Colorado State University Recognizes Outstanding Achievements of Alumni and University Supporters at Awards Program April 7

Note to Editors: Reporters are welcome to attend the 2000 Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner. The event begins with a reception at 5:30 p.m. April 7 at the Marriott Hotel, 350 E. Horsetooth Road, Fort Collins. Awards will be given at 8 p.m. immediately following dinner. To arrange interviews with honorees or to attend the event, call June Greist at (970) 491-6432.

Colorado State University’s Alumni Association will honor outstanding Colorado State University graduates and others who have made an impact on the university at the annual Distinguished Alumni Awards Program April 7. The event is a highlight of "Celebrate Colorado State!" a month-long series of events recognizing the achievements of university students, faculty, staff and alumni.

The association will recognize 17 outstanding individuals this year. Honorees include the current chairman of the board for the National Western Stock Show; a former student body president who became a prominent political advisor and now owns a successful real estate business; a Boettcher Scholar who now serves as speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives; the director of the Colorado Division of Water Resources; and Colorado State’s assistant athletic director and athletic media relations director.

The William E. Morgan Alumni Achievement Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Alumni Association, will be awarded to the Honorable Russell George, speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives. The award recognizes a graduate who has attained extraordinary distinction in his or her field and whose achievements have brought credit to Colorado State University.

George has been House Speaker for the 1999 and 2000 legislative sessions. His 1999 committees include judiciary, local government, agriculture, livestock, natural resources and capital development. He has received recognition from many statewide organizations and has held leadership roles in a variety of civic organizations.

George’s contributions to Colorado State include sponsorship of several interns in the Colorado Legislature and his deep interest in education and public service. George graduated from Colorado State in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He attended Colorado State University on the Boettcher Scholarship and earned a law degree from Harvard Law School in 1971.

Ben Houston, current chairman of the board for the National Western Stock Show, will receive the Charles A. Lory Public Service Award, presented to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional and sustained leadership in his or her community, professional field or personal commitments, and who has given generous contributions of time and talent to Colorado State.

Houston is well known as a rancher and serves on the Colorado State University Development Council. He is responsible for establishing Colorado State’s National Western Stock Show scholarships.

"Ben is a dedicated friend and supporter of Colorado State," said Pat Grant, president of the National Western Stock Show. "Through his leadership (of the National Western Stock Show) he has ensured critical connections between the stock show and the university."

Houston has been instrumental in modern cattle breeding techniques nationally and internationally. His achievements include president of the National Western Stock Show from 1985-1990, the 1995 Citizen of the West Award and the 1990 Colorado State "Livestock Leaders Award." He is an agribusiness consultant to foreign countries and president of the Colorado Cattle Feeders Association.

E. Michael Rosser, vice president of United Guaranty Residential Insurance Company, Englewood, Colo., is the recipient of the Henry Award. The award is given to people who represent the highest goals of the Alumni Association and Colorado State University.

Rosser continues his support of the university through his membership on the Development Council and the Alumni Association. He also supports the university athletic program, library and College of Business.

"If we could get Mike to provide us, over the last 25 years, a written record of his donation of time and dollars to the university…we would all be astounded as to the total amount of dedication of time and…number of committees he served on," said Dave Harder, College of Applied Human Sciences Honor Alumnus, 1999.

Rosser graduated from Colorado State’s College of Liberal Arts in 1964 with a bachelor’s degree. He served previously as president of Colorado State University Alumni Association.

The Alumni Association also will recognize Honor Alumni from each college, including:

College of Agricultural Sciences – Steven D. Tanksley, Liberty Hyde Bailey Professor of Plant Breeding, Cornell University, B.S. degree in 1976, agronomy.

College of Applied Human Sciences – Robert "Bob" Drysdale (posthumous award), former Wellington Junior High teacher and wrestling coach; B.S. 1981, physical education.

College of Applied Human Sciences – Tony Hernandez, director of Fannie Mae in Colorado; B.S. 1973, social work.

College of Business – Ruth Benton, CEO and owner of New West Management Services, Ltd., Lakewood, Colo., M.B.A. 1994, executive MBA program.

College of Engineering – Hal Simpson, state engineer and director of the Colorado Division of Water Resources, B.S. 1967 civil engineering; M.S. 1969, civil engineering.

College of Liberal Arts – Michael J. Stratton, principal of Feldman Stratton Companies; B.A. 1977, technical journalism.

College of Natural Resources – Marcia Patton-Mallory, deputy station director of the Rocky Mountain Research Station, U.S. Forest Service, B.S. 1979, wood science and technology; 1983 M.S. structural engineering; 1996 Ph.D. structural engineering and solid mechanics.

College of Natural Sciences – Linda Randall, professor of biochemistry, Washington State University; B.S. 1968, zoology; Ph.D. 1971, University of Wisconsin.

College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences – Baxter Black, cowboy poet and veterinarian; DVM 1969.

The Distinguished Graduate of the Last Decade (Gold) Award will be presented to Robert Marker III, product support engineer for Aligent Technologies. The award recognizes a recent graduate for his or her accomplishments that have brought honor to Colorado State.

Marker’s contributions to Colorado State include more than his time. As Hewlett Packard’s department representative for equipment donations, Marker secured about $6 million in equipment for Colorado State over the last decade. He currently serves as Agilent’s liaison with Colorado State and is the vice president of the Dean’s Council.

Marker completed his bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering in 1994. He earned his associates degree in electrical engineering technology from Ohio Institute of Technology in 1972.

When Marker began his studies at Colorado State, he represented the newest emerging student–the non-traditional student. Marker contributed to Colorado State during his ten years as a student and continued to work full-time, with the support of his family.

John Clark Pratt, professor of English, is the recipient of the Distinguished Faculty Award. The award recognizes a current Colorado State faculty member for his or her individual contributions to the goals of excellence at the university.

Pratt has taught a wide range of courses at Colorado State, including freshman composition, advanced graduate courses, humanities and creative writing and early American literature through the modern period. He has received numerous honors, including two Fulbright scholarships.

"Professor Pratt has received recognition beyond two prestigious Fulbright lectureships," said Kate Kiefer, professor in the Department of English. "He established a method though which all Fulbrighters can ship books through the respective embassies in their host countries.

Pratt is the world’s leading scholar in the literature of the Vietnam War. He created the first on-demand publishing company in the country via the Internet. Pratt earned his Ph.D. from Princeton University in 1965.

The Distinguished Cooperative Extension Award will be presented to Don Chadwick, retired state director in Cooperative Extension. The award recognizes an individual for his or her outstanding commitment to Colorado State. Chadwick served as a career extension officer for more than 35 years.

Chadwick has been around to see a lot of changes at the university, including a change in the university’s name. When he earned his bachelor of science degree in 1949, he attended Colorado A&M. He returned to the re-named Colorado State University and completed his master’s of education degree in 1967.

Chadwick is a Colorado native. He began his career as a 4-H member and moved through the ranks of extension agent, district director, associate director, and finally as one of nine people to serve as state director. He has received several service and extension 4-H awards and is actively involved in the community. Chadwick is an avid supporter of athletics and State 4-H foundation.

The recipient of this year’s Distinguished Athletic Award is Gary Ozzello, assistant athletic director/media relations director. The award recognizes an individual for his or her outstanding commitment to Colorado State athletics and who has contributed to the goal of excellence in athletics and brought honor to the university.

Ozzello has more than 24 years experience working in the athletic media field. He designed and implemented Colorado State’s first community outreach program that allows student-athletes and coaches to be visible role models for youngsters in northern Colorado.

"Through his hard work and attention to detail, Gary has developed one of the most well respected athletic media relations offices in the country," said Tim Weiser, Colorado State’s athletic director. "Gary is the ultimate team player and Ram fan. Everyone who meets him can tell that he loves his job and the university."

Ozzello coordinated the NCAA first and second round games in Denver, the Women’s NCAA first and second round games in Fort Collins, and two men’s NIT games in Fort Collins all in the same week in 1999. CBS Sports and ESPN described Colorado State’s efforts as the "best run tournaments" they had ever worked.

Ozzello received a bachelor’s degree in technical journalism in 1978. He is the winner of more than a dozen national awards for media relations excellence.

Dan Stiles, May 2000 graduate in civil engineering, is the recipient of the Distinguished Student Award. The award recognizes an outstanding graduating undergraduate student who has given extraordinary service to the university, his or her college, peers and/or the Fort Collins community.

During his time at Colorado State, Stiles has been student government president (1998-1999), civil engineering honor society president (1999-2000), president and member of distinguished leaders program (1996-2000) and creator and coordinator of a new student leadership program.

"I would rate Dan in the top 1 percent of undergraduate students I have ever known at Colorado State," said R.N. Meroney, professor of civil engineering. "He consistently shows wisdom beyond his years, contributes exceptionally in and out of the classroom and is a true and gracious leader."

Stiles served as citizen member of Fort Collins’ 1999-2000 Mason Street Transportation Corridor Lead Team, interned as the special assistant to the Secretary of Transportation in Washington, D.C., in 1999, was a member of the Washington internships for students of engineering program in 1998, and interned at the Colorado Department of Transportation in 1997. Stile’s plans include law school.