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Distinguished Alumni/ae Award

Peg A. Chemberlin ’82	Herbert Zimmerman ’46

Peg A. Chemberlin ’82 -
“A leader in ecumenical ministries.”

Following graduation from United in 1982, Peg was ordained in the Moravian Church and became the director of campus ministries at St. Cloud State University and served as an adjunct professor there. In 1988, she became the director of the Minnesota FoodShare where she collaborated with 3,000 congregations and organizations resulting in the collection of 32 million pounds of food.

Peg is recognized both regionally and nationally as a leader in ecumenical ministries. She has been the executive director of the Minnesota Council of Churches since 1995 and has used her many gifts for ecumenical ministry to develop the Minnesota Council of Churches as one of the premier councils in the United States. Her leadership at the council focuses on social justice, interfaith dialogues, and in support of the Christian community throughout the state. She is a respected advocate for social justice issues at the local, state, and national levels and was recently elected as the president-elect of the National Council of Churches where she will be the first Minnesotan to serve as national president.

Gary Reierson describes Peg in this way: “Many would regard her as a key voice in the ecumenical movement today. Her passion for social justice and commitment to serving, empowering, and lifting up the poor is inspirational. Peg has shown through her example and her teaching, the integration of theology and social issues that are the hallmark of a successful United graduate. Furthermore, that integration is lived out in her own personal life which is characterized as one of integrity and Christian purpose.” 

Peg is committed and supportive alum of United, having served as an adjunct faculty member and speaker at the Joshua Luncheon and the first “Early Bird Breakfast.”

Kathi Austin Mahle ’78, classmate, colleague, and friend of Peg’s, nominated her for this year’s Distinguished Alumni Award.

Herbert Zimmerman ’46 -
“A life centered on living his faith everyday through the pastoral care of people.”

“There were many challenges and many difficult times, but my faith that God was going to use me and help me was very present and always reassuring.” –Herbert Zimmerman

Herbert’s life was centered on living his faith every day through the pastoral care of people.

In 1945, Hebert graduated with a B.A. from Yankton College and a year later graduated from Yankton School of Theology.  During his 60 years in ministry, he served 18 parishes, ranging from short interims to 13 year commitments. Because he had strong German ties and was fluent in the language, he chose to serve the small German speaking churches where the availability of pastors for these types of settings was limited. Most of these churches were in rural communities in Minnesota, the Dakotas, Nebraska, Idaho, Montana, and Washington where the salaries were small and sometimes not forthcoming for months.

Herbert’s involvement in the church was all encompassing. He was a strong advocate for teens and youth programs, was intimately involved in the development of curriculum, was an active choir member, and even served as janitor when needed. He spent countless hours in hospitals, nursing homes, and private homes, and even volunteered to help bring in the harvest on farms where there was illness or when someone had died. Throughout his career, Herbert’s expert skills as a carpenter and wood worker were used frequently remodeling and restoring many of the churches he served.

Herbert’s commitment to the church and community was extensive: he served as moderator for North Dakota, Minnesota, and Pacific Church Conferences; he was the director of youth camping programs in several states; he was also actively involved in the school systems in Montana, Idaho, and South Dakota as principal and teacher, and even drove the school bus. Although Herbert formally retired in 1986, he continued his ministry as an interim in four churches for more than 10 years. Due to health problems, Herbert officially retired at the age of 75, officiating at his granddaughter’s marriage.

Herbert lives in Carbondale, Illinois, with Hilda, his wife and life partner in ministry. He was nominated for the Distinguished Alumni Award by his daughter Pamela Firth.