Congratulations to the 2023 Alumni Association Award WinnersHonorees to be Celebrated on Friday, September 22nd
Each year, the Gustavus Alumni Association recognizes members of our community for professional achievement and service to the College. This year's honorees will be celebrated on Friday, September 22 in Cec Eckhoff Alumni Hall with a reception at 5 p.m. followed by a special program at 6 p.m., featuring inspiring stories and touching tributes from and about our honorees. We'll be seated theatre-style for the ceremony, and the program should conclude by 7:30 p.m.
The next day, Homecoming festivities begin first thing in the morning and wrap up for alumni and friends following the football game. Please check out our Homecoming schedule for additional details here.
If you'd like to join us for Friday's event, please email alumni@gustavus.edu for accurate hospitality counts.
This year's award winners include (scroll down to find their in-depth bios):
Distinguished Alumni Citations
Shirley Gholston Key ‘71 - biology and medical technology majors, career in education
Scott J. Luhmann ‘86 - biology major, career in medicine
Dawn McDougal Miller ‘84 - music major, career in medicine/music therapy
Golden Anniversary Award
David “Daudi” Peterson '73 - biology major, career in ecotourism/conservation
Silver Anniversary Award
Carl Jorgensen ‘98 - biology major, career in entomology/forest service
First Decade Award
Andre Creighton ’13 - public accounting major, career in finance/entrepreneurship
Honorary Gusties
Axel and Loreli Steuer - former president and first lady of Gustavus
John and Katha Chamberlain - long-time supporters of Gustavus Fine Arts and Music
Barb Wilkinson - ambassador and supporter of Gustavus' core values, athletic and academic programs, Tennis and Life Camps, and more
Dr. Bob Olson - crucial mental health resource supporting Gustavus students, faculty, and staff
The Distinguished Alumni Citation recognizes outstanding and exceptional career achievement of graduates of the College.
Criteria appropriate to selection shall include the difficulty of accomplishment; quality, creativity, and distinctiveness of performance; recognition by peers; and lasting contribution to the world of ideas and affairs. Humanitarian achievements may also be weighed.
Shirley Gholston Key ‘71 - Distinguished Alumni Citation
President - Key Education and Consulting Company
Associate Professor of Science Education at the University of Memphis
Dr. Shirley Ann Gholston Key grew up as the second of seven children to a World War II veteran and an educator and nurse. She came to Gustavus Adolphus College in the fall of 1967. During her time on the Hill, Shirley completed two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Biology and Medical Technology. She later received her Master of Education degree from Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas and her Doctor of Education degree from the University of Houston.
Throughout her 13 years as a middle school science teacher in Houston, Shirley was awarded numerous teaching awards including teacher of the year awards at Christa McAuliffe Middle School and Texas Junior High, National Science Teacher Association’s middle school teacher of the year, COE Dean’s Excellence in Mentoring Award, CEHHS Crader’s Award, Instruction and Curriculum Leadership Teaching Award, the National Association of Biology Teachers’ Women in Science Teaching Award, and the Memphis Organization of Science Teachers’ ROSE award.
In addition to her work in the classroom, Shirley has written several books to help build students’ self esteem through a Christian foundation and has co-authored many science textbooks and teacher editions. Shirley's nationally recognized reputation has led her to serve on many boards and groups for the betterment of science education and multicultural education, including the Board of Directors of the National Science Teachers Association, the Association of Multicultural Science Educators, and the National Association of Research in Science Teaching. Her interests have propelled her to add to the existing research in science education and she has served as Principal Investigator and Co-Principal Investigator for many local and NSF grants. Her research interests include cultural inclusion, pre-service science teacher education, elementary science education, multicultural education, urban education, science education of diverse learners, and education of teachers of diverse learners.
Shirley currently serves as an Associate Professor of Science Education at the University of Memphis and teaches elementary, middle school, and secondary science methods. She has two children and one grandchild.
Scott J. Luhmann ‘86 - Distinguished Alumni Citation
M.D. – Professor at Washington University School of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedics, Division of Pediatric and Adolescent Orthopedics
Dr. Scott Luhmann grew up in Minnetonka and graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in 1986 with a B.A. in Biology. Inspired by the kind and caring nature of doctors he had encountered as a child as well as the complexity of the human body that requires problem solving and ingenuity, Scott decided to pursue a medical degree at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine and graduated in 1991. He matched into the Orthopaedic Surgery Residency at Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, graduating in 1996. After residency, Scott completed two fellowships, one in Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery and the other in Pediatric and Adult Spinal Deformity, both at Washington University School of Medicine. In 2000, he joined the faculty at Washington University School of Medicine Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, and was promoted to Professor in 2016. Scott was appointed Chief of Staff of Shriners Hospital St. Louis in 2017. His area of focus is pediatric and adolescent spinal deformity.
Scott is especially passionate about working with pediatric and adolescent patients because he enjoys following them through their childhood and watching them grow. He describes his young patients as having “resiliency beyond belief. They have unlimited capacity to grow and learn and develop” while being treated for their spinal abnormalities. He also observes that any improvements in spinal construction have huge and observable impacts on his patients’ self esteem and quality of life.
In addition to his clinical care responsibilities, Scott is an active clinical and translational researcher with over 130 published research studies in peer reviewed medical journals and over 200 research presentations at national and international medical meetings. In 2019, Scott was awarded the Hero with a Heart award for his outstanding clinical care.
Scott is married to Dr. Jan Luhmann, M.D. and has two children. His favorite personal activities are spending time with family, travel, skiing (especially powder), hiking, fly-fishing, and golf.
Dawn McDougal Miller ’84 - Distinguished Alumni Citation
MME, MT-BC, Fellow in the Association of Music and Imagery
Instructor of Music Therapy at Augsburg University and Music Therapist at Park Nicollet
Dawn McDougal Miller grew up and attended high school in Marion, Iowa and arrived as a first year student at Gustavus in the fall of 1980. She had a passion for music and received the E.B. Lawson Music Scholarship and played in the Gustavus Wind Ensemble. After finishing her degree in 1984, Dawn pursued additional education at the University of Kansas where she earned her Master’s Degree in Music Education with an emphasis in Music Therapy. She became a board certified music therapist, eventually completing a seven year fellowship program in the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music in Philadelphia, PA under the direction of Dr. Ken Bruscia.
Throughout her career, Dawn has been a pioneer in the Music Therapy field. Dawn was the first Music Therapist at Park Nicollet. Since 1995, the Park Nicollet Music Therapy program has expanded to 6 Music Therapists and 4 Music Therapy interns. It serves locations across many Park Nicollet locations. Dawn’s work has led to the creation of music therapy programs at at least six hospitals in the Twins Cities.
In 1998, Dawn formally helped create the nationally known Park Nicollet Music Therapy internship program. Dawn developed and has led this program for the past 25 years and has supervised 170 interns from 40 different Music Therapy programs in universities across the country. The Park Nicollet Foundation is recognizing the 25th year anniversary of this internship program with a special celebration in October 2023. For her pioneering work, she has received many awards including the President’s Award from Health Partners/Park Nicollet, the highest award that an employee at this combined healthcare organization can receive, and in 2019 she received a lifetime achievement award from the Music Therapy Association of Minnesota.
In addition to working at Park Nicollet for 28 years, Dawn has served as an adjunct professor in the Augsburg University graduate Music Therapy program since 2015 and published numerous articles about music therapy research and their effect on the human body under varying circumstances. She has presented these findings at state, regional, national and international conferences, including two invited presentations at conferences in China.
Dawn is committed to continuing to learn and grow her knowledge and skills. She is currently in the process of becoming a Primary Trainer in the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music. Dawn keeps up her “chops” on her primary musical instrument, the clarinet, because music “feeds her soul.” She is the clarinet sectional leader for the Plymouth Concert Band. Dawn also plays clarinet in chamber groups and special event orchestras through her church and in the community. Dawn is married to another class of 1984 Gustie, Michael Miller, and has two children.
The Golden Anniversary Award recognizes one graduate from the 50 year reunion class for outstanding and exceptional career achievement.
David Peterson ’73
Director/Manager, Dorobo Safaris
As a member of a big Gustie family, David Peterson followed in his parents’ footsteps and attended Gustavus for his undergraduate degree. He graduated in biology in 1973, eventually inspiring his two younger brothers to also attend Gustavus; Thad graduating in 1978 and Michael in 1982. Although their college years were spent in St. Peter, MN, David (a.k.a. Daudi) and his brothers were raised in Tanzania, Africa by their missionary parents.
After graduation, Daudi received his Master’s from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and then joined with his brothers in the early 1980s back in Tanzania, teaming up to found Dorobo Safaris, a tailored educational-based guided safari company that aims to promote community-based conservation, a green camp philosophy, and an emphasis on self-reflection and personal growth. Rejecting the common ideas of over-consumption and predatory tourism on the local communities, Dorobo Safaris worked to initiate the first joint venture agreements with local Maasai villages, providing payment in exchange for access to village lands for tourism.
Dorobo Safaris has grown and refined its mission in its 41 years. Today, Daudi and his brothers strive to address resource management and governance issues in Tanzania. Alongside Maasai activists, they founded The Dorobo Fund and the Ujamaa Community Resource Team in the late 1990s to support the “livelihood of hunter-gatherer and pastoral societies in northern Tanzania, ensuring that their way of life is recognized and respected…helping to secure land rights, improve livelihoods, educate new leaders, and create healthier and more sustainable communities.”
Dorobo Safaris currently offers a wide variety of adventures that are accessible to a wide range of ages, life stages, budgets, and interests. They feature trips that focus on walking safaris, cultural immersion, mountain biking, photography, birding, adventure, great apes, and beach environments. They were voted the 2023 Travelers’ Choice award by Tripadvisor, a Gold Winner for Best for Community Benefit by WTM Responsible Tourism Awards Africa, and work with six colleges and universities to bring students to Tanzania.
The Silver Anniversary Award recognizes one graduate from the 25 year reunion class for outstanding and exceptional career achievement.
Carl Jorgensen ‘98
Boise Group Leader and Entomologist for the Southern Idaho Boise Field Office for the USDA Forest Service
Before finding his passion for entomology, Carl was a member of the Omega Kappa Fraternity and served as the captain of the men’s rugby team during his time as a student at Gustavus. After graduation, he went on to North Dakota State University where he received his Masters in Entomology in 2002.
From there, Carl found employment in the U.S. Forest Service, beginning as a biological technician and then moving on to a Forest Entomologist where he was an entomologist supporting land managers with forest insect and disease management recommendations, monitoring forest impacts through aerial and ground surveys, as well as providing invasive weed biological control technical assistance. He was promoted to his current position in 2019 as the Group Leader and Entomologist in the Boise Field Office in Forest Health Protection in Boise, ID. As group leader, Carl leads a team of entomologists, plant pathologists, GIS specialists, aerial survey specialists, and biological technicians who monitor forest pests and provide project assistance to federal, state and private land management agencies in Idaho, Nevada and Utah. His team assists with forest health issues particularly related to forest and range disturbance agents that include native and non-native insects, pathogens, and invasive plants.
Carl continually collaborates with researchers and other professionals across the country and internationally to improve forest pest and invasive weed management. Jorgensen has also co-authored several articles on the subject of pest management, forest management and tree care, applied entomology, forest ecology, and natural resource management and has presented this research at national and international conferences.
Carl describes his work as, “I drive around the mountains in southern Idaho and talk to foresters, researchers, and the public about forest insects and their management. And look for dead trees.”
Carl spends his free time skiing, camping, fishing and hunting with his wife, children, and dogs.
First presented in 1968, the First Decade Award was established to recognize an individual for early professional achievement by graduates of the 10th anniversary class.
Criteria appropriate to selection shall include the difficulty of accomplishment; quality, creativity, and distinctiveness of performance; recognition by professional peers; and lasting contribution to the world of ideas and affairs.
Andre Creighton ’13
Co-Founder/Chief Financial Officer, TurnSignl
Andre Creighton grew up in Saint Paul before starting at Gustavus in the fall of 2009. He maintained a busy schedule as he balanced his academic schedule with his participation in Gustavus Football, Tau Psi Omega, his role as a Residential Assistant, Study Buddies, Little Partner/Big Partner volunteer, and as a Page Education Scholar. After graduating in 2013, Andre worked as a Tax Associate for several years at Lurie Besikof Lapidus & Company and then Baker Tilly Virchow Krause. In 2017, he attended Augsburg University for a Master of Business Administration and Finance, which he utilized in his position as Senior Tax Analyst at SPIRE Credit Union and then at Cargill. Starting in January of 2020, Andre returned to his passion for football by joining the coaching staff at Harding Senior High School.
Following the police killings of Philando Castile in 2016 and George Floyd in 2020, two examples out of many of black people who were pulled over in routine traffic stops, Andre and two friends, Jazz Hampton (a Minnesota attorney) and Mychal Frelix (a tech sales guru working for Sony Electronics), decided to use their unique professional skills to found the company TurnSignl, to counteract issues that occur during these routine traffic stops.
TurnSignl is an on-demand, real-time service that provides 24/7 legal guidance from an attorney to drivers while their camera records the interaction. When drivers are stopped by law enforcement or involved in a car accident, they can access live video chat with an attorney at the press of a button. TurnSignl attorneys are vetted and trained to deescalate interactions between police, drivers, and passengers. Launched as an app in Minnesota and Georgia in 2021, TurnSignl is now operational in 49 states.
Andre currently serves as TurnSignl’s Chief Financial Officer. He describes his work as an overseer of the company’s “finances, accounting, and operations. I am challenged every day to drive operational results and key performance indicators by formulating our platform and user base data to tell a story that correlates with our financial metrics.” Their latest goal is to partner with businesses so that TurnSignl can be offered as an employee benefit. They are currently endorsed by the Minnesota Vikings, BlueCross BlueShield of Minnesota, Children’s Minnesota, Brother Justus Whiskey Company, and Mendota Health.