Honored Alumni and Students
NIACC Alumni and Student Leadership Awards
(Pathways to Success Program)
Every April, top students of North Iowa Area Community College are recognized for their scholarship, leadership and character during the NIACC Alumni Association’s Annual Pathways to Success. An accomplished graduate of the College is invited back each year to share his or her “Pathway to Success” with the honored students and general audience. The speaker receives the NIACC Outstanding Alumni Award for that year. NIACC Distinguished Alumni Awards are also presented during the event. The Pathways to Success is sponsored annually by the Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors, Sue and Tony Coloff ’62 and NIACC Student Government.
Below you will find information about those who have been recognized as part of the Pathways to Success Program. (It is current at the time they were recognized.) Congratulations to all of our honorees!
2026
Outstanding Alumnus:
Gilman “Gil” Anderson – Class of 1975
Distinguished Alumni:
Philip “Phil” Johnson – Class of 1964
Anthony “Tony” Coloff – Class of 1962
Honored Students – 2026
2025
Outstanding Alumnus:
Zakaria “Zak” Joundi – Class of 2003
Distinguished Alumna:
Jan Nierling – Class of 2017
Honored Students – 2025
2024
Outstanding Alumnus:
Lori J. Ryerkerk – Class of 1981
Distinguished Alumna:
Beth Bilyeu – Class of 1989
Honored Students – 2024
2023
Outstanding Alumnus:
James T. Johnson – Class of 1962
Distinguished Alumna:
Mary Steiger Wendt – Class of 1976
Honored Students – 2023
2022
Outstanding Alumna:
Linda Upmeyer – Class of 1988
Distinguished Alumnus:
Terry DeBoer – Class of 1982
Honored Students – 2022
2021
Outstanding Alumna:
Dr. Jodi Cahalan – Class of 1987
Honored Students – 2021
2020
Honored Students – 2020
2019
Outstanding Alumnus:
Kevin Pals – Class of 1999
Distinguished Alumnus:
Scott Bertelsen – Class of 1979
Honored Students – 2019
2018
Outstanding Aluma:
Didi N. Zahariades- Class of 1999
Distinguished Alumnus:
Stephen A. Minert- Class of 1999
Honored Students – 2018
2017
Outstanding Alumnus:
Gavin Sandvig – Class of 1995
Honored Students – 2017
2016
Outstanding Alumnus:
Scott Lynch – Class of 1982
Honored Students – 2016
2015
Outstanding Alumna:
Dr. Anne Sullivan – Class of 1985
Honored Students – 2015
2014
Outstanding Alumnus:
Bobby Grizzard – Class of 1980
Honored Students – 2014
2013
Outstanding Alumnus:
Karel (Kew) Murray – Class of 1975
Honored Students – 2013
2012
Outstanding Alumnus:
Lt. Gen. Dennis Hejlik – Class of 1973
Distinguished Alumnus:
Terry Wisner – Class of 1980
Honored Students – 2012
2011
Outstanding Alumnus:
Bill Burge – Class of 1964
Distinguished Alumna:
Mariestelle (Miller) Brown – Class of 1947
Honored Students – 2011
2010
Outstanding Alumnus:
Senator William Dotzler, Jr. – Class of 1969
Distinguished Alumna:
Dianne L. Dethmers Paca – Class of 1960
Honored Students – 2010
2009
Outstanding Alumna:
Norma Cook Everist – Class of 1958
Honored Students – 2009
2008
Outstanding Alumnus:
Adam Bleakney – Class of 1997
Distinguished Aluma:
Donna (Dady) DePrenger – Class of 1967 & 1969
Honored Students – 2008
2006
Outstanding Alumnus:
Daniel Latham – Class of 1972
Distinguished Alumni:
Jim Brown – Class of 1939
Helen (Stoecker) Brown – Class of 1940
Edward Hanes – Class of 1952
Honored Students – 2006
2005
Outstanding Alumnus:
Robert Keith – Class of 1960
Distinguished Alumni:
Ralph W.E. Decker – Class of 1954
Helen (Ferrier) Ristau – Class of 1940
Honored Students – 2005
2004
Outstanding Alumnus:
Dan Copeland – Class of 1981
Distinguished Alumni:
Jerry Hoffman – Class of 1967
Linda (Paulsen) Nerdig – Class of 1982
Honored Students – 2004
2003
Outstanding Alumnus:
Dave Johnson – Class of 1976
Distinguished Alumnus:
Dr. Allen Blume – Class of 1970
Kary Paulson – Class of 1967
Honored Students – 2003
2002
Outstanding Alumna:
Ann Madden Rice – Class of 1977
Distinguished Alumni:
Dr. Darrell Fisher – Class of 1955
Bill Stoyles – Class of 1959
Honored Students – 2002
2000
Outstanding Alumnus:
Bill Swift – Class of 1963
Distinguished Alumnus:
Dick Carter
John Hitzhusen – Class of 1934
Honored Students – 2000
1998
Outstanding Alumnus:
Donovan Haxton, Jr. – Class of 1961
Distinguished Alumni:
Bill Gasperi – Class of 1961
Gwen (Hall) Gasperi – Class of 1965
Honored Students – 1998
1996
Outstanding Alumna:
Paula (Novis) Statman – Class of 1973
Distinguished Alumna:
Edna (Juel) Klaassen – Class of 1950
Honored Students – 1996
1994
Outstanding Alumnus:
Glen Haydon – Class of 1954
Honored Students – 1994
1992
Outstanding Alumnus:
John Pappajohn – Class of 1948
Honored Students – 1992