Moorhead High School graduates August Droege and David Ness along with former MAPS Employees Rose Andersen and Karin Schumacher and former Moorhead School Board member Curt Borgen will be inducted into the Moorhead High School Hall of Honor for 2024. The Inductees join 91 members previously inducted into the Hall of Honor. The Moorhead High School Hall of Honor recognizes alumni, faculty, staff and other community members who have demonstrated notable accomplishments or provided significant contributions to their school, community or society.
The 2024 MHS Hall of Honor Inductee Brunch will be held on Saturday, October 5, at 10:30 a.m. at the MAPS Operations Center, 1313 30th Ave. S. Tickets can be purchased online, by calling 218-284-2345 or emailing mwendt@moorheadschools.org.
“One of the great things about the MHS Hall of Honor is that it celebrates everyone, not just alumni, who have made positive contributions to our schools and our community. The 2024 class exemplifies this ideal, with alumni and former staff and administrators all honored under the same banner,” said Dave Lawrence, Hall of Honor coordinator and MHS administrator.
2024 Inductees
Rose Andersen
Rose Andersen began her career at Moorhead Schools in 1969, when she was tasked with establishing the Adult Educational Program. Over her 26 years with Moorhead Schools, she played a pivotal role in developing the Community Education program, Early Childhood Education program, Adult Basic Education, Arts Programs, Community Resource Programs and Youth Development for the Moorhead community. Rose’s contributions within the Moorhead community and the Minnesota Technical College system were recognized with several awards, most notably being named the YWCA Woman of the Year in Education in 1987. In addition to her work within Moorhead Schools, Rose taught part time at the University of Minnesota and North Dakota State University, where she achieved tenure as an assistant professor. Rose retired in 1995. She resided in Moorhead for 55 years before relocating to St. Paul to be closer to her daughters and their families.
Curt Borgen
Curt Borgen has been active in Moorhead Area Public Schools since 1963. Over the years, Borgen served on the Moorhead School Board, Minnesota State High School League, Moorhead Technical College Governing Board and several Clay County and District 152 task forces. Curt and his wife Betty raised five children in the Moorhead school district. Throughout the 60 years of his career he has had at least one child, grandchild, or great grandchild enrolled in Moorhead Schools every school year. Curt and Betty are well-known for their unwavering support of the Spuds and rarely miss a Moorhead schools event. They have been recognized multiple times as “Moorhead Spuds Best Fans.” At the age of 90, Curt continues to volunteer and serve the community and is an active member of Triumph Lutheran Brethren Church and Moorhead Vikingland Kiwanis.
August Droege
August Droege graduated from Moorhead High School in 1974. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Concordia College and then attended the University of Oregon earning a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry. August spent 28 years at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California, which aims to stem the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction. She has been instrumental in developing simulations and models to understand the signatures activity and develop systems for sensor exploitation. Droege was honored and recognized for many awards during her career, most notably the CIA Meritorious Unit Citation in 2002. August retired in 2015 and resides in Montana with her husband Michael.
David Ness
Dave Ness, also known as “Smiley,” graduated from Moorhead High in 1970. Ness attended Concordia College in Moorhead, where he played football and earned a degree in biology. He then attended the University of Minnesota Medical School and specialized in Family Practice. Throughout his career Dave received multiple awards, including the “Best Original Research Award” from Minnesota medicine in 1984 for his publication on Lumbar Laminectomy Follow-up. Ness attributes his personal and professional success to the support and guidance he received from the Moorhead community, particularly from the coaches and principals who were always there to talk to and encourage him. Dave retired in 2023 and resides in Minneapolis.
Karin Schumacher
Karin Schumacher started her career with Moorhead Schools in 1977 as MHS volleyball and basketball coach. Over her impressive 39-year coaching career and 30-year teaching career at MHS, she made significant contributions to Moorhead athletics and education. Throughout her career, Schumacher coached MHS Spud volleyball, basketball, softball (a program that she helped start in 1984) and golf; and served as a middle school volleyball assistant coach for 10 seasons. All in all, she coached 58 combined seasons for the Spuds. As a math teacher at MHS, Karin taught a variety of classes and served as a Math Department chair for several years. Karin was named a two time Minnesota Volleyball Coach of the Year. Her Volleyball teams reached the state finals five times, including winning the state championship in 1988. She also coached one state champion golfer. Karin retired in 2015 and resides in Moorhead with her wife Becky.
The nominations committee is now considering candidates for 2025. Nomination forms are available at www.moorheadschools.org/honor or Moorhead High School. Nominations may be submitted online by January 17, 2025.