2024 Alumni Awards – Minnetonka, MN

Please join Minnetonka Public Schools and the Minnetonka Alumni Association as we celebrate the accomplishments of our outstanding alumni and former faculty members on Saturday, September 28 for our alumni awards event. The Fifteenth annual event will be held from 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. at Minnetonka High School. A complimentary brunch will be served.

We will proudly honor alumni in following categories:

Distinguished Alumni Award

• Greg Hoffman ’88 – Hoffman is the former Chief Marketing Officer of NIKE and has more than 27 years experience as a global brand leader. He now advises Fortune 500 brands, startups and nonprofits through his own company, Modern Arena.
• Dr. Michael Clark Steiner ’65 – As a professor of American studies for more than 40 years, Steiner has taught a wide-array of courses and centering around American folk culture, regionalism and architecture at California State University, Fullerton

Distinguished Service Award

• Corby Koehler ’91 – As a Lieutenant Colonel in the National Guard and former City of Minnetonka police officer, Koehler has proudly protected his neighbors, defended Minnesotans against natural disasters, and served with distinction overseas.

Young Alumni Achievement Award

• Laura (Hampson) Neighbors’09 – Inspired by her volunteer work at the Courage Center during high school, Neighbors is now a passionate physical therapist who has dedicated her career to helping patients with neurological conditions.

Skippers Hall of Fame

• 1999 MHS Fastpitch Softball Team – The 1999 MHS Fastpitch Softball Team was the first team in MHS history to win a State championship and ended their all-star season with a 21-5 record. The team excelled with record-breaking performances and numerous All-Conference and All-State players.

Faculty Hall of Fame

• David Stearns (Posthumous Honoree) – Stearns spent more than 30 years coaching Girl’s Tennis at Minnetonka High School. He was known for transforming players into their best selves and led the Girls’ Tennis Team to an undefeated season during his last year as coach in 2020.

• Ernie Gulner – Gulner is a distinguished teacher whose career is defined by a powerful commitment to child-centered excellence. His genuine passion for literature and next-level ability to connect with students enabled him to make a difference in the lives of his students.

To view past Minnetonka Alumni Association Award Winners, click here.

To nominate an alum or former faculty member for the 2025 Minnetonka Alumni Awards, click here.