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Nominations must be submitted by June 1 to be honored that fall. Award recipients will be notified in June.
Awards
The University of Sioux Falls was founded with the intention of providing “a general and complete education of our youth under distinctively Christian influence.” Our alumni and friends work to make this vision a reality every day. USF is dedicated to honoring the outstanding achievements of our graduates. A committee comprised of USF alumni pores over the nominations received and selects the recipient for each Alumni Achievement award.
Each year during Cougar Days, alumni and friends are invited (and highly encouraged) to attend the annual Alumni Achievement Awards Celebration where the deserving recipient for each award is honored. These awards allow USF to recognize outstanding alumni who have made exceptional contributions to their fields of endeavor, their communities and/or their churches. The honorees are recognized in the following four categories:
Established in 1986, the Alumni Pacesetter Award is presented to University of Sioux Falls alumni of 35 years of age or under. This award recognizes alumni who have made a noticeable impact in their chosen field. Demonstrating Christian values and faith, nominees should have achieved noteworthy accomplishments through outstanding leadership and creativity.
In honor of Dr. A.O. Larsen, this award recognizes his many years of distinguished service as a teacher, dean and friend of USF. The award acknowledges alumni who have been out of school five or more years and who reflect honor upon the University by their service to church, humankind and profession.
This award is named in honor of Dr. Firman A. Early, an esteemed faculty member of the University of Sioux Falls from 1944 to 1978. This award recognizes alumni who have completed at least 10 years of ministry and have demonstrated exemplary leadership in Christian ministry, their church and their community.
In honor of Lois Harchanko, this award recognizes her many years of distinguished service as a teacher, mentor and friend of USF. The award acknowledges alumni who reflect honor upon the University by their accomplishments in the field of music and to their church, humankind and their profession.
Past Recipients
| Name | Grad Year | Award year |
|---|---|---|
| Daniel Terveen | 2011 | 2023 |
| Samantha Slaubaugh | 2014 | 2023 |
| Trevor Holleman | 2010 | 2023 |
| Moses Idris | 2020 | 2022 |
| Travis Lape | 2010 | 2021 |
| Heidi Calmus | 2008 | 2020 |
| Taylor Calmus | 2009 | 2020 |
| Kyle Schock | 2011 | 2019 |
| Laurie (Hoogestraat) Feiler | 1982 | 2008 |
| David Evans | 1993 | 2005 |
| Rev. Denise Janssen | 1989 | 2004 |
| Nettie (Sanchez) Myers | 1987 | 2003 |
| Rev. Jason Folkerts | 1988 | 2003 |
| Dr. Deb (Iverson) Ihde | 1993 | 2002 |
| Liz Venenga | 1991 | 2001 |
| Tom Savage | 1992 | 2000 |
| Dr. Jacqueline (Luebeck) Bowen | 1988 | 2000 |
| Steven Young | 1984 | 1999 |
| Russ Borchardt | 1985 | 1999 |
| Cheryl (Bliek) Borchardt | 1984 | 1999 |
| Gayle (Mummert) Nelson | 1982 | 1998 |
| Donn Hill | 1982 | 1998 |
| Rich Garside | 1981 | 1997 |
| Lois Voigt | 1981 | 1996 |
| Rev. Bill Fisher | 1981 | 1996 |
| Dr. Lyombe Smith Eko | 1980 | 1995 |
| Dr. Ron Anderson | 1980 | 1995 |
| Dr. Rodney Anderson | 1980 | 1995 |
| Wendy Fisher Grimm | 1978 | 1994 |
| Ron Nelson | 1981 | 1994 |
| Robert Weniger | 1979 | 1993 |
| John Solberg | 1983 | 1992 |
| Rev. Debra Schultz Hippen | 1978 | 1992 |
| Danita (Evans) Bye | 1983 | 1992 |
| Jim House | 1980 | 1991 |
| Patti (Carlson) Guthrie | 1979 | 1990 |
| Dr. Jerry Bockoven | 1976 | 1990 |
| Dr. Curt Buchholz | 1974 | 1989 |
| Dr. Tim Mueller | 1981 | 1988 |
| Douglas Hunter | 1979 | 1988 |
| Dr. David Thye | 1979 | 1987 |
| Becky (Shaw) Gumina | 1981 | 1987 |
| Rev. Stan Murdoch | 1973 | 1986 |
| Dr. Donnis (Hoogestraat) Reese | 1977 | 1986 |
| Name | Grad Year | Award Year |
|---|---|---|
| Jim Nelson | 2000 | 2023 |
| Michael Christensen | 1994 | 2022 |
| Lee O. Marks | 1966 | 2022 |
| Jeff Reynolds | 1991 | 2022 |
| Heidi Reynolds | 1994 | 2022 |
| Deb House | 1980 | 2021 |
| Jim House | 1980 | 2021 |
| Al Johnson | 1964 | 2020 |
| Neil Ihde | 1994 | 2019 |
| Dr. Marilyn Carlson Aronson | 1960 | 2019 |
| Name | Grad year | Award Year |
|---|---|---|
| Kory Kleinsasser | 1993 | 2023 |
| Dr. Rev. Frank Nelson | 1970 | 2022 |
| Dr. Richard Olson | 1956 | 2021 |
| Richard Merkouris | 2004 | 2020 |
| Tom Henderson | 1998 | 2019 |
| Rev. John Peterson | 1957 | 2008 |
| Ruth (DeBoer) Peterson | 1958 | 2008 |
| Rev. Charles Davis | 1935 | 2005 |
| Pastor John Fuller | 1986 | 2005 |
| Rev. Ron Kallander | 1965 | 2004 |
| Richard Kallander | 1972 | 2004 |
| Don Hamm | 1949 | 2003 |
| Rev. Frank Fagerburg | 1949 | 2003 |
| Reed DeVries | 1979 | 2002 |
| Rev. Kurt Brenner | 1965 | 2001 |
| Larry Lang | 1979 | 2000 |
| Rev. Gary Reif | 1959 | 1999 |
| Hazel Morris | 1947 | 1999 |
| Dr. Chuck Hiatt | 1971 | 1998 |
| Dr. Roger Frederickson | 1942 | 1997 |
| Dr. Bob Shaw | 1955 | 1996 |
| Name | Grad Year | Award Year |
|---|---|---|
| Shirley Bertsch | 1967 | 2023 |
| Heidi Goeller | 1996 | 2022 |
| Virginia Miller | 1968 | 2021 |
| Kristine Peterson | 1964 | 2020 |
| Kathy Sundvold | 1992 | 2020 |
| Nancy (Schmitt) Wilcoxson | 1985 | 2019 |
| Dr. Richard K. Hansen | 1973 | 2008 |
| Verdeen Trautman Strain | 1957 | 2005 |
| Micaela Larsen Brown | 1982 | 2004 |
| Darline Bill | 1971 | 2003 |
| Clarice (Henning) Dalton | 1963 | 2002 |
| Dr. Truman Dalton | 1964 | 2002 |
| Larry Winter | 1960 | 2001 |
| Marie Dickey | 1981 | 2000 |
| Dr. Elza Daugherty | 1964 | 2000 |
| Glenna M. Rundell | 1948 | 1996 |