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Seven St. Olaf College graduates to be cited as Distinguished Alumni honorees May 26, 27

mjc
May 16, 2001

NORTHFIELD, Minn. ? Seven St. Olaf College graduates will be honored as Distinguished Alumni Awards winners during the college?s "Celebration 2001" commencement and reunion weekend Saturday and Sunday, May 26 and 27.

Distinguished Alumni Award recipients are selected each year based on distinction in profession, community service, religious involvement and involvement in St. Olaf. The seven will be cited at an All-Alumni Banquet Saturday evening, May 26, and will be recognized by President Christopher Thomforde during St. Olaf College?s commencement Sunday, May 27.

The seven recipients for 2001 are David Benton (Class of 1973), Robert A. Flaten (1956), DeLores Hinrichs Henehan (1941), Ruth Kelly Hustad (1955), Jeanne Kunau Narum (1957), Herbert M. Stellner Jr. (1950) and Steve Sviggum (1973).

David Benton, Devon, Pa., was instrumental in the Human Genome Project and today helps researchers discover the next generation of antibiotics. Benton has been involved in cell research and genetics since earning his Ph.D. in 1984. He managed GenBank, the U.S. national genetic sequence database, at IntelliGenetics Inc. In 1990, at the inception of the U.S. Human Genome Project, he joined the Genome Informatics Program at the National Institutes of Health, National Human Genome Research Institute. As director he developed a new program awarding grants for high quality research in genome informatics. In 1997 he joined the Advanced Information Technology department of SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals (now Glaxo Smith Kline), where he leads a group helping to make data and information more accessible and useful for researchers working to discover new antibiotics. A diligent and dedicated church member, he has served as a Sunday school teacher and leads adult education classes, sparking new programs which have enlivened parish life.

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Distinguished Alumni Awards ? 2

Robert A. Flaten, Northfield, Minn., was ambassador to Rwanda for three years and served the American Foreign Service for 32 years. Regarded as a true professional, highly informed and representing the best in American diplomacy, Flaten worked for more than two years to mediate a peace settlement between Hutu and Tutsi leaders. He also served as director of the State Department Office of India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, and as director of the Office of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh Affairs in Washington, D.C. He organized and spearheaded a legislative plan for continuing assistance to Pakistan and Afghanistan, and was part of the team that negotiated the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan. He retired from the Foreign Service in 1994. Now he is chair of the executive committee of the Nobel Peace Prize Forum, and is a member of the nominating committee for the annual Immortal Chaplains Prize for Humanity.

DeLores ("Dee") Hinrichs Henehan rejuvenated the town of Britton, S.D. The town?s former mayor and the "trend-setter in her community," Henehan has spent her life in public service. She served for 10 years as mayor, establishing a revolving community development fund from which 14 local businesses have benefited; obtaining grants for airport renovation and sewer repairs; building a city park and tennis courts for the town; and establishing Marshall County?s recycling program. She is secretary of the Britton Housing and Redevelopment Commission, under whose guidance the first handicapped-accessible apartments are being built. She also has been president of the church council, plans and hosts a monthly Bible study at a local nursing home, finds supplemental music for summer church services and has taught Sunday school for 20 years.

Ruth Kelly Hustad, Eden Prairie, Minn., has developed hundreds of acres in Eden Prairie, creating beautiful neighborhoods while maintaining careful stewardship of the land. She is president of Hustad Real Estate in Eden Prairie and chair of Hustad Development Corp., and has been vice chair of the Metropolitan Waste Commission and president of the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce. She has helped improve health care for Minnesotans as trustee and chair for Fairview Southdale Hospital and as a member of the Fairview corporate board. Active in church stewardship, she recognizes and acts on the belief that one person can make an impact, and that each person is responsible to bring good to the community, the church, the family and the world.

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Distinguished Alumni Awards ? 3

Jeanne Kunau Narum, Washington, D.C., is one of the nation?s premier players in the effort to reform undergraduate science and mathematics education. In 1989, at the request of the National Science Foundation, she spearheaded a study of the role of liberal arts colleges in science and mathematics education ? an effort that led to the founding of Project Kaleidoscope. Her leadership and creativity has made Project Kaleidoscope the catalyst for science and mathematics education reform. Currently she directs the Independent Colleges Office, mentoring a select group of liberal arts colleges in their relations with federal agencies and programs. She is a board member at the National Council on Undergraduate Research, a councilor for the Council on Undergraduate Research, and a member of the National Research Council Committee on recognizing, evaluating and rewarding excellence in undergraduate teaching. She also has served as vice president for development at Augsburg College, director of development at Dickinson College, and director of government and foundation relations at St. Olaf College.

Herbert M. Stellner Jr., Kasson, Minn., has been active in the arts, education and business development in Minnesota as senior vice president and manager of Marquette Bank?s trust department in Rochester, Minn., and as a development officer for the Mayo Foundation. His "commitment to give back" has been the hallmark of his satisfying and productive career in business, church and community. He has served as president of the Rochester Art Center, chairman of the Rochester Area Foundation and chairman of the Minnesota Higher Education Facilities Authority. As an early art donor to Steensland Art Museum at St. Olaf, he is a member of Steensland?s advisory committee and was instrumental in the creation of the Ella and Kaare Nygaard Foundation. He also has established a number of scholarships for St. Olaf College students.

Steve Sviggum, Kenyon, Minn., is the second most powerful political leader in Minnesota as speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives. A public servant for more than 20 years, he has been elected to the Minnesota House every two years since 1978, and has been House Republican leader since 1993. He has earned the respect of his colleagues by following a consistent philosophy, articulating himself in an understandable and common-sense way, being generous with his time, and being open to the ideas of others. A former high school math teacher and football and basketball coach, he has developed a strong commitment to education and has placed it, as well as agriculture, high on his priority list. He has worked hard for better financial aid for private college students through the Minnesota State Grant Program. Active in Vang Lutheran Church, he is down-to-earth and genuine, committed to his family, church, community and state.

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Distinguished Alumni Awards ? 4

St. Olaf College prepares students to become responsible citizens of the world, fostering development of mind, body and spirit. A four-year, coeducational liberal arts college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), St. Olaf has a student enrollment of 2,950 and a full-time faculty complement of approximately 300. It is one of Money Guide?s top 100 "elite values in college education today," and it leads the nation?s colleges in percentage of students who study abroad.

Contact Michael Cooper at 507-786-3315 or cooperm@stolaf.edu.