Presented by the Alumni Board of Directors to alumni who have made outstanding contributions both in their career and to Michigan Tech over a number of years.
Nominations for the Distinguished Alumni Award are open now through Sunday, December 15. If you know any extraordinary alumni who meet the award criteria that deserve to be recognized, nominate them today! For any questions on the nomination process, email alumni@mtu.edu.
2024 Award Recipient
Watch Michael's Acceptance Speech
| Name | Class | Major | Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dianne M. Marsh | 1986, 1992 | Computer Science | 2023 |
| Chang K. Park | 1973 | Electrical Engineering Business Engineering Administration |
2022 |
| Julie Fream | 1983 | Chemical Engineering | 2021 |
| President Emeritus Glenn D. Mroz | 1974 1977 |
Forestry (BS) Forestry (MS) |
2020 |
| Iver E. Anderson | 1975 | Metallurgical Engineering | 2019 |
| Susan B. Kiehl (Brechting) | 1983 | Metallurgical Engineering | 2018 |
| Melvin J. Visser | 1959 | Chemical Engineering | 2018 |
| John J. Rockwell | 1979 | Business Administration | 2017 |
| William J. Bernard, Jr. | 1969 | Metallurgical and Materials Engineering | 2016 |
| Joseph M. Nowosad | 1987 | Metallurgical and Materials Engineering | 2015 |
| Thomas R. Irwin | 1963 | Business Administration | 2014 |
| Paul W. Fernstrum | 1965 | Mechanical Engineering | 2013 |
| James A. Tretheway | 1967 | Business | 2013 |
| Olive M. Kimball (Cornish) | 1952 | General Science, Honorary Biological Sciences | 2012 |
| John Soyring | 1976 | Electrical Engineering, Honorary Biological Sciences | 2012 |
| Dr. Bhakta B. Rath | 1958 | Metallurgical and Materials Engineering | 2011 |
| Richard W. Henes | 1948 | Mechanical Engineering | 2010 |
| Frank E. Pavlis | 1938 | Chemical Engineering | 2009 |
| Dr. Sarah A. Rajala | 1974 | Electrical Engineering | 2008 |
| Dr. David A. Edwards | 1983 | Chemical Engineering | 2007 |
| Dr. Matthew N. Songer | 1979 | Biological Sciences | 2007 |
| John A. Benaglio | 1970 | Business Administration | 2006 |
| William G. Jackson | 1958 | Electrical Engineering | 2006 |
| Gary E. Anderson | 1967 | Chemical Engineering | 2005 |
| James A. Mack | 1959 | Chemical Engineering | 2004 |
| Lina T. Taskovich (Tormen) | 1952 | Chemistry | 2003 |
| John F. Marshall | 1968 | Civil Engineering | 2001 |
| Kanwal S. Rekhi | 1969 | Electrical Engineering, Engineering | 2000 |
| David L. House | 1965 | Electrical Engineering | 1999 |
| James A. Klungness | 1949 | Electrical Engineering | 1998 |
| Dr. Theodore Rosza | 1936 | Geology | 1998 |
| Gerald J. Ziarno | 1959 | Electrical Engineering | 1997 |
| Dr. Octave J. DuTemple | 1948 | Chemical Engineering | 1996 |
| James S. Magoffin | 1941 | Mining Engineering | 1995 |
| Jack G. Real | 1937 | Mechanical Engineering | 1995 |
| Dr. Richard J. Robbins | 1956 | Mechanical Engineering | 1994 |
| William C. Verrette | 1961 | Civil Engineering | 1993 |
| John D. Opie | 1961 | Metallurgical and Materials Engineering | 1992 |
| Dr. Harold S. Jensen | 1952 | Civil Engineering | 1991 |
| Daniel L. Rivard | 1959 | Mechanical Engineering | 1990 |
| Edward O. Falberg | 1943 | Metallurgical and Materials Engineering | 1989 |
| Robert L. McFadin | 1945 | Mechanical Engineering | 1988 |
| Dr Edwin B. Johnson | 1947 | Metallurgical Engineering | 1987 |
| Dr. James G. Vorhes | 1947 | Mechanical Engineering | 1986 |
| Dr. Frank G. Woodruff | 1939 | Geology, Mining Engineering | 1984 |
| Arthur J. Karam | 1942 | Metallurgical and Materials Engineering | 1983 |
| Dr. Thomas J. Rentenbach | 1932 | Civil Engineering | 1982 |
| A. Daniel Hellens | 1939 | Mining Engineering | 1981 |
| Dr. Howard Barkell | 1934 | Metallurgical and Materials Engineering | 1980 |
| Dr. James B. Stone | 1940 | Mechanical Engineering | 1979 |
| Dr. James S. Westwater | 1934 | Mining Engineering, Engineering | 1978 |
| Dr. Martin J. Caserio | 1936 | Engineering | 1977 |
| Dr. F. John McMulkin | 1937 | Metallurgical and Materials Engineering | 1976 |
| Dr. Neil V. Hakala | 1939 | Chemical Engineering | 1975 |
| Dr. Ralph Hayden | 1933 | Mechanical Engineering | 1974 |
| Dr. Louis J. Haga | 1925 | Mining | 1973 |
| Dr. Karl V. Lindell | 1928 | Mining | 1972 |
| Dr. Wilfrid C. Polkinghorne | 1914 | Mining | 1972 |
| Ralph E. Benedict | 1916 | Mining | 1971 |
| A. J. Keast | 1923 | Mining | 1970 |
| Prof. Melvin Calvin | 1931 | Chemistry | 1969 |
| Dr. Albert E. Blair | 1910 | Mining | 1968 |
| Dr. John G. Gates | 1911 | Mining | 1968 |
| Charles C. Gates, Sr. | 1904 | Mining | 1968 |
| Dr. Clyde E. Weed | 1911 | Mining | 1967 |
| Dr. Scott Turner | 1904 | Mining, Engineering | 1966 |