The University of Minnesota, Crookston honored six exceptional individuals during homecoming. Recognition for three Outstanding Alumni and three Athletic Hall of Fame inductees was held on Friday evening, September 30, 2011, in Bede Ballroom in the Sargeant Student Center.

Named Outstanding Alumni for 2011 were Ann Bailey '79, Larimore, N.D.; Kevin Fee '80, Grand Forks, N.D.; and Eric Klindt ex. '99, Campbell, Minn.  Athletic Hall of Fame inductees included: Nathan Pitt '97, Morden, Manitoba, Canada; Luther Huggins ex. '84, Frisco, Texas; and Ed Odland, Crookston, Minn. Odland was honored for his long time support of Golden Eagle Athletics and his leadership to the Teambacker organization, the athletic promotion and fundraising organization on the Crookston campus.

The evening began with a social, followed by a banquet and program. U of M, Crookston Chancellor Charles H. Casey brought greetings from the campus. The choir, under the direction of George French, performed a musical number and led the singing of "Hail! Minnesota" and the "Minnesota Rouser."   A presenter, selected by the honoree, introduced each award recipient. Outstanding Alumni received their "Alummy," the award designed specifically for outstanding alumni recipients, and a commemorative plaque was presented to the Athletic Hall of Fame inductees. An additional plaque with the inductee's photograph will be placed in the Sports Center on the Hall of Fame wall outside of Lysaker Gymnasium.

The Outstanding Alumni Award is the highest honor bestowed on alumni by the University of Minnesota, Crookston Alumni Association. The award recognizes alumni who have displayed exemplary commitment and service to community, church, education, family or in their occupational field. More than 125 alumni have been honored with the Outstanding Alumni Award since its inception in 1980.

The Athletic Hall of Fame recognizes achievement by a former athlete or team, or extraordinary support of student-athletes by an individual or organization.  There have been seven teams and more than 40 individuals inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame since 1999 when the award was presented for the first time in campus history.

The Crookston campus opened its doors in 1906 as the Northwest School of Agriculture educating high-school students for 60 years until 1968. During its last two years of operation, the campus transitioned to a two-year technical college, known as the University of Minnesota Crookston Technical Institute. In 1993, the campus transitioned again to offer baccalaureate degrees and became the first-ever laptop university in the nation.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers 29 bachelor's degree programs, 18 minors, and more than 40 concentrations, including 10 online degrees, in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of about 1,450 undergraduates from more than 25 countries and 40 states, the Crookston campus offers a supportive, close-knit atmosphere that leads to a prestigious University of Minnesota degree.  "Small Campus. Big Degree."  To learn more, visit www.umcrookston.edu.

In the photo, seated, left to right: Ann Bailey, Ed Odland, and Kevin Fee. Standing: Chancellor Casey, Eric Klindt, Luther Huggins, Nathan Pitt, Athletic Director Steph Helgeson, and Director of Development & Alumni Relations Corby Kemmer.