The Education Foundation of Albert Lea and Albert Lea Area Schools have announced the recipients of the 2017 Distinguished Alumni Award. The Foundation will be “celebrating 17 years of success in 2017” at this year’s banquet at 6 p.m. Sept. 14 at Wedgewood Cove.

Recipients include Jack Brill, class of 1955, which will be posthumously awarded; Anne W. Kepple, Ph.D., class of 1975; Bradley K. Arends, J.D., class of 1977; and Mary Harrison Johnson, class of 1978.

All friends, family, and community members are invited and encouraged to make a reservation to attend this celebration and to share in the Foundation’s commitment to the community’s children.

Prior to the banquet, the seventh annual public forum will take place from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. at Wedgewood Cove. The topic of the forum this year is an update on the Greater Education Project that is working with Albert Lea High School to provide mentoring, job shadowing and internships for students. There is no cost nor reservation needed to attend this public forum.

On Sept. 15, the three living 2017 Distinguished Alumni will lead a discussion with members of the senior class during an assembly at ALHS.

Distinguished Alumni awards are given annually to graduates of Albert Lea High School who have achieved success in the area of business and economic achievement or humanitarian and public service achievement. In addition, awards may be given posthumously to candidates in either of the categories. The public is encouraged to nominate graduates of ALHS. Nomination forms are available on the Foundation’s website at www.aledfoundation.org.

To reserve a place at the Distinguished Alumni Pathways to Success banquet at 6 p.m. Sept. 17 at Wedgewood Cove, visit www.aledfoundation.org/special-events for the reservation form. Mail it along with your payment in cash or check to Education Foundation of Albert Lea, P.O. Box 828, Albert Lea, MN 56007. Checks should be made payable to the Education Foundation of Albert Lea. Reservations  are due by Sept. 7.

Look for more information about the banquet and biographies of this year’s distinguished alumni in upcoming issues of the Albert Lea Tribune.