Fr. Walter Reger Distinguished Alumnus Award

Fr. Walter Reger, OSB – priest, professor, prefect, dean and friend – was the driving force behind the Saint John's University Alumni Association for years. He had ties to thousands of Johnnies, corresponding with many of them long into their alumni years. So ardent was his dedication that he became known as "Mr. Saint John's."  

Since 1971, the Saint John's University Alumni Association has presented the Fr. Walter Reger Distinguished Alumnus Award in honor of Fr. Walter's dedication. The award recognizes outstanding service to the Saint John's community by an alumnus. It is the highest honor given by the Alumni Association.  Nominate an alumnus for the Fr. Walter Reger Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Nineteen recipients gathered on Oct. 5, 2007 during the Alumni Association Homecoming Banquet. Front row (l to r): Tom Joyce ’61, Dan Coborn ’52, Fr. Don LeMay, OSB, ’49, Fr. Don Talafous, OSB, ’48, Dan Whalen ’70, George Hawkins ’49, Leroy Lilly ’55, Tom McKeown ’52. Back row (l to r): Jerry Donovan ’53, Len Mrachek ’58, Jack O’Connell ’42, Bob Wicker ’64, John Rogers ’63, Michael Dady ’71, Joe Mucha ’66, Dick Nigon ’70, Bill Sexton ’55 and Thom Woodward ’70.