Two prominent Becker citizens and graduates of Becker High School were honored last Wednesday as this year’s Hall of Fame award winners.

Mike Garland - Class of 1975

Mike enlisted in the U.S. Army after graduating from Becker in 1975. He served in the 101st Airborne as the Battalion Motor Sergeant in Fort Campbell, Kentucky and received an Army Commendation Medal. Mike was employed by Xcel Energy for over 33 years and ended his career as the yard supervisor. Mike gives back to his community, including serving as the Committee Chairman for the construction of the Santiago Twp. Hall and Becker Fire Dept. #2. Mike has participated in numerous Relay for Life Events in the area and his efforts have helped raise over $100,000 for cancer research. Mike’s fundraising efforts have included a bike trip to the west coast, walking the Pacific Crest Trail for over 2,600 miles, and canoeing the Mississippi River down to the Gulf of Mexico. Mike has brought joy to many while serving as Santa for the Becker Lions Lange Home Christmas for the last 26 years. Mike is a proud father of four girls, all of whom attended Becker High School.

Brian Kolbinger - Class of 1990

Brian graduated near the top of his class in 1990 and continued his education at St. Cloud State University. Brian has served in management positions and as a consultant in the information technology (IT) industry. In over 25 years in IT he has worked for Toro, Daugherty Business Solutions, and now for Medtronic. Brian was pulled back to the Becker area after eleven years because he “wanted his children to have the same opportunity he had growing up in Becker to contribute to the success of another generation.” Brian’s contributions to the area have been numerous. He has served as the Becker Twp. Chairman for 11 years. Brian served as the President of the Becker Youth Baseball Association for 11 years and has served eight years as the President of the Becker Youth Association. A lifelong baseball player for Becker teams, Brian has coached and offciated various sports in Becker. Brian and his wife Bonnie have three children who graduated from Becker - Victoria, Andrew, and Owen.