2012 Alumni Achievement Award

Bob Praus '62

"Ever since our class matriculated in 1958, Bob Praus has been a leader and role model," notes a classmate. Bob Praus was a class officer, stalwart football player and strong student while at SJU. After graduation, he served three years in the U.S. Army before beginning his work with Kraft Foods. When Praus retired in 1996 after a successful, 33-year career at Kraft, he had several company awards to his name. Known for his leadership, collaboration and his commitment to community, Praus was a natural choice for this year's alumni achievement award.

Jon Theobald '67

When the Minneapolis Star-Tribune asked Jon Theobald the best advice he ever received, he quickly responded, "be kind and respectful to everyone." Theobald took the advice to heart and it has served him well for more than 40 years in the financial services industry. His successful career led him to his current role as president, chief operating officer and director of Mairs and Power Inc., Minnesota's oldest investment firm under private ownership and management. Theobald has also been an active Saint John's alumnus, serving on the SJU Board of Regents from 1991-2000.

Tom Hokr '72

A classmate cited Tom Hokr's embodiment of the Benedictine values in his work, his community and his affiliation with Saint John's. For more than 30 years, Hokr has followed his passion in helping people make the most of their financial assets. He is currently president and CEO of Capital Advisory Group, LLC, a Twin Cities-based financial services company. In his spare time, Hokr has been a devoted volunteer to the Rotary Club, Knights of Columbus and Saint John's, where he served as president of the Alumni Association Board from 2009-10.

Michael Urbanos '72

Michael Urbanos's career has taken many twists and turns since graduating from Saint John's. This English major went on to receive both his CPA and his law degree. He has worked in accounting and financial management positions in firms such as United Way, Arthur Andersen, LLP, and the Internal Revenue Service Office of Chief Counsel. Currently, Urbanos is the COO and general counsel for Space Center Inc., an industrial real estate company. Urbanos also serves on the boards of the Saint John's Alumni Association, the Manitou Fund, the Minneapolis Rotary Foundation and the investment committee of the Science Museum of Minnesota, and as a mentor and advisory board member for the McNeely Center for Entrepreneurship at SJU.

Chris Boyd '77

While at SJU, Chris Boyd directed summer camps, worked at a Catholic mission in Appalachia and taught religious education. After graduation, he discovered a passion for health care while working in a mission hospital in Liberia through the Peace Corps. For more than 35 years, he has dedicated his life to community service and health care management. Boyd has worked in CEO positions at multiple hospitals, and currently works for Kaiser Permanente, Santa Clara, serving as CEO of the Hospital and Health Plan. Throughout his career, he has championed access to health care, performance improvement and holding health care providers accountable. He is active community volunteer and serves on several boards.

Tim McHale '77

Maj. Gen. Tim McHale has served his country and the United States Army for more than 35 years, assigned throughout the United States as well as Germany, Korea and extended combat tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. An aviator and logistician, McHale commanded at every level from company to theater support command. From 2007 to 2009, he was the theater logistician for Gen. David Petraeus during the surge in Iraq. McHale returned to the United States for a short time and redeployed to Afghanistan to be Gen. Stan McChrystal's deputy for support. McHale is a highly decorated officer, and now adds an SJU alumni achievement award to his accomplishments.

Rob Culligan '82

Since graduating from SJU Culligan has dedicated his life to service, education and family. He worked as a Vida Volunteer in Colorado and for Pax Christi USA in Pennsylvania. For nearly 25 years he has worked for SJU and CSB, first as an admissions counselor, then as a grant writer and eventually as the vice president for institutional advancement (since 1999). Under Culligan's leadership, SJU successfully completed a $168 million capital campaign, the largest in the history of the university. Culligan worked tirelessly on The Saint John's Bible, raising much of the funds to commission it, championing it within the Saint John's community and providing valuable strategic counsel. He has served on several boards and coaches youth sports. One nominator writes, "Rob's behind-the-scenes initiative, skills in organization, and good and compassionate heart make him an exceptional recipient of this award."

Rick Odenthal '87

Rick Odenthal has been president and CEO of Central Minnesota Credit Union (CMCU) since 2001. Under Odenthal's leadership, CMCU has donated thousands of dollars to schools and charities in Central Minnesota. In 2010, CMCU received the Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Award for credit unions in the greater-than-$500 million-in-assets category. Odenthal is an advocate for strengthening rural communities and has grown the more than 70-year-old credit union greatly during his tenure. Odenthal and his wife, Jane (Franta) CSB'89, are proud supporters of SJU, CSB and Saint John's Prep. They are both active community volunteers.

Denis McDonough '92

Denis McDonough has established a career in foreign policy at the highest levels. After serving as an aide to the House International Relations Committee, McDonough was a foreign policy and legislative advisor to several key U.S. senators, including Barack Obama. McDonough was tapped for a key role in the Obama presidential administration, where he currently serves as the deputy national security advisor. He is part of an inner circle on which the president relies. The New York Times noted in a profile on McDonough that President Obama "often will not make a move on big issues without checking with him first." McDonough was pictured in the history-making situation-room photo taken in the hours leading up to Osama bin Laden's death.