Philanthropist and Environmental Innovator Awarded Colorado State’s Natural Resources 2004 Distinguished Alumni Award

A well-known philanthropist and environmental problem-solver will be honored at Colorado State University’s as the Alumni Association’s Honor Alumnus on

May 7.

Thomas Shepherd, who will receive the College of Natural Resources Honor Alumnus Award, has been an innovator and leader in environmental management and restoration at mine and mineral processing facilities. His expertise is called upon by companies worldwide, often by Newmont Mining Corporation, the largest gold mining company in the world.

"Tom continually demonstrates a level of integrity that is unsurpassed," said Louis Miller of MFG Inc. "He maintains the highest ethical standards in both his personal and professional life and, as a result, sets an example for others."

Shepherd founded his own environmental consulting firm, Shepherd-Miller Inc., which later was acquired by MFG, Inc., part of Tetra Tech Companies. While chief executive officer of Shepherd-Miller, Shepherd encouraged the company to give back to the community. The company was recognized as the largest contributor to the Larimer County Food Bank. In addition, Shepherd volunteers for Habitat for Humanity and spent several months in Peru working on a project that involved the clean-up of a major mercury spill that was an environmental disaster affecting hundreds of local people.

"Tom is the very best kind of philanthropist," said Joyce Berry, interim dean of the College of Natural Resources at Colorado State. "He not only gives financial support, but always gives of himself."

Shepherd is committed to the university and its students. In 1990, Shepherd established the Tom and Ann Shepherd Diversity scholarship, the largest endowment for the Department of Forest Sciences at Colorado State.

"Tom has unquestionable integrity and is an entrepreneur who provides economic opportunities to the community," Miller said. "He is a philanthropist who understands the critical importance of giving back to his community and his university, and he mentors the younger people in his life to do the same."

Shepherd received his doctorate from the College of Forestry and Natural Resources at Colorado State in 1979.

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