Maj. Gen. Neal Loidolt ’88 was selected by the SCSU Alumni Association to receive the 2016-17 Distinguished Alumni Award.
The Distinguished Alumni Award is presented to undergraduate or graduate alumni who have distinguished themselves over their lifetimes and/or in their careers, in service to society, or St. Cloud State. He will be recognized for his achievements during the fall Celebrate St. Cloud State weekend October 12-14.
Loidolt received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a minor in Economics from St. Cloud State in 1988.
He also has a law degree from Hamline University School of Law. He began his military career by enlisting in the Minnesota National Guard in 1984 and received his commission from the St. Cloud State ROTC in 1987.
Loidolt served as Commander – 34th “Red Bull” Infantry Division for the National Guard and received numerous awards throughout his military career, including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with one oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak clusters, Iraqi Campaign Medals and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
He has also served as Deputy Adjutant General for the Minnesota National Guard, facilitating domestic operations for the State.
In reflecting on his SCSU experience, Loidolt shared, “When I started ROTC in 1985 we had to drive to St. John’s for early morning physical training. By my graduation in 1988, the St. Cloud program stood on its own. My fondest memory will always be of a tough and hard fighting college striving to be better. I was fortunate these past several years to become a personal friend of Dr. Potter who told me that preparation and hard work are the keys to success.”
His advice to students would be that “Hard work is the gift that keeps on giving. If it worked for me, it can work for you.”
