Fine Arts Hall of Fame Inductees

The Mount Marty University Gregorian Fine Arts Association (GFAA) is proud to announce this year’s Fine Arts Hall of Fame inductee class and ceremony. These individuals were chosen by the current GFAA advisory council based on their passion, dedication, and service to the arts at Mount Marty and the surrounding community.

2026 Fine Arts Hall of Fame Inductees:

John Day - Former Art Faculty (Posthumously)

David Kahle - Former Art Faculty

David J. Kahle was born in Lawrence, Kansas and raised in Perrysburg, Ohio into a family deeply rooted in education, as both parents were university professors. Early artistic influences included classes at the Toledo Museum of Art and instruction from mentor Walter Chapman. He earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and Life Drawing from Bowling Green University in 1984 and later completed his Master of Fine Arts in Painting from the University of South Dakota in 1987. In 1992, he joined Mount Marty University as an Assistant Professor of Art and eventually advanced to Professor of Art while also serving as Director of the Bede Art Gallery. Over more than three decades, he taught courses in painting, drawing, ceramics, printmaking, photography, design, mixed media, and art appreciation. Students remember his artistic talent, his patience, encouragement, and deep personal investment in their success both inside and outside the classroom.

David has devoted his life to the visual arts and has become known also for his kindness, humility, and generosity. He has donated original artwork to museums, charitable organizations, and Mount Marty University, including paintings and portraits created for permanent display. He also restored religious and historical sculptures and paintings throughout the Yankton community, including projects at Sacred Heart Monastery, the House of Mary Shrine, and Mount Marty University.

His commitment to mentorship and education has extended beyond the classroom through international educational travel experiences across Europe and through community workshops. Whether teaching students abroad, leading painting workshops, or simply making time for conversation and encouragement, he consistently places people first. Throughout his career, David has remained an active and accomplished artist whose work has appeared in numerous exhibitions, invitational shows, and solo presentations across the region. His artwork often explores themes of spirituality, culture, symbolism, and the human experience. He also has contributed extensively through illustration and publication work, including collaborations with author John Roth on A Wine Dark Sea and The Claw of the Dove. As arts editor for the Mount Marty University literary publication Paddlefish, Kahle helped showcase student artwork and foster collaboration between the visual arts and literature.

David Kahle’s legacy is one of artistic excellence, selfless service, and genuine compassion. He has left a lasting impact on Mount Marty University, the Yankton community, and countless individuals whose lives he has touched.

Norm Kunselman, Class of 1976 - Theater

Norman “Norm” Kunselman graduated from Mount Marty University in 1976 with a double major in Oral Communication (Speech & Theater) and Social Science. While at MMU, he was active in several productions such as, “The Lady’s Not for Burning,” “The Promise,” “Trojan Women,” “A Delicate Balance” and “Caught in the Villain’s Web.” He was president of the OC Club and a member of Alpha Psi Omega (National Theater Honor Society). For his OC senior project, he researched the life and works of Edgar Allan Poe, and wrote the script and portrayed Poe in “A Demon in His View.”

After graduation, Norm was an Admissions Counselor for MMU. He was involved in several productions at the Lewis & Clark Playhouse (Yankton), including “My Fair Lady,” “Bullshot Crummond,” “Carousel,” “The Mousetrap” and “South Pacific.” Norm pursued graduate studies in theater and mass communication at the University of South Dakota, and received a MA degree in Mass Communication in 1981. He then became Director of College Relations and Alumni for Mount Marty, and was also Managing Director of the Lewis & Clark Playhouse, for two summer seasons.

In 1983, Norm became Assistant Professor of Communication Arts at MMU teaching courses in speech, theater and radio broadcasting. Productions he directed, included “Private Lives,” “Hello Dolly,” “Crimes of the Heart” and “Oklahoma.”

After teaching at MMU, Norm moved to Minneapolis, MN, and worked in public relations focusing on non-profit marketing and fundraising. Clients included the Children’s Theater Company, other arts organizations and Minneapolis Community Education. During this time, Norm enrolled in post-graduate coursework in theater and education. With an interest in educational programming, he served more than 20 years as an Adult Continuing Education and Enrichment Coordinator for the University of Las Vegas and Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Community Education, where he coordinated and promoted classes in varying disciplines, including the performing arts. He also coordinated group tours to the Guthrie Theater, Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, Orpheum Theater and other theaters in the Twin Cities.

After his years in adult education, Norm transitioned to serving older adults, and became the Coordinator of the Roseville Area Senior Program, Roseville, MN. An integral part of RASP is Meals on Wheels, educational programming, recreational and social activities, and connecting those in need to social services organizations.

Norm retired in 2020, and moved from Minneapolis to Las Vegas, NV. He has found his ideal retirement niche as a Guest Services Usher at the Smith Center for the Performing Arts. In the past five years, he has seen more than 40 Broadway touring shows. However, he still enjoys annual trips to New York City to experience the splendor of Broadway.

“I am honored to receive the Mount Marty Fine Arts Hall of Fame Award. I look back on my years at Mount Marty with much fondness and gratitude,” says Kunselman. “I was blessed to have many outstanding professors who not only shared their expertise and knowledge, but also served as mentors. Professors, such as Sister Jeanette Klimisch, Dick Reddy, Kaye Hoyle and Jack Lyons were influential in fostering my appreciation and love of theater, music and communication arts, that has remained central to my life.”

Norm has continued his commitment to the performing arts at MMU with the Lucas and Kunselman Theater Scholarship.

Bernie Hunhoff, Class of 1974 - Journalism/Communications

Bernie Hunhoff has explored his home state of South Dakota with a notepad and camera like few other journalists in state history. He and his wife, Myrna, founded South Dakota Magazine in 1985. He still works as a traveling writer for the magazine today.

His literary career is truly grounded in Mount Marty University. His mother Margaret Modde came to the school from Iowa on a nursing scholarship in the 1940s. She married Bernard Hunhoff. Bernie is the fourth of their eight sons.

He’s also the nephew of Sister Julia Hunhoff, a Mount Marty alum who was prioress of Sacred Heart Monastery in the 1960s.

Bernie followed their footsteps. He graduated from Yankton High School in 1969 and enrolled at Mount Marty soon after it became co-ed. He studied media, journalism and photography and was editor of The Moderator, a feisty and fun weekly student newspaper. He graduated in 1974.

Although Hunhoff has since dabbled in politics, cattle and other endeavors, literature and journalism remain his main focus even today. He has published several books on South Dakota history, travel and culture. South Dakota Magazine, owned and published today by his daughter Katie, is now South Dakota’s largest print publication.

Hunhoff has often said that the Benedictine values learned from his family and from a Mount Marty education have guided everything good that he has accomplished.

He and Myrna have two children, Chris and Katie. They also have six grandchildren — Laura, Steven, Maiya, Alex, Ben and Maggie. They live along the Missouri River, just downstream from Mount Marty and Sacred Heart.

To nominate future inductees, submit this form:

https://forms.gle/CA3uYtrbA915y9mHA.