The stars continue to shine bright at Winona State University in 2005. Several star WSU alumni and community members accepted awards for their outstanding achievements and commitment to their communities.

The Distinguished Awards Committee of the Winona State University Alumni Society honored five people with the 2005 awards of distinction. Five others were inducted into the Winona State University Athletic Hall of Fame.

The Distinguished Alumni Awards were presented to Roscoe Young, '74, of Bernardsville, N.J., and Martin Lueck, '78, of Minneapolis, Minn., and Hugh Miller of Winona received the Distinguished Service Award. Distinguished Young Alumni Awards were presented to Adrienne Mitchell, '93, of Washington, D.C., and Randall Knudson, '97, of Morristown, Minn.

WSU's Director of Alumni Affairs, Kim Dehlin Zeiher, said the awards of distinction recipients not only excelled professionally and within their community, but they also brought honor to the university.

"Winona State alumni go out into the world as an educated populace at every level," said Dehlin Zeiher. "We're providing health care workers, engineers, artists and many other professionals all of whom bring richness and depth not only to Winona but throughout the U.S. and beyond its borders. The awards of distinction alumni are proof that WSU's mission is being accomplished."

The Distinguished Alumni award recognizes graduates of WSU who have gone on to achieve prominence in their chosen profession. The Distinguished Young Alumni award recognizes graduates 35 years of age or younger who have distinguished themselves through their work or community involvement. The selfless efforts of individuals who have significantly enhanced the university's mission and excellence are recognized with the Distinguished Service award.

Each year, between 40 and 60 people are nominated for the awards of distinction by WSU alumni, faculty and friends of the university. The recipients of these awards are selected by the Alumni Board of Directors membership sub-committee.

WSU's Hall of Fame Committee wrestled with some tough decisions as they chose this year's inductees. Each year, past Winona State University athletes or coaches are honored for their athletic achievements and personal successes.  In September 2005, five Winona State University graduates were inducted into the Winona State University Athletic Hall of Fame.

The awards were presented to John Delozier, '61, of Cold Spring, Minn.; Leif Nelson, '84, of Rochester, Minn.; Robert Stark, '51, of Caledonia, Minn.; Kathleen Cemensky Allen, '73, of Baraboo, Wis.; and Merle Sovereign, '67, of Cresco, Iowa.

Dan Schumacher, WSU director of athletic development, said the inductees are excellent examples of WSU alumni who were leaders as students as well as leaders in their communities.

"All of these inductees truly mirror the university's mission; a community of learners dedicated to improving our world," said Schumacher. "They have impacted the world and the communities they live in during their post graduation years."

The Hall of Fame award recipients are graduates or past coaches of WSU who were nominated by a Hall of Fame Committee member or by someone in the general public. The committee examines a nominee's years of success as a student athlete and evaluates their efforts at living the mission of WSU after graduation.

The first Hall of Fame induction was in 1986.  Since then, 102 people have received this honor.