Nearly 400 friends and supporters of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs gathered September 18 to honor the recipients of its annual Hubert H. Humphrey Public Leadership Awards.
The evening began on a solemn note, with a remembrance of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, who were assassinated in a politically motivated attack in June. The attendees wore white ribbons in their honor.
From that somber beginning, the event became a celebration of public service and a call for renewed commitment to the common good in the current challenging political climate.
The Public Leadership Awards are given annually to recognize excellence in public service as a tribute to the legacy of the School’s namesake, Hubert H. Humphrey.
Dignitaries from politics, higher education, business, and tribal nations were in attendance to recognize this year’s awardees: former St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis, Mille Lacs Band leader Melanie Benjamin, former Secretary of State Joan Growe, and Secretary of Veterans Affairs in the Biden administration Denis McDonough.
Celebration of leadership
“We gather in the name of service and hope,” said Humphrey School Dean Nisha Botchwey as she welcomed the attendees. “Per aspera ad astra—through hardship to the stars. Tonight, we recognize leaders who have faced challenges, lit paths forward, and built bridges toward the common good.”
She then led a moment of silence for the Hortmans, and presented Melissa Hortman with a posthumous Public Leadership Award.
“Melissa dedicated her career to the idea that politics could be about building opportunity, advancing equity, and protecting the future,” said Botchwey. “She championed education, health care, climate action, and constructive dialogue at the Capitol. She was a relentless advocate for women, for families, and for communities who often went unheard.”
Hortman's son Colin, her parents, and close family friends accepted the award on her behalf.
“Both my mom and dad were proud alumni of the University of Minnesota and cherished their time here,” Colin Hortman said. “My mom always amazed me with her passion, from planting trees to children’s car seat laws. And this recognition is a beautiful tribute to her legacy and their legacy of public service and legislation. Thank you.”
University of Minnesota President Rebecca Cunningham also spoke of the Hortmans, calling their deaths a “profound loss for our state and our university. Melissa’s legacy of advancing education, health care and equity across Minnesota will live on for generations.”
Cunningham described the audience of respected public leaders in Minnesota as an “amazing, inspirational group,” and called on them to continue supporting public service.
“We need public service and we need the next generation of leaders … At this time, more than any other in our lives, perhaps, we need to help them continue to lean in,” she said. “Together we reaffirm our commitment to a more equitable, just, and prosperous society. The legacy of Hubert H. Humphrey continues to inspire us. You all continue to inspire me, and it’s a good time to get a little inspiration in higher education these days.”
University of Minnesota Regent Robyn Gulley (MPP ‘08), a Humphrey School alumna, recounted her journey from a working-class family to college and a career in nonprofit work, and then a decision to pursue her master’s degree at the Humphrey School so she could influence public policy.
Gulley now works on labor and education issues, and serves on the West St. Paul City Council as well as the Board of Regents.
“My time at the Humphrey School elevated my curiosity and illuminated pathways to make change,” Gulley said. “Because of it, I get to do work that matters and that, I believe, elevates the common good every single day.”
Humphrey School student and scholarship recipient Rachel Beety, who also serves as vice president of the School's Public Affairs Student Association (PASA), spoke about her interest in public policy.
She's working toward a dual master’s degree in public policy and public health, and explained that her decision to pursue a public policy degree was informed in dramatic fashion when she became a victim of gun violence.
In what she described as a random act, Beety was shot three times, and one bullet hit her spine—leaving her with limited physical movement below the waist. She used a wheelchair for a time but now walks with the aid of crutches.
She was shot three years ago, and Beety said she was fortunate to have strong support from her family and friends during her recovery and rehabilitation. Her mother was able to take significant time away from work without the risk of losing her job; her mother’s health insurance covered her medical expenses; and she lived with her parents, so she had “minimal financial concerns.”
“I was able to take a break from my work position and focus on my physical health for nearly a year. I was taken care of. Not everyone gets that option. That’s when I started to take an interest in policy work,” Beety said. “If I learned anything in my time in and out of hospitals, it's that my story is neither original nor unique. And while what happened to me still should not have occurred, how I was cared for should not be an exception, but rather the norm. Supporting public works is essential to ensure that this becomes a reality.”
The awardees
Dave Kleis is the longest-serving mayor of St. Cloud, Minnesota, stepping down earlier this year after leading the city for 20 years. A visionary leader and local historian, he guided St. Cloud through two decades of growth, civic pride, and global recognition, including honors as one of the world’s most livable cities.
Kleis is a U.S. Air Force veteran and former state senator, and a strong advocate for community collaboration. He helped establish the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative and fostered strong international ties through St. Cloud’s sister city relationships.
Watch a video profile of Dave Kleis
Kleis said that because of his career in public service, he now finds himself in the role of mentor. But he benefits as well.
“Many of my mentors have been younger than me, and their journeys, attitudes, and unwavering determination remind me that inspiration knows no age,” he said.
Kleis reinforced his philosophy of collaboration and understanding toward others as the way to move forward in challenging times.
“Community is built on the belief that we can uplift one another, and it begins with storytelling. Our individual narratives weave together to inspire change—change within ourselves, our families, our neighborhoods, and ultimately, our world,” Kleis said. “I urge each of you to positively impact everyone you meet. May your contributions lead to a brighter future for all of us. We may not always agree on policies or beliefs, but what truly matters is the essence of who we are and the moral compass that guides us.”
Melanie Benjamin is a nationally recognized leader in tribal governance who served more than 20 years as chief executive of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe before leaving office in 2024. Under her leadership, the Band diversified its economy by expanding its commercial enterprises beyond gaming and became east-central Minnesota’s largest employer.
She has safeguarded the Band’s homelands and strengthened its voice at the local, state, and federal levels. Her legacy includes revitalizing the Ojibwe language, restoring tribal sovereignty, and building sustainable economic growth.
Watch a video profile of Melanie Benjamin
Benjamin spoke of the seven principles in Anishinaabe culture that guide individuals on how to live a good life: love, respect, bravery, truth, honesty, humility, and wisdom.
“My mother and my other mentors didn’t sit down and talk to me about bravery or humility. Instead, they lived those values every day, and taught me by their actions,” she said.
“I had the privilege to work with the people of the Band as we succeeded in economic development, won lawsuits on our treaty rights, and led the way on some important state and federal matters,” Benjamin said. “So it’s with the humility I learned from my mentors that I accept this award, but I view it as an award for the people of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.”
Joan Growe was Minnesota’s Secretary of State from 1975 to 1999, one of the longest-serving secretaries of state in U.S. history. A trailblazer for civic engagement, she led efforts to implement same-day voter registration and modernize voting systems, helping Minnesota achieve the nation’s highest voter turnout.
Growe championed civic education and engagement, believing election officials should inform as well as administer. She broke barriers for women in government and mentored future leaders.
Watch a video profile of Joan Growe
Growe celebrated the advancements that women have made in politics and leadership over her decades of activism, but warned about the divisiveness that she said is tearing communities apart and threatening “the very principles of democracy.” She also fears that complacency is setting in, with people feeling overwhelmed and not sure how they can get involved.
“It’s hard to believe that once we’ve accomplished something, it can all be rolled over and completely demolished, just like that. That’s why it takes perseverance and commitment to the long term,” she said.
“Next week I turn 90,” Growe added, “and I can tell you firsthand, you just can’t stop. You can't give up. Once we do that, we’ll lose our footing. I challenge each and every one of you to embrace our community, lean into our strengths together, and rise up to the challenges we face today.”
Denis McDonough has served at the highest levels of government while championing effective governance and a commitment to excellence.
A native of Stillwater, Minnesota, he served as President Barack Obama’s White House Chief of Staff, and as Secretary of Veterans Affairs under President Biden. He received the Bob Basten Excellence in Leadership Award last year from his alma mater, St. John’s University in central Minnesota. Throughout his career, McDonough has advocated for veterans, led with integrity, and delivered results grounded in service, compassion, and a deep commitment to the public good.
Watch a video profile of Denis McDonough
McDonough was surprised when his friend and Humphrey School alumnus, Kiyoshi Nakasaka, read a letter of congratulations sent by President Obama.
“Denis has always been a humble guy,” Obama wrote. “But his humility has always been accompanied by his powerful intellect, deep experience, and tireless dedication to the people he serves.”
Obama went on to describe McDonough as “a consummate public servant. Few people are better at hearing people out, forging consensus, making sure policies are implemented, and holding everyone accountable, including himself. … I can’t think of a better example for the next generation of public servants to follow.”
True to that description of a "humble guy," McDonough praised his wife, his siblings, and the other awardees, as model public servants. He also spoke of Hubert Humphrey and his leadership as mayor of Minneapolis in the 1940s, when the city was steeped in racism and antisemitism. Humphrey befriended Black and Jewish leaders in the city to learn from them.
“He listened to the people of Minneapolis, including those he disagreed with, and acted to address their concerns and their problems—not ideas he studied in a textbook or grievances formed in his difficult childhood—and advanced their interests, not his own,” said McDonough.
“The Humphrey School’s continued focus on this idea, the common good, is why I am confident that students here will continue to push relentlessly, tirelessly, to enact that change.”
McDonough echoed the other speakers when he said that task won’t be easy.
“We were reminded last spring in Brooklyn Park and Champlin, this summer at Annunciation School, and last week in Utah, of the despicable reach of violence, including political violence. That makes your work here that much more important, that much more critical and timely.”
About the Public Leadership Awards
The Hubert H. Humphrey Public Leadership Awards, presented each year by the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, honor individuals, organizations, and corporations that have contributed to the common good through leadership and service.
In addition to recognizing the achievements of distinguished community leaders, the awards gala is the Humphrey School’s signature annual fundraiser. Proceeds from the event support scholarships for our students.
Established by the Humphrey School in 2003, the awards have recognized 84 recipients and have raised more than $2 million for student scholarships.
