Alumni Awards

Minnetonka Public Schools and the Minnetonka Alumni Association celebrate the accomplishments of outstanding alumni at our annual awards event during homecoming each year.

Submit a Nomination by January 31!

Up to ten awards may be presented each year. Awards are selected by the Minnetonka Alumni Association Board, with input from District leaders.

Deadline: Nominations are accepted throughout the year. Decisions for the annual awards are made in February each year. Nominations submitted after January 31 will be considered for the following year.

Awards may be presented in the following categories:

Distinguished Alumni Award

This award is Minnetonka’s premier alumni honor, recognizing distinguished professional achievement, distinguished leadership and/or distinguished service toward the greater good. Recipient(s) must have graduated from Minnetonka High School at least 20 years prior to receiving the award.

Nomination Form

Past recipients:

2009 - D. Bruce Johnstone '59
2009 - Matthew Slaughter '86
2010 - Dr. Prudence Lam '89
2010 - Jan Malcolm '73
2011 - Lee Blessing '67
2011 - Peter Holthe '78
2012 - Mark Kroll '70
2012 - Tom Staggs '78
2013 - Stephen Pouliot '63
2013 - Mary Story '69
2014 - Deborah (Smith) Mayer '65
2014 - Dr. Steven Miles '68
2015 - Donald Mark '65
2015 - Anna Nelson '91
2015 - Gary Sundem '63
2016 - Robin Phillips '81
2016 - James (Jim) Rice '65
2017 - Lori Palmer '65
2017 - Richard Humleker '67
2019 - Ed Deutschlander '89
2019 - Mike Bussey '65
2019 - Bob Naegele '57
2020 - Jane Brattain '65
2020 - Richard Martin '56
2021 - Dr. Joni (Hlavacek) Schwartz-Chaney '71
2021 - John Stanoch '76
2022 -Dr. Courtney (Heniff) Albinson ‘92
2022 - Bruce Goetz ’63
2023 - Molly Beth (Obsatz) Griffin ‘01
2023 - Dr. Allan Sonsteby ‘83
2024 - Greg Hoffman ‘88
2024 - Dr. Michael Clark Steiner

Distinguished Service Award

This award is open to any Minnetonka alumni and recognizes significant service benefiting the greater good. This can include volunteering, philanthropic leadership, military service or contribution to the Minnetonka Alumni Association itself.

Nomination Form

Past recipients:

2009 - Tad Shaw (Former Board Member), Bob Miller ’54 and Steve Frazier (Former Teacher)
2009 - Nancy Countryman '59
2011 - Charlie Kanan '69 and Frank Kuzma '79
2012 - Carl Zinn '61
2013 - Bob Williams '39
2015 - Brian Kuhnly '78
2016 - Bonnie Board Niles '67
2017 - Cornell Anderson '66
2019 - Bill Loeber '69
2020 - Tonya Andruskiewicz '92
2021 - Sharon (Haley) Hermel '65 and Carol (Fischer) Parker '65
2022 - James Turner ‘69
2023 - Rogene (Hanson) Meriwether ‘76
2024 - Corby Koehler ’91

Young Alumni Achievement Award

This award honors alumni within fifteen years of graduating from Minnetonka High School for distinguished achievement in any one of the following: post-secondary academic achievement, professional achievement, distinguished leadership or distinguished service toward the greater good.

Nomination Form

Past recipients:

Skippers Hall of Fame (Arts, Activities, Athletics)

Providing an opportunity to remember the good times, the Skippers Hall of Fame inducts an individual or team for achievements in arts, activities or athletics. Induction reflects achievements that stand the test of time, by alumni who graduated from MHS more than 10 years ago.

Nomination Form

Past recipients:

Faculty Hall of Fame

Nominated by a former student, the Faculty Hall of Fame will honor a Minnetonka School District teacher or administrator who inspired in students a passion to excel with confidence and hope.

Nomination Form

Past recipients:

2009 - Martin Thames, Chemistry Teacher
2009 - Dan Geldert, Band Director
2009 - Raymond Minkler, Choir and Band Director
2010 - Einer Anderson, Physical Education Teacher
2010 - David Ringstad, Social Studies Teacher
2010 - Mary Skoy, English Teacher
2011 - Joe Lane, Physical Education Teacher and Coach
2011 - Roger "Bud" Leak, Social Studies Teacher and Coach
2011 - Yosh Sudo, Social Studies Teacher
2012 - Ed Haley, Guidance Counselor and Teacher
2012 - Harold Melby, Principal at Groveland Elementary
2013 - Lynn Krafve, Teacher and Coach
2013 - Bob Rogness, Teacher and Coach
2014 - Brad Board '66, Principal at Deephaven and Minnewashta, MHS Athletic Director
2014 - William Chisholm, English Teacher
2015 - Steve Frazier, Counselor and Social Studies Teacher
2015 - Jane Ann Goltz, Special Education Teacher
2015 - Lloyd Law, Principal at Groveland, Minnewashta and Excelsior
2015 - Randy Nelson, Social Studies Teacher, Work Experience Coordinator and Soccer Coach
2016 - Lynn Johnson Owens '62 , Second Grade Teacher at Deephaven
2016 - Walt "Doc" West, Physical Education Teacher, Athletic Director and Coach
2017 - Howard Young, Social Studies at MHS
2017 - Bill Seibert '64, Physical Education at Scenic Heights and MMW
2019 - Sue Adamek, Social Studies at MHS
2019 - Juris Terauds, Drafting at MME and MHS
2020 - Joan Larson, Choral Director at MHS
2022 - Bill Keeler, Biology at MME/MMW/MHS
2023 - Earl Christ, P.E., Biology, Health and Basketball Coach at MHS
2023 - David Gartner, Alpine Ski Coach at MHS
2024 - David Stearns, Special Education at MHS and Tennis Coach at MHS
2024 - Ernie Gulner, English at MHS

Nomination Form

View Past Award Honorees

15th Annual Alumni Awards

Minnetonka Public Schools and the Minnetonka Alumni Association celebrated the accomplishments of our outstanding alumni and former faculty members on Saturday, September 28, 2024. The event was held from 10 a.m.-noon at Minnetonka High School. A light brunch was provided. The event was free and open to the public.