2024 Distinguished Alumni & Community Awards

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Distinguished Alumni & Community Awards

Please consider nominating a worthy recipient for a Distinguished Alumni & Community Award.

This program is designed to honor alumni and others for distinguished work in a number of areas. The award descriptions and past honorees are outlined below.

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Award Descriptions

Father Greg Tolaas ’74 Distinguished Service Award

This award was established to honor alumni and friends who represent our school’s values and mission in their personal and/or professional experiences. The recipient has a commitment to the core values exemplified by Hill-Murray’s Mission: Christian Values, Life-long Learning, Academic Excellence, Spiritual Growth and Social Development.

Ron Ryan Jr. ’85 Community Leadership Award

This award honors alumni and friends who demonstrate a commitment to leadership in their communities. The recipient may be parents of alumni, parents of current students, alumni or friends of the Hill-Murray School community.

Lasallian & Benedictine Awards

The Sisters of St. Benedict of St. Paul’s Monastery founded Archbishop Murray Memorial High School in 1958 to provide a Catholic education for girls living on the east side of St. Paul. The Christian Brothers, founded by St. John Baptiste de La Salle, staffed Hill High School, established in 1959, for boys living on the east side of St. Paul. When the two schools merged to become Hill-Murray High School in 1971, both charisms of the founding religious orders were embraced. The Lasallian and Benedictine Awards are meant to honor past and present faculty, staff, volunteers and Friends of Hill-Murray who, through their commitment to Catholic education and students of Hill, Archbishop Murray and Hill-Murray, embody the charisms of our founding religious orders.

Young Alumni Award

The Young Alumni Award recognizes alumni who have graduated in the past 20 years. This award pays tribute to those who are making an effective contribution to the communities in which they live or are excelling in their careers. 

The Asenbrenner/Paulson Performing & Fine Arts Award

Named for former Principal and Band Director, Frank Asenbrenner, and former Theatre Director Mark Paulson, this award celebrates and recognizes excellence in the Performing and Fine Arts field. The recipient is honored for their dedication and talent, and the impact of their work.

1993 – 2012 Distinguished Alumni

1993
David Langevin – Hill-Murray, Class of 1972

1994
William Klatt – Hill High School, Class of 1965

1996
Patrick Mogren – Hill-Murray, Class of 1979

1995
Thomas Anderson – Hill High School, Class of 1969
Ann (Nicklawske) McGee – Hill-Murray, Class of 1982
Steve Rohlik – Hill-Murray, Class of 1986

1997
Robert”Lawrence, III” – Hill High School, Class of 1963

1998
John Schatzlein – Hill High School, Class of 1967

2000
Jane Collova – Archbishop Murray Memorial High School, Class of 1964
Susan Lange Kainz – Archbishop Murray Memorial High School, Class of 1965
Connie (Schroepfer) Paquette – Archbishop Murray Memorial High School, Class of 1970
Bruce Huber – Hill High School, Class of 1965
John Russell – Hill-Murray, Class of 1979

2001
Catherine Connolly Evans – Archbishop Murray Memorial High School, Class of 1963
Gregory Tolaas – Hill-Murray, Class of 1974
Stephen Gorde – Hill-Murray, Class of 1980

2002
Kathleen DeLonais – Archbishop Murray Memorial High School, Class of 1968
Julie (Ertle) Rechtiene – Archbishop Murray Memorial High School, Class of 1970
Richard Gupman – Hill High School, Class of 2002
James Rechtiene – Hill High School, Class of 1968
Susan (Kirst) Beck – Hill-Murray, Class of 1972
Barbara (Klein) Anderson – Hill-Murray, Class of 1975

2005
Karen (Milla) Shanley – Archbishop Murray Memorial High School, Class of 1970
Terry (McKeague) Reasoner – Archbishop Murray Memorial High School, Class of 1964
Richard Naughton – Hill High School, Class of 1963
Craig Rafferty – Hill High School, Class of 1964
Thomas Kingston – Hill-Murray, Class of 1998
Ron Ryan, Jr.

2012
Patricia (Barrett) Wolff – Archbishop Murray Memorial High School, Class of 1965
Honor Hacker – Hill-Murray Faculty
Donna Wiederkehr – Hill-Murray, Class of 1978
Robert Jones – Hill High School, Class of 1962

2013 Distinguished Alumni

Don & Jean Regan – Ron Ryan, Jr. Community Leadership Award
Don and Jean have inspired us with their lifelong commitment to Hill-Murray and to Catholic education in the community at large.

Sr. Pat Collins, OSB – Benedictine Award
A Benedictine Sister for the past 60 years, Sr. Pat was one of the founders of Archbishop Murray Memorial High School in 1958. She has been a teacher, counselor, and assistant principal at AMMHS and at Hill-Murray School.

Kim Ebert Collela ’78 – Hill-Murray Heritage Award
In her passion for helping people, Kim has been a Jesuit volunteer, traveled to Calcutta to work with Mother Teresa, and traveled to Africa to work in Hospice centers with AIDS victims.

Jim Chicone ’67 – Hill High School Heritage Award
Jim is a psychologist who has worked for more than 40 years with people who have intellectual or developmental disabilities. Paul Koller – Lasallian AwardAffectionately is known as Mr. Thursday, Paul has volunteered at Hill High School, Archbishop Murray High School, and Hill-Murray for 48 years.

Theresa Kelly McPartlin ’63 – Archbishop Murray Memorial High School Heritage Award
A professor emerita of St. Catherine’s University, Theresa has spent most of her career in the field of social work and teaching.

2014 Distinguished Alumni

Dan & Pat Garofalo – Ron Ryan, Jr. Community Service Award
Dan & Pat are being honored for their outstanding commitment to Hill-Murray students and service in the surrounding community.

Brother Arnold McMullen F.S.C – Lasallian Award
Brother Arnold is being recognized for his commitment to Catholic education at Hill High School and Hill-Murray School, and his lifelong dedication to the Lasallian way of “teaching minds and touching hearts.”

Kathleen Bergstrom Juenemann ’64 – Archbishop Murray Memorial High School Heritage Award
A four-term Maplewood City Council member, Kathleen is being recognized for her innovative programs, especially in city planning and environmental issues.

Warren VanOverbeke ’87 – Father Greg Tolaas Distinguished Service Award
A Captain in the U.S. Air Force, Warren is being honored for a variety of services both here and abroad.

Terry Brown Goerke ’69 – Benedictine Award
Terry is being honored for sharing her knowledge and love of science with the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of America.

John Curtin, Sr. ’63 – Hill High School Heritage Award
A career Navy Captain, John is being recognized for his lifelong service to his country.

2016 Distinguished Alumni

Dr. Craig Svendsen ’71 – Hill High School Heritage Award
After a long and dedicated career as a physician, Craig continues to volunteer his services in retirement.

Dr. Kevin Conners ’81 – Ron Ryan Jr. Community Service Award
This award was given to Kevin for his commitment to live and work with the purpose of displaying Christian values.

Candyce Murray-Ihnot, ’67 – Archbishop Murray Memorial High School Heritage Award
Candyce was honored for a 40-year career in education, dedicated to helping children learn to read.

Brian Mogren, ’85 – Fr. Greg Tolaas Distinguished Service Award
Brian’s award reflects his dedication to restorative justice and ending violence through healing and reconciliation.

Patricia Soutor – Benedictine Award
Honored for her years of service and dedication to the Hill-Murray community, Pat worked for four athletic directors during her time here.

John Hughes, ’82 – Hill-Murray Heritage Award
This former National Press Club President founded the Friends of the Soldiers Home in Washington, D.C.

Patrick Schafhauser, ’89 – Lasallian AwardPat was honored as a role model for our student-athletes and for his foundation for severely injured athletes.

2017 Distinguished Alumni

Jane Schoelch DeFlorio ’88 – Fr. Greg Tolaas Distinguished Service Award
Recognized for her business success as well as her outstanding philanthropy to numerous organizations.

Tony Yocum IV & Ruth Yocum – Ron Ryan Jr. Community Leadership Award
Honored for their years of dedication to Hill-Murray school and their advocacy of how a Hill-Murray education can make a difference in students’ lives.

Jim Johnson – Lasallian Award
His dedication to the Hill-Murray community while serving as a teacher and Principal extends through today, as he continues to bleed green!

JoAnne Pierce Mackley ’65 – Benedictine Award
Honored for her countless volunteer hours to the Mothers Club and the Hill-Murray community over the years. A true ambassador of our school!

Joe Soucheray ’67 – Hill High School Heritage Award
Recognized for his impact as a journalist and radio personality, as well as his dedication to raising money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Margaret Shields Lindlof ’64 – Archbishop Murray Memorial High School Heritage Award
Honored for her advocacy of intelligent and compassionate child development and supportive parenting through her educational work.

Jim Weber ’78 – Hill-Murray School Heritage Award
As CEO of Brooks Running Shoes, Jim has taken the company to the highest level, while making serving the homeless part of its mission.

2018 Distinguished Alumni

Mary (Hangge) Regan ‘76 & Pat Regan ’76 – Hill-Murray School Heritage Award
Honored for their dedication to Catholic organizations throughout the community.

Kay (Callahan) Baker ’62 – Archbishop Murray High School Heritage Award
Recognized for her work in health care, volunteerism, and her dedication to keeping the AMM class of 1962 connected.

Jim Rohlik – The Lasallian Award
As a past teacher and administrator at Hill-Murray, Jim is honored for his years of dedication and leadership.

Sister Paula Hagen, OSB – The Benedictine Award
A true champion if the Benedictine way, Sister Paula is honored for her lifetime of service.

Jim Morelli ’69 – Hill High School Heritage Award
Honored for his outstanding leadership in the community of the east side and his dedication to helping those in need.

Jan & Mike Johnson – The Father Greg Tolaas Distinguished Service Award
Through their scholarship program, Jan and Mike have helped countless young men and women begin the journey of achieving their dreams, through a Catholic education at Hill-Murray.

John & Mary Wren – The Ron Ryan, Jr. Community Leadership Award
Recognized for their quiet dedication to those in need both at Hill-Murray and in the community at large.

2019 Distinguished Alumni

Rita (Gresback) Shor ’65 – Archbishop Murray High School Heritage Award
Honored for her work in science and business, and empowering people to solve problems.

Patricia (Wappel) Reily ’70 – The Ron Ryan, Jr. Community Leadership Award
Honored for her outstanding military career, and her outreach with youth and service projects.

Paul Menge ’74 – Legacy Teacher Award
Paul is honored for his dedication and innovation as a former Hill-Murray Science teacher and department chair.

Robert Blees ’67 – Hill High School Heritage Award
Recognized for his international mission work, particularly with Ebola and AIDS.

Devoney Looser ’85 – Hill-Murray School Heritage Award
Her work as a professor, scholar, and writer in the field of English earned her a Guggenheim Fellowship.

Father Paul McNellis ’65 – The Father Greg Tolaas Distinguished Service Award
His work with Jesuit students in Vietnam, the Pro-Life Movement in Boston, and his prison ministry earned him this well – deserved recognition.

David Yarusso ’74 – The Benedictine Award
A 3M Carlton Society honoree, Dave is honored for his mentorship of employees in Chemical Engineering and his work with Habitat for Humanity and the Boy Scouts of America. (Not pictured)

Dick Unger ’63 – The Lasallian Award
An outstanding Class Representative, Dick is honored for his unselfish dedication to the alumni of Hill High School (Not pictured)

 

2021 Distinguished Alumni

Mike Ackerson – Legacy Teacher Award

Mike was chosen for his outstanding dedication to his students at Hill High School, many of whom still call him a friend.

Elizabeth O’Mara ’66 – Lasallian Award

Honored for a lifetime of volunteerism, community leadership and service to others.

Colleen Jamieson – Legacy Teacher Award

Honored for her long and impactful career in teaching and for piloting a highly successful peer listening and tutoring program at Hill-Murray.

Constance Beutel ’64 – Archbishop Murray Memorial High School Heritage Award

Honored for her commitment to the advancement of women and the preservation of the environment.

Jean Busch – Hill-Murray Heritage Award

Jean is inducted for being the consummate Pioneer throughout her long and storied teaching career at HM.

Tom Yechout ’64 – Hill High School Heritage Award

For outstanding work in aerospace engineering at the Air Force Academy  and for his work with NASA.

Father Greg Skrypek – Father Greg Tolaas Distinguished Service Award

For his life as a true servant leader, especially his work with the inmates at Stillwater prison.

Cyndy Whitney ’82 – Ron Ryan, Jr. Community Service Award

For her work and dedication to battling infectious disease with the CDC and Emory University.

Sister Catherine Schoenecker, OSB – Benedictine Award

For a lifetime of humble service to others and her dedication to her Benedictine values.

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2022-23 Distinguished Alumni

Patricia Black ’62 – The Benedictine Award

Fr. George Grafsky ’63 – The Lasallian Award

Lino Rulli ’89 – The Father Greg Tolaas ’74 Distinguished Service Award

Autumn Ness ’96 – The Asenbrenner / Paulson Performing & Fine Arts Award

Chase Haider ’09 – The Young Alumni Award

Kelly Regan ’78 – The Ron Ryan, Jr. ’85 Community Leadership Award