Boyer Building Corporation has consistently and generously been involved with MCE for 19 years. They donated and built the Tour de Tonka finish-line scaffolding, they built improvement projects at our MCEC facility, they advertise in MCE catalogs, and Boyer Building has been a Tour de Tonka sponsor since 2009. Boyer Building has always taken visible and tangible action in their support of Minnetonka Community Education.
Dana worked for MCE’s Early Childhood Program in the Child and Family support area for 21 years. During that time, her expertise supported countless children and families through challenging educational and developmental times both on site and at home visits. Dana was always a staff favorite and someone that families trusted. Dana was fully committed to her students and families, and always led with kindness, grace, and generosity.
Ron was a longtime MCE volunteer, original Tour de Tonka committee member, and a dynamic force for good within the community. Ron volunteered for multiple events for MCE since 2006. Ron helped form the 19-year fundraising relationship between the ICA Food Shelf and Tour de Tonka. He won an award from the Minnesota Community Education Association in 2012. Ron was recognized with a District Spinner Award at the Celebration of Excellence event in 2014 – all highlighting his lifetime of community service, generosity, and kind spirit.
Steve Pieh is a longtime volunteer and advisory council member who has been instrumental in making Tour de Tonka a reality. Steve is an outstanding volunteer who is the first to raise his hand to help, shares creative ideas and solutions, reliably shows up, offers connections to others who can contribute, works extremely hard no matter the cause, and does it all most humbly with an engaging smile and great patience.
Margaret Coldwell is a retired ECFE and Parent Educator for MCE. Margaret's passion for young families and their children is evident in every interaction she has. Margaret is a wonderful supporter of Minnetonka Community Education who goes above and beyond expectations in all she does. Margaret continues to be involved at MCEC as a valued substitute teacher.
Mary Hall has been an outstanding MCE employee over the last 41 years. She has shown loyalty and commitment to her work and our community. Mary has worked with our Explorers Billing and enrollment team and is also very involved as a volunteer in MCE events including Tour de Tonka, Youth Triathlon, Firecracker Run and the Ice Fishing Tournament. Mary has made a significant, consistent, and long-lasting community impact through her work with MCE.
Lynn Johnson’s role as a volunteer has been instrumental in support of many of MCE’s signature events, including the Tonka Youth Triathlon, Tour de Tonka and, as former Mayor of Excelsior, she helped to bring the Excelsior Firecracker Run to MCE in 2014. In fact, Lynn is the founder of the Firecracker Run, some 45 years ago. Lynn continues to take an active role in all MCE events. Lynn also serves as a member of the MCE Advisory Council and is a past chair of the advisory council.
Jim Jones served as the Director of MCE from its inception in 1973 until 1996. He ran the program with energy and enthusiasm. He enlisted the support of volunteers, leaders and residents of the ten cities encompassed in the District as well as the community education staff. Jim set the standard for strong programming and community involvement that continues today.
Lois Norby served as Coordinator of Volunteer Programs at Minnetonka Community Education throughout the 80s and 90s. Lois worked within the District to recruit residents of all ages to volunteer time in classrooms and organize community support for referenda, while identifying potential leadership to support the Minnetonka mission throughout the District. Lois’s work at bringing speakers and creating partnerships in our schools was legendary.