Huth Named Outstanding Educator of the Year by Minnesota State Board of Trustees

Winona and Red Wing, MN (April 24, 2026) – Band instrument repair instructor John Huth is Minnesota State College Southeast’s 2026 Outstanding Educator of the Year. He was among the college and university educators recognized by Chancellor Scott Olson and the Minnesota State Board of Trustees at a statewide awards ceremony held earlier this week. 

Huth has taught instrument repair on Southeast’s Red Wing campus for 38 years.  

“An accomplished trumpet player, nationally recognized within his field, Huth has taught more than 1,500 students the art of instrument repair, sharing his passion for music and taking a hands-on approach,” the Board of Trustees said in a statement. 

Huth has also been chosen by his peers at the college to serve as this year’s Commencement Marshal. He will carry the ceremonial mace as he leads the academic procession at Southeast’s Commencement Ceremony, which will take place May 15 at Winona State University. 

"It’s hard to imagine an instructor who has had more of an impact on the people in the field of band instrument repair than John Huth,” said Adam Potthast, Dean of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Transfer at Southeast. “He is always thinking of his students and how to reach them better. Through his teaching, he’s guided hundreds of students to become craftspeople with incredible skill and allowed them to bring more music into the world.”  

Huth arrived on campus in 1987 as an instructor of band instrument repair. Since 2003, he has served as the Coordinator of College Accreditation/Accreditation Liaison Officer for Southeast. He is a frequent clinician at the National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians (NAPBIRT) national conferences and has published several articles on instrument repair in TechniCom, the journal of NAPBIRT, as well as in other trade publications. In recent years, Huth has pioneered 3D printing techniques to create parts for instrument repair. Huth performs as a freelance trumpet player throughout the greater Twin Cities area. 

In reflecting on his teaching career, Huth credits “99% of his successes” to collaborations with his peers and students and the benefits of working together to find solutions.  

“John embodies all the best characteristics that the Minnesota State System looks to honor with these prestigious awards: a passion for teaching, dedication to his discipline and home institution, a focus on our students and their success, and innovation and scholarship within his field,” said Dr. Marsha Danielson, President of Minnesota State College Southeast. “John’s contributions to Southeast extend well beyond his pedagogy and scholarship. He has provided exceptional leadership and service to the college through his extensive work in institutional effectiveness, campus engagement, and our accreditation process.” 

Huth earned a Master of Music in trumpet from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music; a Bachelor of Music from Bowling Green University and studied trumpet performance at the Cleveland Institute of Music.