Presented by the Alumni Board of Directors to alumni who have made outstanding contributions both in their career and to Michigan Tech over a number of years.
Nominations for the Distinguished Alumni Award are open now through December 15, 2025.
2025 Award Recipient:
Robert J. Currey '67
Read more about Robert and watch his acceptance speech:
| Name | Class | Major | Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael A. Pulick Jr. | 1986 | Electrical Engineering | 2024 |
| Dianne M. Marsh | 1986, 1992 | Computer Science | 2023 |
| Chang K. Park | 1973 | Electrical Engineering Business Engineering Administration |
2022 |
| Julie Fream | 1983 | Chemical Engineering | 2021 |
| President Emeritus Glenn D. Mroz | 1974 1977 |
Forestry (BS) Forestry (MS) |
2020 |
| Iver E. Anderson | 1975 | Metallurgical Engineering | 2019 |
| Susan B. Kiehl (Brechting) | 1983 | Metallurgical Engineering | 2018 |
| Melvin J. Visser | 1959 | Chemical Engineering | 2018 |
| John J. Rockwell | 1979 | Business Administration | 2017 |
| William J. Bernard, Jr. | 1969 | Metallurgical and Materials Engineering | 2016 |
| Joseph M. Nowosad | 1987 | Metallurgical and Materials Engineering | 2015 |
| Thomas R. Irwin | 1963 | Business Administration | 2014 |
| Paul W. Fernstrum | 1965 | Mechanical Engineering | 2013 |
| James A. Tretheway | 1967 | Business | 2013 |
| Olive M. Kimball (Cornish) | 1952 | General Science, Honorary Biological Sciences | 2012 |
| John Soyring | 1976 | Electrical Engineering, Honorary Biological Sciences | 2012 |
| Dr. Bhakta B. Rath | 1958 | Metallurgical and Materials Engineering | 2011 |
| Richard W. Henes | 1948 | Mechanical Engineering | 2010 |
| Frank E. Pavlis | 1938 | Chemical Engineering | 2009 |
| Dr. Sarah A. Rajala | 1974 | Electrical Engineering | 2008 |
| Dr. David A. Edwards | 1983 | Chemical Engineering | 2007 |
| Dr. Matthew N. Songer | 1979 | Biological Sciences | 2007 |
| John A. Benaglio | 1970 | Business Administration | 2006 |
| William G. Jackson | 1958 | Electrical Engineering | 2006 |
| Gary E. Anderson | 1967 | Chemical Engineering | 2005 |
| James A. Mack | 1959 | Chemical Engineering | 2004 |
| Lina T. Taskovich (Tormen) | 1952 | Chemistry | 2003 |
| John F. Marshall | 1968 | Civil Engineering | 2001 |
| Kanwal S. Rekhi | 1969 | Electrical Engineering, Engineering | 2000 |
| David L. House | 1965 | Electrical Engineering | 1999 |
| James A. Klungness | 1949 | Electrical Engineering | 1998 |
| Dr. Theodore Rosza | 1936 | Geology | 1998 |
| Gerald J. Ziarno | 1959 | Electrical Engineering | 1997 |
| Dr. Octave J. DuTemple | 1948 | Chemical Engineering | 1996 |
| James S. Magoffin | 1941 | Mining Engineering | 1995 |
| Jack G. Real | 1937 | Mechanical Engineering | 1995 |
| Dr. Richard J. Robbins | 1956 | Mechanical Engineering | 1994 |
| William C. Verrette | 1961 | Civil Engineering | 1993 |
| John D. Opie | 1961 | Metallurgical and Materials Engineering | 1992 |
| Dr. Harold S. Jensen | 1952 | Civil Engineering | 1991 |
| Daniel L. Rivard | 1959 | Mechanical Engineering | 1990 |
| Edward O. Falberg | 1943 | Metallurgical and Materials Engineering | 1989 |
| Robert L. McFadin | 1945 | Mechanical Engineering | 1988 |
| Dr Edwin B. Johnson | 1947 | Metallurgical Engineering | 1987 |
| Dr. James G. Vorhes | 1947 | Mechanical Engineering | 1986 |
| Dr. Frank G. Woodruff | 1939 | Geology, Mining Engineering | 1984 |
| Arthur J. Karam | 1942 | Metallurgical and Materials Engineering | 1983 |
| Dr. Thomas J. Rentenbach | 1932 | Civil Engineering | 1982 |
| A. Daniel Hellens | 1939 | Mining Engineering | 1981 |
| Dr. Howard Barkell | 1934 | Metallurgical and Materials Engineering | 1980 |
| Dr. James B. Stone | 1940 | Mechanical Engineering | 1979 |
| Dr. James S. Westwater | 1934 | Mining Engineering, Engineering | 1978 |
| Dr. Martin J. Caserio | 1936 | Engineering | 1977 |
| Dr. F. John McMulkin | 1937 | Metallurgical and Materials Engineering | 1976 |
| Dr. Neil V. Hakala | 1939 | Chemical Engineering | 1975 |
| Dr. Ralph Hayden | 1933 | Mechanical Engineering | 1974 |
| Dr. Louis J. Haga | 1925 | Mining | 1973 |
| Dr. Karl V. Lindell | 1928 | Mining | 1972 |
| Dr. Wilfrid C. Polkinghorne | 1914 | Mining | 1972 |
| Ralph E. Benedict | 1916 | Mining | 1971 |
| A. J. Keast | 1923 | Mining | 1970 |
| Prof. Melvin Calvin | 1931 | Chemistry | 1969 |
| Dr. Albert E. Blair | 1910 | Mining | 1968 |
| Dr. John G. Gates | 1911 | Mining | 1968 |
| Charles C. Gates, Sr. | 1904 | Mining | 1968 |
| Dr. Clyde E. Weed | 1911 | Mining | 1967 |
| Dr. Scott Turner | 1904 | Mining, Engineering | 1966 |