Distinguished Alum Award
Submit a nomination for the 2021 Distinguished Alum Award
United celebrates 2020 Distinguished Alum Todd Lippert! Since his graduation in 2003, Todd has lived into United’s missional values and a commitment to the Common Good through ministry to United Church of Christ (UCC) congregations in Minnesota and Wisconsin, as well as public service as a Minnesota state lawmaker.
Karen Smith Sellers (‘76, ‘13), a current trustee on the United Board, nominated Todd. She says, “Todd models brilliantly the ways in which a graduate theological education at United Seminary prepares one for effective leadership in diverse sectors.”
Todd’s recent congregational ministry includes serving as the Senior Minister at First United Church of Christ (Northfield, MN) from 2012 to 2020, prior to his current call at Mayflower United Church of Christ (Minneapolis, MN) as a Community Minister. He has also served the wider UCC as chair of the CUE Seminaries committee and as a member of the Minnesota Conference UCC Board of Directors.
His colleague at Mayflower, Rev. Sarah Campbell (‘89), says of Todd, “I was stunned by his artful public speaking. Since then, I’ve witnessed him speaking on the floor of the Minnesota House—speaking, persuading, convincing his colleagues, even as a first-year representative. We are going to see more of Lippert in the years ahead—his pastoral listening across the aisle, but also his effectively moving legislation and culture towards a more caring economy in our state, for the earth, and the less powerful. UTS, you taught Rev. Lippert the gospel well!”
As a Minnesota state representative, Todd serves Northfield, MN and surrounding areas (District 20B). He holds leadership roles in the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) caucus as Assistant Majority Leader and Vice Chair of the Long-Term Care Division. Todd also sits on a diverse set of committees, providing the opportunity for him to best represent his district and all Minnesotans: the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee, Behavioral Health Policy Division, Climate and Energy Finance and Policy Committee, and Environmental and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee.
Todd’s work at the state capitol began years prior to his being elected to office. As an active member of the faith-based organizing group ISAIAH, he worked with the immigrant community to advocate for their needs through policy proposals and coalition-building.
About his legislative and advocacy work, Todd says, “I got involved in politics because I believe in the Common Good. Good for a few is not good enough. I am a person of faith. I follow the great commandment: Love God by loving our neighbor. We need to see ourselves in our neighbors and realize there is more that unites us than divides us. We are in this together, and to solve our greatest challenges we will need to come together in new ways.
“My goal is to make our government work for everyone. Our Common Good campaign affirms the dignity and value of every one. It challenges all of us to create a Minnesota where everyone is thriving, everyone has enough, and everyone has the opportunities they need. Working together we can direct resources to children and families. We can create a healthcare system that is affordable and available to everyone, and we can respond to climate change while creating economic opportunities.”
Todd is exemplary of the many ways in which United’s theological education prepares students to be effective leaders in any number of settings. A pastor, a politician, a public servant — no matter the official title or role, Todd tends to the needs of his community in service to the Common Good.
Join us in celebrating and congratulating Todd as this year’s Distinguished Alum!
Past Distinguished Alums
2019 Meg Riley ’87
2018 Mary Kay Sauter ’95
2017 Gretchen Thompson ’93, ’14, Craig Wright ’01
2016 Robert Smith ’80, Kenneth Daniel ’81
2015 Anita C. Hill ’87 ’00
2014 Rufus Campbell ’90, Sharon Wilson ’94
2013 Karen Smith Sellers ’76 ’13, Norma Rae Hunt ’84
2012 Jon Gunnemann ’66
2011 Kimberly Vrudny ’95
2010 Susan K. Ebbers ’78, Rick Yramategui ’87
2009 Howard J. Vogel ’78
2008 Peg A. Chemberlin ’82
2008 Herbert Zimmerman ’46
2007 Paul Olm-Stoelting ’46 ’74
2006 Christie Cozad Neuger ’80
2005 Gene E. Miller ’83
2004 Robert H. Tucker ’81
2003 Gary Reierson ’78 ’86
2002 Kathi Austin Mahle ’78, Ernest Strandberg ’67
2001 Sheila C. Gustafson ’77, Helen Wells O’Brien ’90
2000 Obid Hofland ’68 ’88
1999 John Heinl ’61
1998 Thomas Townsend ’60
1997 Eugene Grau ’44
1996 Marva Jean Hutchens ’80, Gary Miller ’68
1995 Carla Bailey ’81 ’92, Hobart (Fid) Sailor ’69
1994 Martha Ann Baumer ’73, Nelda Lockwood ’51, Alma Stepanek ’51
1993 Vernon Jaberg ’47, Fred Schneider ’43
1992 Theodore Bader ’51, Ralph Ley ’39
1991 John Krueger ’63
