Alumni Award Recipients Announced for 2023

Each year the SMSU Alumni Association recognizes alumni and friends who have made significant contributions of time, talent, or financial resources to help advance and bring positive recognition to Southwest Minnesota State University. This year’s award recipients have been selected and will be recognized during Homecoming at the annual awards celebration on Friday, October 13.

Alumni Achievement Awards Honorary Lifetime Award

Wayne “Cookie” Cook ’73. Wayne has worked as a journalist at several newspapers in southwestern Minnesota including the Marshall Independent where he won several Associate Press (AP) awards for his writing. He served as sports information director at Southwest from 1981-87. Along with his twin brother, Warren, he umpired baseball at all levels from youth and VFW to college and amateur. He just completed his 48th year behind the plate. Wayne lives in Redwood Falls, Minn.

Bruce ’89 and Linda ’90 Saugstad. Bruce is the Chief Operating Officer for Reitsma & Associates in Sioux Falls, SD after a 32-year career with The Schwan Food Company. He stepped in as the interim Athletic Director at SMSU in 2021-22. He also served on the SMSU Foundation Board of Directors. Linda has dedicated herself to volunteer work—all focused on helping kids including work with FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) and foster care. She has served on the Mustang Booster Club board. Bruce and Linda live in Marshall, Minn.

Dr. Mark Wallert ’83. Mark is retiring after eight years as a biology professor at Bemidji State. He was a professor in Biosciences at Minnesota State University-Moorhead for 25 years. His professional research focuses on using sodium hydrogen isoform 1 (NHE1) as a therapeutic target for the treatment of ovarian cancer and pulmonary fibrosis. He served on the steering committee for the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Student Chapters, organizing their annual meeting for the past 11 years. Mark lives in Laporte, Minn.

Robert Byrnes. Bob has served as the Mayor of Marshall since 1992. Prior to serving as mayor, he was a city council member from 1986-1992. He recently retired as the Statewide Director of Operations for the University of Minnesota Extension after 40 years with the organization. This summer, he received the 2023 C.C. Ludwig Award at the League of Minnesota Cities Annual Conference. The award is the League’s highest honor for elected officials. Bob lives in Marshall, Minn.

GOLD (GRADUATES OF THE LAST DECADE) AWARD

Rachel ’13 and Maxx ’13 Raths. Rachel is a Microbiologist and Manager of Regulatory Affairs at Ralco. She also worked as a research scientist and microbiologist for Ralco’s Agnition brand, focused on helping farmers get the most out of their soil and fertilizer inputs. Maxx is the Director of Marketing and Digital Content at Pulse. Prior to Pulse, Maxx was involved with a variety of consulting and entrepreneurial ventures related to marketing, digital media, and storytelling. Maxx serves on the advisory board for the SMSU Center of Innovation and Strategy. Rachel and Maxx live in Marshall, Minn.

JOHN AND KATHY PAXTON ALUMNI SERVICE AWARD

Jason Mortvedt ’78. Jason served two six-year stints on the Alumni Association board. He is enthusiastic about Southwest and active in both attending official events and planning informal alumni gatherings. He is one of the core group of alumni that comes back for Homecoming every single year. Jason is retired from farming and lives in Blue Earth, Minn.

To hear their Southwest stories and celebrate the accomplishments of all this year’s award winners, attend the 2023 Alumni Awards Celebration on Friday, October 13 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. The event is open to the public. Tickets are $15 and will be available online. To register and read about past award winners, visit: www.SMSUAlumni.com/awards