The Austin High School Alumni Association and Friends has named their 2009 recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award. This award recognizes graduates of AHS for outstanding achievements and contributions to society following graduation. It also promotes positive role models for currently enrolled students in the Austin School District. The two alumni selected this year are as follows:

Rhonda Voigt Montgomery, Class of 1968

Dr. Rhonda Montgomery, an internationally-known scholar in aging, is currently a professor in the school of social welfare at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Over her career, Montgomery has conducted numerous regional and national studies for private foundations, the Alzheimer’s Association, the Administration on Aging, the National Institutes of Health and the Health Resources Services Administration.

Montgomery, the principle investigator for two projects focused on enhancing supports for family caregivers, has also worked as a professional volunteer to improve support programs and services for families caring for persons with Alzheimer’s disease. Montgomery received her Ph.D in sociology from the University of Minnesota.

Paul Erickson, Class of 1974

Paul Erickson, the chief operating officer for the U.S. Government Printing Office of the Legislative Branch of the Federal Government, is responsible for producing the Official Journals of Government, U.S. passports, Deposited Library Program and the Print Procurement for all of the Executive Agencies. He has also implemented the newly created Official Journals of Government business unit, which will oversee the print and electronic requests for two daily newspapers, The Congressional Record and The Federal Register.

Erickson began his printing career in a program at RR Donnelley, the world’s largest commercial printer. Over the next 25 years he held many management posts within the company. In 2006 he was appointed managing director of Polestar Group printing plant in Sheffield, England, and in July 2008 became deputy public printer of the U.S. Government Printing Office.

Erickson has been a leader in various charitable organizations, such as the Northern Nevada United Way, Boy’ and Girls Club and the Chamber of Commerce. He received his bachelor of science degree from South Dakota State University.

An assembly honoring the Distinguished Alumni was held Thursday in Knowlton Auditorium.