Dennis Andersen ‘66 was selected by the SCSU Alumni Association to receive the 2016-17 Alumni Service Award. The Alumni Service Award is presented to alumni or friends of the University who are distinguished in their contributions to the University and/or the community. He will be recognized for his achievements during the fall Celebrate St. Cloud State weekend October 12-14.
Dennis received his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in 1966 from St. Cloud State. He is the owner of the Central Minnesota Counseling Center, which has been in existence since 1977.
Andersen served St. Cloud State as an adjunct professor of Psychology from 1975 to 2003.
He also has taught at University of Minnesota Extension in 1972, and St. John’s University and the College of St. Benedict from 2003 to 2006. Andersen is serving on the boards of St. Cloud Granite Rotary Club, Minnesota Psychological Association and Freedom Flight Inc.
When asked to share some reflections about his St. Cloud State experience, Andersen said, “A number of my high school instructors were SCSU alumni and early on I was leaning in that direction for college work. Although I tried the University of Minnesota for several quarters, I found it too big and impersonal. SCSU was a much better fit in terms of size of campus and classes. Having direct contact with professors was very helpful as compared to talking with teaching assistants or having to attend lectures where the only contact with the instructor was on a TV screen.”
