Concordia Honors Alumni With Awards

Concordia College announced the 2020 Alumni Achievement Awards to Dr. Bennett Larson ’63, Rachel (Nelson) Hollstadt ’70, Robert C. Johnson ’71 (posthumous award), and Karen (Quanbeck) Grandstrand ’77.

Larson is Corporate Fellow Emertius in the Materials Science and Technology Division of Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, Tenn., where he began his 45-year career as a research physicist in 1969. His work included development and application of new and innovative X-ray diffraction techniques. He has authored numerous scientific papers, presented at national and international scientific meetings, and won a number of prestigious awards. Although formally retired, Larson remains actively involved in scientific research at ORNL.

Hollstadt founded Hollstadt & Associates Inc., an information technology and management consulting company, in 1990 and grew it to more than 185 employees before selling it in 2012. Hollstadt sponsored women in leadership events and gave back to the community, including launching Big Give based on Oprah’s idea. Hollstadt is a former member of Concordia’s Board of Regents and board member for the Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota, among other organizations.

Johnson, retired manager of music organizations for St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn., passed away in October 2019 after a yearlong battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Johnson’s office was responsible for managing all aspects of the St. Olaf Band, St. Olaf Choir, and St. Olaf Orchestra, including arranging tours, production of the St. Olaf Christmas Festival, and managing St. Olaf Records. He was honored with several awards, including the ACE award for lifetime achievement from the American Choral Directors Association.

Grandstrand, a shareholder with Fredrikson & Byron, is a nationally recognized financial services regulatory attorney and financial industry advisor. Prior to Fredrikson, she had a 14-year career with the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Grandstrand is a member of the Minnesota State Bar, the American Bar, and the Hennepin County Bar Associations. She is a past and current member of several boards, committees, and associations, including the Concordia College Board of Regents, and received the Concordia College Regents Award in 2000.

Chosen by the National Alumni Board, the Alumni Achievement Award is given to alumni who have exemplified the ideals of Concordia College through outstanding service and leadership in their profession, community, and church.