University of Denver alumna Michelle Kwan (BA international studies ’09), the most decorated figure skater in American history, can add another item to her long list of accomplishments: She’s been elected to the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame class of 2012.
“Throughout my competitive career, it was always important to me to be a worthy representative of American figure skating and to bring honor to my sport and my country,” Kwan said in a U.S. Figure Skating press release. “There can be no greater honor than to be elected to the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame. I am proud and humbled to become its newest member.”
Kwan won nine U.S. championships, five world championships and two Olympic medals — a silver in 1998 and a bronze in 2002.
In 2006, U.S. Secretary of State and fellow DU alumna Condoleezza Rice (BA ’74, PhD ’81) appointed Kwan as the first U.S. Public Diplomacy Envoy. In 2010, President Obama appointed her to the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition, and she was elected to the board of directors of Special Olympics International.
“Michelle Kwan is most deserving of this honor,” said Larry Mondschein, U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame nominating committee chair. “She was the greatest female figure skater of her generation and continues to be a role model today both on and off the ice.”
The U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame induction will be held Jan. 27 in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in San Jose, Calif.
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