(KLZA)-- Distinction in their chosen careers has earned four Peru State College graduates the designation as 2024 Alumni Excellence Award recipients, according to President Michael Evans.

The four - each representing one of Peru State- academic divisions - include Dr. Jeff Dahms from the Graduate Studies program, The Honorable Randy Reeves from the School of Professional Studies, Christopher Stangl from the School of Arts and Sciences, and Kim Vrtiska from the School of Education.

They will be recognized during a ceremony Tuesday, April 9 on the campus of Nebraska- first college. All will be given opportunities to speak with students during their time at the college. The awards ceremony begins at 2 pm in the College Theater and is open to the public.

Established in 2018, the Thousand Oaks Alumni Excellence program is sponsored by the Peru State College Foundation. Candidates must have demonstrated exceptional service to the College and/or community and have noteworthy achievements in their careers.

A career dedicated to educating youth and to community service are the hallmarks of Kim Vrtiska, who has both his bachelor- degree (1990) and a Master of Science in Education degree (2000).

The Table Rock native and current resident of Plattsmouth, Vrtiska completed a 30-year teaching career with the Falls City Public Schools in 2021. He had served Falls City as a middle school science teacher since 2002, along with coaching basketball and football there.

From 1991 until 2002, Vrtiska served the Tecumseh Public Schools as both an elementary school teacher and athletic coach.

Vrtiska, current President of the Peru State College National Alumni Association, also has a Master of Education Degree from Doane University.

Dr. Jeff Dahms is Director of Customer Experience Research and Insights with Physicians Mutual of Omaha, where he has worked since October. He received his master- degree in curriculum and instruction from Peru State College in 2007.

A retired Veteran of the Navy and Air Force, The Honorable Randy Reeves continues to advise National Leaders on issues affecting America- Veterans. He served as the Sixth U.S. Under Secretary of Veteran Affairs for Memorial Affairs from 2017 to 2021. A Certified Public Manager, he has a bachelor- degree from Peru State and an associate degree from the Community College of the Air Force and is a graduate of the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government Senior Executive program. Reeves has a Master of Science degree from Touro University.

Chris Stangl is Managing Director of the Washington D.C.-based Berkeley Research Group- Cybersecurity and Investigations practice. Previously he served the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2003-2023 investigating cybercrime.

A 1994 graduate of Peru State, he is a native of Pikesville, Md.