, Glades County School District (Okeechobee, FL)
• Vicki Ellingrod ’89, dean of the College of Pharmacy and John Gideon Searle Professor of Translational Pharmacy, University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI)
• Judge Pamela Alexander ’74, retired Fourth Judicial District judge for Hennepin County (Charlotte, NC)

First Decade Award

The First Decade Award is presented to Augsburg graduates of the past 10 years who have made significant progress in their professional achievements and contributions to the community, and in so doing exemplify the mission of the university. The 2024 honorees are:

• Promise Okeke ’15, CEO, NovoPath (New York, NY)
• Kirubel Frew ’14, vice president of business development, Viz.ai (Boston, MA)

Spirit of Augsburg Award

The Spirit of Augsburg Award honors alumni and friends of the university who have given exceptional service that contributes substantially to the well-being of Augsburg by furthering its purposes and programs. The 2024 honorees are:

• Boyd Koehler, associate professor and librarian emeritus (Minneapolis, MN)
• Martha Gisselquist ’86, Augsburg Health Commons volunteer and supporter (Bloomington, MN)

Learn more about the 2024 alumni award winners.

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Augsburg University is proud to announce the winners of the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award, First Decade Award, and Spirit of Augsburg Award. These outstanding alumni will be recognized at a special ceremony and reception on October 13 as part of Augsburg’s 2023 homecoming and reunion weekend. Learn more about the 2023 alumni award winners.

Distinguished Alumni Award

The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes significant achievement in vocation, for outstanding contribution to church and community, and for a life that exemplifies the ideals and mission of Augsburg University. The 2023 honorees are:

• Jan Nelson Meslin ’72, immigration justice activist and community organizer (Cayucos, CA)
• James Rodde ’74, choral conductor and professor, Iowa State University (Ames, IA)
• Devoney Looser ’89, author, Jane Austen scholar, and professor of English, Arizona State University (Phoenix, AZ)
• Tsehai Wodajo ’97, social worker and founder, Resources for the Enrichment of African Lives (St. Paul, MN)

First Decade Award

The First Decade Award is presented to Augsburg graduates of the past 10 years who have made significant progress in their professional achievements and contributions to the community, and in so doing exemplify the mission of the university. The 2023 honorees are:

• Kacie Lucchini Butcher ’13, public historian and director, Rebecca M. Blank Center for Campus History, University of Wisconsin—Madison (Madison, WI)
• Mychal Frelix ’19 MBA, co-founder and chief operating officer, TurnSignl (Chaska, MN)
• Andre Creighton ’19 MBA, co-founder and chief financial officer, TurnSignl (Buffalo, MN)

Spirit of Augsburg Award

The Spirit of Augsburg Award honors alumni and friends of the university who have given exceptional service that contributes substantially to the well-being of Augsburg by furthering its purposes and programs. The 2023 honoree is Paul Mueller ’84, Mayo Clinic Health System regional vice president, former Board of Regents member, and chair, Great Returns: We’re All In campaign (LaCrosse, WI).

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First Decade Award – Brenda Talarico

The First Decade Award is presented to Augsburg graduates of the past 10 years who have made significant progress in their professional achievements and contributions to the community, and in so doing exemplify the mission of the College: to prepare future leaders in service to the world. Graduates from the day, weekend, and graduate programs are eligible.

Brenda has always had a strong connection to Augsburg with four family members and a husband who claim Augsburg as their alma mater. After receiving her Physician Assistant certificate in 1999 from Augsburg, she received a master’s in physician assistant studies from the University of Nebraska and worked as a PA for four years before returning to Augsburg to teach full time. Here, Brenda has developed a program that introduces diverse high school students to the physician assistant profession and provides hands-on learning experiences about health and wellness.

Spirit of Augsburg Award – Jim Haglund

The Spirit of Augsburg Award honors alumni and friends of the College who have given exceptional service that contributes substantially to the well being of Augsburg by furthering its purposes and programs.

Jim Haglund has been involved with Augsburg College as a member of the Board of Regents, as a donor and long-time supporter of the College and its students, including his own daughter, Dawn, who is a 1997 graduate of Augsburg. He is the president and owner of Minneapolis-based Central Container Corporation and is co-owner of Spectrum Screen Printing. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and St. Thomas.

Distinguished Alumni Awards

The Augsburg College Board of Regents and the Augsburg Alumni Association bestow the Distinguished Alumni Award in recognition of significant achievement in vocation, for outstanding contribution to church and community, and for a life that exemplifies the ideals and mission of Augsburg College.

Tove Dahl ’84 and Curt Rice ’84 [pictured above]

Despite living and working in Norway, Tove Dahl and Curt Rice have remained closely connected to and involved in the life of Augsburg College since their graduation. In addition to serving as an associate professor of psychology at the University of Troms, and as the dean of Skogfjorden, the Norwegian village of Concordia’s International Villages, Tove also sits on the board of Norway’s Centre for Peace Studies.

Curt chaired the English department at the University of Tromsø before becoming the Director of the Center for Advanced Study in Theoretical Linguistics (CASTL), which was the first Center of Excellence at the University. Curt is also the co-editor of Linguistic Inquiry and serves on the editorial boards of several linguistics journals. In January 2009 Curt became the Pro-Rector for Research and Development at the University of Tromsø.

Phebe Hanson ’50

A founding member of The Loft Literary Center, Phebe Hanson is a highly respected figure who has used her gifts as a poet and journal keeper, teacher, mentor, and innovator and generator of excellence in Minnesota’s arts community. After graduating from Augsburg in 1950, Phebe taught high school English for two years in rural Minnesota. She married John Hanson ’48 in 1953 and spent the next 12 years raising their three children and a series of foster children, teaching Sunday school, and participating in civil rights and peace organizations.

Richard Thorud ’54

Richard “Dick” Thorud, who attended Augsburg from 1952 to 1954, has achieved excellence in a variety of fields including technology, writing, and the fine arts. He was an engineer in Research and Development at Toro Co. where he conceived or developed 52 patents. Dick has been published in the technical and non-technical fields, and his photography has been exhibited at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, Walker Art Center, and at the Minnesota State Fair. In 1995, Dick received a personal commendation from Gov. Arne Carlson for his contributions “to the economy and welfare of the State of Minnesota.”

Joyce Pfaff ’65

A teacher, coach, athlete, mentor, advocate, and friend to many, Joyce Pfaff has been a driving force for women’ s athletics at Augsburg her entire career. After graduating from Augsburg in 1965 with an education degree, Joyce accepted a teaching position which led to a 43-year career with the College. She was a pioneer in developing opportunities for women to participate in intercollegiate athletics, starting the first volleyball, gymnastics, tennis, softball, and track and field teams for women and re-establishing the women’s basketball team at Augsburg.

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2008 Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees

Greg Chmelik ’87 Wrestling, Football

Mike Colehour ’78 Hockey

Julie Hanson ’93 Basketball, Softball

Mary Klinefelter Resch ’73 Basketball

John Mayer ’88 Baseball, Football

Chuck Preiss ’87 Basketball

Stephanie Simones ’98 Track and Field, Cross Country

Karl Sneider ’71 Football, Track

Joe Wabner ’83 Football

Darrell Wiese ’60 Distinguished Service Award

First Decade Awards

Zach Curtis ’98

An Augsburg theatre arts and English major, Zach Curtis continues to be active in the Twin Cities theater scene as an actor, artistic director, manager, and marketing director. Zach maintains a connection to Augsburg working with alumni in professional theater, speaking for Augsburg directing classes, and teaching stage combat as a guest artist for Augsburg’s Theatre Artist Series. In addition to his Bachelor’s degree from Augsburg, Zach holds a graduate degree from National Shakespeare Conservatory Program in New York.

Jeffery Cameron ’96

After completing his Bachelor’s in physics and philosophy at Augsburg, Jeffery continued his education at Hamline University School of Law. Jeff became a registered patent attorney and has also been sworn in before the Minnesota Supreme Court, the U.S. District Court, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. In 2002, he started a law firm with a friend. Jeff has returned to Augsburg to speak with students about the patent system and about careers in patent law and has served as a mentor to several Augsburg students.

Distinguished Alumni Awards

LaRhae Grindal Knatterud ’70

LaRhae graduated from Augsburg College with a Bachelor’s degree in Music. She received a MS degree in Public Affairs in 1977 from the University of Minnesota, Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs with a focus on gerontology and healthcare policy. LaRhae has been active in the aging policy, research, and program development in the study of aging and has developed new approaches to needs assessment, program and service design, and policy development that have become the standards for the aging network in Minnesota. She has been a member of Augsburg’s Masterworks Chorale for 15 years.

Dennis Kalpin ’61

Dennis graduated from Augsburg College with a Bachelor’s in Mathematics and received his Master’s degree in Education from North Dakota State University in 1976. He has been a high school mathematics teacher for 40 years and a coach for 47 years in Minnesota and North Dakota. Dennis has served on numerous committees related to his coaching career. He is also active in his church in Alexandria, Minn. Always a promoter of Augsburg, Dennis recommends Augsburg to his students and athletes.

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