The Professional Education and BSU Alumni Association inducted Dr. Randall W. Peterson ’82 and Ron Ruud ’79 into the university’s Professional Education Hall of Fame at an April 17 dinner in their honor at the American Indian Resource Center. This award recognizes alumni who demonstrate excellence in teaching students or managing schools.

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’s 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 from 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.

Ruud has served as a teacher, coach, principal and now superintendent within the Tri-County Public Schools in Karlstad. 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 Master 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.