Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients
The Distinguished Alumni Award program began in 1979 to honor distinguished alumni in recognition of their personal and professional achievements, contributions to the achievement of the college’s and/or foundation’s mission, community leadership that promotes partnerships with the college, and/or significant contributions to society or the community. Beginning 2004, the award is bestowed every even-numbered year.
This table lists Riverland distinguished alumni award recipients, with the most recent year first.
| Award Year | Recipient | Position at Time of Award |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Jason Fornwald | Speech Language Pathologist |
| 2022 | Darlene Voeltz | Retired RCTC Instructor |
| 2018 | Nancy Christopherson | Retired Riverland Instructor |
| 2016 | Alice Holst | Austin Branch President, US Bank |
| 2014 | John J. Gray, Jr. | Assistant Secretary-Treasurer of the Hormel Foundation |
| 2012 | Dr. Donna R. Schumacher | Nursing Education Specialist, Mayo Clinic |
| 2010 | Scott Richardson | Attorney-at-Law |
| 2008 | J. Thomas Mott | Judge, Minnesota District Court |
| 2006 | Ardell Brede | Mayor of Rochester, Minnesota |
| 2004 | C. Jerry Nelson | Professor of Agronomy, University of Missouri |
| 1995 | Greg Meyer | Business Owner, State Farm Insurance |
| 1994 | J. Douglas Myers | Superintendent, Austin Public Schools |
| 1993 | Joe Mott | Minister, Crane Community Chapel |
| 1992 | Fred Robinson | Business Owner, Robinson Business Forms |
| 1991 | Jerry Anfinson | Certified Public Accountant |
| 1990 | James Flannery | ACC President |
| 1989 | Charles Jahren | ACC Instructor |
| 1988 | Paul Goodnature | Educator |
| 1987 | Mary Weber Keenan | County Commissioner |
| 1985 | Tom Nelson | Senator, State of Minnesota |
| 1983 | Stephen Wright | Engineer |
| 1982 | Phyllis (Dankers) Yes | Artist and Educator |
| 1981 | Colleen Ashton | Actress |
| 1980 | LaVonne Painter | Physician |
| 1979 | James Mork | Judge, Minnesota District Court |