Past Alumni Award Recipients

The Mack Easton Distinguished Award is the CU Denver Alumni Board’s highest honor. It is presented to an individual who has demonstrated a long-term commitment to serving CU Denver, its students, and alumni. The award was developed by the CU Denver Alumni community in memory of D. Mack Easton, the Dean of the "Denver Extension Center" in the early 1960's. His vision paved the way for the extension to become the diverse and dynamic urban research university it is today. Nominees may be drawn from the community at large and need not be alumni. Current members of the CU Denver Alumni Board are not eligible.

• 2024 – Nga Vương-Sandoval ’98, MCJ ’02
• 2023 – Lola Ann Salazar MA '92
• 2021 – Charlie Ferguson '85, MS '87, PhD
• 2020 – Barb Weiske ’84, MPA ’92
• 2018 – Andrea Wagner MA ’14
• 2016 – Cathy Kaledo ’92
• 2013 – Gedeon LaFarge MArch ’90
• 2007 – Karen Niparko
• 2006 – Ted Schaefer MBA ’87
• 2005 – Tom Lamming
• 2004 – James L. Basey
• 2003 – Gary Meggison ’81, MBA ’94
• 2002 – Joseph Davis and Carol Gossard
• 2001 – Neal L. Thomas, Jr.
• 2000 – John D. Anderson
• 1999 – Charles Gallagher
• 1998 – Rutt Bridges and John Mehalchin
• 1997 – William (Bill) Davis
• 1996 – Roger J. Steinbecker
• 1995 – R. Gale Daniel
• 1993 – Paul Bartlett
• 1992 – Philip Milstein MURP ’73
• 1991 – Terry Fischer ’77
• 1990 – Lael Porter ’82, MA ’86
• 1989 – Shirley Konkel
• 1988 – Jerry Seacuse
• 1987 – George Dikeou
• 1986 – Eugene Sternberg
• 1985 – Frank "Mike" Foster
• 1984 – Mark Gallegos MA ’77, MPA ’79
• 1983 – Harry Cullis
• 1982 – Joe Keen
• 1981 – Bob Grahm
• 1980 – Edwin Banks
• 1979 – Iona Wakefield

Graduate of the  Last Decade Award - The G.O.L.D. Award recognizes graduates of the last ten years for their accomplishments in their career, service, and/or volunteer efforts that have brought honor to individuals and CU Denver.

• 2024 – Donalyn White ’16, MA ’19, MA ’22
• 2023 – Patrick Browne '10, MA '18
• 2021 – Monica C Cutler MPA '18
• 2020 – Gage Chapel MBA ’15
• 2018 – Ian Kellet ’13
• 2017 – Stephanie Filali Moutei ’14

The CU Denver College of Architecture and Planning honors an exceptional graduate who, by their distinguished career and service to the university, state, nation, or world, has brought honor to CU Denver, their community, and themselves.

• 2024 – Julie VandenBerg Snow ’70
• 2023 – David Dowall MURP '74, PhD

The CU Denver College of Arts & Media honors an exceptional graduate who, by their distinguished career and service to the university, state, nation, or world, has brought honor to CU Denver, their community, and themselves.

• 2024 – Antonio Cicarelli ’03
• 2023 – Courtney Ozaki '06

The CU Denver Business School honors an exceptional graduate who, by their distinguished career and service to the university, state, nation, or world, has brought honor to CU Denver, their community, and themselves.

• 2024 – Robin Thurston MS ’99
• 2023 – Jennifer Leitsch MS, MBA '08

The CU Denver School of Education & Human Development honors an exceptional graduate who, by their distinguished career and service to the university, state, nation, or world, has brought honor to CU Denver, their community, and themselves.

• 2024 – Jordan Arellanes MA ’15
• 2023 – Lisa R. Roy MA '96, EdD '16

The CU Denver College of Engineering, Design and Computing honors an exceptional graduate who, by their distinguished career and service to the university, state, nation, or world, has brought honor to CU Denver, their community, and themselves.

• 2024 – Albert Ruckman ’70
• 2023 – Akram Atallah '84, MS '86, MBA '94

The CU Denver College of Liberal Arts and Sciences honors an exceptional graduate who, by their distinguished career and service to the university, state, nation, or world, has brought honor to CU Denver, their community, and themselves.

• 2024 – Daniel Gilbert ’81
• 2023 – Erik Lucero '05, PhD

The CU Denver School of Public Affairs and Sciences honors an exceptional graduate who, by their distinguished career and service to the university, state, nation, or world, has brought honor to CU Denver, their community, and themselves.

• 2024 – Brandy Reitter MPA ’08
• 2023 – Joe Pelle MCJ '87

The Alumni Advocacy Award is presented to an individual or organization that has championed the causes of higher education across the state of Colorado. Nominees may be drawn from the community at large and need not be alumni. Current members of the CU Denver Alumni Board are not eligible.

• 2021 – Todd Cordrey MPA '10, PhD '23
• 2020 – Curtis Esquibel MPA ’16

The Alumni Appreciation Award recognized notable contributions that brought outstanding benefits to CU Denver. This award was given only in the years in which a deserving candidate emerges. Nominees were drawn from the community at-large and need not be alumni.

• 2017 – Travis Luther MA ’11
• 2015 – David Dowall MURP ’74
• 2014 – David Lacey ’76
• 2011 – Bill Vidal ’73
• 2009 – Diane Messamore ’73
• 2008 – Don McClure 
• 2006 – Marianne Fearn
• 2005 – Ginny Williams
• 2004 – Donald G White
• 2003 – Stella Yu
• 2002 – Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery
• 2001 – John and Anna Sie
• 2000 – B. Thomas Arnberg and Albert W. Knott
• 1999 – Thomas Shane
• 1998 – Grover Hall and Gary Susnara
• 1997 – Richard H. and Pamela S. Bard
• 1996 – Fu Hua Chen
• 1995 – Carolyn Hamil Henderson ’81
• 1993 – Temple Hoyne Buell
• 1992 – John and Mercedes Peebles
• 1990 – Bob Baker

The Alumni Award for Excellence is presented to an alumnus/a who has excelled in their career field, and in service to the community, in support of CU Denver. Former students who did not receive a degree from CU Denver may also be considered. Non-degreed nominees must have attended CU Denver for a minimum of one academic year, or completed a certificate program, to be eligible for this award. Current members of the CU Denver Alumni Board are not eligible.

• 2021 – Keri Ungemah MS '02
• 2020 – Susan Wood MURP ’98
• 2018 – Kelly Hodges ’02

The Alumni Leadership Award recognized a person's remarkable ability to effect positive change in an individual or organization within the CU Denver community. Nominees were drawn from the community at large and need not be alumni.

• 2016 – Phil Harding ’86
• 2014 – Maria Uribe PhD ’04
• 2013 – Karen Sugar MA ’08
• 2012 – Mayor Michael Hancock MPA ’95
• 2008 – Jack Gilbraith ’82 and Cynthia (Cindy) Stevenson
• 2007 – Patty Fontneau
• 2006 – Tony Bolazina and Carol A. Wilson
• 2005 – Richard Koeppe and Virginia Guthrie
• 2003 – John Youngquist MA ’95
• 2002 – Katharine Conroy Whalen 
• 2001 – Richard Kelley and Linda Van Gilder Kelley
• 2000 – Carol Heller, Walter Isenberg, and Scott Steward
• 1999 – Frank Puzio
• 1998 – Diane Greenlee 

The Alumni Legislative Award is presented to a legislator who has assisted in the advancement of CU Denver and higher education in general.

• 2016 – Senator Lucía Guzmán
• 2015 – Representative Jovan Melton
• 2014 – Representative Dan Pabon
• 2013 – Representative Crisanta Duran
• 2012 – Senator Mary Hodge
• 2011 – Representative Cheri Gerou ’91
• 2010 – Representative Nancy Todd
• 2009 – Representative Mark Ferrandino
• 2008 – Senator Josh Penry
• 2007 – Representative Terrance Carroll
• 2006 – Senator Ken Gordon
• 2005 – Senator Sue Windels
• 2004 – Representative Tom Plant
• 2002 – Senator Ronald Teck MPA ’00
• 2001 – Senator Pat Pascoe
• 2000 – Senator Dottie Wham
• 1999 – Representative Jennifer Veiga
• 1998 – Representative Debbie Allen
• 1997 – Senator Joan Johnson
• 1996 – Representative Anthony (Tony) Grampsas
• 1995 – Representative Elsie Lacy
• 1994 – Representative Norma Anderson
• 1993 – Senator Donald Ament
• 1992 – Representative Betty Neale
• 1991 – Senator Peggy Reeves RMLP ’82
• 1990 – Senator Regis Groff
• 1989 – Representative Jeannie G. Reeser
• 1988 – Senator Paul Powers
• 1987 – Senator Al Meiklejohn

The Alumni Recognition Award was awarded to an alumnus/alumna who had excelled in his/her career field, as well as in service to the community. Former students who did not receive an official degree from CU Denver were also considered.

• 2017 – Judith Martinez ’84, MURP ’01
• 2016 – Mitch Dickman ’05
• 2015 – Rick Alden ’96 and Kevin Patterson MURP, MPA ’97
• 2012 – Kelly Brough MBA ’89
• 2010 – Dave Baker ’82 and Ellie Caulkins ’77
• 2008 – Grady Cope ’88
• 2005 – Al Stecklein MBA ’79 and Mary Williams
• 2004 – Richard von Luhrte
• 2003 – William (Bill) Steitz MA ’90
• 2002 – Carol Barber ’81 
• 2001 – Elizabeth Cohill MPA ’88 and Barbara M. Schroeder MA ’87 
• 2000 – Ellen Fisher ’74, MA ’78 and Mary J. Gearhart ’79 
• 1999 – Linda Pryor MPA ’91
• 1998 – Ted Gavrilis ’77 
• 1997 – Ronald (Ron) Montoya ’72 
• 1996 – Steven E. Leatherman
• 1995 – Judy Ward MBA ’83 
• 1994 – Margaret Cary MBA ’89 and W. Grover Coors ’76 
• 1993 – Jane Prancan MURP ‘75
• 1992 – Edward S. Adams, Jr.
• 1991 – Lauren Casteel ’77 
• 1990 – Mary Lee Beauregard MPA ’83 
• 1989 – Peter B. Teets
• 1988 – Mark Solano ’78 
• 1987 – Diana Boulter ’73, MPA ’77 

The Alumni Partner Appreciation Award recognizes alumni within organizations who have demonstrated a commitment to CU Denver and its mission through opportunities for current students and alumni. This may include, but is not limited to, hiring pathways for CU Denver alumni or internships for current students. Current members of the CU Denver Alumni Board are not eligible.

• 2021 – Joe Rice MPA '06
• 2020 – Chris Herr MPA ’17
• 2018 – Jim Paradise ’98