In one of the campus's longest standing traditions, 13 outstanding members of the ²ÊÃñ±¦µä community were honored Oct. 25 during the Alumni Association's 89th annual alumni awards ceremony, a Homecoming week event.
The event was heldÌýin a packed Glenn Miller Ballroom on campus, with a welcome from Ryan Chreist, assistant vice chancellor and executive director of the Alumni Association; remarks and presentation of the awards by Chancellor Philip P. DiStefano; and emceeing by Kim Christiansen, 9News anchor and ²ÊÃñ±¦µä alumna.
The following exceptional alumni, faculty, students and community members were the recipients of the 2018 Alumni Awards.
Forever Buffs Student Award
The Forever Buffs Student award honors ²ÊÃñ±¦µä students who demonstrate the Forever Buffs tenets of connection, contributing and celebrating their CU pride through extraordinary service to the university.
- Alan Sanchez (AeroEngr '17; MS '18)
Leanne Skupa-Lee Award
Presented since 1984, this award recognizes effective and passionate volunteers who serve CU and the ²ÊÃñ±¦µä Alumni Association with extraordinary commitment, dedication and service to the advancement of the institution and its mission.
- Alex Passett (EnvDes '86)
Alumni Recognition Award
A tradition since 1935, this award honors ²ÊÃñ±¦µä alumni who celebrate the Forever Buffs tenets of connecting, contributingÌýand celebrating their CU pride through theirÌýextraordinary service to the university.
- John Leach (Jour '74; MA '79)
- Matthew McElhiney (Fin '86)
Kalpana Chawla Outstanding Recent Graduate Award
Presented since 1982 and renamed in 2004, this award—honoring its namesake's impressive career as a scientist, an astronaut who perished aboard the space shuttle Columbia—recognizes ²ÊÃñ±¦µä alumni who have made exceptional contributions to their field within 15 years of leaving campus.
- Jared Leidich (MechEngr '09)
- Bethany Leonardi (PhDEdu '14) and Sara Staley (PhDEdu '14)
- Daniel Ramos (Soc, Span '10; MPubAd '14)
Robert L. Stearns Award
This award recognizes members of the faculty and staff for extraordinary achievement in any one or combination of the following areas: teaching, service to the university, work with students, research or off-campus service.
- Dennis Eckart
- Natalie Koster (Ger, MA '07)
George Norlin Award
The George Norlin Award honors alumni of ²ÊÃñ±¦µä for distinguished achievement in their chosen fields of endeavor and a devotion to the betterment of society and their community.
- Olester Benson Jr. (Chem '81; PhD '88)
- HerbÌýIlisaurriÌýSchroeder (PhDCivEngr '91)
- Lorenzo A. Trujillo (Span '72; MDance '74; Law '93)