Past Award Recipients
Northern Lights Contest Awards
Congratulations to our past Northern Lights contest winners. You have set a high bar for government communications. You push all of us to do better, and we look forward to what future years will bring for each of us.
And congratulations to all who have participated in our contest. Submitting work for peer review signifies your dedication to improving your communications efforts and interest in striving for excellence in your work. Well done!
Special Achievement Awards
Outstanding Achievement Award
- 2021- Jan Malcolm - Minnesota Department of Health
(no recipients in the years not listed)
Communicator of the Year Award
- 2024 - Kara Trygestad, City of Northfield
- 2023 - Michael Schommer, Minnesota Department of Health
- 2022 - Corey Yunke, City of Roseville
- 2021 - Greta Bergstrom, City of Minneapolis
- 2020 - Kristi Saksvig, Ramsey County
- 2019 - Kari Spreeman, City of Minnetonka
- 2018 - Jacque Larson, City of St. Louis Park
- 2017 - Libby Caulum, Minnesota Department of Revenue
- 2016 - Sergeant John Eastham, Ramsey County Sheriff's Office
- 2015 - Scott Pengelly, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
- 2014 - Kevin Olson, Minnesota National Guard
- 2013 - Margie Vigoren, City of Plymouth
- 2012 - Julie Lehr, City of Woodbury
- 2011 - Tom Conroy, Department of Natural Resources
- 1988 - Jan Smaby, Host, KTCA "Almanac" public affairs TV program
- 1987 - Dr. Michael Osterholm, Minnesota Epidemiologist
- 1986 - Ted Kolderie, senior fellow, U of M Humphrey Institute
(no recipients in the years not listed)
New Communications Professional Award
Scott Pengelly Lifetime Achievement Award
- 2024 - Janine Hill, City of Bloomington
- 2023 - Terry Gunderson, Minnesota Department of Human Services
- 2022 - Yvonne Klinnert, Washington County
- 2021 - Mark Thompson, Hennepin County Public Safety Assistant County Administrator
- 2020 - Jeff Syme, Metropolitan Council
- 2019 - Doug Schultz, Minnesota Department of Health
- 2018 - Cor Wilson, North Suburban Communications Commission
- 2017 - Helen LaFave, City of Plymouth
MAGC's Lifetime Achievement Award was re-named the Scott Pengelly Lifetime Achievement Award in honor and memory of Scott Pengelly in 2017.
Lifetime Achievement Award
- 2015 - Bob Gibbons, Metro Transit
- 2014 - Buddy Ferguson, Minnesota Department of Health
- 2012 - Tom Hedges, City of Eagan
(no recipients in the years not listed)