Alumnus of the Year
Bob Parkinson, Glendale, Calif., graduated from DWU in 1933 and received an honorary doctorate from DWU in 1990. He worked in sales for 17 years and education 27 years before retiring. Bob remains active in his church, where he has held a variety of leadership positions.

Outstanding Service to Alma Mater
Keith Miller, Pierre, received his bachelor’s degree from DWU in 1947 and his graduate degree from the School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin. Before his retirement, Miller worked as an insurance and banking executive. He is a past DWU Alumni Board member.

Outstanding Professional Achievement
Brian Klock, Mitchell, received his bachelor’s degree from DWU in 1991. Klock’s business, Klock Werks, builds custom motorcycles and recently won the Discovery Channel’s Biker Build-Off Competition. His work has also been featured in a variety of national publications and events.

Outstanding Educator
Rick Melmer, Pierre, received his bachelor’s degree from DWU in 1979, his master’s degree from South Dakota State University and his doctorate from the University of Wyoming. Melmer currently serves as the secretary of education for the state of South Dakota and is a member of the DWU Board of Trustees.

Humanitarian of the Year
Naomi Hull, Lincoln, Neb., received her bachelor’s degree from DWU in 1952 and her master’s degree from the University of Nebraska. She has done extensive work in the field of pastoral care, including serving as a founding member of The Gathering Place, a family support center in Lincoln, Neb.

Young Alumna of the Year
Jeanene Sampson, Moville, Iowa, received her bachelor’s degree from DWU in 1996 and her master’s degree from the University of South Dakota in 2001. She currently is the head principal for grades nine through 12 for the Sioux City Public Schools.