Alumnus of the Year
Don Messer, Denver, received his bachelor’s degree from DWU, his master’s degree and doctorate from Boston University and an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from DWU. Messer served 29 years as a university and seminary president, including 10 years at Dakota Wesleyan University and 19 years at the Iliff School of Theology, Denver. Messer works as the executive director of the Center for the Church and Global AIDS and serves as president emeritus and professor emeritus of practical theology at Iliff.

Outstanding Service to Alma Mater
Daniel Duffy, Rapid City, received his bachelor’s degree from DWU and his Juris Doctor from the University of South Dakota School of Law. Duffy was inducted into the DWU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999 and received the Young Alumnus of the Year award in 1996. He served on the DWU Board of Trustees from 1995 until 2008. Duffy is a partner with the law firm of Bangs, McCullen, Butler, Foye & Simmons of Rapid City and Sioux Falls.

Outstanding Professional Achievement
Maybelle Schein, Sioux Falls, graduated from the Methodist Hospital School of Nursing and received her bachelor’s degree from DWU. Schein works as a staff nurse and in hospice care at Avera McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls. She previously worked for the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta and hospitals in Atlanta, New York, Sioux Falls and Mitchell.

Outstanding Educator
Jerry Miller, Sioux Falls, received his bachelor’s degree from DWU and his master’s degree from South Dakota State University. Miller retired from teaching in 2003, but he continues to serve as a head football coach for Montrose High School. He has been a coach and teacher since 1963, working at more than 10 South Dakota high schools and colleges.

Humanitarian of the Year
Charlotte Nold, Chicago, received her bachelor’s degree from DWU, Master of Divinity degree from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary and Doctor of Ministry degree from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, Lombard, Ill. Nold currently serves as the senior pastor at St. John United Church of Christ, Chicago, where she has been involved in a variety of ministries.

Young Alumna of the Year
Paula Larson, Nashville, Tenn., received her bachelor’s degree from DWU and master’s degree from the University of Minnesota. She works at the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation as the coordinator of a used oil recycling program and at Country Music Television in Nashville as an audience specialist and recycling implementer.