Bemidji State University’s Distinguished Minnesotan award acknowledges the contributions of current or former residents of the state who have performed exemplary service to the people of Minnesota or the United States. The Distinguished Minnesotan traditionally delivers Bemidji State’s commencement address.
Nature writer Sigurd Olson (1899-1982) received BSU’s first Distinguished Minnesotan award from President Rebecca Stafford in 1981. Olson was instrumental in the creation of the protection of Minnesota’s Boundary Waters area and he helped establish the state’s Voyageur’s National Park.
There have been 40 Distinguished Minnesotans in the 38 years the honor has been awarded. The award was presented annually from 1981–2009 and was not awarded in 2010, 2012, 2020 or 2021. Two persons were honored in both 2007 and 2016.
Bemidji State University’s Distinguished Minnesotan Award Recipients
Listed in reverse chronological order
2023
Tuleah Palmer
CEO, Blandin Foundation
2019
Retired Minnesota Supreme Court Justice and Minnesota Vikings Defensive Lineman
2018
Author
2017
Minnesota Supreme Court justice
2016
Philanthropists
2015
President & CEO, American Public Media
2014
CEO, Carlson Companies
2013
Senior military assistant to the U.S. Secretary of Defense
2011
President, Marvin Windows & Doors
2009
Television anchor
2008
Vice president for community affairs, 3M
2007
Paul Wellstone
U.S. Senator
and
Sheila Wellstone
Advocate against domestic abuse
2006
Kathleen Blatz
Chief Justice, Minnesota Supreme Court
2005
Gerald Vizenor
Author, educator
2004
Herb Brooks
Men’s ice hockey coach
2003
Edgar Heteen
Entrepreneur, snowmobile pioneer
2002
Rosalie Wahl
Minnesota Supreme Court justice
2001
Libby Larsen
Composer
2000
Jon Hassler
Author, educator
1999
Coya Knutson
Congresswoman
1998
Bob Bergland
Congressman, former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
1997
Ann Bancroft
Explorer of North & South poles
1996
Jerry Willet
Businessman, former state senator
1995
William H. Kling
Public radio innovator
1994
Cheryl Dickson
Leader in humanities programming
1993
Nellie Stone Johnson
Political & social activist
1992
Veda Ponikvar
Newspaper publisher
1991
Meridel LeSueur
Writer, social activist
1990
William S. Marvin
Businessman, community leader
1989
Curtis L. Carlson
Businessman, philanthropist
1988
Elmer L. Andersen
Businessman, former governor
1987
Muriel Buck Humphrey Brown
Advocate for the disadvantaged
1986
Dr. Harlan Cleveland
Political scientist
1985
Dr. John Najarian
Transplant surgeon
1984
Frederick F. Manfred
Author
1983
Janet Dearholt Esty
Businesswoman, entrepreneur
1982
Karl Kassulke
Athlete, handicap advocate
1981
Sigurd Olson
Naturalist and author
2022