Former St. Cloud Mayor and St. John’s Alumnus to be Honored with Hubert H. Humphrey Leadership Award

(KNSI) — Former St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis will be honored with a Hubert H. Humphrey Leadership Award.

The awards, presented by the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs, honor people, organizations, and corporations that have contributed to the common good through leadership and service.

Kleis is the longest-serving mayor of St. Cloud and stepped down this year after leading the city for 20 years. The school says he is a “visionary leader and local historian” who “guided St. Cloud through two decades of growth, civic pride, and global recognition, including honors as one of the world’s most livable cities.”

Kleis is also a U.S. Air Force veteran and former state senator who brings “a deep commitment to public service and partnership.” He was also named one of Twin Cities Business’ “100 People to Know.” Organizers call Kleis a “strong advocate for community collaboration” who helped establish the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative and “fostered strong international ties through St. Cloud’s sister city relationships.”

Also being recognized is St. John’s University alumnus Denis McDonough, who served as White House Chief of Staff under President Barack Obama and as Secretary of Veterans Affairs under President Joe Biden. Both presidents have described McDonough as a tireless problem solver with an innate understanding of how the government should work to improve the lives of everyday Americans. He received the Bob Basten Excellence in Leadership Award last year from St. John’s. The school says that throughout his career, McDonough has “advocated for veterans, led with integrity, and delivered results grounded in service, compassion, and a deep commitment to the public good.”

Both men will be honored on September 18th at the University of Minnesota’s McNamara Alumni Center.

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