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Jan Bergquist Hansen, Annie Deckert, Enanga Fale, Jeff Hegle and Matt Roisum are recipients of the 2017-2018 Alumni Association Awards at St. Cloud State University. These individuals were recognized for their achievements during St. Cloud State’s Foundation Gala, a donor recognition event, on Oct. 18 in the Atwood Memorial Center ballroom on campus.
Jan Bergquist Hansen ‘79, recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award, is co-founder and president/CEO of Educate Tanzania, Inc. (ETI), a Minnesota nonprofit that brings water, health education and business opportunities to the east African nation. ETI, working with other groups, recently created Karagwe University College, an agriculture and environmental studies school in northwest Tanzania. Hansen worked in higher education for many years, notably serving 19 years at University of St. Thomas, St. Paul. She earned a bachelor’s degrees in psychology and art in 1979. She holds a doctorate in gifted education from Purdue University, West Layfayette, Indiana.
Annie Deckert ‘05, co-recipient of the Alumni Service Award, is founder and president of Decklan
Group, an economic development strategies firm headquartered in Elk River, which was awarded the Chamber of Commerce’s “New Business of the Year Award.” Deckert also founded and chaired the Economic Development Association of Minnesota – Young Professionals Group, which received their “Innovation Award” in 2010. She was appointed by Chief Justice Gildea to serve on the 16-member Minnesota Compensation Council, which is charged with recommending salary levels for the state’s top government officials. She was awarded a $60,000 fellowship from the Initiative Foundation of Central Minnesota. Deckert has also served on the Central Minnesota Development Corporation Board of Directors, and ISD 728 Career and Technical Education Committee. The philanthropic involvement of Deckert encompasses her community and the region through her work with local food shelves, local schools, charitable events as well as donated professional services for organizations and non-profits. She also provides insight and feedback to the MN Department of Labor dual training programs and continues to be a trailblazer in Minnesota workforce development initiatives. She earned a bachelor’s degree in community development in 2005. She holds a master’s degree in public administration from Hamline University, St. Paul.
Enanga Fale, co-recipient of the Alumni Service Award, is a senior manager for systems engineering at Northrup Grumman. She is active in the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), serving in leadership roles at the regional and sectional levels. Fale is a past keynote speaker at St. Cloud State’s SWE Horizons Conference, a 27-year event that promotes science and engineering careers to young girls. She is a past advisory board member for the Women’s Center at St. Cloud State. She earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering with an emphasis in aviation operations from St. Cloud State. Following graduation at SCSU, Enanga, focused her career in the aerospace industry, being a STEM advocate and educator in her community, and supporting corporate Woman’s Employee Network Groups. As a STEM advocate she has been an active leadership coach, has served as section professional president, launched statewide woman engineering conferences, and regularly supports STEM advocacy conferences in Washington, D.C. with the SWE. Fale’s advocacy continues through her role as an engineering technology and software development educator through community and technical college communities. She currently serves as the Aerospace Special Interest Director, which focuses on technical development and outreach within the aerospace industry. She has great involvement and membership in technical organizations, such as; Aeronautical Radio, Incorporated (ARINC), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE). She has been a speaker at both INCOSE and ARINC conferences or forums. She holds a master’s degree in systems engineering, with a certificate in human computer interaction, from Iowa State University.
Jeff Hegle ‘93, recipient of the University Leadership Award, is in his 18th year as head coach of the women’s and men’s St. Cloud State
Swim and Dive teams. He has coached numerous All-Americans and national champions, most recently guiding Nate Jimerson ’10 to three NCAA diving titles. Hegle is an advisor to the Student-Athlete Advisory Council and shares his time with newly-admitted students at Advising and Registration Days. He earned a bachelor’s degree in social studies in 1993.
Matt Roisum ‘10, the Graduate of the Last Decade, is market vice president and commercial loan officer for Home Federal Savings Bank, Rochester. Roisum is involved in several groups in his community. Notably, he serves as a board member for two non-profits: Rochester Symphony Orchestra & Chorale and 125 LIVE, Rochester’s $26 million intergenerational senior center. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business economics in 2010.
Nominations for Alumni Association Awards are accepted year-round. To submit a nomination for the 2018-19 selection cycle, visit www.stcloudstate.edu/alumni/alumniaward.