Page 10 Stillwater Graduation • Friday , May 24 , 2024
Stillwater Area Public Schools produce outstanding and productive citizens who strive to make the world a better place in various ways .
Whether their accomplishments include fame , extensive fulfillment of civic duties , or a laundry list of achievements in their field , many Stillwater Area High School graduates of the past deserve to be recognized for their work . They not only represent the district and the community well , but they also inspire students of today and tomorrow while impacting generations of community members both locally and globally .
Initiated in 1987 by Dr . Jon Swenson , an SAHS principal , the Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes individuals who have placed a high priority on education and service to others , becoming role models for this and future generations .
A committee , through a nomination process , selects the award recipients each year . The committee is chaired by the SAHS principal and composed of ISD 834 personnel , a Partnership Plan representative , community members , and Stillwater Alumni . The selected honorees will be inducted into the SAHS Hall of Fame and be recognized at a reception hosted by The Partnership Plan on May 31 . Recipients will also be honored at the Stillwater Area High School Commencement Ceremony on June 1 .
This year ’ s banquet , on Friday , May 31 , will be held at the Lake Elmo Inn Event Center .
Beginning at 5:30 p . m ., there will be a reception with a cash bar , a dinner , and a presentation of this year ’ s Distinguished Alumni .
Tables are first come , first served , so if you have a large party that all would like to sit together , please be sure to get there early .
Plaques of Distinguished Alumni are permanently hung near the main rotunda at SAHS . The plaques afford current
Stillwater students an opportunity to read about the successful life paths of former SHS and SAHS students after graduation .
These five 2024 Distinguished Alumni join more than 100 honored since the first award in 1987 .
Greg Anderson , class of 2000
Greg Anderson ( class of 2000 ) has developed a multifaceted career as a pianist , composer , and filmmaker . He is an internationally renowned concert pianist whose mission is to demystify classical music , Greg Anderson making it relevant to the next generation . His creative approach has attracted new audiences to the genre with live tours reaching four continents and 24 countries , 30 + million music video views , daily radio plays , and over a thousand performances of his compositions every year .
Anderson received his Doctorate and Master of Musical Arts degrees from Yale University and his master ’ s and bachelor ’ s degrees from The Juilliard School , where one of his performances was handpicked to appear on the Sounds of Juilliard CD celebrating the school ’ s centenary . Anderson is a Steinway artist , with a handmade piano that is as unique and distinguished as the artist who plays it .
John Kraemer , class of 1961
2024 inductee John Kraemer was instrumental in the creation of the Stillwater Veterans Memorial and Minnesota Medal of Honor Memorial .
John Kraemer ( class of 1961 ) devoted his retirement to honoring his fellow veterans . Kraemer , who served in the Air National Guard during the Vietnam era , first got the idea in 1998 when Stillwater Area High School asked for distinguished alumni nominations . He submitted a list of former Stillwater students killed in combat , who were honored collectively .
Kraemer wanted a way to recognize all area veterans so he started efforts to create the Stillwater Veterans Memorial , which was built in 2004 . It sits on the site of the old high school , a tribute to those who served in all branches in all time periods .
Kraemer was also the driving force behind the Minnesota Medal of Honor Memorial at the State Capitol . The memorial recognizes Medal of Honor and Medal of Valor recipients , as well as veterans , youth , and future generations . Its mission also includes character development education for students .
Carol Ley , M . D ., M . P . H ., class of 1976
A national leader in occupational health , Carol Ley ( class of 1976 ) specialized in Occupational and Preventive Medicine . During her tenure at 3M , she held the positions of Vice President and Corporate Carol Ley Medical Director . In these roles , Ley led global efforts
StillwaterGazette . com
Five distinguished Stillwater alumni recognized for excellence
John Kraemer
in employee health , environmental safety , product labeling , toxicology , compliance , epidemiology , and health physics . She also chaired the American Association for the Advancement of Science ’ s Technology and Law Section , highlighting her commitment to scientific integrity at a national level .
Passionate about enhancing patient safety and healthcare quality , Ley chaired the National Patient Safety Foundation for many years and made significant contributions to scientific publications in these areas . Additionally , she held leadership roles at Fairview Health Services , the University of Minnesota Medical Center , and the Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement , further showcasing her dedication to advancing healthcare standards .
Roger A . Peterson , class of 1954
Roger Peterson ( class of 1954 ) worked as
Roger A . Peterson an accountant for more than 50 years , founding the firm Peterson , Hudson & Co .
Prior to that he served in the U . S . Army for two years .
Peterson was a long-time member of the Stillwater City Council . An advocate for preservation and environmental improvements , he served for 16 years including during the great flood of 1965 . Along with city planners , he helped create a flood plan to protect downtown , which is still in use today .
Peterson has been a life-long volunteer in the community , participating in the Jaycees , Lions Club , Valley Outreach , and other organizations .
See Alumni , Page 20
BE BOLD , BE COURAGEOUS , BE YOUR BEST .
— GABRIELLE GIFFORDS
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