St. Cloud, Minn. –The Women’s Fund of the Central Minnesota Community Foundation has named Lynn Grewing the 2016 ATHENA Award recipient. Lynn was chosen for the award because of her dedication and passion as an educator to positively influence the lives of her students and others in the community. The award presentation will happen at the Central Minnesota Community Foundation Annual Dinner on September 13th, 2016.
Serving as an educator for over 40 years, Lynn is the school principal at Cathedral High School in St. Cloud. Through her work at the school she has helped countless students through their high school education and beyond. She provides examples by doing and works to inspire, support, encourage, mentor, challenge and celebrate each of her students. Lynn has been known to work tirelessly to help her students reach their full potential. She is also a mentor to new teachers within the school and helps them succeed. Lynn has dedicated herself to helping women of all ages reach their full potential.
Beyond the walls of the school, Lynn is active in the community by serving on the board of directors for the St. John’s Boys Choir, is a leader in giving for the United Way of Central Minnesota, does summer tutoring, and has received the Difference Maker award from the St. Cloud Times.
The mission of the ATHENA Award is to recognize and honor Central Minnesota women who have achieved excellence in their careers and who inspire others. Criteria for selection include: demonstrate excellence, creativity, and initiative in her business or profession; provide valuable service by contributing time and energy to improve the lives of others in Central Minnesota; and actively assist women in realizing their full leadership potential.
Past winners of the award include Susan Mackert 1988, Colman O’Connell 1989, Peg Meyer 1990, Ann Thelen 1991, Nancy Fischer 1992, Diane Gohman 1993, Diana Murphy Podawiltz 1994, Dorothy Simpson 1995, Cheryl Lightle 1996, Connie Cross 1997, Sonja Sorensen Craig 1998, Patti Gartland 1999, Colette Carlson 2000, Marj Hawkins 2001, Sandy Neutzling 2002, Betty Schnettler 2003, Barb Carlson 2004, Joan Volkmuth 2005, Patt Adair 2008, Jan Bensen 2009, Elaine Bauerly 2010, Cindy Faye Johnson 2011, Molly Renslow 2012, Maxine Barnett 2013, Patricia Welter 2014 and Ann Cofell 2015.
The award is presented by the Women’s Fund and is sponsored by HealthPartners Central Minnesota Clinics. Since 2002, the Women’s Fund of the Central Minnesota Community Foundation has been dedicated to strengthening the community by improving the lives of women and girls and has granted over $1.2 million to support local programs.
The Central Minnesota Community Foundation (CMCF) has been engaging people and connecting resources to build a better community since 1985. CMCF and its partners, Alexandria Area Community Foundation, Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation, and Willmar Area Community Foundation, form CommunityGiving, a cohort of central Minnesota foundations who support their local communities through charitable giving. CommunityGiving administers more than 650 charitable funds totaling more than $115 million, and l last year granted more than $9.7 million back into the communities it serves. Learn more at CommunityGiving.org.