The University of Wisconsin-Superior presented the 2025 Henry Blomberg Excellence in Service Awards on Tuesday, November 11, during its Veterans Day ceremony.

“The UW-Superior campus community is proud to have veterans as part of the student body, as well as among our faculty and staff who serve as leaders across this campus,” said Harry Anderson, UW-Superior associate vice chancellor and dean of students.

2025 Henry Blomberg Excellence in Service Award Recipients

Brent Stelzer — Staff Sergeant, United States Army

In 2006, Brent Stelzer was wounded by a roadside bomb in Iraq and later medically retired from the United States Army. Following his military service, he earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology with a minor in Native American and rural social work from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where he received both the Academy of Letters and Science Distinguished Achievement Award and the Chancellor’s Leadership Award.

His military honors include the Purple Heart Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and three Army Achievement Medals. Notably, Stelzer served in Iraq with the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s 2/127th Infantry Battalion, 32nd Infantry Division “Red Arrow” – the same regiment and division in which Henry Blomberg served nearly 90 years earlier.

After earning his degree, Stelzer spent 14 years with the Social Security Administration, contributing to a combined 25 years of military and civilian federal service. He is currently a second-year graduate student in UW-Superior’s Master of Science in Education – counseling program, pursuing dual concentrations in clinical mental health counseling and marriage and family therapy. Maintaining a 4.00 GPA, he is on track to graduate this spring. Stelzer’s goal is to continue serving others through individual and family therapy, with a special focus on supporting military veterans and their families.

His dedication extends beyond his professional life. While his son was in junior high and high school, Stelzer volunteered as a sports photographer for the football, track, and swim teams; served as a youth football coach; and acted as a volunteer guardian for Portage County Health and Human Services.

He is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and the Disabled American Veterans, and is also a member of the SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society.

Lee Swenson — Captain, United States Army

Since June 2016, Lee Swenson has devoted his time and heart to serving as an Essentia Health Hospice volunteer, contributing more than 450 hours to supporting hospice patients – many of whom are veterans like himself.

When a veteran is admitted to hospice care, a We Honor Veterans ceremony is held to recognize their military service. Swenson has personally conducted 152 of these ceremonies, offering not only the formal honor but also the deeply personal gift of peer-to-peer companionship. His quiet dedication ensures that those who once served their country are honored and comforted in their final days.

Swenson’s lifelong commitment to service extends far beyond hospice work. Since 2011, he has volunteered twice a month at a Minnesota state prison, offering encouragement and connection to those seeking a new path. He also served on the Executive Board of CHUM in Duluth and continues to represent his church as a delegate, remaining deeply engaged in his community.

A proud UW-Superior graduate, Swenson earned his Bachelor of Science in public relations with a minor in business administration on May 28, 1982. His graduation day, however, came with a twist – he missed the ceremony because he was called to report for military duty just three days earlier.

Whether through his professional life, volunteer work, or military service, Swenson is known for his compassion, humility, and steadfast support of those in need. He embodies the spirit of service – always willing to step forward, lend a hand and make a difference.

Zach Kruse — Corporal, United States Marine Corps

Zach Kruse’s journey through the University Police Department (UPD) is one of dedication, growth, and service that began long before he ever wore the badge.

As a student, Kruse first made his mark as president of the Criminal Justice Student Association, where his leadership and passion for law enforcement quickly stood out. That experience led him to an internship with UPD, where he immersed himself in the day-to-day realities of campus policing. By the end of his internship, his professionalism and commitment earned him a part-time position as a police officer.

When a full-time opportunity arose, Kruse seized it – applying, being selected, and transitioning into a full-time officer role, all while completing his Bachelor’s Degree in criminal justice. Balancing academic success with professional responsibility, he exemplified the drive and integrity that define the best in public service.

Today, Officer Kruse continues to demonstrate what a university police officer should be. Guided by a strong moral compass, he understands that policing is as much about education and empathy as it is about enforcement. His dedication to community policing has made him a trusted presence on campus and a tremendous asset to both the department and the university.

“UW-Superior’s community has countless men and women who could be recognized today for their excellence in service,” said Anderson. “Daily, we have heroes walking our hallways – offering words of encouragement, publishing research, advising students, or simply giving directions around campus. Veterans Day gives us a special occasion to pause and remember all those, both living and deceased, who have answered the call to defend our nation’s Constitution and preserve our freedoms from World War I to the present.”

About the Henry Blomberg Excellence in Service Awards

Presented at UW-Superior since 2013, the Henry Blomberg Excellence in Service Awards are named in honor of Lieutenant Henry Blomberg, who was born in Superior on August 3, 1892. He attended Superior Normal School (now UW-Superior), where he excelled as a debater and athlete, playing both baseball and football.

Blomberg joined the Wisconsin National Guard after graduation in 1916. He registered for the draft and soon found himself sailing to France with the 32nd Division during World War I. His acts of valor earned him a promotion to captain – an honor he was too busy serving to formally accept. During the Battle of the Argonne in October 1918, Blomberg was seriously wounded and later posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation’s second-highest military honor.