The Bishop Cretin Award is presented annually to a distinguished Cretin alum in recognition of his outstanding service to the community and to Cretin-Derham Hall school, and for his achievements in his profession exemplifying the highest and best traditions of Cretin High School. This award is presented in memory of the school’s founder Bishop Joseph Cretin, the first Bishop of the Diocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
Our classmate Stephen Nachtsheim was the recipient of this prestigious award in 2020. While at Cretin he learned and he became involved in sports, plays, and committees. He graduated from Cretin with a strong belief that responsible behavior and community involvement were paramount. He summed up his Cretin experience by saying “The education was at the center of all of it, but more importantly, it was a lot of fun, and we had a sense that we needed to get things done for our community.”
He followed that dictate as he progressed through an extensive career in the computer technology field. His first love of technology and his desire to share his knowledge with others led his to becoming an academic, teaching at the Graduate School of Business at the University of Minnesota for nearly a decade. At the same time, he was given responsibility to manage the Academic and Research Computer Center.
He has coached youth soccer, softball and basketball.
He has held several board positions, including one with Menlo Park Fire Protection District where he served as both Vice President and President. And he has been a Trustee at the University of St. Thomas since 2002.
Steve has been a long time supporter of CDH in many ways including technology projects. When notified he was the recipient of the Bishop Cretin Award his first thought was “We have a great class and I can think of at least 10-20 people who deserve that recognition more than me.”
Stephen is a worthy recipient.
Congratulations Steve!
Footnote: Due to the pandemic the actual presentation of the award to Steve will take place in the fall of 2021 at the annual CDH awards banquet.
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