Dave Wendt '63

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.

2008 Fr. Walter Reger Distinguished Alumnus
Dave Wendt '63
President of Associated Professionals, Ltd.

The Alumni Association Board of Directors selected Dave Wendt ’63 as the 2008 Walter Reeger Distinguished Alumnus in recognition of nearly four decades of loyal service to alma mater.

Wendt has been his class agent since 1984 and is among the most responsible class agents for the Annual Fund. He’s also served as vice president of the SJU Alumni Board, a career networking volunteer and a member of the National Consultation Team for the Campaign for Saint John's and other campaign committees. He and his wife, Karin, miss very few Twin City Standups or Institutional Advancement functions in the Cities or at Saint John's. They have been members of the Benedictine Legacy Society since 2004.

Wendt is a successful independent insurance professional and teaches a series of professional lectures at the Carlson School of Business at the University of Minnesota. He has just completed a year as president of the Edina Rotary Club and chaired a Twin Cities branch of the Serra Club in 2001-2002.

"Saint John's remains a beacon in my life,” says Wendt. “I hope many more Johnnies will come back to find what a truly peaceful, but powerful resource Saint John's can be to them throughout their lives."

Recipients

2008 Dave Wendt '63
2007 Dick Nigon ’70
2006 Steve Slaggie ‘61
2005 Dan Whalen ‘70
2004 Bob Wicker ‘64
2003 Al Eisele ’58
2002 Dan Coborn ‘52
2001 Joe Mucha ‘66
2000 Thom Woodward ‘70
2000 Bill Sexton ‘55
1999 Don LeMay, OSB ‘48
1998 Len Mrachek ‘58
1997 Frank Ladner ‘48
1996 Mike Dady ‘71
1995 John Agee ‘70
1994 John Rogers ’63
1993 Tom McKeown ‘52
1992 Cleve Cram ‘38
1991 Tom Joyce ‘61
1990 Bob Shafer ‘54
1989 Don Talafous OSB ‘48
1988 Jerry Donovan ‘53
1987 George Hawkins ‘49
1986 Frank Grundman ‘48
1985 Jack O’Connell ‘42
1984 LeRoy Lilly ‘55
1983 Martin Schirber, OSB ‘39
1982 Jerry Terhaar ‘48
1981 Harry Holtz ‘39
1980 Joe Ryan ‘31
1979 Fran Miller ‘48
1978 Paul Huber ‘55
1977 Ed Devitt ‘32
1976 Matthew Kiess, OSB ‘21
1975 Henry Borgerding ‘07
1974 Fr. Dunstan Tucker, OSB ‘25
1973 Herb Adrian ‘29
1972 George Durenberger ‘28
1971 Fred Hughes '31