Distinguished Alumni

The Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest honor the Alumni Association can bestow on an individual. The recipients are richly deserving of this tribute, carrying on a tradition that began in 1963. Recognizing these individuals not only brings attention to their high achievements, but also displays the quality of education provided by Colorado Mesa University.

Past Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients

Kimberly Raff - 2022
Matt Rissell - 2022
Doug Sorter - 2021
Debra Bailey - 2021
Dan Sharp - 2020 
Robert Bray - 2020
Kathy Howa - 2019
Kalani Pe'a - 2019
Doug Simons - 2018
Lori Raya - 2018
Robert "Bob" Strong - 2017
Al Ruckman - 2017
Kris "Tanto" Paronto - 2016
Ed Forsman - 2015
Mark Martinez - 2015
Charles Hull - 2014
Jeff Rickard - 2014
Eugene Garcia - 2013
Don & Deyon Stephens - 2013
Jamie Hamilton - 2012
Debra Thompson Smith - 2012
Michael Burke - 2011
Greg Walcher - 2011
Ken Johnson - 2010
Phil Smith - 2010
Marilyn Ferguson - 2009
Michelle Ozbun - 2009
Walter "Dusty" Saunders - 2009
Anthony "Tee" Scatuorchio - 2009
Daniel Sprick - 2009
Susan Brown - 2008
Maurice Dale - 2008
Daniel MacKendrick - 2008
Daniel Roberts - 2008
Bob Wilson - 2008
LeRoy Ashby - 2007
Don Schoening - 2007
Jack Scott - 2007
Jamee Simons - 2007
Gerry Wubben - 2007
Bruce Hill - 2006
Leon Shell - 2006
Vaughn Shell - 2006
Santo Trombetta - 2006
Robert Walker - 2006
Duane Banks - 2005
Gary Burke - 2005
Joel Dulaigh - 2005
April Heinrichs - 2005
Bill Orr - 2005
Roger Boltz - 2004
Doralyn Genova - 2004
David Mitchell - 2004
David Svaldi - 2004
Diana Wilkie - 2004
Laddie Livingston - 2003
Ruth Michels - 2003
Tim Scates - 2003
Tim Schultz - 2003
Matt Smith - 2003
David Bailey - 2002
Don Clark - 2002
Dennett Ela - 2002
William Moyer - 2002
Richard Nourse - 2002
Gayle Berry - 2001
Chris Cohn - 2001
Gregory Hayes - 2001
Aden Hogan - 2001
Robert Whittemore - 2001
Michael Deluca - 2000
Roger Franklin - 2000
Duane Newton - 2000
Merrill Mahaffey - 2000
Thomas Osborn - 2000
Ron Madrid - 1999
Seth Hunt - 1998
Helen Wright - 1997
George Wear - 1996
Ernest Mackley - 1995
Jean Tucker - 1994
Paul Pletka - 1993
Armand DeBeque - 1992
Victor Wagler - 1991
Jack May - 1990
Bill Wright - 1989
William Spencer - 1988
John Wolf - 1987
Louis Inglehart - 1986
Miles Kara - 1984
Allen Brown - 1983
Rex Ingraham - 1982
Vicki Armstrong - 1981
Max Kendall - 1980
Lloyd Jones - 1979
Phil Dufford - 1978
Guy Cherp - 1977
Don Sparn - 1977
Alan Workman - 1977
Anton Marchun - 1976
Dan Showalter - 1975
Hazlett Wubben - 1974
Caryl LaDuke - 1974
Lois Baughman - 1973
William Ela - 1973
Louis Grasso, Jr. - 1972
Roland Marasco - 1971
Gerald Matchett - 1971
Alfred Goffredi - 1970
Mary Giblin - 1969
James Groves - 1969
Helen Dufford - 1968
Jerry Merlino - 1968
Lowell Heiny - 1967
William Nelson - 1966
John Porter - 1965
Warren Turner - 1964
Warren Broderson - 1963