Mount Marty University: Honoring a Legacy Through Notable Alumni

Mount Marty University (MMU), a private Catholic, Benedictine, coeducational liberal arts university founded in 1936, has a rich history of fostering intellectual, physical, social, and spiritual growth. Named in memory of Martin Marty, a Benedictine missionary and the first Catholic Bishop of Dakota Territory, the university has grown from a junior college for women to a comprehensive institution with over 10,000 alumni. These alumni have made significant contributions across various fields, embodying the university's core values and leaving a lasting impact on their communities and the world. Each year, Mount Marty University recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of its distinguished alumni through various awards and honors.

Alumni Achievement Awards: Recognizing Excellence and Service

Mount Marty University presents Alumni Achievement Awards to alumni who have made outstanding contributions to their fields, communities, and churches. These awards recognize individuals who exemplify the university's shared core values: Christian, liberal arts, excellence, community, or service.

Daniel P. Digre ’78: A Leader in Global Technology and the Arts

Daniel P. Digre, a 1978 graduate, serves as CEO of MISCO Speaker Company and Warkwyn Labs in St. Paul, Minnesota. Under his leadership, MISCO has evolved into a global leader, serving industries from aerospace and medical technology to gaming and mass transit. Notably, MISCO partnered with NASA to design and build loudspeakers for the Orion spacecraft as part of the Artemis Program.

Digre's passion for music, cultivated during his time as an Augustana Choir alumnus and music major, has remained steadfast. He began his career teaching choral music at New Ulm High School and has since supported ensembles in the Twin Cities, including Singers in Accord and the Border Crossing Choral Ensemble. Digre's commitment to both technology and the arts showcases the diverse paths MMU alumni pursue.

David W. Johnson ’74: A Pillar of Community Banking and Service

David W. Johnson, a 1974 graduate, has dedicated his career to community banking and service in South Dakota. Appointed CEO of Farmers State Bank in Estelline in 1976, he guided the institution through decades of growth, including its 1999 transition to Reliabank. From 1992 to 2018, Reliabank expanded to 10 locations across eastern South Dakota. Johnson also served as president of the Independent Community Bankers of South Dakota, director of the national ICBA, and a USAID volunteer in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

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Johnson and his family received the Prairie Family Business Heritage Award in 2020, and he and his wife, Jan, were named Philanthropists of the Year in 2022. His dedication to community banking and service exemplifies the values instilled at Mount Marty University.

Jan (Hovey) Johnson ’75: A Champion of Education, Business, and the Arts

Jan (Hovey) Johnson, a 1975 graduate, has combined a career in education with leadership in business and the arts. She taught English at Estelline and Watertown high schools and later served as an adjunct professor at Mount Marty University in Watertown. Since 1992, she has been a member of Reliabank’s board of directors and became board chair.

Beyond education and banking, Johnson served on the South Dakota Hall of Fame board and is currently on the executive board of Friends of South Dakota Public Broadcasting (SDPB). A supporter of the Center for Western Studies (CWS), she has sponsored publications on South Dakota history and culture. With her husband, Dave, she received the 2022 South Dakota Philanthropist of the Year award. Johnson's multifaceted career demonstrates the breadth of opportunities available to MMU graduates.

John F. Hansen ‘68: Strengthening Communities Through Leadership and Service

John F. Hansen, a 1968 graduate, has devoted his professional and volunteer life to strengthening the Bellevue, Nebraska, and Offutt Air Force Base communities. A successful realtor, he founded Century 21/Hansen Real Estate and later served as president of the Nebraska Realtors Association.

Hansen served 28 years on the Bellevue Board of Education, including 17 as president, where he helped found the Military Impacted Schools Association to advocate nationally for military families and ensure smoother educational transitions for children. In 1992, he helped establish the Offutt Advisory Council, serving as president for more than 30 years, building partnerships between military leaders and civilian communities. He also co-founded the Bellevue Community Foundation, which continues to provide vital support to local organizations and families.

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Hansen’s civic contributions include service on the Bellevue City Council, Nebraska Real Estate Commission and numerous nonprofit boards. Hansen's commitment to community development and advocacy reflects the values of service and leadership emphasized at Mount Marty University.

Scott N. Peters ’77: A Devoted Legal Advocate for Justice and Reform

Scott N. Peters, a 1977 graduate, has been a devoted legal advocate, serving as a law clerk for U.S. District Judge John B. Jones and developing expertise in disability law. For more than 30 years, he chaired the Minnehaha County Board of Mental Illness, adjudicating nearly 12,000 cases and leading reforms to improve due process, expand access to treatment, and establish mobile crisis teams. He also argued a case before the U.S. Supreme Court that marked the first interpretation of the Eighth Amendment’s Excessive Fines Clause.

In retirement, Peters continued his commitment to servant leadership as board chair and volunteer development worker at Sioux Falls Lutheran School. Peters' dedication to justice and reform underscores the impact MMU alumni can have on the legal system and the lives of vulnerable individuals.

Horizon Award: Recognizing Emerging Leaders

The Horizon Award recognizes young alumni who have graduated within the last 15 years and have quickly demonstrated outstanding vocational achievement and provided faithful service to their community and/or church.

Mason Voehl ’14: Protecting Fragile Ecosystems and Empowering Communities

Mason Voehl, a 2014 graduate, is an environmental advocate dedicated to protecting fragile ecosystems and empowering communities. As executive director of the Amargosa Conservancy, he led efforts to safeguard the Amargosa River Watershed in the Mojave Desert. Now serving as the Conservancy’s campaigns director, he focuses on advocacy and grassroots organizing to defend the river and landscape.

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Voehl's work has been featured in The New York Times, Politico, and The Washington Post. His dedication to environmental advocacy and community empowerment exemplifies the values of service and sustainability promoted at Mount Marty University.

Alumni in Medicine: Dr. Matthew Hayes ’99

Dr. Matthew Hayes, a 1999 graduate, is a radiologist from the Sanford Health Musculoskeletal Radiology Program in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Hayes completed his medical residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, followed by an Advanced Radiology Training Fellowship, also at Mayo.

Hayes credits MMU with giving him a strong academic start, noting the influence of professors like James Bowers and Sister Marielle Frigge. After graduating from MMC in 1999, he attended the University of South Dakota School of Medicine and graduated at the top of his class. From there, he earned one of 12 coveted radiology residency positions at Mayo Clinic.

Hayes and his wife, Dr. Meredith Hayes, were recruited to return to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in 2012 to start the Sanford Health Musculoskeletal Radiology Program. Hayes hopes to teach radiology courses to medical students and residents at the USD School of Medicine, contributing to the education of future medical professionals.

Other Notable Alumni

Mount Marty University has a diverse alumni base, with graduates making significant contributions in various fields. Some other notable alumni include:

2022: Jessica (Jurgensen) Clark, Claire (Sung) Reiss, Dave & Marcene (Tomjack) Dickes, Dr. Kevin Kennedy.
2020: Johanna (Scheich) Jablonoski, Joel Schwiesow, Mary Abbott.
2019: Jordan Pater.
2014: Jill Orton, Deb Fischer-Clemens, Brock Sundall.
2008: Sister Patricia Heirigs, Marvin Veasy, Francis G.
2006: Mary Elizabeth Eisenman Carson, Rev. David Korth, Kayleen Tyrrell Lee, Dr. James Dufek.
2005: Mary Lois Hunhoff Gibson, S. Ramona Fallon.
2004: Christine Lang Pharr, Carol Kippes Pistulka.
2003: Alice Jensen Hoesing, Shirley Skrdla Musich.
2001: Frances Murray Flaherty, Suzanne Reisch Dufek, Marilyn Van Gerpen Ter Maat.
1996: Dr. Mary Shon.
1993: Thomas K.
1991: Joan Rossiter Burney, S. Inez Welchert.
1988: Arliss Johnson, Joy Hentges Jenkins, S. Rosalie Sitzmann, Br.
1987: Jess Wolf, Donna Meirose.
1983: Paula Kertzman Tacke, Rev.
1981: Ruth Landsberger Vickers, S. Kevin Irwin.

Celebrating Alumni Achievements

Mount Marty University celebrates alumni achievements through various events, including the Alumni Honors Luncheon, where award recipients are recognized alongside alumni celebrating milestone anniversaries. These events provide an opportunity for the MMU community to come together and celebrate the contributions of its alumni to the university and society as a whole.

Mount Marty University: A Foundation for Success

Mount Marty University provides a supportive community that fosters intellectual, physical, social, and spiritual growth. With a wide range of academic programs, extracurricular activities, and opportunities for involvement, MMU prepares students for success in their chosen fields. The university's commitment to affordability ensures that students from all backgrounds have access to a quality, private education.

MMU alumni have distinguished themselves in various fields, including Fortune 500 companies, education, health care, medicine, literature, and law. They have also served in organizations such as the Army Corps of Engineers, NASA, the Peace Corps, and the Walt Disney World Resort. With a placement rate of 96%, Mount Marty University is a testament to the transformative power of a Benedictine education.

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