The Alumni of the Year award recognizes a graduate who has exhibited exceptional volunteer or career leadership and personal character. Nominees must be a Metropolitan State graduate.
- Alumni of the Year Recipients
- Past alumni award recipients
- Alumni of the Year nomination/selection policy
- Alumni of the Year nomination rules
- Nomination Form of the Alumni of the Year 2010
2009: Margaret Lovejoy
Margaret Lovejoy (1990) is the founder and executive director of The Family Place - Ramsey County's only day shelter for homeless families with children.
As an employee of the St. Paul Council of Churches in the late 1990s, Lovejoy interacted with homeless families on a regular basis. It was clear to her that during the daytime, their needs weren't being met. Lovejoy envisioned a place where these families could spend their days and receive the support needed to bring stability to their lives.
Lovejoy began the project with her own money and was then able to secure funding and support from Ramsey County and numerous other agencies to open The Family Place in October 2001. Since that time, The Family Place has functioned as a central hub for homeless families needing services in Ramsey County.
Lovejoy is a former member of the St. Paul Area Coalition for the Homeless and former Trustee of the Jeremiah Program. A highly-sought after speaker, she has given workshop presentations at the 2007 Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless Conference and the 2008 Invisible Child Conference.
She has earned a bachelor of arts degree in communications from Metropolitan State University, a master of arts, religion and theology from the United Theological Seminary and is a doctoral student at the University of St. Thomas studying educational leadership.
Lovejoy is an innovator, a visionary, and an advocate and was named a General Mills "Local Legend" in January 2009 for her active involvement in the community.
2008: Jesse Bethke Gomez
Jesse Bethke Gomez (1987) is the president of Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio (CLUES), which serves Minnesota's Latino community through a variety of health and social services. In 2006, Bethke Gomez received the Reconocimiento Ohtli from the Consulate of Mexico in Saint Paul for his work in advancing the lives of Mexican nationals in the United States. Also that year, he wrote the foreword for the book titled Latinos in Minnesota. In 2003, he was appointed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty to serve as a panel member on the Minnesota Citizens Forum Leadership Panel on Healthcare Costs led by former U.S. Senator David Durenberger. Bethke Gomez is also a recipient of the prestigious Presidential Scholarship Award, which was presented by U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole, then-president of the American National Red Cross.
For the past three years, he was a member of the Metropolitan State Alumni Association Board. He also serves as a member on the following boards of directors: Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis Foundation, Catholic Spirit Publishing Company, Wells Fargo East Metro Bank Group Community Board of Advisors and Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Plus of Minnesota. He is also a member of the Community Action Diversity Council for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. At the University of Minnesota, he is an Alumni of Notable Achievement in the College of Liberal Arts and also a member of the Dean's Advisory council for the College of Human Ecology.
2007: Jim Lukaszewski
Jim Lukaszewski(1974) is considered to be among the founders of modern American crisis communication management techniques, and is the author of several books and hundreds of articles on crisis management and leadership. He is profiled in the publication, Contemporary Legends of Public Relations. His monographs and newsletters are available at his Web site, www.e911.com.
He has been involved as an alumnus of Metropolitan State in many ways, and, in April of 2007, along with President Wilson Bradshaw and Professor Susan Rydell, he hosted the first gathering of Metropolitan State alumni and friends in New York City.
2006: Yusef Mgeni
Yusef Mgeni (1974) and Metropolitan State share a rich and colorful history together. He was one of the university's first enrolled students, taught classes at the institution, and helped Metropolitan State with recruitment, fundraising, promotion and other efforts.
But his long-time association with and support for the university is not the sole reason the Saint Paul Public School's equity chief was selected the university's 2006 "Alumni of the Year". It's also his mile-long and soul-deep commitment to community service and social justice.
A member of the superintendent's cabinet, Mgeni directs equity and inter-district programs, multicultural activities and acts as a bridge between the district and community groups, communities of color and others. Previous to his position with the Saint Paul Schools, Mgeni was president and CEO of the Twin Cities Urban Coalition for 12 years. Mgeni's passion for community service is also evident in his prior work at the Northwest Area Foundation in Saint Paul and the Sabathani Community Center, Inc. in Minneapolis. He was also an award-winning community journalist in radio, television and in the print media.
2005: Victoria Reinhardt
Victoria Reinhardt (1996 and 1999) began her life in public service as a president of her local Parent Teacher Organization. In 1996, she was elected to the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners and in the same year she earned her B.A. from Metropolitan State University. Victoria used her experience working to decrease departmental boundaries and shifting Ramsey County's focus to reward long-term outcomes as the basis for her 1999 MBA thesis at Metropolitan State. In 2000, she received the Bruce Vento Distinguished Service Award from the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless and was named one of the 25 Most Innovative Women in the Twin Cities by CityBusiness. Victoria was elected Chair of the Ramsey County Board in January 2004. She is currently working toward a doctorate in public administration. Victoria is married to Assistant Attorney General J.P. Barone, and has two sons and a daughter-in-law, Michael, Erich and Sarah.
2004: Jean Hart
Jean Hart, a long-time executive with the Saint Paul Foundation, was selected the university's 2004 Alumni of the Year. A 1979 Metropolitan State graduate, Hart was with the foundation 22 years, working as grants and programs vice president, senior vice present and deputy director and last serving as special assignments director before retiring in March 2003. She also served as assistant secretary/treasurer for the Bigelow foundation and assistant secretary for Mardag Foundation. Among other Saint Paul Foundation activities, Hart was involved in adult literacy, promoting diversity, AIDS research and education, evaluating family sexual abuse programs, enhancing elementary school libraries and developing a community-owned grant-making program in the Summit-University area. Hart also served in a variety of leadership positions with the Metropolitan State Foundation, the Minnesota Children's Museum, Twin Cities Public Television, the Science Museum of Minnesota, Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library and other community organizations.
2003: State Senator Sandra Pappas
State Senator Sandra Pappas (1986). Pappas has served the state of Minnesota with 18 years of public service. She was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives, where she served three terms. In 1990 she was elected to the Minnesota State Senate, where is still serves District 65. She is an activist and is involved in the environmental and women's movements.
2002: John Owens
John Owens (1994), president and CEO of Owens Companies, Inc., a heating and air conditioning company. Owens was recognized for his corporate and volunteer leadership, working to improve the health, welfare and qualify of life for all Minnesotans. Owens raised more than $20,000 for people with AIDS and a significant amount for cancer research.
2001: Bernice Sisson
Bernice Sisson (1986) was a pioneer in the international battered women's movement. She is a longtime community activist and lifelong learner. She was a cofounder of the first battered women's shelter in the country. She worked in the trenches, offering information to battered women on their legal right plus food, clothing and housing availability. Sisson was out in public, educating people about the dynamics of domestic violence and lobbying legislators, foundations and other for more shelter funding.
2000: Segundo Velasquez
Segundo Velasquez (1992) was selected because of his outstanding leadership and his contributions to both local and international communities. Velasquez and his wife, Joan, formed the "Mano a Mano Medical Resources". This nonprofit, all volunteer organization collects, packages and ships surplus medical equipment and supplies for the Twin Cities are to Bolivia, South American's poorest nation. Mano a Mano has upgraded exam, operating and delivery rooms, and dental and x-ray facilities. They constructed, equipped and supplied clinics in four poor communities, funded medical staff in two clinics and contributed medical inventory to over 50 hospitals, clinics and long-term care facilities throughout Bolivia.
1999: Sam Rock
Sam Rock (1988) was recognized for his outstanding leadership and commitment to the Native American populations. He has received many awards citing his training activities in diversity, language and culture. He has held prestigious positions at the Bureau of Indian Affairs and at the White Earth Reservation. His love for children and expanding knowledge has been praised. Rock exhibited exceptional leadership, service and personal character.
1996 25th Anniversary Award:
Peter Bell (1976), Nancy Blanchard (1981), Julie DeCosse (1996), Cheryl Dickson (1976), Joanne Englund (1974), Brian Goodroad (1992), James Griffin (1974), Gloria Haines (1991), Clarence Harris (1974), Terri Hawthorne (1977), Ange Hwang (1992), John Laux (1990), Juan Lopez (1983), Clarice "Chris" Matteson (1976), Vince McGraw (1976), Yusef Mgeni (1974), Rosalia "Sally" Olsen (1973), Elsa Vega-Perez (1993), Victoria Reinhardt (1996), Charlotte Samuelson (1977), Arvid Schwartz (1979), John Sipe (1991), Linda White-Anderson (1983) and Marcia Yugend (1990).
1987 Volunteer Services Award, Carolyn Ring (1978)
1987 Alumni Volunteer Service Award, Linda White-Anderson (1985)
1987 Public Service Award, James Griffin (1974)
1985 Association Volunteer Award, Thomas Ransom (1977)
1985 Public Service Award, Rep., Rosalie "Sally" Olsen (1973)
1982 Association Service Award: Virginia "Ginny" (Johnson) McCain (1974)
Alumni of the Year nomination/selection policy:
Metropolitan State graduates, staff and faculty or members of the community may nominate a candidate.
Each nominee is judged on the quality of their leadership performance and/or the extent to which they have made a meaningful contribution to Metropolitan State University and/or the community. In order for the nominee to be adequately evaluated, the quality of the nomination itself may be a factor in the selection committee's decision. Therefore, please provide sufficient information in the nomination by answering the questions as completely as possible.
The selection committee consists of an appointed Alumni Association Board committee, the Association Board president and the alumni relations and annual giving coordinator. The committee forwards their recommendation to the Alumni Association Board for approval.
Alumni of the Year nomination rules:
- Nominations must be submitted in writing.
- Nominations are accepted by mail, e-mail, fax or in person.
- E-mail nomination to vicki.lofquist@metrostate.edu; fax to Alumni Relations and Development Office 651-793-1825; or mail to Metropolitan State University, Attn: Vicki Lofquist, 700 East Seventh Street, Suite 219, Saint Paul, MN 55106-5000. The recipient will be honored at the spring Recognition Dinner.
2010 Alumni of the Year nomination form (Word document)
For questions or more information: contact Vicki Lofquist, alumni relations and annual giving director at 651-793-1810 or e-mail: vicki.lofquist@metrostate.edu.