City putting out the call for nominations for Pillars of the City
Published 5:00 pm Wednesday, December 11, 2024
- The unveiled plagues for the Pillars of the Community were unveiled in 2022 during the second day of the Freedom Fest. Herald file photo
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With just a few weeks to go, the City of Austin is encouraging more people to submit nominations for the 2025 Pillars of the Community.
The deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. on Dec. 31.
The city is putting out the call due to a low number of submissions garnered so far. According to Austin City Clerk Brianne Wolf, each year the PIllars of the Community Committee picks the top 10 and moves them forward to be considered along with the top 20 overall from years past.
However, this year the number hasn’t reached the double-digit mark yet.
Established by Mayor Tom Stiehm in 2015, pillars honor those who have had a direct impact on the city and its continued development. Once chosen and announced, bronze plaques are placed on the Main Street North bridge over Mill Pond.
Those honored are recognized for having made significant contributions to improving the quality of life through growth, economic impact, health, education, culture, recreation, communications, business or scientific innovation.
“It’s a good opportunity to recognize people in Austin who made a significant contribution to our community,” Wolf said. “It’s an opportunity to showcase individuals on the platform so people can see their contributions.”
Only individuals can be nominated and an application must be filled out.
The Pillars are revealed each year on July 4 during Freedom Fest.
To learn more about nominationing someone to obtain a form, visit: https://www.ci.austin.mn.us/boards-commissions/dedicated-pillars
Past Pillars of the City
2016
George A. Hormel
Jay C. Hormel
Richard L. Knowlton
Dr. Richard J. Schindler
Jon W. Erichson
2017
Ira James Holton
Gary Ray
Esther Morse
2018
Robert Enright
Lyman Baird
Norman Hecimovich
2019
Bonnie Besse
Gertrude C. Ellis
John O’Rourke
2020
Geraldine Rasmussen
Pat Piper
Larry Dolphin
2021
Susan Grove
Olva Hegge
Jacob Herzog
2022
Frank W. Bridges
Miguel Garate
Michael C. Ruzek
2023
Dr. Ralph Holmen
Rosalie Seltz
Belita Schindler
2024
Jiles A Baldrus
Terese Amazi
