Distinguished Alum Award 2012

The United Theological Seminary Distinguished Alum needs to have graduated at least 10 years ago from United, Yankton, or Mission House Seminary and has to demonstrate exceptional achievements and special qualities in her/his ministry in the church or society.

Nominations have been received for the 2012 Distinguished Alum and a committee of the United Alum Council will select the Distinguished Alum Award recipient, who will be recognized at the annual alum dinner during Spring Convocation on Wednesday, April 25, 2012.

Thank you for lifting up one of our alums for this distinctive honor.

2011 Distinguished Alum Recipient
Kimberly Vrudny ’95

Susan Ebbers, Kimberly Vrudny, Cathy Pino, Wilson Yates

Kim received a Master of Arts degree in theology, worship, and the arts from United in 1995. She is a tenured associate professor at the University of St. Thomas where she teaches in the theology department with a focus on the arts. Her classes integrate service learning into coursework in order to explore the intersection of theology and public health. Due to her efforts in developing a service learning program, she was awarded the ‘Outstanding Faculty in Service Learning Award’ in 2006.

Kim has been an adjunct professor at United and has also been a leader in United's theology and arts consultations. She was co-editor of Arts, Theology, and the Church and co-editor of Visual Theology, a book of essays dedicated to Wilson Yates.

Kim is the director of the HIV/AIDS initiatives at St. Thomas. During her seven-month sabbatical in South Africa in 2009-2010, she recorded the stories of people whose lives were affected by HIV/AIDS. Her photo documentary, “30 Years/30 Lives,” was the culmination of these conversations. This poignant and thought-provoking exhibit was at United last fall and is currently on tour throughout the country.

“Through her scholarship and teaching, through her prophetic voice and through her contributions to the greater good of the community, she has embodied and expressed the traditions that are at the heart of this school’s life and mission.” – Wilson Yates

Kim was nominated for this award by Cathy Pino, a United student (pictured).

The Distinguished Alum needs to have graduated at least 10 years ago from United, Yankton, or Mission House Seminary and has to demonstrate exceptional achievements and special qualities in her/his ministry in the church or society.

A committee of the United Alum Council selects the Distinguished Alum Award recipient, who is recognized annually at the Spring Convocation Reception & Dinner.

Distinguished Alum Award Recipients:
2011 Kimberly Vrudny ’95
2010 Susan K. Ebbers ’78, Rick Yramategui ’87
2009  Howard J. Vogel ’78
2008  Peg A. Chemberlin ’82
2008  Herbert Zimmerman ’46
2007  Paul Olm-Stoelting ’46 ’74
2006  Christie Cozad Neuger ’80
2005  Gene E. Miller ’83
2004  Robert H. Tucker ’81
2003  Gary Reierson ’78 ’86
2002  Kathi Austin Mahle ’78, Ernest Strandberg ’67
2001  Sheila C. Gustafson ’77, Helen Wells O’Brien ’90
2000  Obid Hofland ’68 ’88
1999  John Heinl ’61
1998  Thomas Townsend ’60
1997  Eugene Grau ’44
1996  Marva Jean Hutchens ’80, Gary Miller ’68
1995  Carla Bailey ’81 ’92, Hobart (Fid) Saylor ’69
1994  Martha Ann Baumer ’73, Nelda Lockwood ’51, Alma Stepanek ’51
1993  Vernon Jaberg ’47, Fred Schneider ’43
1992  Theodore Bader ’51, Ralph Ley ’39
1991  John Krueger ’63