Summer 2025
Alumni Awards
The Minnetonka Alumni Association celebrates the accomplishments of outstanding alumni at an annual awards brunch during homecoming each year. Awards may be presented in the following categories: Distinguished Alumni Award, Distinguished Service Award, Young Alumni Achievement, Skippers Hall of Fame (Arts, Activities, Athletics), Faculty Hall of Fame.
View All Alumni Award Honorees
Deadline:Nominations are accepted throughout the year. Decisions for the annual awards are made in June each year. Nominations submitted after February 1 will be considered for the following year.
Minnetonka Public Schools and the Minnetonka Alumni Association will celebrate the accomplishments of our outstanding alumni and former faculty members on Saturday, September 27 for our alumni awards event.
Judge Cynthia McCollum ’76 has dedicated her career to upholding the core values of fairness, integrity and service in the legal system. After nearly three decades as a public defender, she now serves as a judge in Dakota County, where she ensures that every defendant is given fair treatment.
A renowned physician and HIV/AIDS researcher, Dr. Johnson was a global leader in antiviral drug development and help set international standards for HIV care. As the first female faculty member in UAB’s Infectious Diseases Division, she authored nearly countless scientific papers, mentored hundreds of physicians, and played a pivotal role in advancing clinical treatment worldwide.
Read about Molly Beth (Obsatz) Griffin '01 and Dr. Allan Sonsteby '83, the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award honorees.
Read about Dr. Courtney (Heniff) Albinson ‘92 and Bruce Goetz ‘63, this year’s 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award honorees.
Read about Dr. Joni (Hlavacek) Schwartz ‘71 and John Stanoch ‘76, this year’s 2021 Distinguished Alumni Award honorees.
Jane (Zachary) Brattain never intended to have a cancer treatment center named after her; but then, she didn’t intend to be diagnosed with breast cancer, either.
Richard Martin has been recognized by many for his outstanding 43-year career with the National Park Service.
Bob Naegele lived a life of excellence. From business success to philanthropy, he never settled for good enough. Despite his many achievements, there is no doubt that Bob’s most celebrated moment came when he successfully led the efforts to bring NHL Hockey back to Minnesota, “The State of Hockey.”
Edward Deutschlander is a highly respected business leader in the Twin Cities area. As CEO of the North Star Resource Group, Ed leads more than 300 financial advisors and team members in one of the nation’s oldest privately held financial firms.
Michael Bussey’s 55-year history with the YMCA started at the age of 15 when he worked as an assistant counselor at Camp Christmas Tree, a Minneapolis day camp. “It was the first time I realized that I could be paid for doing something I loved,” says Mike, who earned $30 that summer.
