Alumni

Hall of Fame

In 2013, Mankato West High School started a Hall of Fame for the purpose of providing our current students, staff, and community with the vision of the outstanding legacies of Mankato High School and Mankato West High School. It is hoped that these people will provide role models for our current students and offer us a chance to celebrate the successes of those from our school.

The original Hall of Fame selection committee established criteria to ensure recognition of a broad cross section of achievers. Five categories were established as criteria for selecting inductee’s for the Wall of Fame:

• Professional
• Athletic / Entertainment
• Science / Technology
• Community Service
• Entrepreneur / Industrial

The above categories are listed to serve as general guidelines in the selection process. It is not mandatory that candidates for induction represent each of the above categories. As stated, the categories are meant to ensure selection come from a broad cross-section of achievers. We are attempting to honor individuals who have made a difference, people who have succeeded, and people who have given unselfishly to make the world a better place.

The process for selecting the class will be as follows:

Nomination forms will be available on the Mankato West Website with additional information made available on a “Mankato West Hall of Fame” Facebook page. We will also attempt to make contacts with our local media, alumni groups and current community members to advertise the Hall of Fame.
Nominations are due May 1st. Information will be collected from nominees in May and is due back to Mankato West by June 1.
Nomination packets will be distributed to selection team members in May. The selection team will include a broad cross-section of the Mankato West community including representation from school administration, current faculty, alumni faculty, students and other members of our community.
In late May or early June, the selection team will meet in order to review nominees and invite selected candidates to join the Mankato West Hall of Fame.
Candidates selected would be notified of their selection and, if they accept the invitation, would be inducted at a ceremony to be held in the fall. The induction ceremony would take place on Thursday prior to homecoming. Candidates would also be acknowledged during the Homecoming Commencement Ceremony and at halftime of the Homecoming football game.
The names of HOF inductees would be released to the media approximately 1 week prior to the induction ceremony.

We are very excited about the opportunity to honor from some of the many talented and successful people who have been a part of the Mankato West High School community and also to display them as examples to our students past, present and future.

Mankato West High School Hall of Fame Nomination Form

Homecoming

Homecoming 2023 will be held on Friday, September 27, 2024 vs Chanhassen.

CLASS OF 1974 - 50TH YEAR REUNION

CLASS OF 1999 - 25TH YEAR REUNION

Homecoming Schedule

Time	Activity
8:45 - 9:00 AM	Band marches hallway
9:00 - 9:30 AM	Activities in Classrooms
9:30 - 10:45 AM	25 Year and 50 Year Alumni Reception and Tours. Meet in the Cafeteria
11:00 - 12:00 PM	Coronation in the Gymnasium
12:00 - 1:00 PM	Lunch (open lunch for all students)
1:00 - 3:35 PM	Student Activities in the Gymnasium/Auditorium
7:00 - 9:00 PM	Football Game vs. Chanhassen
After Football Game - 11:00 PM	Homecoming Dance in the Gymnasium

Hall of Fame Inductees

2024 Inductees

2023 Inductees

2022 Inductees

2021 Inductees

2020 Inductees

2019 Inductees

Peter Gronvall
Cami (Longstreet) Zimmer
Lynn Nordgren
Hans Storvik
Seijen Takamura
Governor Tim Walz

Peter Gronvall
Peter graduated from Mankato West in 1990. After graduating from Yale Law School in 1997, Peter worked as an attorney on Wall Street and Corporate Law. In 2007 Peter became an adjunct professor at the Georgetown University Law Center, while also co-founding, being a managing partner, and General Counsel at AdamsGrayson. Peter is a visionary executive and entrepreneur in legal technology, cyber security, artificial intelligence and corporate risk management. Ladies and Gentleman, Peter Gronvall.

Cami (Longstreet) Zimmer
Cami graduated from Mankato West High School in 1989. After completing high school, she was a researcher for the 1000 Points of Light Program at the White House. In 1995, Cami became a Legislative Assistant at the MN House of Representatives. She was the President and CEO at Campaign Touch from 2007-2017. After this, Cami became the Executive Vice President of Business Development and Marketing at Glympse. Ladies and Gentleman, Cami (Longstreet) Zimmer.

Lynn Nordgren
Lynn graduated from Mankato High School in 1969. In her professional life, Lynn dedicated herself to the world of education. She began as a Special, Elementary, and Gifted Education teacher from 1976-1991. Lynn was also involved in the development and implementation of the Professional Peer Process in Minneapolis Public Schools from 1991-2004. She was the Coordinator of Alternative Compensation in Minneapolis Schools from 2004-2008. After that appointment, Lynn became the President of the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers, a position she held for nearly ten years. She currently is a Chairperson for the MN Guild for Public Schools. Ladies and Gentleman, Lynn Nordgren.

Hans Storvick
Hans graduated from Mankato West in 2004. In High School, Hans was an All State Track and Field athlete from 2001-2004. He was a State Champion in the 400m, 800m, and 4x800m relay. In 2004, Hans was part of the Track and Field and Basketball team that captured the State Team Championship. After High School, Hans continued his athletic career at the University of Minnesota. He was a Big Ten Champion in the 800m outdoor. Hans was the Captain of the University of Minnesota Track Team in 2008-2009, that team won the Big Ten Team Championship in the Indoor and Outdoor. Ladies and Gentleman, Hans Storvick.

Seijen Takamura
Seijen graduated from Mankato West in 2004. In 2001, Seijen was part of the State Team Runner-Up in Cross Country. He also earned All-State honors in Cross Country and Track in 2001-2004. Seijen was part of the 4x800 meter relay team that captured the state Championship in 2003 and part of the Track and Field team that won the State Team Championship in 2004. He was named a Team Captain for the Cross-Country and Track Teams in 2003 and 2004. After high school, Seijen attended the University of Minnesota and was named a team Captain in 2007 for the Cross-Country Team. Ladies and Gentleman, Seijen Takamura.

Governor Tim Walz
Governor Tim Walz was a faculty member at Mankato West from 1996-2006. While at Mankato West, Governor Walz was a social studies teacher and was awarded the Minnesota Ethics in Education Award Winner. In 2003, Governor Walz earned the Mankato Teacher of the Year award along with the Minnesota Teacher of Excellence award. Governor Walz became a United States Congressman of the 1st Congressional District and served in that role from 2007-2019. He also serves as a ranking member of the U.S. Veteran’s Affairs Committee. In 2019 Governor Walz was elected as the 41st Governor of the State of Minnesota. Ladies and Gentleman, Governor Tim Walz.

2018 Inductees

Sam Hanson
Scott Madigan
Jon McGee
Jane Schostag
Brendon Schrader
Mike Wolverton

Sam Hanson
Sam graduated from Mankato High School in 1957. After graduating from St. Olaf College in 1961 and William Mitchell Law School in 1965, Sam worked as a lawyer and judge. He worked as an attorney before serving as a judge on the Minnesota Court of Appeals from 2000 to 2002 and as an Associate Justice on the Minnesota Supreme Court from 2002 to 2008. He served on the Board of Trustees for William Mitchell Law School from 2004-2006 and was named a Distinguished Alumni of William Mitchell in 2002.

Scott Madigan
Scott graduated from Mankato West High School in 1976. He was a state place winner at the state wrestling meet as a sophomore, junior, and senior. During his senior season, Scott was a state champion wrestler in 1976. Scott went on to a wrestling career at Minnesota State University-Mankato, where he was a four-time conference placewinner, three-time league champ, three-time Division 2 All-American, two-time team captain, and a national champion in 1979. Scott currently works in sales and business development in Mankato and has volunteered as a wrestling coach and official.

Jon McGee
Jon graduated from Mankato West High School in 1980. Jon graduated from St. John’s University in 1984 and then earned a Master’s Degree from the University of Minnesota. He has worked for the State of Minnesota as a budget analyst in the Department of Finance, and was the Vice President of Research and Policy Development for the Minnesota Private College Council. Since 1999, he has worked at St. John’s University and the College of St. Benedict, where he is currently the Vice President for Planning and Public Affairs. Jon is the author of “Breakpoint: The Changing Marketplace for Higher Education” and “Dear Parents.”

Jane Schostag
Jane graduated from Mankato High School in 1965. Jane was a longtime English teacher at Mankato West High School, working for Mankato Area Public Schools from 1971 to 2002 and teaching at West from 1973 to 1996. She earned her undergraduate, masters, and specialist degrees from Minnesota State University-Mankato. Jane was credited with starting “Project Read” in Mankato, was named a “YMCA Woman of Distinction” in 2000, was given the “Spirit of Youth Award” in 2016, and was a recipient of the “KEYC Jefferson Good People Award.”

Brendon Schrader
Brendon graduated from Mankato West High School in 1993. He went on graduate from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and earn a Master’s Degree from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management. Brendon is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Antenna, a top marketing company in the greater Minneapolis area. He is also the Founder and Publisher of Indypendently and the Founder and Host of “The Way We Work” at the Carlson School of Management.

Mike Wolverton
Mike graduated from Mankato High School in 1968. In high school he was a three-sport athlete, participating in football, basketball, and track and field. He went on to graduate from Minnesota State University-Mankato in 1972 and the University of Minnesota Law School in 1977. From 1988 to 1996, he served as a district court judge in Anchorage, Alaska. Since 1996, he has served as a Superior Court Judge for the Third District in Anchorage, Alaska.

2017 Inductees

Erik Erie
Craig Heimark
Gary Lunz
Tom McLaughlin
Lori Rittenhouse-Wollmuth
Mark Taylor
Dan Townsend

Erik Erie
Erik is a 1979 Mankato West High School graduate. Erik is currently the Principal at Mesabi East High School. He taught special education in Harmony, MN; Hutchinson, MN; Waterville, MN: and in Mankato. He has been named the State Region Principal of the Year and is active with community service, including the Kiwanis. Erik served in the Army for two years and was the Mankato West Athlete of the Year in 1979.

Craig Heimark
Craig is a 1972 Mankato High School graduate. Craig is currently the CEO and founder of Cohesive FT. He has also served as a member of the Supervisory Board of Deutsche Boerse Ag since 2005. He has served a member of the Board of Directors at Avistar Communications, Corporation and was the managing partner at Hawthorne Group, LLC. He has also been an advisor to Silicon Valley start up ventures in technology planning.

Gary Lunz
Gary worked at Mankato West High School from 1977 to 2000 and worked in the Mankato Area Public School District from 1969 to 2000. He was the Assistant Softball Coach at West High School from 1986 to 1990, and the Head Softball Coach from 1991 to 2000. Gary was instrumental in developing the Mankato Peppers Softball program. Gary also was a volunteer softball coach at MSU-Mankato and Gustavus for several years.

Tom McLaughlin
Tom is a 1966 Mankato High School graduate. Tom is a combat-wounded Marine who served from 1966 to 1968. Tom has been an advocate for veterans since 1978 and was awarded the 2017 Veterans Voices Legacy Award. Tom served on the Mankato City Council from 1989-1996 and as a County Commissioner from 1998-2010. Tom also served as a Vietnam History Instructor at Minnesota State University-Mankato from 1986-1990.

Lori Rittenhouse-Wollmuth
Lori is a 1998 Mankato West High School graduate. Lori is currently the Head Volleyball Coach at MSU-Mankato, and was a 3-sport athlete and academic leader in high school. She played Division 1 Volleyball at the University of Wisconsin and then played professional volleyball in Spain and Croatia 2003-04. A four-year letterwinner on Badger volleyball teams that made a NCAA Division I Final Four appearance in 2000, an Elite Eight appearance in 1998, and captured Big Ten championships in 2000 and 2001, Rittenhouse-Wollmuth attained a masters degree in sport management from Minnesota State in 2007 and has been the head coach since 2013.

Mark Taylor
Mark is a 1974 Mankato West High School graduate Mark is a board certified OB/GYN for the Mankato Clinic and has been in practice in Mankato for 34 years. He is affiliated with the United Hospital District and Mayo Clinic Health System, Mankato. Mark graduated with honors from the University of Minnesota Medical School and completed his residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

Dan Townsend
Dan is a 1972 Mankato High School graduate. Dan is an expert in eyelid surgery and facial rejuvenation and is the premiere physician in the United States with use of botox. He is the past Medical Director of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, and he is the author of several publications involving ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery. Dan has also been a book reviewer for the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery since 1986.

2016 Inductees

Swen-Marie (Minnema) Germann
Mary (Hesla) Huntley
Kelby Krabbenhoft
Jim Rogers
William Schimmel, Sr.

Swen-Marie (Minnema) Germann
Germann, a 1992 graduate of Mankato West High School, was an All-American and Academic All-American volleyball player at St. Cloud State University. Germann received her Master of Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine in 2000. She is owner and physical therapist of AGADA Physical Therapy. She was awarded the Paris/Patla Manual Therapy Award. Germann is the author of "ABSolution! Progressive Core Training Made Simple."

Mary (Hesla) Huntley
Huntley is a 1958 graduate of Mankato High School. She is a Professor Emeritus, School of Nursing, at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Huntley co-authored three books: "History of the School of Nursing," "Laughter and Wellness" and "Aging and Friendship." She was the history writer of the Mankato Symphony Orchestra for its first 60 years and has served in multiple leadership roles in the community.

Kelby Krabbenhoft
Krabbenhoft is a 1976 graduate of Mankato West High School. He has served as chief executive officer and president of Sanford Health since 1997. Krabbenhoft received the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award in 2009 from Minnesota State University, Mankato. He has served as president of several hospitals in the Midwest. Krabbenhoft facilitated the largest gift ever to a U.S. health system.

Jim Rogers
Rogers, a 1957 graduate of Mankato High School, is owner/president/chief executive officer of Austram, Incorporated, a manufacturer of outdoor living products. After high school, he played football for the University of Minnesota, and was a member of the 1960 National Championship team. Rogers was the only Mankato High School graduate ever to participate in the Rose Bowl.

William Schimmel, Sr.
Schimmel was a faculty member of Mankato High School/Mankato West High School from 1962 to 1987. He coached boys’ cross country from 1963 until 1982. During that time, his teams won four Big 9 titles, 15 sub-section and 13 section titles. Schimmel established girls’ cross country at West High School in 1976, and organized and coached girls’ softball from 1978 until 1982. He has been a swim official for 42 years. He served as Nicollet County Commissioner from 1981 until 1997.

2015 Inductees

Jim Bassett
Jean Flitterer Nance
James Fowler
Kristine Lindvall
Gary Mielke
Andrew Swanson

Jim Bassett
Jim is a Mankato High School Class of 1970 graduate and taught Special Education at West High School for 31 years, from 1979 to 2010. In his role as a Special Education teacher, he helped to develop a district-wide EBD program. Jim was the Mankato West Boys Cross Country Head Coach from 1983-2010. He was also the Mankato West Boys Track and Field Head Coach from 1985 to 2009. His boys cross country teams had two 2nd place finishes at the MSHSL state meet. His boys track teams won one MSHSL State Championship, finished 2nd two other times, and won 4 True Team championships. Jim was inducted into the Minnesota Cross Country Coaching Hall of Fame in 2010.

Jean Fitterer Lance
Jean is a 1980 graduate of Mankato West High School. She is currently the Senior Vice President and Assistant General Counsel for Boston Scientific Corporation. Jean is also an International Health Care Speaker and the Executive Speaker of Boston Scientific’s VETS employee research group. Jean is also a practicing attorney in both Minnesota and Illinois. She is a member of the US Medical Technology Trade Association and the AdvaMed Legal Committee.

James Fowler
James is a 1999 Mankato West High School graduate. He is the founder of MOOCulus, an award winning online calculus program. James attended Harvard University and received his PhD from the University of Chicago. He is now a faculty member and assistant professor at The Ohio State University. James has been recognized by Forbes Magazine for his online course developments.

Kristine Lindvall
Kristine was a founding member of the Mankato West Hall of Fame. Kristine taught English, Communications, and Theater at West High School for 35 years before retiring in 2014. As the Head Speech Coach at West High School, she coached multiple State Speech Champions and had teams that won 16 Big 9 Conference Championships. She was a member of the National Speech and Debate Association and was named a Diamond Key Coach. She also was a board member of the Communication and Theater Association of MN. Kris passed away in May of 2015.

Gary Mielke
Gary is a 1981 graduate of Mankato West High School. Gary played baseball in for the Texas Rangers Major League Baseball team for 3 years, and was also named the AAA Minor League Reliever of the Year. Gary served as a minor league coach for two years following the completion of his playing career. Gary attended MSU-Mankato, where he was an all-conference pitcher and was the MVP pitcher in 1985. Gary is also a Past President of MAYBA and a past MAGFA coach.

Andrew Swanson
Andrew was a 1991 graduate of Mankato West High School. He was a Presidential Scholar and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Dartmouth College. He then graduated from the University of Chicago Medical School. Andrew went on to become an orthopedic surgeon for the Orthopedic and Fracture Clinic in Mankato. As a medical student, he was awarded traveling fellowships from the Cervical Spine Research Society in Switzerland and Germany. Andrew passed away in a mountaineering accident on Mt. McKinley in Alaska in June of 2009.

2014 Inductees

David Bigham
Dean Brudwick
Ann Bryant (formerly known as Pat Thompson)
Lee Johnson
Fred Lutz
Peter McGuire
Luverne Klar

David Bigham
David (1971-2012) was a 1989 graduate of West High School. He played for the United States Hockey League St. Paul Vulcan’s Hockey club in 1989. That same year, he was recruited by the Minnesota Twins. In addition to the Minnesota Twins, Bigham played professional baseball for the Chicago White Sox, New York Mets and Boston Orioles. Bigham was the winning pitcher in the 1995 All-Star Class A Game in the Midwest League. He played for the Minnetonka Millers Amateur Class A baseball team from 1997 to 2012. Bigham, who was also a realtor, was named in the top one percent of sellers of all realtors in the nation.

Dean Brudwick
Dean taught industrial technical studies at West High School from 1973 to 1998. He also coached junior high school basketball and track, ninth grade and varsity basketball and varsity golf. He had a perfect regular golf season with no losses in 2007 and 2008. His 1985 and 1996 golf teams earned the state championship. His teams also placed twice as runners-up, seven times as section champions and earned third place in state twice. Brudwick was named section coach of the year seven times and Minnesota Golf Coach of the year twice. His best record was in 2008—71 and one.

Ann Bryant (formerly known as Pat Thompson)
Ann, a 1969 graduate of Mankato High School, is founder and executive director of Bear League. Bryant is active in educating the public about co-existence with bears and was featured in the Animal Planet mini-series, "Blonde vs. Bear."

Lee Johnson
Lee, a 1980 graduate of West High School, is music director/conductor of La Grange Symphony Orchestra New Music Ensemble and the La Grange Youth Orchestra. He also serves as artistic director of the New Music Festival of La Grange College and as music director of the First Presbyterian Church of La Grange. Johnson has participated in several musicals, 10 symphonies and three operas. He’s received numerous awards and honors including an Emmy Award, best original score in a short film, first place for music composition in a public service film and Silver Award in music videos and shows. He was also named a Georgia artist of the year.

Fred Lutz
Fred graduated from Mankato High School in 1958. He is the retired owner/president of Northland Beverages, Inc. and Lutz-Lloyd Enterprises, Inc. He has been involved in a variety of community opportunities including the Mankato Jaycees, YMCA, Downtown Kiwanis Club, Mankato Area Foundation, Mankato Airport Commission, South Central College and Minnesota State University, Mankato. He is a limited partner of the National Basketball Association Minnesota Timberwolves and served as co-chairperson of the Minnesota Air Spectacular in Mankato. He was honored with the Federal Aviation Administration’s Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award.

Peter McGuire
Peter graduated from West High School in 1995. He is second concertmaster at Tonhalle Orchestra in Zurich, Switzerland. He has performed with the Berlin Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the New York All-Star Orchestra, Des Moines Symphony Orchestra and Pioneer String Quartet. He served as concertmaster for Gurzenich Orchestra; associate concertmaster of the Minnesota Orchestra, assistant concertmaster for the Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra and as guest concertmaster for the Seattle Symphony and Richmond Symphony Orchestra. McGquire has also been a faculty member for the Cedar Rapids Symphony and has been a visiting professor at Gustavus Adolphus College and college lecturer at Grandview Community College.

Luverne Klar
Luverne came to Mankato High School in 1951 and taught physical education until his retirement in 1987. Klar is credited with starting the high school wrestling program. He served as Mankato High School’s head wrestling and baseball coach and assistant football coach. Klar’s wrestling team won state in 1964 and achieved runners-up six times. He coached 15 individual state champions and 57 place winners. Klar also managed a summer wrestling camp for children. He is a member of the Minnesota Wrestling Hall of Fame, Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame, and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

2013 Inductees

Dan Akerson
Margaret Anderson-Kelliher
Matthew Drake
Sharon Euerle
Jim Northenscold
Louis Todnem

Dan Akerson
Dan is a 1966 graduate of Mankato High School, is chairman and chief executive officer of General Motors (GM). Akerson received the McKenna Humanitarian of the Year Award from So Others Might Eat for his funding of Marguerite’s Place, a Washington, DC-based community center named for his mother. He’s received the Distinguished Graduate Award from the U.S. Naval Academy and the Executive Award from the Executive’s Club of Chicago. As part of the award, Akerson was lauded for being a champion for the inclusion of more women in senior management at GM, including the boardroom--women comprise 33 percent of GM’s Board of Directors, one of the highest percentages in all of American business.

Margaret Anderson-Kelliher
Margaret graduated from West High School in 1986. She has served two terms as Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011. She is the second woman to hold this position and the first to win major-party endorsement for a Minnesota governor election. Anderson-Kelliher served as a legislator for 12 years before joining the Minnesota High Tech Association as president and chief executive officer. She serves as chair of the Governor’s task force on broadband and was recently appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. She teaches a class about negotiations at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey Institute.

Matthew Drake
Matthew, a 1989 graduate of West High School, is a consultant in endocrinology as well as an assistant professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Drake has participated in the Department of Defense Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program, International Myeloma Working Group, Professional Practice Committee, American Society for Bone and Mineral Research and the Mayo Clinic Institutional Review Board. He’s been honored with the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research Young Investigator Award and the Mayo Clinic Department of Medicine New Investigator Award.

Sharon Euerle
Sharon spent 38 years in education. She served as athletic/activities director for 20 years at West High School. She also served as assistant director at St. James High School where she started the girls’ volleyball, basketball and softball programs. She’s served on numerous athletic boards and associations and has been inducted into halls of fame including: the Minnesota State High School League, Minnesota State Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, Minnesota State Girls’ Basketball Coaches Association and Winona State University. She’s been named Minnesota State High School Athletic Administrator of the Year and also received a Directors’ Distinguished Service Award.

Jim Northenscold
Jim, graduated from West High School in 1975. He is a manager at Neubert Millwork Company, where he has worked for 29 years. He was state champion in shot put (a track and field event) and still holds the high school record and is one of the top 20 all-time best in Minnesota. He has volunteered with the West High School track and field team for the past eight years. Northenscold is active in the community football program and has officiated for football, basketball and track and field.

Louis Todnem
Louis (1898-1997) served as football coach at Mankato High School for 40 years, having a winning football record between 1923 and 1962. The West High School football field is named in his honor. He also served as athletic director and coach for basketball, track and golf. His basketball team won the Big Nine Conference Championship nine times. He played an integral role in developing the Little Eight (Southern Minnesota teams) which became the Big Nine Conference. Todnem received the Distinguished Service Award by the Minnesota Association of Health and was inducted into numerous halls of fame including the Minnesota Football Coaches Association, Minnesota State High School Association, Minnesota Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, the Minnesota State High School League and Dakota Wesleyan University.

CTA Links

Translate