The 2026 award recipients exemplify leadership in health, science, music, business, and service.
Gustavus Adolphus College and its Alumni Association are celebrating the 2026 Alumni Association Award recipients, whose careers and service show the many ways a Gustavus education can shape lives and make a difference. From public health and biotechnology to the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, financial technology, and support for neurodivergent learners, this year’s honorees reflect the breadth of paths open to graduates of a liberal arts college.
“Gusties Go Beyond” is more than a motto: the awards recognize alumni who continue to lead, serve, create, and strengthen the communities around them. The Alumni Association represents more than 40,000 Gustavus graduates and former students, each a lifetime member of the association.
The 2026 award recipients include:
First Decade Award — Bryden Carlson-Giving ’16. A psychological science graduate, Carlson-Giving earned advanced degrees in occupational therapy and created the EMPOWER model, the first neurodiversity-affirming occupational therapy framework. He founded Neurodivergent Nexus, an online resource and mentorship platform, and leads inclusive, trauma-informed initiatives with Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Public Schools.
Silver Anniversary Award — Jason Haaheim ’01. A Gustavus double major in physics and music, Haaheim is principal timpanist of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in New York. His career has also included nanotechnology research and engineering, patents, teaching, and the founding of the Northland Timpani Summit—an example of a career that bridges science and music.
Golden Anniversary Award — John Trawick ’76. A biology graduate and biotechnology consultant, Trawick has more than three decades of academic and commercial research experience. At Genomatica, he led work that produced a bio-based alternative to petroleum-derived 1,4-butanediol, using less energy and producing fewer greenhouse gases than the petroleum-based process.
Distinguished Alumni Citation — Bonnie Madsen Brueshoff ’79. Brueshoff built a 31-year career in public health with Dakota County, including 13 years as director, guiding the department through the H1N1 and COVID-19 pandemics. She now consults with Serve Minnesota and has helped create opportunities for Gustavus nursing students through clinical placements and public health initiatives.
Distinguished Alumni Citation — Gordon Mansergh ’84. A senior behavioral scientist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for 30 years, Mansergh specializes in HIV/AIDS prevention. He established the Mansergh Fund in 2007 to support Gustavus students pursuing public health internships at federal agencies, and mentors interns as they build their careers.
Distinguished Alumni Citation — Catherine Palmieri ’83. Palmieri has spent more than three decades in banking and fintech leadership, holding senior roles at Citigroup, American Express, and TIAA-CREF. She is now founder and CEO of Qubi, a fintech platform focused on payments and rewards, and is also an author, keynote speaker, and mentor to emerging entrepreneurs.
Greater Gustavus Award — Thomas Young ’88 and Meredith Young. The highest honor given by the Gustavus Alumni Association recognizes those who have notably advanced and aided the College. Thomas Young served as vice president for advancement from 2008 until his retirement in May 2026, helping lead philanthropic campaigns that generated nearly $500 million in support. Together, Thomas and Meredith Young have strengthened the College’s ties to Sweden and the Nobel Foundation, supporting the future of Gustavus.
The College also recognizes Honorary Gusties Gene Basset (posthumously), Marv Dyrstad, Matt Grochow, Shanon Nowell, and Phil Voight.
“While we often discuss what makes a Gustavus education distinctive, it is always incredible to witness those qualities in action through the remarkable stories of our honorees,” says Angela Erickson, Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement. “When students first arrive at Gustavus, they quickly discover they are surrounded by extraordinary people: bright minds, caring hearts, and ambitious spirits. Excellence inspires excellence, and we are always honored to celebrate that tradition.”
The Alumni Association Awards are selected through a nomination and review process led by the association’s Recognition Committee. Nominations come from classmates, fellow alumni, faculty, staff, and others familiar with the nominees’ accomplishments; the committee evaluates nominees and brings recommendations to the full Alumni Association Board of Directors for review and approval.
For more information about the Gustavus Alumni Association, visit the Alumni website.
