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Armstrong named MSU distinguished alumnus

By Linnae Stole '10
October 5, 2009

Anton Armstrong ’78, the Harry R. and Thora H. Tosdal Professor of Music at St. Olaf College, has been named a distinguished alumnus by Michigan State University, where he received his D.M.A. in 1987. He received the award at MSU's Grand Award Ceremony Oct. 15.

Selected annually by the MSU Alumni Association Awards Committee, the Distinguished Alumni Award is the university’s highest honor. It is given annually to those who have distinguished themselves by obtaining the highest level of professional accomplishments.

David Rayl, associate dean for graduate studies and research at MSU, nominated Armstrong, noting that his “exceptional career as a choral conductor makes him an exceptional candidate for this honor. He has attained the highest levels of artistic achievement and professional respect and admiration among his peers.”

Armstrong has been on the St. Olaf College Music Department faculty and the conductor of the St. Olaf Choir since 1990. Prior to that, he served for 10 years on the faculty of Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich. He is active as a guest conductor and clinician around the United States and abroad. In 2006 Armstrong was selected to receive the Robert Foster Cherry Award for Great Teaching from Baylor University, the single largest award given to an individual in the United States for teaching.

Contact David Gonnerman at 507-786-3315 or gonnermd@stolaf.edu.