Bemidji State University’s Professional Education Department and Alumni Association will induct Dr. Randall W. Peterson ’82 and Ron Ruud ’79 into the University’s Professional Education Hall of Fame at a dinner in their honor Friday, April 17. The event will take place at the American Indian Resource Center on the BSU campus

This award honors alumni who demonstrate excellence in teaching students or managing schools. The event is open to the public. Register online at bsualumni.org or call 218-755-3989. The cost is $25 per person. Please RSVP no later than Friday, April 10.

Peterson has been principal of Eastview High School in Apple Valley since 2007. He served as associate principal there from 1996-2007. His higher education path began at Bemidji State where he earned a bachelor of science degree in physical education. He went on to earn a master of arts in secondary education/athletic administration in 1985 and an educational specialist degree in educational administration in 1992. Both of those degrees were conferred upon him by Minnesota State University Mankato. In 2005, Peterson earned a doctor of education degree in educational leadership/instructional technology from Argosy University, where he was awarded the President’s Leadership Award.

He has worked as a teacher, coach and athletic director. Now, in addition to being a principal, he serves on the faculty of Southern New Hampshire University, Concordia University/St. Paul and Argosy University/Twin Cities. Peterson also has authored numerous research presentations and served in a leadership capacity for multiple forward-looking educational groups and organizations.

Ruud has served as a teacher, coach, principal and now superintendent within the Tri-County Public Schools. After graduating from BSU in 1979, he began his education career while continuing his studies at Tri-College University (Moorhead State University, Concordia College and North Dakota State University). He earned a masters of science degree with certification as a principal in 1989 and finished sixth year studies for certification as a superintendent in 1999.

The Karlstad resident received the Horace Mann Lincoln Fellowship Award in 2012 and was named Superintendent of the Year in 2002. In addition, he has secured several grants for his district and started the first computer network in northwest Minnesota in 1982. He also serves on several professional boards and volunteers in his community.

Bemidji State University’s Professional Education Hall of Fame inducts new members every two years.