Each Homecoming, the University of Montana Alumni Association honors outstanding alumni with Distinguished Alumni Awards. University alumni and friends are invited to nominate, on an individual basis, a graduate or former student for this award.

Recipients of the award are individuals who have distinguished themselves in a particular field and who have brought honor to the University, the state or the nation. The University of Montana Alumni Association Board of Directors Awards Committee focuses on career achievement, professional honors, professional membership/directorship, community service and UM or UMAA recognition or service in selecting recipients. Read more about the criteria and nominating procedures.

For questions, contact Jodi Moreau by phone 877-UM-ALUMS or email jodi.moreau@umontana.edu. 

The UM Alumni Association strongly encourages nominations that reflect the diversity of our alumni.

2024 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients

Dr. Steven D. Capener, ‘89

Dr. Steven D. CapenerDr. Steven D. Capener is a prolific and honored academic and literary translator. Born and raised in Montana, he attended UM to earn his bachelor’s degree. Dr. Capener also has a passion for the sport of tae kwon do, earning a gold medal at the 1987 Pan American Games. He later earned two doctorates from two of Korea’s most prestigious universities, in the fields of sports philosophy and modern literature. He taught Korean English literary translation at the university level and his own translation work has received accolades from the Minister of Culture, Sport, and Tourism of the Republic of Korea. Dr. Capener is a tenured professor at Seoul Women’s University, where he continues to teach, publish essays on literature and translate. He is also a two-time recipient of the Korea Times Literature Prize.

David Enger, ‘67, MBA '72

Dave EngerDavid Enger came to UM from Deer Lodge, graduating in 1967, after playing football and earning a degree from the College of Business. Enger entered active duty with the Army in 1968 and served for 8 years, earning the rank of Captain. He returned to UM to earn his MBA in 1972. He quickly became a leading figure in the financial services industry. He worked as a national consultant to many banks on business banking, organizational strategies, and financial education. Enger joined the faculty of the University of Washington, teaching in their Pacific Coast Graduate School of Banking. He is a member of 8 corporate Boards of Directors. He also serves the UM community on the National Advisory Board for Grizzly Athletics, a group he helped establish. He has been instrumental in advancing Grizzly Athletics and a key player in several projects, including the construction of the Hall of Champions.

Dr. Fat Lam, ‘87

Dr. Fat LamDr. Fat Lam grew up in Hong Kong and was dedicated to his education from a young age. Unexpectedly, he began to lose his hearing when he was 10 years old. Despite this challenge, Dr. Lam continued school until the age of 13, after which he worked as a tailor and a carpenter to support his family. Flipping through a catalog of U.S. colleges, he learned about Gallaudet University, which is entirely devoted to educating deaf students. Dr. Lam applied and was accepted, starting a new chapter of his life in the U.S. Dr. Lam studied mathematics, earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees before attending UM to earn his Ph.D. Dr. Lam returned to Gallaudet to teach, eventually serving as Chairman of the Mathematics and Computer Science Department from 2001-2007 before retiring in 2014.

Robert McKinnon, ‘62 (posthumous)

Robert McKinnonRobert McKinnon had a passion for inspiring others, both as a teacher and a swim coach. After graduating from UM in 1962, he began his career as an educator, teaching in Poplar and then Great Falls. He spent 28 years at C.M. Russell High School, helping to shape the futures of thousands of students in his classroom. McKinnon also taught thousands of children to swim and coached them as they grew their swimming abilities. He is remembered for his dedication to his community and his ability to bring out the best in others. He excelled in other pursuits, writing novels for children and young adults and helping rescue rehabilitated greyhounds who could no longer race.

 

Steve McNeece, ’80, MA ’88

Steve McNeeceSteve McNeece is a two-time graduate of UM, with degrees in secondary education and counseling. He began his career as a Medical Social Worker at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula. In 1989, he became the hospital’s Assistant Vice President of Rural Health Clinics. He then became the Chief Executive Officer of the Community Hospital of Anaconda in 2000. During this time, he also earned a Master of Business Administration from California Pacific University. McNeece served as CEO of the Community Hospital until 2018. As CEO, he was responsible for all hospital operations including physician recruitment and retention, home health administration, community relations and budget oversight. His leadership helped grow the hospital’s medical capabilities. The hospital was recognized with a Campbell Award for Outstanding leadership in local economic development and the Dr. Frank Newman Rural Health Award from the Montana Office of Rural Health. He has since started a healthcare consulting business called CAH Solutions Group. The mission of this company is to improve rural healthcare and instill hope in smaller facilities.