Alumni Awards

Congratulations to the 2025 Alumni Award Winners!

This year, the Mount Marty Alumni Association will present the Alumni Awards at the Alumni Honors Luncheon on Saturday, October 25 during Lancer Days 2025.

OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUMNA

Luke Loecker ‘16

Luke Loecker graduated as Valedictorian from St. Mary’s High School in O’Neill, Nebraska, in 2012 and began his undergraduate studies at Mount Marty College with plans to pursue dental school. While majoring in Pre-Professional and Biology, his path shifted during his senior year, ultimately leading him to pursue Chiropractic Medicine.

After earning his bachelor’s degree from Mount Marty in 2016, Luke enrolled at Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington, Minnesota. He began chiropractic school in January 2017 and went on to complete his board exams, clinical internships, and an externship at ChiroSport in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He earned his Doctor of Chiropractic degree in April 2020. 

In June 2020, Luke joined ChiroSport as an Associate Chiropractic Physician and was tasked with launching and managing a new satellite clinic in Lennox, South Dakota—an endeavor made even more challenging due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to his resilience, faith, and dedication to patient care, the clinic has since grown into a successful and vital part of the community. 

Luke specializes in chiropractic care, rehabilitation, nutrition, exercise, and holistic health strategies for patients of all ages. Beyond his professional work, he remains involved in the Lennox community through organizations such as St. Magdalen Parish, the Lions Club, Commercial Club, Affordable Housing Board, Lennox Citizens Academy, and the Men’s Golf League. 

He lives in Lennox with his wife, Amber Jo (Dysthe) Loecker, a 2017 Mount Marty graduate, and their two children, Boden and Beckett.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO CHURCH AND COMMUNITY

Mark Nesladek ’90

Mark Nesladek, a 1990 graduate of Mount Marty, holds a bachelor's degree in Communication Arts with a minor in Spanish. His time at Mount Marty left a lasting impression—not only through academics but also in personal connections. Since 1989, he has maintained correspondence with a pen pal from Colima, Mexico, a relationship that began through his Spanish classes. Mark continues to support his alma mater with annual donations and a strong sense of gratitude for the education and values he received at Mount Marty. 

Mark is an active member of St. James Catholic Church in Chamberlain, South Dakota, where he has served faithfully for decades. His roles have included 13 years on the parish council—several of those as secretary—as well as ushering and greeting parishioners at Mass. In 1998, he also taught fourth-grade religious education classes. 

A dedicated Knight of Columbus, Mark joined Chamberlain Council #2864 in 1994 and has served in officer and director positions for over 30 years, including multiple terms as Grand Knight. Under his leadership, the council received numerous honors, including the Star Council Award, Columbian Award, and Founder's Award. He has helped organize and support several community outreach events, including the Tootsie Roll Drive, Free Throw Contests for youth, and Community Turkey Bingo. 

In 2002, he was named Knight of the Year for his council. In 2007, he became a Fourth Degree Knight. He also received The Dailey Award at the 2016 South Dakota State Knights of Columbus Convention—becoming only the second person to receive the award, which honors individuals who serve with tireless dedication and humility. 

Mark is also an Oblate of Saint Benedict, having made his final oblation at Sacred Heart Monastery in Yankton in 2002. He continues to attend monthly Oblate meetings when possible, regularly making the trip from Chamberlain to Yankton to stay connected to the Benedictine community. 

Over the course of his career, Mark has worked in journalism, real estate, and education. He spent 16 years as a feature writer and graphic artist for several South Dakota newspapers, including The DeSmet News, Lake Preston Times, Chamberlain-Oacoma Register, and Central Dakota Times. He then spent nine years at Brule County Abstract/Title Company, researching land records for title insurance. 

Since 2016, Mark has been employed at St. Joseph Indian School in Chamberlain, where he serves as the Dining Hall Custodian. He is currently discerning the possibility of becoming a mentor to a Native American student through the school’s mentorship program. 

From 2005 to 2020, Mark served as State Communications Director for the South Dakota Knights of Columbus and editor of its Crusader publication, helping shape the public voice and mission of the organization for 15 years. 

Mark is also engaged in local history and genealogy. He has been a member of the Lyman-Brule Genealogical Society since 1998, where he serves as treasurer and newsletter editor, assisting others in tracing family histories tied to the region. He has also served on the Brule County Historical Society Board since 2016. 

A cancer survivor of over 12 years, Mark continues to live a life of faith, service, and quiet leadership in both his community and Church.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO MOUNT MARTY

Sister Kathy Burt ‘93

Sister Kathy, OSB, PhD, MSN, RN earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Mount Marty University in May 1993. With over 31 years of experience in nursing, she has dedicated her career to both clinical care and nursing education. 

Sister Kathy began her nursing career at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota, working on the community medical unit. After a year, she returned to Yankton to answer God’s call to enter Sacred Heart Monastery. Following two years of religious formation, she ministered as a nurse on the surgical unit at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital for five years. 

In 2001, Sister Kathy was invited to pursue graduate studies, earning her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) as a Clinical Nurse Specialist with an emphasis in education. She continued her studies at The Catholic University of America, where she completed her PhD in Nursing in 2007. Her dissertation focused on how nursing care influences patient outcomes, including satisfaction, anxiety levels, and adverse events. 

After completing her doctorate, Sister Kathy returned to Mount Marty University to teach in the BSN program. During her time on the faculty, she taught a variety of courses, including Medical-Surgical Nursing, Complex Care, Fundamentals of Nursing, Health Assessment, Pharmacology, Freshman Seminar, and Wisdom of Benedict. She also served as interim director of the nursing program for one year.

Most recently, Sister Kathy responded to God’s call to serve in long-term care as a Clinical Nurse Educator, focusing on her first passion in nursing—geriatrics—surpassed only by her love for teaching. In 2022, she returned once again to Mount Marty University to help educate and inspire the next generation of nurses.

Sister Kathy’s professional passion centers on Caring and Caring Behaviors. She believes that when individuals feel genuinely cared for and loved, outcomes improve—whether in healthcare, education, or life. Her personal mission is to seek God in everyone and everything, every day, by reaching out to others with compassion and a listening ear.

DISTINGUISHED PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT, UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE

Dr. Kevin Lein ‘81

Dr. Kevin Lein, a 1981 alumnus of Mount Marty, has over 40 years of experience in education spanning K–12 and higher education leadership, teaching, coaching, and community service. Currently in his fourth year as an assistant professor at Wayne State College, Dr. Lein is widely recognized for his innovative work in educational reform and personalized learning. 

Dr. Lein holds a B.A. from Mount Marty College, where he studied Journalism, English, and Business. He earned a B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of South Dakota and completed a program in HPER (Health, Physical Education, and Recreation) at South Dakota State University. He further advanced his studies with an M.S. in HPER from the University of South Dakota and earned his Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the College of Saint Mary. 

Dr. Lein has built a distinguished career including 15 years as a K–12 administrator and coach, 23 years in higher education, and six years as a classroom teacher. His leadership extended to school boards and statewide initiatives focused on improving student outcomes and educational equity. 

Dr. Lein is a pioneer in Personalized Competency-Based Education (PCBE), having developed customized learning programs in South Dakota schools, including Hanson School, Harrisburg High School, and Camelot Elementary in Brookings, SD. He is also a founding member of the Principal Recovery Network, supporting schools affected by tragedies, and the sole remaining original member involved in the implementation of the $7.2 million Reimagine Education Model grant promoting innovation in South Dakota. 

A former All-American basketball player, Dr. Lein still holds every assist record at Mount Marty and is an inductee of both the Mount Marty Athletic Hall of Fame and his hometown Hall of Fame in Hampton, Iowa. He has twice been named South Dakota College Coach of the Year and was honored as a Hochsprung Memorial Hero following his survival of a school shooting in 2015. 

His accolades include South Dakota Principal of the Year (2016), Innovator of the Year (2018), and lifetime membership in the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) (2022). Dr. Lein actively collaborates with educators and military partners to develop career pathways for students and is currently authoring The Tiny Book of Real School Reform, to be presented at the 2025 NASSP Convention.

DISTINGUISHED PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT, GRADUATE DEGREE

Dr. Andrea Roberts DNAP’19

Andrea Roberts graduated in May 2019 from Mount Marty’s Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) program, as one of the first four graduates. At the time of her graduation, she was already shaping the future of nurse anesthesia education as an Assistant Professor in the DNAP program for Mount Marty University.  

She was quickly promoted to Assistant Program Director in August 2019 and then to Program Director in April 2020—at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. During this unprecedented time, she led the program through remote learning transitions and prioritized the safety of clinical students. Andrea also forged vital partnerships with anesthesia program directors across the Midwest to collaboratively navigate the challenges of delivering clinical education during a global health crisis. In February 2024, she was promoted to Associate Professor. 

Clinically, Andrea has practiced at several regional medical centers including Sanford Luverne, Sanford Worthington, Pipestone County, Murray County, Vance Thompson Vision, and Mobridge Regional Hospital and Clinics (MRHC). In October 2024, she was named Chief of Anesthesia at MRHC, where she now serves full-time. 

Throughout her career, Andrea has shown commitment to furthering the profession of nurse anesthesiology. Within the Minnesota Association of Nurse Anesthetists (MANA), she has served in elected leadership roles including Director, Secretary, President-Elect, and President, as well as participating on numerous committees. On the national stage, she is a dedicated advocate for the profession, traveling annually to Washington, D.C., for the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) Mid-Year Assembly, where she meets with legislators to promote the vital role of nurse anesthetists in healthcare. 

As a member and Chair of the AANA Political Action Committee (PAC)—the largest nursing PAC in the nation—Andrea helped raise more than $1 million in contributions annually. She has also served as the CRNA representative on the Minnesota Board of Nursing’s APRN Advisory Committee and is an active member of the Society of Obstetric Nurse Anesthesiology and Research (SONAR), working to enhance safety, education, and research in the specialty of obstetric anesthesia. 

Andrea’s commitment to service extends into her community, where she volunteers with Boy Scout Troop 134 in Worthington, Minnesota. She is a frequent speaker and presenter at state and national conferences, including MANA, the South Dakota Association of Nurse Anesthetists (SDANA), AANA Mid-Year Assembly, AANA Leadership Summit, and AANA Annual Congress. Her insights have been featured in the Duluth News, MinnPost, and on Minnesota Public Radio (MPR). She has participated in a national webinar with the COVID Collaborative and has made multiple appearances on Minnesota Live. She has also served as the keynote speaker at Mount Marty’s graduate commencement ceremony on two occasions. 

Andrea has been honored with Mount Marty’s Distinguished Leadership Award and Distinguished Achievement Award. She holds the AANA’s “Friend for Life” distinction and will be inducted as a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (FAANA) in August 2025. She has also been accepted into the Advanced Pain Management Fellowship at the University of South Florida, where she will begin coursework in August 2025.

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