Outstanding Alumni - 2010
Susan (Mattson) Halena
Bemidji State University Graduate 1978
Sue Halena graduated from Bemidji State with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications in 1978. She has spent the past thirty two years working as a print journalist, holding 11 different positions with four Minnesota news organizations.Her work has largely focused on newspapers in Fergus Falls, Rochester and St. Cloud.She currently holds the title of Managing Editor of the St. Cloud Times, a position she was promoted to in 2006. Among her duties, she is responsible for strong diversity efforts in both staffing and coverage.Her work has helped the St. Cloud Times win company and national awards for their diversity efforts. Sue’s range of experience and talent have earned her more than 25 professional awards, including the prestigious Gannett Information Center Supervisor Recognition Award, recognizing her leadership, innovation and creativity in management.She has also been named Employee of the Year for St. Cloud Times newsroom twice and a finalist for the same award two additional years. Sue serves on the Minnesota Associated Press Managing Editors Board of Directors.She is committed to training and mentoring future leaders as the journalism profession evolves. She is a strong advocate for Bemidji State University and its communications program. She maintains an informal network of Bemidji alums and mentors a number of journalism students and graduates. Sue has also been actively involved in her community and played a role in the Salvation Army’s annual bell ringing campaign, and served in a leadership capacity on her church’s board.Susan and her husband, Wayne, have two grown daughters and make their home in St. Cloud, Minnesota.