On Founders Day, Gustavus Adolphus College honored the work of three dedicated employees who have upheld the College’s founding mission of service more than 145 years after the institution moved to Saint Peter.
During the daily chapel service, President Rebecca Bergman reflected on the dedication of Old Main on October 31, 1876, and the tremendous growth seen throughout the College’s history.
At the following reception in Cec Eckhoff Alumni Hall, Bergman acknowledged the importance of the three award winners in leading Gustavus through the historical year that was 2020. Throughout their time at Gustavus, when faced with tornadoes, floods, or pandemics, these exemplary employees rose to meet unprecedented challenges and inspired their colleagues in doing so.
To Bergman, their impact on the College is clear: “You make us shine.”
Dale Flemming is the 2021 recipient of the Augusta Carlson Schultz Award, in recognition of his exceptional service and dedication to the College. Flemming joined Gustavus in 1994 as a carpenter, and four years later, he was integral in helping rebuild the College after the tornado of 1998. In his current position as project coordinator, he has overseen several remodeling projects across campus, from the President’s House to the Center for Inclusive Excellence. Fleming is known for his willingness to step up and help whenever and wherever needed.
JJ Akin ’11 received the Eric Norelius Award for the Outstanding Administrative Employee for 2021. The award, named for the College’s founder and first teacher, honors an administrative employee who exemplifies the vision, dedication, and service shown by Norelius. As director of media relations and internal communication since 2015, Akin is responsible for helping to communicate the excellence of the College’s students, faculty, and staff, showcasing the best of Gustavus on a local, regional, and national level. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, his role in emergency communications was vital to Gustavus, and it was a challenge he met with eloquence and empathy. Since his time as a student, Akin has formed strong ties with colleagues across campus, and he is known as a friend to many.
Dwight Stoll is the 2021 winner of the Faculty Service Award, the College’s highest recognition for distinguished service activities across campus. A Gustavus chemistry professor since 2008, Stoll is a leading researcher in the field of liquid chromatography, and he readily shares his expertise with student researchers every year. In 2020, Stoll served as co-chair of the 2020 Nobel Conference and chair of the Emergency Planning Committee, two positions which required leadership and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. His accolades on the Hill and beyond include the 2016 Faculty Scholarly Achievement Award, the 2014 American Chemical Society Young Investigator Award in Separation Science, and two Teacher-Scholar Awards from the Camille & Henry Dreyfus Foundation.