Outstanding Administrator Award presented to the Rev. Daniel Durken
May 11, 2011
The Rev. Daniel Durken, OSB, was recognized as the 2011 Fr. Vincent Tegeder, OSB, Outstanding Administrator Award winner at the Order of Saint Benedict employee recognition luncheon May 11.
The award is given annually to an administrator whose work exemplifies service and excellence within the Saint John's administrative community - someone who embodies the spirit of Saint John's, provides quality service and positively impacts the Saint John's community. The award was renamed in honor of Tegeder, former chair of the history department and University/Abbey archivist, who passed away in April 2007.
In his 55 years at Saint John's, Durken has served as a professor, editor, director and pastoral leader - often at the same time. He recently retired from a decade-long stint as editor of the Abbey Banner magazine, where he shared the story of the Benedictine community with thousands of readers.
He is a strong communicator, and has always provided a witty presence to any project he has been involved with. Durken's colleagues describe him as a hard-working, humorous, patient and graceful peacemaker whose influence stretches far beyond Collegeville.
Also nominated for the award were Richard Crawford, Fine Arts Programming/Abbey; Jennifer Emery, institutional advancement; and the Rev. Doug Mullin, OSB, student development.
Employees from Saint John's University, Saint John's Preparatory School, Saint John's Abbey, the Liturgical Press, Hill Museum and Manuscript Library and the School of Theology were recognized for retirement and years of service. They include:
Five years - Craig Bruner, The Saint John's Bible Heritage Program; Michael Connolly, campus life; Daniel DeMars, Abbey business office; Damien Dumonceaux, admission; Tracy Gust, business office; Brett Hendrickson, Prep School; Martha Jacobs, Prep School; Ryan Klinkner, communication and marketing services/athletics; Stephanie Lancour, Liturgical Press; Erin Lonergan, Hill Museum & Manuscript Library; Kathleen McCarney, admission; Pat McKenzie, athletics; Charles Miller, Prep School; Joseph Rogers, Center for Global Education; Mary Stommes, Liturgical Press; Adrian Wijasa, information technology services; Brian Woods, Liturgical Press.
10 years - Ann Alvord, information technology services; Glenda Burgeson, communication and marketing services; Patrick Dwyer, Prep School; Marlene Ergen, human resources; Lori Klapperich, Personal and Professional Development Center; Pamela Kotzenmacher, business office; JoAnn Matheny, institutional advancement; Brandon Novak, athletics; Daniel Stark, Prep School.
15 years - Gary Fasching, athletics; David Paulson, Prep School; Fr. Jerome Tupa, OSB, residential life.
20 years - Richard Bresnahan, Saint John's Pottery; William Cahoy, School of Theology; Rob Culligan, institutional advancement; Joseph DesJardins, academic affairs; Chris Pflueger, life safety services.
25 years - Molly Ewing, library; Jeffrey Kaster, theology; John Muggli, information technology services.
30 years - Ann Blattner, Liturgical Press; Julie Gruska, registrar's office; Br. Paul Jasmer, OSB, library, Ordo; Burdette Miller-Lehn, media services.
40 years - Jeana Koenig, business office; the Rev. Robert Koopmann, OSB, president's office.
45 years - Br. Damian Rogers, OSB, garage.
50 years - Br. Mark Kelly, OSB, grounds.
55 years - the Rev. Daniel Durken, OSB, Liturgical Press.
Retirement - the Rev. Daniel Durken, OSB, Liturgical Press; Pat Haws, athletics; Burdette Miller-Lehn, media services; Tom Schroer, information technology services; Thom Woodward, institutional advancement, athletics.