Three Stillwater Alumni Receive Distinguished Awards

It has been a long-time since Charles Hooley, Bruce McManus and Sara Swenson attended Stillwater High School, but the three recently returned to their alma mater to receive the school’s Distinguished Alumni Award.

Hooley graduated in 1947 and is best known for founding Hooley's Wholesale Meats and co-founding Cub Foods. He has served several organizations, including Second Harvest Food Bank, the Courage Center, Catholic Charities, Boutwells Landing and Cosmopolitan Bank. He was also appointed the mayor of Stillwater in 1993.

McManus graduated in 1952 and has served the community as a guard at the Minnesota State Prison in Stillwater. Throughout his career he progressed to warden in 1971 and worked to create changes that improved the lives in inmates. He coordinated the design of the Maximum Security Facility at Oak Park Heights and was the executive director of Re-Entry Servies, Inc., a non-profit agency that serves offenders in Minnesota.

Swenson graduated in 1989 and was inspired by her English and music teachers to pursue a career in education. She earned a Masters of Library and Information Science and is a National Board Certified teacher. She is the Media Specialist at Edina High School and an adjunct faculty member at Hamline and Cardinal Stritch universities. She encourages a love of reading among students through the Breakfast Book Club. 

The awards were handed out June 11 during a special reception. The winners were also recognized during the Stillwater Area High School later that evening. Each award winner received a plaque.

The Stillwater High School Distinguished Alumni award has been handed out since 1987 to high school graduates for outstanding achievement and contributions to society. Sponsored by the Partnership Plan, the nominees must be out of school for at least 20 years and have reached a distinguished level of achievement in their profession, made significant contributions to society and demonstrated that education is a life-long experience.