Every year the association recognizes the outstanding achievements of former students, university friends, and students at the CSU-Pueblo Alumni Awards Dinner. Honorees are nominated by faculty, staff, friends, or alumni of CSU-Pueblo. Do you know of an outstanding CSU-Pueblo graduate? To nominate an outstanding individual, use the nomination form. For more information on the annual awards dinner or the nomination process, please call 719-549-2810.

2006 Distinguished Alumni Awards
 

2005 Distinguished Alumni Awards

Every year the association recognizes the outstanding achievements of former students, university friends, and students at the CSU-Pueblo Alumni Awards Dinner. Honorees are nominated by faculty, staff, friends, or alumni of CSU-Pueblo. Do you know of an outstanding CSU-Pueblo graduate? To nominate an outstanding individual, use the nomination form. For more information on the annual awards dinner or the nomination process, please call 719-549-2810. Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award Dr. Robert Novak, ‘69 A leader in the worldwide scientific community, Dr. Robert Novak graduated from Southern Colorado State College as the “bug man” in 1969, with a B.S. in Biology. Novak went on to earn an M.S. in Biology from the University of Utah in 1971, and a Ph.D. in Entomology from University of Illinois, Urbana in 1976 followed by an N.I.H. Post-Doctoral Fellow in Vector Biology and Parasitology, 1976-78 at the University of Notre Dame. Currently, Dr. Novak is a professional scientist at the Illinois Natural History Survey at Champaign; professor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; professor, Campus Honors Faculty, University of Illinois, and research scientist with the National Center Supercomputing Applications, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Novak’s research in medical entomology, mosquito biology and control, integrated pest and disease management, and vector ecology has netted millions of dollars in grants from state, federal, and international funders. His work with the National Institutes of Health, USAID, the U.S. EPA, federal and state health departments, Illinois Governor’s Task Force, World Health Org. and World Bank has taken him to 20 different countries to study biology and control of vector-borne diseases, including malaria, West Nile Virus, and St. Louis Encephalitis. His multi-disciplined research has been sought by the private sector with companies such as Archer-Daniel-Midlands, Abbott Laboratories, Valent Bioscience, and Sumitomo Chemical. In addition to his own research, Novak is passionate about opportunities for students. Novak’s extra-mural grant-funded lab includes 6 post-docs, 5 research technicians, 3 Ph.D. students and 8 undergraduate students, researching insect pathology, chemical ecology, population biology and genetics, ornithology and mammology, integrated pest management, molecular biology, and virology. Novak’s professional appointments and experience fills pages, as do his publications and honors, including a Medal of Honor from the American Mosquito Control Association, President-elect of the Society of Vector Ecology, and the highly coveted Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Novak attributes the education and skills he developed as a student at CSU-Pueblo for providing him with the foundation necessary for his success and accomplished work today. He currently resides with his wife, Loraine, in Champaign, Illinois. Outstanding Alumnus Award Michael Konshak, ‘81 Michael Konshak is definitely a jack-of-all trades, and master of most. Following a stint in the U.S. Navy as an aviation electronics technician and 2nd class petty officer, Konshak earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology from USC in 1981. At the time of his graduation, he was already the principal mechanical engineer of Optotech, a start-up company on the leading edge of optical disk technology, where he was awarded the first two of his 20 patents (14 more pending) related to tape cartridges, robotic libraries, and disk drives.  One of his designs was a ruggedized version of the drives, which flew on the B-1 and the space shuttle, later installed in the Meir Space Station. When Meir’s orbit decayed and fell to earth, Konshak’s disk drive was found in the molten ruins still operational, and was subsequently placed in the Smithsonian Museum. Konshak is currently employed by Sun Microsystems as Senior Advisory Development Engineer in Research and Development, where he is the lead mechanical engineer and technical consultant for engineers and managers in the Client Server Disk Group and Advanced Technology Group. In addition to his highly successful engineering career, Konshak has triumphed in the world of competitive combat robotics, in his design and creation of 20 remote controlled robots, which won the Robotica Series 2 television program, sponsored by TLC/Discovery Channel.  Part of his passion for robotics was the involvement of young people, including sponsoring a 10-year-old boy in the Nickelodeon Robot Wars. Konshak has demonstrated robotics on four television networks as well as schools and scout troops. Not one to sit still, Konshak obtained his pilot’s license, raced and won dirt track racing on the national circuit, has written four full featured screenplays, composed 50 songs, built a photovoltaic powered, self-sufficient cabin in the Rockies, and became surrogate father to a Kurdish refugee family of seven, of which two are now attending college. As a hobby, Konshak holds one of the world’s largest slide rule collections, with more than 800 pieces displayed on his online museum. Konshak is researching holographic computer storage, and designing disk drive arrays. He and his wife, Becky, reside in Louisville, Colorado, while Mike ponders learning to play the piano, entering Corvette autocross, and sailing the Great Loop in 2006. Konshak says, “Work is the means that allows you to recreate, so you have to fit your passions to the requirements of your employer.” Outstanding Alumna Award Priscilla Lucero, ‘99 Lucero’s interest in banking and business began when she took a position through the Cooperative Office Education program at South High School, assisting loan officers with income and deposit verifications and credit bureau reports at First National Bank. Upon graduation, she worked in unison with attorneys of Intermediaries, Inc., preparing court dockets and legal suits and documentations to assist businesses with collection agency responsibilities. After a couple years at First National in Killeen, Texas, Priscilla moved back to Pueblo and began climbing the ranks at Wells Fargo, where she started as a bank clerk and secretary. In her desire for a “big glass office,” Priscilla knew it would take hard work and an education, so she enrolled in CSU-Pueblo’s 3+2 program, and nine years later, she graduated with honors with her B.S.B.A. and M.B.A. in 1999, all the while working, raising a family, and volunteering in the community. In 2001, Lucero received the Latino Chamber’s Most Distinguished Woman Award, was named Business Woman of the Year by Business Women’s Network, and was Wells Fargo’s Sales Excellence Winner. A year later, the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce honored Priscilla as Region II’s Corporate Business Advocate of the Year, and in 2004, she was Wells Fargo Regional Sales Winner. Lucero’s community involvement includes serving on the Parkview Medical Center Board and Finance Committee, Neighborworks Board, School District 60’s Budget Oversight Committee, Sangre de Cristo Arts & Conference Center Endowment Board, CSU-Pueblo’s President’s Leadership Program Board, and Latino Chamber’s Development Foundation Board. Lucero attributes hard work and education to the successes in her life, including her recent promotion from Vice President to President of Wells Fargo Bank, Pueblo. However, Lucero says, the biggest event in the Lucero household right now is that their eldest child, Nicholas, 18, has proudly enlisted in the U.S. Marines. Lucero and husband, Nick, also are the parents of Cassandra, 15. Outstanding Service to the University Kiyoshi Ukon, ‘99 Kiyoshi Ukon came to the University of Southern Colorado from Tokyo, Japan in 1993 to attend the American Language Academy. Once proficient in the American language, Kiyoshi attended Pueblo Community College before earning a CIS degree in 1999. Ukon was hired as a computer technician in 2000 and has been making an impact on campus ever since. Active with the campus International Programs, Ukon was named International Supporter of the Year, has sponsored the Colorado International Student Association for four years, and has assisted with recruitment and retention efforts on a regular basis. He regularly picks up international students from the airport, gives them advice on being a student in the U.S., often lending them space in his home, or shuttling them all over Colorado simply because they don’t have a car. Ukon volunteers for the Office of Student Activities, the Career Center, Experiential Learning Center, Multicultural Council, Office of Student Life, Belmont Residence Hall, and Associated Students’ Government and is serving his second three-year term on the Alumni Board. Each semester begins with Kiyoshi making certain all students in the residence halls and Walking Stick Apartments are successfully “wired” to the campus network. It is said that Kiyoshi is as much a part of CSU-Pueblo as are the buildings and the fixtures. An active Rotarian, “Kiyoshi” is well known in the community. He and his wife, Masami, spearheaded a CSU-Pueblo team for the Alzheimer’s Walk, and he has led the charge in the One Sky, One World, kite fly event for peace since 1999. Having met his Japanese wife, Masami, on campus grounds, Kiyoshi surprised her with a proposal during commencement exercises in 2004 and held their Japanese style wedding in Pueblo. One of his many nominators said, “it is not enough to say that Kiyoshi is simply a good employee or a great alum, he is the representation of the goal we strive for with our students at CSU-Pueblo. He has taken advantage of the education gained at this university, and has not only put it into practice, but has used this knowledge to serve the very institution from which he came. He’s been known to fight for this university and our students at Board of Governors’ and university-wide meetings. He is a faithful alum, not only with his time and money, but with his heart. All this from an 18-year old Japanese boy who spoke next to zero English, who found a university that would support him, and who now gives back that very same effort to make sure today’s students enjoy the education and development we seek to deliver.” Outstanding Service to the Community Patricia Erjavec, ‘79 Patty Erjavec was born and raised in Pueblo. Her wide-ranging career and volunteer efforts span both the for-profit and non-profit sectors and demonstrate a passion for Pueblo and the education of its children. Patty attended Holy Family and Pueblo South High School before earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting and Finance from USC in 1979. She later earned an M.A. in Nonprofit Management from Regis University. In 2002, Patty was appointed by Governor Bill Owens to serve on the Board for the Colorado Community Colleges & Occupational Education Systems (CCCOES) and in 2003 was appointed chairperson. In 2003, she also was named interim President of the CCCOES and Co-Chair of the Governors Task Force to Strengthen and Improve the Community College System. Patty was named as the first woman recipient of the 2002 Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce Charles W. Crews Outstanding Business Person of the Year. She also has received the 2003 YWCA Anna Taussig Award, the 2005 Outstanding Administrator of the Year by the Colorado Child & Adolescent Mental Health Coalition, and the 2005 Pueblo Public Library’s Outstanding Woman Award. Her deep love for Pueblo and its people is evident through her service on various boards. Patty has been a Rotarian since 1999, serving as President, Assistant Governor and Lieutenant Governor. She has served on boards for US Bank, Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference Center, St. John Neumann Catholic School, Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry-Education Foundation and the Workforce Development Board. Erjavec also is a member of the Colorado Association of Family and Children’s Agencies, Colorado State Fair Ladies, PEDCO, the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce, and the Latino Chamber of Commerce. She has also volunteered for Junior Achievement, Pueblo County Job Training, Pueblo County High School Marketing Education Program, and the YWCA Chocolate Indulgence. As President and CEO of El Pueblo, she has more than doubled its service capacity and increased its asset base by more than $17 million. She implemented High Performance Teams and directed the development of a cognitive behavioral model for residential treatment that was copywritten in 2002. Patty is married to Raymond Erjavec, A84, is the mother of one daughter, but claims to have 101 kids.

2004 Distinguished Alumni Awards

Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award

Mr. Kenneth D. Swann, ‘75

Kenneth Swann has provided extensive communications and strategic expertise in health promotion for agencies around the world since beginning his career as a writer and videographer for KOAA-TV. Swann owns Development Communications Services, an international communications consulting firm,which specializes in behavior change communication on a global scale. His commitment to health promotion has placed him in dangerous hot spots, demanded rigorous training and travel schedules, and kept him fully engaged in global issues for more than 30 years.

He has accumulated an impressive list of clients and funding agencies, including the Peace Corps, Academy for Educational Development/World Bank, and the International Human Assistance Program. He has created a humanitarian career centered on helping the underserved and undereducated in Southeast Asia, India, and several Soviet states.

Swann graduated in 1975 with a degree in mass communications with emphases in journalism, photography, and television production. He was editor of the SCSC Today and was active member in the Society for Professional Journalists/Sigma Delta Chi. While working in television news, Swann applied for a position with the Peace Corps, and ended up spending a year as an audio-visual technician in Bangkok. He went on to earn a master’s degree in Southeast Asian Studies from the University of Michigan in 1983 before returning to Thailand to continue his communications career. He speaks fluent Thai, Lao, Khmer, and Indonesian and has adopted Bangkok as his home.

His current work in HIV/AIDS awareness with PATH, a Seattle-based non-profit agency which promotes global change, places him in New Delhi and Tamil Nadu, India as well as in Hanoi and Phnom Penh, Vietnam. He argues that each skill he developed as a student here provided him with a foundation for the work he accomplishes every day.

Outstanding Alumnus Award

Henry McIntosh, ’66

Named the 2004 Teacher of the Year by the Colorado Department of Education, Henry McIntosh believes in teaching students to set them free.

An English teacher at John Mall High School in Walsenburg since 2001, McIntosh left a choice teaching job at Pine Creek High School in Colorado Springs to teach in Huerfano County – the third poorest county in Colorado.

For the past three years, McIntosh has initiated programs that are making a difference. The CSAP scores in English have increased from 8 to 15 percent at the freshman and sophomore levels. He initiated the first Advanced Placement classes taught in Huerfano County and started the “Literary Tour Course,” which requires students to complete an independent study in English Literature, maintain academic excellence, and promote responsibility in student involvement at the school. His speech students have used their skills to serve in Walsenburg’s Teen Court, which allows students to act as attorneys for students who commit minor offenses.

Born and raised in Pueblo, McIntosh began teaching soon after graduating from SCSC in 1966. After serving two years in the service during the Vietnam War, he earned a master’s degree from Pittsburgh State University in 1970. He returned to Pueblo for a year, then moved to Colorado Springs, where he taught English and speech and coached softball at several schools.

McIntosh said, “When Michelangelo was asked how he created such works of art, he said, ‘I see the angel in the stone and carve to set it free.’ In teaching, I see the student in the classroom and teach to set him free.”

Outstanding Alumna Award

Dr. Karen L. Fowler, ’76

A leader in the field of strategic management, Dr. Karen Fowler, professor of management at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, has earned numerous teaching awards and national recognition for her published research on corporate mergers and acquisitions, executive compensation and other management issues. In addition to her 40+ publications, Fowler has served as reviewer for a variety of business journals.

Her awards for research include UNC’s College of Business Faculty Achievement Award; Scholar’s Incentive Grant; Merit Award; Scholar of the Year, and Summer Research Grant. UNC teaching awards include Mortar Board Superior Teaching Award, College of Business Professor of the Year, and Department of Management Professor of the Year three times from 1990 – 1995. Prior to her academic career, Fowler held management positions with AT&T, Xerox and CF&I Steel Corporation, where she was named Business and Professional Women’s “Young Career Woman of the Year.”

A third generation Pueblo native, Fowler graduated in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and went on to earn a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Wyoming and a doctoral degree in strategic management at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She attended Ben Franklin Elementary, Heaton Junior High and Pueblo East High School.

Active in the community, she works with the United Way and their Big Sister program, the National Wildlife Federation, the Northern Colorado Animal League, and the Weld County Humane Society. Her interests include remodeling houses, landscaping, traveling, outdoor sports, Southwestern art and culture, gourmet cooking, watching college football. She enjoys time at her cabin in Red Feather Lakes, visiting with her parents (who still live in Pueblo) and the company of her Border Collie, Miss Scooter.

Outstanding Service to the Community

Madelyn Bruning, ’67

A native of Pueblo, Madelyn Bruning has dedicated her life to educating the youth and citizens of the Pueblo Community – encouraging thousands of students to complete their degrees over the past three decades.

For more than 30 years, Bruning taught various disciplines and business courses at then Southern Colorado State College, Pueblo Vocational Community College, and Pueblo Community College. In 1971, she was hired to teach a federally-funded program for economically disadvantaged women called Job Upgrading and Manpower Program. As Chair of the Business Office Occupations Department at USC, she coordinated the transition of classes from the Business Department at the University with Pueblo Vocational Community College.

After graduating from Pueblo Central High School, Bruning became the first college graduate in her family, earning a bachelor’s degree in business education in 1967. She began her teaching career at Seton High School, a private Catholic school for, where she also managed the school’s bookstore and became the Business Department Chair her first year. She went on to establish a chapter of Future Business Leaders of America, which won Colorado FBLA Outstanding Chapter of the Year during her tenure.

In 1980, Bruning completed the requirements for a master’s degree in vocational teaching at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. In 1999, Bruning retired from PCC, where she sponsored Phi Beta Lambda and Future Business Leaders and earned Faculty of the Year honors. Her accomplishments there also included developing paralegal and bank teller training programs, and establishing a SunWest Educational Credit Union branch office. Bruning still teaches part-time at PCC and SunWest Educational Credit Union and continues to publish newsletters for Trane Co. and PCC. Madelyn has three grown children, all college graduates.

Outstanding Service to the University

Tyson Valenzuela

Although not yet an alumnus of CSU-Pueblo, Tyson Valenzuela already has made significant contributions to the university’s progress and reputation – at a level that far exceeds the expectations of a student leader as a member of Associated Students’ Government (ASG). Valenzuela has served as Senator, Senate Pro Council Advisor, Speaker, Acting Vice President, and two terms as President.

In addition to his continuing and effective voice for his fellow students as President of Associated Students’ Government, he has provided valuable input to the University administration and has served as an active participant in deliberations at CSU System Board of Governors meetings. His advocacy for the university, the alumni, and the students has been demonstrated in his involvement with the name change bill, increased funding for athletics, clubs and student life, and the newly dedicated bronzed wolf statue, reflecting one of the collaborative and successful ventures Tyson spearheaded. His understanding of priorities, and his careful study of the issues at hand, have provided an informed passion that has made a significant impact on the University’s progress.

The son of Roberta and Douglas Valenzuela, Tyson was born and raised in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. In high school, he was involved in four years of Student Government and competed in three years of high school varsity cross country, two years of varsity track, and led two years of varsity cheerleading. He earned numerous awards as part of the Hawaii County 4-H Livestock program.

2003 Distinguished Alumni Awards

Outstanding Alumnus

Dr. James M. Hall, '74

A native of Pueblo, James Hall received his B.S. degree in physics and mathematics from Colorado State University - Pueblo in 1974 and his M.S. and Ph.D in experimental physics from Kansas State University (KSU) in 1977 and 1981, respectively. He subsequently spent six years as a Research Associate and Visiting Assistant Professor of Physics at KSU before joining the staff at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, California, in 1987 as a research scientist charged with the design and execution of device diagnostic experiments associated with the U.S. Underground Nuclear Test Program at the Nevada Test Site. With the end of underground nuclear testing in late 1992, Hall refocused his efforts on the development of detailed computer simulations of inertial confinement fusion (ICF) diagnostics, flash x-ray systems, and a variety of nonintrusive inspection systems proposed for use in nuclear stockpile stewardship applications, cargo and luggage inspection, and nuclear counter-terrorism schemes. As an outgrowth of this work, he was selected to serve as the DOE representative and chief science advisor to the 8th Joint Compliance and Inspection Commission associated with the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty.

Dr. Hall is currently a principal investigator on several projects at LLNL including the development of high-energy neutron imaging technology in support of nuclear stockpile stewardship applications and the development of advanced nuclear techniques for use in screening checked luggage and air cargo. He is a member of the American Physical Society and the author or co-author of more than 60 publications in peer-reviewed journals in the areas of experimental ion-atom collision physics, nuclear device diagnostics, Monte Carlo simulation techniques, and high-energy neutron imaging technology.

Dr. Hall thoroughly enjoys his research and career, stating, "If you really love your job, you'll never have to work a day in your life." He currently resides in Livermore, California with his wife, Dr. Winifred Parker-Hall. 

Outstanding Alumna

Dana M. Perino, '94

Dana Perino attended the University of Southern Colorado from 1990 - 94 and graduated with a bachelor's degree in mass communications and a minor in both political science and Spanish. While attending the University, Dana was very active on the forensics team and with KTSC. From there, Dana attended graduate school at the University of Illinois - Springfield where she also worked as a daily reporter covering the Illinois Capitol for WCIA-TV, a CBS affiliate. She then went on to work in Washington, D.C. for Rep. Scott McInnis of Colorado as a staff assistant before serving nearly 4 years as the press secretary for retired Colorado Congressman Dan Schaefer.

After Rep. Schaefer announced his retirement, Dana moved to England to marry Peter McMahon. After a year in England, Dana and Peter moved back to the United States and resided in San Diego, California for three years. During that time, Dana worked in the field of high-tech public affairs.

Two months after the September 11th terrorist attacks, Dana returned to Washington, D.C. to serve as a spokesperson for the Department of Justice. Several months later, she was asked to join the White House where she now serves as the Director of Communications for the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). By statute, the CEQ oversees the implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act, where all federal agencies must complete environmental assessments on their activities before they take action.

As the director of communications, Ms. Perino communicates many times a day with the President's director of communications, his press secretary and his director of media affairs, handling all environment-related media calls for the White House, as well as serving as the spokesperson for the White House on environmental issues. In addition, she serves as the coordinator for all agencies on environment, energy and natural resource issues, as well as reviewing and approving the agencies' major announcements, while keeping the other White House offices apprised of CEQ actions.

Dana appreciates the practical experience as well as the solid education she gained from CSU-Pueblo, and she holds many fond memories of her professors and her time spent at the University. Dana and Peter live on Capitol Hill with their dog, Henry. 

Outstanding Service to the University

Paul M. Smith, M.D.

Dr. Paul Smith, a 1986 graduate of USC, is originally from Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh. His father was in the steel industry and their family spent time in West Virginia and Indiana while he was growing up. After graduating from high school in northwest Indiana in 1981, he attended college for a year and a half at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. During that time, his father took a job at CF&I here in Pueblo, and Dr. Smith, after visiting Pueblo for the first time, grew very fond of the area and subsequently decided to transfer to the University of Southern Colorado in January of 1983.

While at USC, he majored in Life Sciences/Biology and was active in several organizations and activities across the University. While serving as president of the Medical Science Society, he co-founded the Sigma Delta Mu Medical Science Honor Society. Also, after serving in the Student Senate, he was elected to be president of the Student Body in his senior year. Interestingly, his soon-to-be-wife, Sharon, was elected vice-president that year. The couple had met and started dating in high school and Sharon, also a 1986 graduate of USC, transferred from Indiana State University. Sharon was a cheerleader for USC and Dr. Smith attended most of the university sporting events with her as member of the Pep Club.

Dr. Smith went on to attend medical school at Northwestern in Chicago, and, after accepting a military scholarship, completed his Family Practice residency in the U.S. Army at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He then completed his military obligation at Fort Carson in 1998 while residing in Pueblo West. After practicing in the private sector for two years, Dr. Smith accepted a position as staff physician at the Pueblo Veterans Affairs (VA) Clinic in August of 2000. Shortly thereafter, he was asked to serve as Acting Chief of Staff, then Acting Director, of the Southern Colorado Health System of the VA. Since then, he participated in the integration of that organization with the Denver VA Medical Center to form the Eastern Colorado Health Care System, and now serves the veterans of our region as Associate Chief of Staff for Community-Based Care, overseeing seven VA clinics between Denver, Alamosa and Lamar, including Pueblo and Colorado Springs.

Maintaining close contact with the University since returning to Colorado, Dr. Smith has served on search and screen committees and was asked to assist an advisory committee in the restructuring of the Student Health Services. In the process, he was asked to provide clinical oversight to the newly hired health care providers and he agreed to attend the clinic himself twice per month for complicated cases and medical procedures.

He and Sharon live in Pueblo West with their two young daughters. Dr. Smith enjoys climbing fourteeners (having summited over 30 of them), biking, and participating in local intramural volleyball and softball leagues. He also remains a huge fan of the CSU-Pueblo Thunderwolves sports teams. 

Outstanding Service to the Community

The Honorable Lola L. Spradley

A native rancher and Coloradoan, Lola Spradley is currently serving her 4th term for House District 60, representing the counties of Chaffee, Custer, Fremont, Park, Pueblo, and Saguache. In 2001-02, Spradley served as House Majority Leader, and on the Executive Committee of the Legislative Council, and serves as the first woman in the history of the state of Colorado to serve as Speaker of the House. She was appointed to the House of Representatives to fill term in 1997, and was subsequently elected in 1998, 2000, and 2002. Prior governmental participation includes serving as Chair of the Correctional Industries Advisory Committee in 2001-02, and on the Governor's Advisory Committee on Telecommunications in 1995-96.

Having graduated summa cum laude from Regis College with her B.S. in Business Administration in 1992, Spradley mastered the business arena as District Manager for AT&T Wyoming/Colorado from 1984-87 and then as Assistant Vice-President and Division Manager for AT&T Colorado from 1987-1996. Her entrepreneurial experience includes business ownership as President of Lil Kid's Stuff, Inc. and owner/operator of Spradley Ranch.

Her countless honors over the years include NFIB Small Business Guardian of the Year 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002. 1985 AT&T Woman of the Year at the YMCA of the New York City. Colorado County Agents 2002; American Electronics Association 2000; Pikes Peak Council of Governments 2002; AARP Distinguished Legislator 1999, 2000; CACI 1999, 2000, 2001; Colorado Economic Development Council Legislator of the Year 2000; Pueblo Community College Distinguished Service Award 1999; Colorado Mining Association Legislator of the Year 1999; Fremont Economic Development Corporation Citizen of the Year 2000; American Planning Association Legislator of the Year 2001; Colorado Renewable Energy Society Recognition 2002, and the 2003 CU-Health Sciences Center Alumni Legislative Recognition Award. 

As a legislator who understands the importance of negotiation and collaboration in the public's best interests, the Colorado Speaker of the House is presently focusing on issues of renewable energy, affordable health insurance, water, economic development, tourism, small business, and agriculture.

Her civic involvements include Canon City Lions Club member, Pueblo Community College Foundation Board of Directors, Sangre de Cristo Arts Center Board of Directors, and Colorado State Fair Ladies. Ms. Spradley lives in Beulah, Colorado, and is married to local automobile dealer, Dale Spradley. They share a combined family of four children and seven grandchildren. 

Outstanding Achievement

Calvin M. Hopper

Majoring in physics, Calvin M. Hopper graduated from the University of Southern Colorado in 1970. Hopper began his career in the field of nuclear safety in radiation protection at the Oak Ridge Critical Experiments Facility before he obtained his college degree. His experience in the operations and research of criticality safety and related health physics issues has continued over three decades to his current position as Distinguished Senior Development Engineer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), where he is employed by the University of Tennessee - Battelle, LLC. Hopper currently specializes in nuclear criticality safety process analysis, computations (validations, evaluations and limit determinations), and nuclear criticality safety program management and regulatory oversight of audits and assessments.

Throughout his impressive career, Hopper's positions have included project manager for licensing and nuclear safety at Texas Instruments, Inc., contractor manager and technical lead for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the development of DOE standard practices guide for criticality safety projects for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. His continued service as a leader of criticality safety issues and departments at ORNL, the Y-12 Plant, and the Gaseous Diffusion Plant at Oak Ridge, and at Texas Instruments, has earned him international recognition by criticality safety communities in Japan, Europe, and Russia.

In addition to his professional organizational involvement and membership in numerous Working Groups, Hopper has served as Deputy Advisor and Technical Expert to the U.S. Nuclear Technical Advisory Group, and as Working Group Co-Leader of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Hopper is also a member of the American Nuclear Society (ANS), and has served as Chairman of the ANS Consensus Committee and of the ANS Nuclear Criticality Safety Division. His honors include Fellow of American Nuclear Society for outstanding contributions to the advancement of nuclear science and engineering, U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration Certificate of Appreciation for the 2002 criticality safety study of the TRUPACT-II and HalfPact systems, and the University of Tennessee - Battelle, LLC Excellence in Science and Technology 2001 & 2002 Awards, to name a few. 

Hopper's personal involvements include Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra and Band, Habitat for Humanity construction support, as well as being very active in his church. He is married to Frances Hankey Hopper, a 1967 Business Education graduate of CSU-Pueblo.

Previous Award Recipients

2001

• Outstanding Service to the University - Tom Healy


• Outstanding Service to the Community - Abel J. Tapia


• Outstanding Alumnus - Richard Wadhams


• Outstanding Alumna - Karen Woods


• Alumni Achievement Award - Dr. John Giardino

• Service to the University - Dr. Sallie Watkins, Dr. Edward DeRose


• Service to the Community - Frances Weaver, Dr. Henry Roman


• Outstanding Alumna - Dr. Fran Campbell


• Outstanding Alumnus - The Honorable Dennis Maes


• Outstanding Achievement - John Castanza

• Service to the University - Carole Walls


• Service to the Community - State Representative Joyce Lawrence


• Outstanding Alumna - Patricia Clark


• Outstanding Alumnus - Larry Trujillo


• Outstanding Achievement - Frank Sandoval

• Service to the University - Lorraine and Art Gonzales


• Service to the Community - Gil Romero


• Service to the University - Ken West


• Outstanding Alumna - Ladonna (Bond) Hutton


• Outstanding Alumnus - Nick Pannunzio


• Outstanding Achievement Award - Kevin Hartfield


• Outstanding Student Leadership - Nicole latino


• Outstanding Academic Achievement - MeLissa Allen

• Service to the University - Joan Occhiato


• Service to the Community - Frank and Marie Barkman


• Service to the University and Community -Seeme Hasan


• Outstanding Alumna - Maggie Divelbiss


• Outstanding Alumnus - Len Gregory


• Outstanding Achievement Award -Michael Geesaman


• Special Memorial Award - Rose Samora-Rodriguez

• Service to the University - LeVert W. Hoag


• Service to the Community - Walter L. Bassett


• Outstanding Alumna - Diane C. Porter


• Outstanding Alumnus - Robert L. Hawkins


• Outstanding Achievement Award - Victor M. Spitzer


• Special Memorial Award - James R. Beaman

• Service to the University - Thomas Farley


• Service to the University - W. Bret Kelly


• Service to the University - H. Ben Weindling


• Outstanding Alumna - Frances Koncilja


• Outstanding Alumnus - Ruben Archuleta


• Outstanding Service to the Community - C. Gerald Robbe


• Outstanding Achievement Award - Dwight Neuenschwander


• Special Memorial Award - JJ Raigoza

• Service to the University - Patricia Kelly


• Service to the Community - Dr. Jarvis Ryals


• Special Service - John and Dorothy Mendoza


• Outstanding Alumna - Mindy Potestio


• Outstanding Alumnus - Richard L. Golenda


• Outstanding Student - Cindy McCombe


• Special Recognition - Dan DeRose

• Service to the University - Sandy and Marvin Stein


• Service to the Community - Fay Kastelic


• Outstanding Service - Robert H. Rawlings


• Outstanding Alumna - Doris Kester


• Outstanding Student - Patricia Clark


• Outstanding Service - Pueblo Hispanic Educ. Found.

• 1987 David L. Cardinal


• 1988 Bob Hawkins


• 1989 Paulette Moore


• 1990 Scott Houser


• 1991 Gus Sandstrom


• 1992 Larry E. Trujillo, Jr. and WestPlains Energy

• 1987 Kay and Madge Becher


• 1988 Ethelyn Potestio


• 1989 The Pueblo Chieftain


• 1990 Terrie Shirley


• 1991 Paul Jones


• 1992 Jerome L. Lindberg

• 1971 John B. Naughton


• 1972 Katherine Keating


• 1973 Ethelyn Jones Potestio


• 1974 Jim Beaman


• 1977 Clifford T. Seymour


• 1978 Frank J. Yaklich Jr.


• 1979 Fred Dixon


• 1986 Joan Potestio