A Stater

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Great Stories Begin Herefall 2011seeking university name • hsi stem grant • donor awards

A

9090Adams State founded: 1921

Afor alumni & friends of

adams state college

AAStater

For more than two years, we have been contemplatingchanging the college’s name to Adams State University.Our Board of Trustees recently set the debate to rest, vot-ing 8-1 to pursue this name change. (See story page 4.) AsTrustee Charles Scoggin said, “It is appropriate thatAdams State’s name reflect the depth and breadth of ourgraduate and undergraduate missions.”This is the rationale behind the school’s four name

changes to date. Recognition of the range and quality ofour academic programs, along with changes in the mar-ketplace, are driving the effort to now become AdamsState University. It is a natural progression. The bottom line is that Adams Stateis already operating on the level of a university, and our name should reflectthat role.

preserving what matters mostUniversity status will not change Adams State’s essential character and values.

We will not suddenly (or even gradually) morph into a large, impersonal, ex-pensive institution. The Adams State Trustees and administration are determined to keep tuition

and fee increases to a minimum. Given the current higher education fundingsituation, tuition will inevitably increase at every state college and university inColorado. While our 35% increase in enrollment over the last four years hasbeen a boon to our financial situation, it is not enough to offset the 15% de-crease in state funding, a loss of $2.3 million, or about $1,700 per student. While ASC tuition did increase this year, at the same time we implemented

significant new academic scholarships for both incoming and continuing stu-dents. All fees (except the capital construction fee, which supports our campusrenewal) have been frozen for the last two years.At right about this time in 2009, I wrote a letter promising that, whatever its

name, Adams State would remain true to its values: small classes, excellent in-struction by tenured professors who care about their students (at the under-graduate and graduate level), a full liberal arts program of study, manyco-curricular activities, a vibrant outdoor program, a great (and newly remod-eled) residential campus, and the best value in four-year higher education inColorado. Adams State has grown into a university.

VOL. 51, NO. 3 • FALL 2011

Published by Adams State College

adams state college • alamosa, co 81101 719.587.7011 • 800.824.6494

www.adams.edu • e-mail: [email protected] edition:

www.adams.edu/alumni/astater/

PRESIDENT OF THE COLLEGEDr. David Svaldi

BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR ADAMS STATE COLLEGESteve Valdez ’87 Chair

Arnold Salazar ’75 Vice Chair Gigi Darricades • Mary Griffin

Liane “Buffie” McFadyen ’91, ’93 • Ann RiceCharles Scoggin, M.D. • Tim Walters ’73 Dr. Carol Guerrero-Murphy Faculty Trustee

Kenneth Scally Student Trustee

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARDLori Lee Laske ’91, ’01

Executive Secretary/Director of Alumni RelationsToney Cantu ’70 President

Kasey Russell ’03 Vice PresidentKaren Rubidoux Miller ’94 Secretary

Holly Felmlee ’76 • D. Mike Garcia ’73, ’77 • Phil Lopez ’04Lynn Michalke ’77 • Robert Oringdulph ’71 • Sandy Ortega ’74 Chris Page ’02, ’03 • Jeremy Wilder ’96 • Brian Rossbert ’02

Rich Scanga ’75 • Liz Tabeling-Garcia ’96, ’06 • Delzia Worley ’97

ASC FOUNDATION BOARDDuane Bussey ’82 President

Dr. John McDaniel Vice PresidentJohn A. Marvel ’70 Secretary/Treasurer

Russell Achatz ’85 • Tim Bachicha ’92 • Greg Bervig ’81Keith Cerny • Genevieve Cooper • Debbie Garcia '93Dale Hettinger ’64 • Charles “Chuck” Houser ’62

Jeni Jack ’85 • Randy Jackson ’98 • Chuck Owsley '68 Cindy Palmer • Rich Scanga ’75 • Chris Sittler ’04Ray Skeff • Izora Southway ’66 • Michael Ware ’69

FOUNDATION HONORARY BOARD MEMBERSStephen Bokat ’68 • Marguerite Salazar ’75, ’76

FOUNDATION EMERITUS BOARD MEMBERSSharon Carter • Richard Jacobs • Harold Kelloff

Ralph Outcalt • John ReasonJ. Byron Uhrich • R. Paul Wagner • Eldo Wall

FOUNDATION EX-OFFICIO MEMBERSDr. David Svaldi ASC President

Tammy Lopez ’91, ’00 Executive Director of the FoundationSteve Valdez ’87 Trustee Liaison

GRIZZLY CLUB BOARD OF DIRECTORSDave Barrows President • Jeff Owsley ’86 Vice President

Keith Cerny • Ric Cline ’71• Jeni Jack ’85Ericha Loosbrock • Joe Martinez ’99 • Jay Meyer

Dennis Ortiz ’79 • Dennis Shioshita ‘77 • Steve Valdez ’87

ADAMS STATE COLLEGE MISSION STATEMENTAdams State College dedicates its resources to provide opportunityand access for all students. The College is an innovative leader thatrecognizes the inherent educational value of diversity. It is a catalystfor the educational, cultural, and economic interests of rural Colorado, the surrounding region, and the global community.

EDITOR & DESIGNERJulie Waechter

ASSOCIATE EDITORLinda Relyea ’96

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERSLaura Cox • Chris Day • Leonard Honnie • Gaylene Horning ’94

Lace King • Scott Kretzmann • Madison Mansheim ‘14Kellicia Morse ‘14 • Tim Mouser • Mariah Pepe ‘14 • James Trujillo ‘02

president’s letter:

adams state grows up

the coverTo commemorate the 90th anniversary of the founding of the college, in 1921,alumni, students, and others suggested characteristics that make Adams State great.See page 15.

David Svaldi

cover story

contents

updateAdams State seeks university moniker 4ASC hits new enrollment record 5Whatever gets you down the road 5New HSI grant supports access to scientific fields 6Christo art donation 7Grants benefit nursing, counseling services 7

featuresThe party’s over, but campus renewal continues 8Earth sciences students assist at mammoth dig 12Biology prof. teaches with Semester at Sea 14

givingMusic scholarship, recording studio dedicated to Prof. Richmond 24Foundation honors Patsy Spier ‘91 25Alamosa State Bank named Grizzly Club Corporate Partner of the Year 26Cernys are Griz Club Members of the Year 27

alumnotes 28

homecoming scrapbook 34

alumni scrapbook 36

sports scenes 38

alumni have expanded job and employee search options,thanks to a new Title V grant that funds a career services coordinator, Brian Rauscher. He provides career counseling and job search assistanceto alumni in person or via phone appointments. He can also assist with resume and cover letter reviews, interview preparation, discussing careertransitions, graduate school preparation, and general job search strate-gies. All alumni have access to two computerized career assessments aswell: the Myers Briggs Type Indicator and the Strong Interest Inventory. Alumni are invited to attend the annual Spring Career Fair, Thursday,

March 1, 2012, on campus in the Student Union Building, first floor ban-quet rooms. Whether as a job seeker or an employer recruiting candidates,this gives alumni the opportunity to network with colleagues and studentsin the ASC community. You can reach Rauscher at (719) 587-7746 or [email protected].

Information on the career fair, as well as the new Grizzly Careers job data-base and other career resources, is available online at career.adams.edu.

Career services for alumni expandgrizzly spirit on the goAlumni Paul Morley ‘66 (top) andMarilyn & Dutch ‘61, ‘64 Malberg(bottom) hit the road on bikerides sporting their ASC bike jer-seys. Do you need one, too? If so,you can order one for $60 by call-ing Lori Laske at (719) 587-7867or 800-824-6494, ext.8.

What’s so great about Adams State ? 15

adams state will pursue changing itsname to Adams State University, following approval by theBoard of Trustees Aug. 26. If approved by the Colorado leg-islature and Governor, the change will be effective Aug. 1.Trustee Ann Rice summarized the board’s decision:

“We’ve had a lot of conversation about this. I don’t think thetiming could be better. The reality is that younger peopleconsider the university name to be important. We’ve reacheda milestone with our campus renovations, and there’s a newenergy and vitality on campus. This is the perfect time tocrown all that with a name that seems more current and ap-

plicable to thepeople who at-tend the institu-tion.”State Senator

Gail Schwartzand House Repre-sentative Ed Vigil‘86 will introduce

a bill proposing the name change. The bill will then be votedon by the entire legislature and, if passed, signed into law bythe governor.

name changes reflect growth“It is a natural progression to change Adams State College

to Adams State University,” said President David Svaldi.“Changing our name to university will better represent thehigh quality of Adams State’s academic programs. We havevery experienced and qualified professors, excellent new facil-ities, and a stellar record in sending graduates on to graduateschool.”This would be the institution’s fifth name since its found-

ing 90 years ago to prepare public school teachers for ruralColorado. Adams State Normal School opened in 1925; in

1929 the name was changed to Adams State Teachers Col-lege of Southern Colorado, then shortened in 1938 toAdams State Teachers College. The current name wasadopted in 1946 in recognition of the broader offering ofunder graduate liberal arts programs and the expansion ofgraduate degree programs.The topic has been under discussion for some time, and

last year the board requested the question be considered inan enrollment growth research project conducted by consult-ing firm Noel-Levitz. Student trustee Ken Scally, a nursing major, said he dis-

cussed the matter with many students. “I have not heard oneperson who doesn’t want to change to a university.”Eric Carpio, assistant vice president for Enrollment Man-

agement, noted that in many states where Adams State re-cruits (Arizona, Texas, Wyoming, Kansas, and California), allpublic institutions that award four-year degrees are called“universities,” while in these and other states, “colleges” onlyaward two-year degrees. “Being called a university will clarify Adams State’s four-

year mission to prospective students and more accurately reflect our growing graduate and distance-education pro-grams,” he added. Since 1990, the number of the nation’s public and private

four-year institutions called universities has increased, whilethose called colleges have decreased.This fall, ASC set a new record for graduate student en-

rollment: 819. “This is higher than the combined graduateenrollment at Colorado State University-Pueblo, MetroState, Western Mesa University, and Western State. Twenty-five percent of our enrollment is graduate students. That isthe third highest percentage in the state, behind only Univer-sity of Colorado-Denver and Colorado School of Mines,”noted Dr. Michael Mumper ‘76, senior vice president forEnrollment Management and Program Development.

4 | update

Adams State seeksuniversity moniker

most constituents favor “university”

• 80% of high school counselors • 74% of graduate students • 72% of undergraduate students • 65% faculty and staff • 65% of alumni

Adams State College smashed enroll-ment records for the third straight yearand welcomed its largest freshman classin more than 40 years. Total enroll-ment for fall 2011 is 3,701, up 6.6 per-cent over last year, according to Dr.Michael Mumper ‘76, senior vice presi-dent for Enrollment Management andProgram Development.ASC’s enrollment has grown 34 per-

cent over the last four years, Mumpersaid. “We have experienced the secondhighest growth rate of all four-year in-stitutions in the state.”Mumper said this continuing success

is across the board, with a record num-

ber of graduate students – 819 – as wellas increases in undergraduate, transfer,and off-campus students. This year’sfreshman class numbers 567, an in-crease of nearly 4 percent over 2010. "We are particularly pleased to

achieve this growth while increasing theoverall academic profile of our studentbody and maintaining our commit-ment to student diversity," said EricCarpio, assistant vice president for En-rollment Management. Hispanic student enrollment at

Adams State this semester is nearly 33percent, with an additional 14 percentof students identifying as members of

other ethnic/racial minority groups.The 2011 freshman class is 34 percentHispanic, and more than 30 percentare graduates of San Luis Valley highschools, Carpio added.Since 2007, the proportion of new

Adams State freshmen with CCHE ad-mission indexes above 99 increasedfrom 24 percent to nearly 35 percent.(The Colorado Commission on HigherEducation – CCHE – calculates a stu-dent’s index based on high school gradepoint average and ACT score.) Thesestudents automatically receive meritscholarships of $1,000 and $1,500.

ASC hits new enrollment record

whatever gets you down the road

Photos by Kellicia Morse ‘14

6 | update

the u.s. department of educationawarded Adams State College a $3.6 million grant from theHispanic-Serving Institutions STEM program (Science,Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Entitled “In-creasing Student Engagement and Success in STEM,” thefive-year grant will fund several initiatives to help more His-panic and low-income students earn a STEM degree, accord-ing to Dr. Michael Mumper ‘76, senior vice president forEnrollment Management and Program Development.“We will focus on outreach, academic support, and stu-

dent engagement to increase the annual award of STEM de-grees by 50% and to triple STEM degrees awarded toHispanic students,” Mumper said. The project will upgradeAdams State facilities and equipment to better serve studentsand support the new programming. Specific activities in-clude summer programs, seminars, tutoring, a new STEMtutoring center, curriculum reform, and undergraduate re-search.The HSI STEM grant brings Adams State’s total of Title

V HSI grants to more than $14.1 million. Adams State wasthe first college in the state to earn federal HSI designation,which requires a minimum of 25 percent Hispanic enroll-ment. Adams State offers four STEM majors with 16 specializa-

tions that currently enroll 299 majors: biology, chemistry,earth sciences, and mathematics. “Adams State is the central STEM resource in the vast,

rural region of southern Colorado,” Mumper added. “We arepositioned to deliver far-reaching – even ground-breaking –services in STEM, especially for Hispanic and low-incomestudents.”

academic support The grant’s largest component is construction of a new

STEM Tutoring Center on the third floor of Porter Hall, thecollege’s math and sciences building.“Our vision is to create an environment that is supportive

of STEM students, socially as well as academically, and thatoffers access to tutoring services and peer and faculty sup-port,” Mumper said.The center will include an undergraduate research lab

outfitted with instruments for interdisciplinary STEM re-search.The grant will also fund upgrades to Adams State’s green-

house and acquisition of versatile and expensive instrumen-tation, such as a modern X-ray diffraction system that costsmore than $90,000. Laboratory ovens and furnaces, comput-ers, software, supercomputers for math, microscopes, elec-

tronic balances, centrifuges, and a range of equipment formolecular biology will also be purchased and/or upgraded.

exposing kids to scienceBy expanding its outreach, the college hopes to cultivate

more interest in STEM careers and postsecondary educationamong area youth. “With the STEM grant, Adams State will enhance our fa-

cilities and programs to give area students a view into theworld of science that may otherwise be inaccessible to them,due to financial and geographical reasons,” explained Dr.Matt Nehring, professor of physics and chair of the Depart-ment of Chemistry, Computer Science and Mathematics.“The central unifying component of our outreach is an astronomy and space-based theme. The field of astronomylends itself perfectly to this objective, because it connects allSTEM disciplines and is historically appealing to K-12students and the general public.”In addition, nationally recognized speakers will engage the

campus and community in an exploration of the cosmos.Museum-quality educational touch-screen systems will en-hance the experience of young visitors to the Edward M.Ryan Geological Museum, housed in Porter Hall. An obser-vatory will be built on the north end of campus to provideexcellent viewing of the night sky. Beginning in 2012, a summer STEM Academy will be

created for 20-30 area high school students; admission crite-ria will encourage Hispanicand low-income students.This annual on-campussummer residential programwill pique student curiosityand enthusiasm throughhands-on learning in the sci-ence labs, greenhouse, plane-tarium, and observatory.

By Julie Waechter

Zacheis Planetarium will re-ceive a $400,000 upgradewith a state-of-the-art pro-jection system and new seat-ing. New programs on tapinclude Black Holes, 23 Talesof the Maya Skies, and FieldTrip to the Moon, currentlyshown nationally in majormuseums.

$3.6 million

New HSI grant supports access toscientific fields

Fall 2011 | A-Stater | 7

suicide preventionThe Substance Abuse and Mental

Health Services Administration(SAMHSA) recently awarded AdamsState College a three-year, $225,000Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Pre-vention Grant. Gregg Elliott, directorof the college’s Counseling & CareerServices Department, said the grantwill aid in fostering a campus culture ofhelp-seeking and reporting. “We hope to reduce the stigma asso-

ciated with depression, substanceabuse, and suicidal behaviors, and toencourage people to become aware ofwarning signs,” he said.One of 21 colleges and universities

across the nation to receive the grant,Adams State will use it to support sui-cide prevention, including building in-frastructure, conducting suicideprevention gatekeeper trainings acrosscampus, and networking with mentalhealth providers locally and regionally.In addition, the grant will fund a

full-time outreach coordinator/preven-tion specialist who will work closelywith Adams State’s Campus Health &Safety Committee. That group is re-sponsible for identifying and interven-

ing with campus constituents who maybe becoming a threat to themselves orto others.Colorado has the sixth highest sui-

cide rate in the nation: 18.4/100,000in 2009. The San Luis Valley’s rate ofover 28/100,000 in 2009 leads Col-orado. SLV risk factors include rural,isolated communities, high poverty andlow education levels, and high use ofalcohol and drugs.

clinical oversightfor nursing studentsThe Caring for Colorado Founda-

tion recently awarded a grant of$79,878 to the Adams State CollegeNursing Department. Dr. Amanda Jo-jola, department chair, said the fundswill support a clinical placement coor-dinator/simulation lab facilitator posi-tion, as well as assessment instrumentsto improve program performancethrough student and faculty feedback.“Caring for Colorado has been ex-

tremely gracious to our Nursing Pro-gram,” Jojola said. “Ultimately, theirgenerosity allows us to better preparestudents for clinical practice and hope-fully for graduate school.”

Previous grants from the foundation,totaling $193,000, have supportedconstruction of the nursing simulationlab and installation of smart boards inthree classrooms.Students enrolled in Adams State’s

four-year Bachelor of Science in Nurs-ing (BSN) program are required tocomplete 750 hours of clinical experi-ence, which must be coordinated withhealth care institutions both locally andon the Front Range. The grant also supports use of com-

puter aptitude testing from Health Ed-ucation Systems, Inc. (HESI) toimprove student performance in classand on the NCLEX-RN exam. It eval-uates students’ strengths and weak-nesses and points to areas needingremediation. “The results will also helpus assess our instruction and make anynecessary changes,” Jojola said.A third component of the grant

project is use of Educational Bench-marking, Inc. (EBI), which conductssurveys of recent nursing graduates andtheir employers regarding their satisfac-tion with the Adams State program.The resulting feedback will also be usedfor program improvement.

Grants benefit nursing, counseling services

wrapped trees is oneof 23 individually signed images by the artists Christoand Jeanne-Claude recentlydonated to the Adams StateArt Department.

Mary Hoffman, executive di-rector of ASC CommunityPartnerships, was surprisedby the gift after invitingChristo to present an artist’slecture at ASC in August,2014. The artist may not beavailable, but the “incredible” retrospective collection will be shown at that time, coinciding with the installation of the cou-ple’s work, Over the River, in Chaffee County. The temporary work will suspend 5.9 miles of silvery, luminous fabric panelshigh above the Arkansas River along a 42-mile stretch between Salida and Canon City. Hoffman hopes Christo fans will stay inthe valley and view the exhibit on the way to Salida.

“Their artwork makes you see things differently and look at nature in a different way,” Hoffman said.

The party’s over, but campus renewal continues

At the Aug. 25 North Campus Grand Opening Celebra-tion, President Svaldi said: “Our third president, Dr. FredPlachy, said, ‘The greatest power there is, is the power togrow.’ Since 2007 we have focused on implementing thispower and we have grown our enrollment and have grownconstruction by remodeling our key academic buildings, sev-eral dorms, and by building this marvelous new building.”

By the end of 2011,Adams State will have com-pleted $62 million worth ofnew construction and reno-vation on campus since2008, including:

• Plachy Hall • North Campus Green & walkway• Residences at Rex/Community Stadium• McDaniel Hall (ES Building), Music Building, Leon Memorial • 4 new parking lots• New soccer/lacrosse field and softball field• SLV Center for Clinical Excellence – $1 million nursing simulation lab• SUB cafeteria and shipping/receiving dock • Energy conservation performance contracts• Rex Activity Center exterior rehabilitation • 300 kW Rooftop Solar project on PlachyHall

transform (v.):to change in form, appearance, or structure; metamorphose.While there’s nothing Kafkaesque about ASC’s campus renewal, the changes are stunning.

The party’s over, but campus renewal continues

the north campus transformation Grand Opening Celebration con-cluded with a free concert in the new stadium by the Pueblo-based MartiniShot Band (far left) featuring alumni Alex Clementi ‘02 and Brian Person ‘00.

From left:

Campus and community guests enjoy a reception in Vistas restaurant on thethird floor of the new Rex Stadium facility.

President David Svaldi cuts the ribbon on the Residences at Rex with assis-tance from Alamosa Mayor Kathy Rogers and college trustees.

The Aug. 25 event was held on the new North Campus green in conjunctionwith the traditional Welcome Back Luau, enjoyed by nearly 1,400 diners.

transform (v.):to change in form, appearance, or structure; metamorphose.While there’s nothing Kafkaesque about ASC’s campus renewal, the changes are stunning.

10 | features

• Four books of ASC’s history:From Crested Peaks by Beryl McAdowOur Voices Raise by Beryl McAdowMostly Marvelous by Don Stegman ’61, ‘64The Adams State Story by Dr. Rick Baker

• Two decades of A-Stater Magazine• Issues of the Paw Print, South Coloradan, Sand Hill Review

• 8 x 11 renderings of the Residences at Rex and the MusicBuilding

• Epoxy paperweight of Residences at Rex• “The U.S. Congress and You” DVD with ASC PresidentDavid Svaldi and John Salazar ‘81

• One “Forever” U.S. postage stamp• 1958 coffee mug donated by Dr. Marvin Motz ’54, ‘59• ASC 50th anniversary stein

time capsule contents to be opened in 2061

before . . .

residencesat rexapartment


time capsule contents to be opened in 2061

• ASC Indian Jersey, ASC Alumni T-shirt, • Poster of Coaches Dr. Joe Vigil ‘53, ‘59 and Damon Martin ‘87 and their national titles

• Colorado quarter• DVD of Wall-E• MP3 player with popular music• Laser pointer• 2010 year in review publications: Life, People, Valley Courier• Video of ASC theatre performance• CD of Dr. William Lipke piano performance• “Yearbook” of 2011 ASC employees• Local restaurant menus, Local Food Guide• 2011 San Luis Valley phone book• “Easy Mac” instant macaroni and cheese• Matchbox cars: 1957 Chevrolet convertible, HumVee, Smart Car

remodeled coronado room

north campus green &residences at rex/stadium

rex field

plachy hall south entrance

Beeton is a research associate with the museum and the lead geologist for a dig site onBLM land in the northern San Luis Valley where mammoth bones were uncovered in March.Curator of Archaeology Steven R. Holen is overseeing the dig for the museum.“The site has a complicated geologic setting that serves as an excellent outdoor class-

room,” Beeton said. “There are geological, paleontological, and possibly anthropologicalstories here.”The bones were buried beneath 40 feet of alluvial fan sediments and are estimated by

radiocarbon dating at about 26,000 years old. “It’s pretty cool to say you found a mammoth bone in the San Luis Valley,” said

physical geography major Brianna Boyd, as she displayed a two-inch piece of mam-moth ivory she had just excavated. With a minor in anthropology, Boyd also worked

on the site over the summer, as an internwith the BLM.Digging, sifting, and meticulously

screening soil and gravel, the AdamsState group unearthed three rib bonesSept. 27, as well as numerous boneand tusk fragments. The site previ-ously yielded part of a mammothskull, a two-foot tusk, three teeth,and three thoracic vertebrae, aswell as teeth from prehistoriccamels. Also uncovered werebones of rodents, which are “im-portant little critters,” Holen said.“They tell us what the environment was like.” Back in campus labs, Beeton’s students are analyzing

soil samples from the site. Their tests can determine moisture con-tent, texture, and the percentage of organic carbon, which conveys informationabout vegetation and climate at the time the bones were deposited.

By Julie Waechter

12 | features

“It’s pretty coolto say you found amammoth bonein the San Luis Valley.”

- Brianna Boyd

the denver museum of nature & science received help recentlyfrom 21 earth sciences students of Dr. Jared Beeton.

they don’t call it a dig for nothing.(Counter-clockwise from bottom right:)

After the top 40 feet of soil are removed by abulldozer, students go to work with shovels,

trowels, bamboo tools, and brushes.

Dan Carver photographs an artifact as Gary Potter shows scale with a ruler.

Thomas Keller, a history andanthropology major, carefully

brushes away debris from anancient mammoth rib bone.

Madeline Brinkley, KaylaLanoue, and Alex Grothus con-

serve soil removed near a 26,000-year-old mammoth rib bone they

unearthed. A senior geology andphysical geography major and

Porter Scholar, Lanoue consideredthe find a highlight of her 23rd birth-

day.

Dr. Jared Beeton and Brianna Boyd takesoil samples for analysis later in a cam-pus lab.

Steve Holen, of the Denver Museum ofScience and Nature, examines rock andbone revealed as Kyle Bufis siftsthrough dirt.

The find of the day: mammoth rib bone.


14 | features

During a recent Lunchtime Talk in Sciences & Mathe-matics., Armstrong shared his experience of teaching two ses-sions aboard a converted cruise ship with the Semester at SeaProgram. He taught general biology, global ecology, and en-vironmental science while aboard. The “floating college,” complete with professors, librari-

ans, and a dean, offers students and professors the opportu-nity to study abroad in a variety of countries for onesemester. Armstrong lauded the program’s integration of for-mal and unique opportunities for experiential learning. Semester at Sea provides students with the usual college ex-perience: daily classes, research papers, readings, and tests.Limited Internet access at sea meant students were unable toconstantly contact home and use social networking websites.This situation fostered greater interaction among studentsand with professors.

But unlike atypical campus,upon reaching aport, six to sevenhundred studentswould disappearinto the country.Each stop aver-aged between oneto seven days in aport. At each lo-cation, studentsand facultyembarked on ex-cursions andcompleted practi-cal class activities. It was easy for

Armstrong toplan the activities,

thanks to all of the “crazy critters” around. He said it wasgood for the biology students to “be able to actually see therainforests and go snorkeling, rather than simply looking atpictures.” The activities provided students a taste of how toapply their studies in the real world. “Although the courseswere difficult to plan, the cultural experiences and activitieswere easy to integrate, considering how many of the studentshad never snorkeled or traveled abroad before,” he said. Armstrong said of the many amazing places he visited,

India was his favorite, because it afforded a visit to Rantham-bore National Park, a place he has been pining to see for 35years. Armstrong’s group of 20 lucked out and had a raretiger sighting.Off the coast of South Africa, Armstrong cancelled his

formal ecology class in order to watch and lecture as thegroup observed a flock of Albatross feasting on a school offish. He said such opportunities make the program so suc-cessful. Meeting diverse people is another benefit of the program.

The ship brings together students from across the UnitedStates who then interact with inhabitants of each countrythey visit. Armstrong recalls students eagerly questioningtheir female Muslim tour guide about being a workingwoman in the Muslim world. The presence of local tourguides allowed the group to learn about the history that de-fined and developed the countries they visited. Armstrongexcitedly told how Sandra Day O’Connor joined the voyage.He ate popcorn with her late one night as the group watchedmovies. “Traveling forms the best of friendships,” Armstrongsaid.

by Maria Pepe ‘14

snorkeling along a coast, glimpsing a tiger in the wild . . . all while cruising the seven seas are some of the exotic experiences enjoyed by biology professor Tim Armstrong as a faculty member with Semester at Sea.

Hikingrainforests,

Dr. Tim Armstrong’s 2010 summer sojourn with Semester atSea took him to the Greek island of Hydra (top left) and theSahara Desert in Morocco (inset).

semester at sea itineraryspring 2011

Depart Nassau, Bahamas • Roseau, Dominica• Manaus, Brazil• Takoradi, Ghana• Cape Town, South Africa• Port Louis, Mauritius• Chennai (formerly Madras), India• Singapore• Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon),Vietnam

• Hong Kong, China• Shanghai, China• Keelung, Taiwan• Hilo, HawaiiReturn to San Diego, Calif.


What’s so greataboutadamsstate?

years ago, Colorado Governor Billy Adamsachieved his dream of founding a college for teachers in the San Luis Valley. To commemorate the

anniversary of this event, we set out to list 90 things thatmake Adams State so great.

We asked Facebook fans – students, parents, alumni – for their opinions. At leasthalf of the responses fell into two categories: People & Place. No surprise there. Thefollowing pages list the responses, in no particular order, except for No. 1., above. Thiscasual survey demonstrates 90 of the many reasons Great Stories continue to begin atAdams State.

Center above: 1924 groundbreaking for construction of Richardson Hall

The man who started itall, Adams State’s founder& namesake:

GovernorBilly Adams

1.

9090

16 |cover

It’s in the most beautiful mountaintown in Colorado: land of cool sunshine.

Patricia Carmen Lopez

hispanic servinginstitution:$14.1 million in Title Vgrants to improve servicesfor all students

I was able to participate in several music classes and didn'thave to be a music major. My favorite memory is when theShow Band did the snake down Main Street during the home-coming parade. Now I am on my 10th year of teaching elementary school. Shannon Morris

The campus feel

s like a

community instea

d of just

a school!Marcella

Houghton

autumn@adamsAnnual Community& Campus festivalfeaturing the Cook-Off andLast Lecture

professors who know your name. It's put into all the guidebooks, but it's so true!

Lace King

summersession

2.33..

6.

10.

18. 20.

11.

Lots of wonderfulpeople live in this townand lots of wonderfulprofessors work there.

Patricia Carmen Lopez

robotchallenge 19.

The English Department: Dr. Foster, Dr. Kolupke, Dr.Jodine Ryan, Dr. Koos Daley,Mr. Don Stegman.

Stephanie Andrews Grande

21.

12.


early presidentsdr. ira richardsonBrought the vision to life

dr. fred plachy3rd president, oversaw extensive campus growth in the late ‘50s

dr. john marvel 5th president, a diplomat in trying times

diverse student body46% of undergraduate student bodyis from minority groups

Zacheis Planetariumsoon to receive

a $400,00 upgrade

It's in a great small town that trulycares about its college and the studentsthat go there. Alumni are still remem-bered as if they had never left the campus and are made to feel at homeanytime they come back to visit oreven take a class or two.

Marge Lincoln Excellent reputation across the

country for the teachers it graduates.Anita Kuhn Holley

5.

7.$77.7 million =Adams State’s annual economicimpact in the San Luis Valley

4.

NORTH & SOUTH CAMPUSTRANSFORMATIONS

New stadium & student apartmentsFunded by the student body

22.23.

15.

8.

17.17.extended studi

es

distance education

studentscholardays

14.

9. liquor license in vistas restaurantrex stadium

“Green” sustainableenergy projects 16.

Never before have I experi-enced professors that gen-uinely care about the successof each and every student theycome in contact with. Theirbelief in the college and itsmission is nothing short ofamazing, and I am gratefulto have been part of such aspecial place.

Chantine Breene

13.The English Department: Dr. Foster, Dr. Kolupke, Dr.Jodine Ryan, Dr. Koos Daley,Mr. Don Stegman.

Stephanie Andrews Grande

21.

37.

18 |cover

japanese-

american

memorial

garden

asc community partnershipsImproving the quality of life in the San Luis Valley

Dr. Crowther: He always noticedif you were missing from class,but out of my long college experi-ence he was by far the most inter-esting professor and always challenged you to dobetter.

Jennifer L. Brown

adams state collegefoundation

More than 250 scholarships

As a 41-year-old freshman, I was worried Iwould not fit in, that it would be uncom-fortable and awkward. Boy, was I wrong. Thecampus is inviting. The teachers and staff areexceptional. Even my age difference with the average student is all but nil. Everyone here is working forthe same goal, to better ourselves.

Heidi Chamberlain

Luther Bean Museum

I wasn't just a numberin a class. Teachers actually knew who I was. It is a great placeto receive a qualityeducation.

Diane EliseSmylie Trembly

28.

35.

24.

40.

25.

41.

I loved the Art Department so much that I workthere now. And I remember our old, tiny building!

Laura Murphy34.

Freshman ConvocationOrientation

Welcome Back Luau

43.It's not just a school,it's a home and a

place where you cantruly grow!

Michael Kallsen

42.

edward m. ryangeological

museum

29.

36.

Cloyde Snook and so many other greatpeople in the Art Department encouragedme beyond words. Yeah, they do make thenon-traditional student feel at home aswell. ASC is a great college!

Skaught Graham

37.


Student Media

KASF, The Paw P

rint (South Color

adan),

Sandhill Review

(Genesis)

It was all about the greatleadership training I re-ceived from being in AS&FSenate and then Program

Council (now GAB) PLUS the mostamazing friends!

Darlene Clayton ‘04

student services one stop

33.

38.

27.26.thearts visual

performingmusictheatre

spoken & writtenword

generous donors& their legaciesWoodard Scholarship Porter Scholars Program

Lucero ProjectMcDaniel Scholarships

45. the peoplehere are actually

nice.Alyssa Powdrill

46.

All of the national championship trophies!John Marquez

the long green line

Cross-Country legacy Coaches Vigil ‘53, ‘59 & Martin ‘87

32.30.GrizzlyActivityBoard

presidentialteacher award

44.Freshman Convocation

OrientationWelcome Back Luau

43.

31. ASC Cares Day

ASC is your gateway to adven-ture in the Rocky Mountains!Smart, sophisticated & just alittle bit Wild!

David J. Hargis39.

Graduate ProgramsMost now offered online

20 | cover

As a parent, I appreciate that ASC iseasy to get to and not in a big citywith too much traffic where you canget lost.

Dina Thomas

I could write a book on what ASC meant/means to me. Words aren'tstrong enough to express how my time in Alamosa changed my life forever. Coach Martin, Dr. Jones, Dr. Miller, Dr. Farish, Dr. Brink, Dr.Ybarrondo, Dr. Armstrong, Dr. Herrington, Dr. Daley, Dr. Baker, Dr.Nehring, Dr. Guerrero-Murphy, Dr. Crowther, Dr. Benson . . . andmany I am forgetting. ASC was so much more than I expected.

Sandie Hubbard

hhoommeeccoommiinngg!!

Our school songsung to the tuneof Oh Canada --that's awesome!

Mark White

50.

Everyone is so friendly and

willing to help. I frequently

ask random passers-by for

directions, and they al-

ways take the time to stop

and tell me how to get to

where I need to go.

Sara Loggin

Coach Busen (men’s soccer)laying down the rules.

Paul Wurok

ASC is always looking toimprove upon itself andgoes above and beyond that.

Cassy Siefkas Rhinehart

47. 48.

54.

chemistrymagic Show

49.

model u.n.

64.

65.66.

58.

61.60.Along with the small town atmos-phere, there is a sense of pride andlegacy that carries through families.

Cindi Clemenson

59.The late Brooks Haynie gave methe means to pursue my passionfor journalism. Miss you Brooks!You're awesome even now.

Hannah Wise

62.


The amazing family at theArt Department.Christie Perry

Mr. Stephens in the Education Department wasthe most inspiring education teacher. For years,whenever I had to teach reading or Title I Read-ing, I would always resort to something I hadlearned or heard from Mr. Stephens. I do notthink that I would have been a successful "Lan-guage Guru" (so named by col-leagues) had I not had the infinitehonor of having Mr. Stephens as an instructor/mentor.

Anita Kuhn Holley

The many alumni who are military serviceveterans, either before or after their service.

Al Cordova

The students: some of the bestpeople I have ever had the opportunity to know.

Dr. Tracy Kane Doyle

50. ASC makes you feel welcome and at home. I was aninternational student back in 1983 and was theONLY Malaysian student, but the college and thepeople made it easy to settle down and completemy business degree. A rare place to find nowadays.

Azhar Wan Yeop

public arton campus

68.

51.

63.

67.

52.record-breakingenrollmentThree years running53.

The entire staff in the School of Business from2000-2005. Thank you for everything!

Melissa Salazar

55.56.

Thank you for remembering

wonderful ProfessorBrooks Haynie with

your new mediacenter.

Janett MarMassey-Jacobsen

57.

& Earth Week

I met so many great friends and had the privilege of working with CindyYoung when I was a work study inthe equipment room. She wassuch a great person. When I wasthere Alamosa was a lotsmaller. We had no choice butto hang out with each otherand invent things to do. I haveamazing memories of my timeat ASC.

Debbie Johnson Nelson

22 cover

Adams State is a homeaway from home.

Alex Seeley

THE MUSICDEPARTMENT

Melanie Hawthorne

88.

Location, location, location! The San Luis Valley is beautiful.

Erynn Leighan Sprouse

You don't have to g

o far to literally

be in "The Great O

utdoors.”

Alyssa Powdrill

The enthusiasticprofessors and thehomey small towncommunity atmosphere.

Calvin Hildebrand

the nighttime sky.Lace King 85.

ASC has graduated so many fineteachers over the years. Just thinkof the benefit that has givenmillions of students. My very bestmemories are from my years atASC.

Anne Talley Plummer

Dr. Weldon, the most down to earth, wait – bizarre –teacher of all time. He could start a brawl in hisclassroom with one sentence and have the samegroup of people holding hands singing kumbahyahby the end.

Jeff Alexander

The teachers

and the oth

er

employees a

re more tha

n em-

ployees; they

all treat you

like family a

nd are all ve

ry

helpful. Tamm

y Brown

tthhee vviieewwss .. .. ..mmtt.. bbllaannccaa aanndd tthhee dduunneess

Kyle Byerly

69.

75.

70.

74.

73.

Gaylene

Horning

‘94

84.

78.87.

79.

86.


Small class sizes and enthusiasticprofessors like Dr. Taylor in the theatre department. Laura Garcia

When I graduated in ’94, I didn’t really appreciate all theoutdoor fun until my final year . . . amazing backpackingand fishing, skiing, all within an hour’s drive. The views,the local culture. I loved the long-standing Hispanic cultures in the area.

Steve Smyth

Rex ActivityCenter &

Student UnionBuilding.Kristin Stewart

I’m a 1974 gradwhose life wasturned around byDwight Crowder. Ihad a 1.8 GPA as asophomore (skiingseven days a week atWolf Creek will dothat). Then I discovered history/poli sci and Dr.Crowder. So manygreat memories... Dennis Stevens

my school of business mentors. Dr. Ted Ellis started a soccer team in ‘84when soccer was not yet a thing in theU.S. He taught us about balancing yourlife; it’s not just study but to have FUNtoo. Prof. Randy Newell, accounting andkarate sensei. He inspired and guided mehow to stay calm in whatever situation.The great Tom Gilmoreguided me during myundergraduate years.

Wan Azhar Wan Yeop

There were many professors who inspired me to write,however, there is not a path within that campus that Ihave not wandered and remember. Unbelievable

memories. Who was it that taught statistics? That class I will never forget!

Rebecca Oller

Semillas de la Tierra &Corazon del Valle Mariachi

71.

89.

72.

90.the mighty

rio

83.

76.

77.SpudBowl80.

82.The entire ArtDepartment was myinspiration.

Debra D. Etter

81.

24 | giving

Richmond taught vocal students for nearly 20 years, thenpassed away in 1982, a year after his retirement. Soon afterhis death, his family established The Richmond Scholarshipfor Vocal Music Students at ASC. It benefits music majorswith an emphasis in vocal performance or choral music edu-cation who have a 2.5 or better GPA.

The Richmond familygift was spearheaded by Dr.Teri McCartney ’87, ’92,Adams State professor ofcounselor education, and herhusband, Don Richmond, apopular singer/songwriter inthe Colorado and New Mex-ico region. The Music Build-ing’s new RichmondRecording Studio wasnamed in Ed Richmond’smemory, as well.

The studio was dedicated during Homecoming, Oct. 1,followed by the three Richmond Brothers performing inconcert in Leon Memorial. Don Richmond and his brothers,Ed and Jim, performed work from their new CD, Roots andBranches. Profits from the standing-room-only concert andCD sales will be dedicated to the scholarship endowment.“The Richmond Scholarship will provide much needed

support for vocal music majors, while honoringthe memory of Edward Richmond's fine teachingat Adams State College. The new recording studiois an exciting aspect of the Music Building’s recentrenovations,” noted Dr. Tracy Doyle, chair of theDepartment of Music. “It will give students op-portunities to experience such creative processes asaudio recording and film scoring,”

expanded opportunities for studentsThe Richmond Recording Studio provides stu-

dents with the space and equipment to recordtheir own compositions and performances withtop of the line software, hardware, and micro-phones. It features state-of-the-art recording pro-grams such as Cubase 6 and new Mac Procomputers. Software synthesizers and effects foruse with MIDI recording and film scoring are alsoavailable. The studio has rooms to record large en-sembles and an isolation room suitable for record-ing vocals and other instruments.

lasting influenceRichmond coached vocal students, produced opera work-

shops and helped recruit promising high school music stu-dents to Adams State.Music alumna Vickie Ford ‘71 said Richmond was a won-

derful voice professor and coached many students who wenton to be fine singers. She said she was "extremely lucky" tohave been assigned as his studio accompanist. "He taught memore about musical phrasing than any other professor." Ed Richmond and his wife, Anne McIsaac, were profes-

sional singers in the late ‘30s and early ‘40s in the Chicagomusic scene. McIsaac sang with the Lyric Opera Company.Richmond earned a degree from the prestigious University ofChicago, then taught music at Michigan State Universityand the University of Iowa before coming to Adams State in1962. "My father was very passionate about teaching and cared

deeply for his students and their progress,” said Don Rich-mond. “I didn't take voice lessons from him until his lastyears of his life, and he was an amazing teacher – a true mas-ter at teaching voice with a seemingly endless bag of tricks tohelp students reach their full potential." To purchase your own Roots and Branches CD and support

the Richmond Scholarship, go to: www.howlindogrecords.net.

richmond studio dedication: (Above, from left) Mary Ann (Rich-mond) Rankin; Dr. David Svaldi; Dr. Tracy Doyle, chair of the Music De-partment; Don Richmond; Kathy (Richmond) Yates; Ed Richmond; andJim Richmond.

Top left: Counselor Education professor Teri McCartney ‘87, ‘92, with herhusband, Don Richmond, at the dedication of the Richmond RecordingStudio.

inspiring and instructing students to reach their full potential as musicians is thelegacy of Ed Richmond, Adams State College emeritus professor of music.

Music scholarship, recording studiodedicated to Prof. Richmond


supporting education

Foundation honorsPatsy Spier ‘91

Her generosity has extended toAdams State students and the institu-tion itself. In honor of her many com-mitments to the campus community,the Adams State College Foundationpresented Spier with the Willis Fassett,Jr. Award at the Donor & StudentRecognition Dinner, Nov. 3.Spier advised current students to

graduate and become involved in issuesimportant to them. “What you do af-fects everyone around you.” With a master’s in education, Spier

lives by these words. For 20 years sheand her husband, Rick ’88, ’91, sharedtheir passion for adventure and differ-ent cultures: they taught for 12 years inPeru, the Sudan, Brazil, and Indonesia.In 2002, during an outing in the

Papuan Province of Indonesia, theSpiers and their school’s entire teachingstaff were ambushed on a mountainroad. Rick was one of three killed.Three years later, Spier established ascholarship in Rick’s memory. “He valued education for its power

to help individuals achieve theirdreams.” For years Spier worked tirelessly to

bring Rick’s killers to justice. Her ef-forts were recognized with the FBI’sStrength of the Human Spirit Award.“The FBI was there from the minute Iwas victimized,” she said. “I am theFBI’s most enthusiastic fan.”Spier now serves as a victim outreach

specialist in the Justice Department'sOffice of Justice for Victims of Over-

seas Terrorism. She helps American vic-tims of terrorist attacks to understandtheir rights when their case is prose-cuted in a foreign judicial system.She said the work fulfills a part of

her, “because of what was done forme.” The team she works with do whatthey can to let victims know they arenot alone. “The US government isdoing all it can to pursue justice forvictims. Many of them have been doingthis work a long time, and I am blessedto work with such a talented and dedi-cated group of individuals.”Her most valuable lesson has been to

stay true to one’s goal, to what youwant to achieve. “Do not put a timelimit as to when you will reach yourgoal. Always be willing to try one morething to achieve that goal. If you cando that, then you will know that youdid all you could and won’t look backwith regret.” She exhausted everything she could

think of to reach her goal of bringingher husband’s killers to justice. Herfinal attempt was to make an appeal di-rectly to the Papuan people, who by allaccounts were harboring the leadshooter of the terrorist attack. Even be-fore she landed to address the people,the man responsible turned himself in.“Your next effort might bring you toyour goal, you never know.” Spier finds inspiration when others

take the extra step to become involved.She admires the quality in people thatprompts them to help others with their

journey, not by taking on the quest,but by aiding in their search. “That iswhat was done for me.”

a passion for educationBeing an educator was Spier, and

Rick’s, first passion. She was K-8 certi-fied and had the pleasure of teaching allthose grades; her favorite was firstgrade. “I loved teaching them to read,and I loved it when the light bulb wenton. They gave that ‘I got it’ look.”Spier believes Rick would be very

proud to have provided an opportunityfor young people to receive a higher ed-ucation. “I hope students take advan-tage and apply.” Although priority isgiven to students from Dove Creek,Cortez, Sheridan High School in Den-ver, and Wray High School, anyonewho desires a higher education is wel-come to apply.Along with the memorial scholar-

ship in his name, Spier also honoredRick’s memory by donating to theAdams State College Foundation’s“Great Stories on Walls in Halls.” Aplaque with a photo of Rick hangs inthe Student Union Building acrossfrom the busy One Stop Student Serv-ices. The caption includes: “Rick wasknown for his patience, sense ofhumor, and enthusiasm for teaching.”

By Linda Relyea ‘96

her life may not have panned out as PatsySpier ’91 once imagined, but her persistence andability to move forward despite tragedy placed herin a position to help others and reach out tostrangers. Patsy Spier ‘91, created a scholarship to honor her late

husband’s appreciation of education.

26 |giving

As two of the most long-standing institutions in the SanLuis Valley, it only makes sense that Alamosa State Bank andAdams State College have a mutually beneficial relationship.Founded in 1907 as Alamosa National Bank under the

same charter they hold now, Alamosa State Bank has sup-ported the college and its athletic department for decades.The Green & White first fielded a football team in 1930.

Together the organizations have served the San Luis Valleycommunity for nearly two centuries, and both are very muchpoised to be SLV leaders in the future. What has been constant is the unquestioned support the

bank has shown ASC Athletics, making it easy for the Griz-zly Club Board of Directors to recently select ASB as the2011 Grizzly Club Corporate Partnerof the Year. The bank was presented theaward Nov. 3 at the ASC Foundation’sannual Donor & Student RecognitionDinner.“It’s easy to support something you

love,” said ASB President RussellAchatz ‘85, a long-time sports fan.“We are all excited about what ASC

Athletic Director Larry Mortensen, thestaff, Dr. Svaldi, and the coaches aredoing for the college and the commu-nity,” he said.“It’s a win-win for the college and

the community,” Achatz commentedabout the recent facility constructionand sport additions.Achatz, who took over as ASB’s pres-

ident in February of 2006, has 22 yearsof experience with the bank, which henoted has been a corporate partnerwith ASC athletics throughout histenure.Achatz is not alone in his support of

the Grizzlies, known as the Indiansuntil 1996. Three other top-level bankexecutives are also ASC graduates and

have been fans of the ASC Indians and Grizzlies since theywere children.“For me, it’s the excitement of following your alma-mater

and watching them do well,” said Chas Moeller ‘98, whojoined ASB in May as a loan officer. “I love to cheer theteams on and having the excitement of staying involved.We’re all has-beens, and that’s your next best choice.”Moeller played basketball at ASC from 1995-97.ASB Assistant Vice President Joe Martinez ‘99 is also a big

supporter, both with ASB and in his long-time role on theGrizzly Club Board of Directors, which started in 2001when he worked for another bank.“It’s great being able to give back to student-athletes. It’s a

perfect combination of giving them a chance to pay for theireducation and continue to do what they love,” Martinezsaid.“I love sports and I love athletics,” said ASB Vice Presi-

dent Dennis Ortiz ‘79, a 17-year ASB executive who hasserved on the Grizzly Club board for 25 years. “Adams Stategives so much to the community. It’s easy to support a win-ner,” he added.

By Chris Day

Alamosa State Bank is led by four ASC alumni (from left): Dennis Ortiz ‘79, Joe Mar-tinez ‘99, Russell Achatz ‘85, and Chas Moeller ‘98.

“ADAMS STATE GIVESSO MUCH TO THE

COMMUNITY. IT’S EASYTO SUPPORT A WINNER.”

Alamosa State Bank named GrizzlyClub Corporate Partner of the Year

That commitment and dedicationresulted in their being named the Griz-zly Club Members of the Year, anhonor bestowed at the ASC Founda-tion’s Donor & Student RecognitionDinner, Nov. 3.“Adams State has done a lot for our

family, and it’s a true pleasure to beable to give back with time and re-sources,” Debbie said.Publisher of the Valley Courier since

1992, Keith is division manager forNews Media Corporation, which owns70 titles coast-to-coast. He overseesnine of those publications, eight in theSan Luis Valley and one at Warren AirForce Base in Cheyenne, Wyo. Three of Keith’s children graduated

from ASC, and two others have takenclasses there. Debbie, who marriedKeith in June 2006, is the lead advertis-ing salesperson for the newspaper. Shealso attended Adams State classes, andher daughter is senior governmentmajor. But their commitment goes be-yond the family connection.Keith committed the Valley Courier

to the Grizzly Club Corporate Partnerprogram in 1994. He recently com-pleted his second term as the GrizzlyClub’s president, and continues to serveon the board of directors. He has givenhis time and energy to the ASC Foun-dation, representing the Grizzly Clubon its board of directors for six years.Keith was recognized with the college’sprestigious Billy Adams Award in 2000.“It’s incredible to have been associ-

ated with the Grizzly Club and ASCwhile tremendous improvements weremade to the athletic facilities and ex-

pansion in the programs,”Keith said. “It’s no secretthat the facilities and addedsports programs have been amajor factor in enrollmentgrowth in recent years. Anygrowth at Adams State is re-flected in economic growthfor the community. Any-thing that impacts otherbusinesses positively is po-tentially a good impact forus as the community news-paper.”As a corporate sponsor, the Valley

Courier provides free advertising for theathletic department, and helped spon-sor the new video scoreboard at RexStadium.“We felt the scoreboard sponsorship

opportunity was a way to mark thenewspaper’s partnership with the ath-letic program and the campus as awhole. We’re also proud to have ourname on the Writing Studio in thesoon-to-be-completed McDaniel Hall,”Keith said.The couple is also very active in

Grizzly Club events. Both are regularsat the club’s weekly luncheons and havesold numerous memberships and wereinstrumental in the landing of severalnew corporate partners, including mostrecently, Great Lakes Airlines.“We enjoy the social interaction

with other Grizzly Club members,”Debbie said. “We’ve made a lot offriends through the club.” “Adams State provides a huge eco-

nomic benefit to the community, butalso provides cultural and entertain-

ment value through athletics and otherprograms that we wouldn’t have if itdidn’t exist,” Keith added.The Cernys also donate their time

and energy to a wide variety of otherorganizations. Both serve on Alamosa’sSummerfest on the Rio Committee.Keith was just appointed secretary of

the Colorado Press Association’s Boardand serves on the El Pomar Founda-tion’s San Luis Valley Regional Counciland the Alamosa County EconomicDevelopment Council Board. He isalso a member of the Alamosa RotaryClub and a former president of theAlamosa County Chamber of Com-merce.Debbie is just as much of a leader.

She serves as the president of the boardfor Tu Casa, Inc., which assists victimsof domestic violence and sexual assault,and is the chairman of the AlamosaChapter of the Friends of the CreedeRepertory Theatre. Keith is still on theboard of directors for CRT. as well.

By Chris Day


whether reporting the news or helpingmake it, Keith and Debbie Cerny seem to be allover the community, lending a hand. While bothare involved with numerous committees andboards, they particularly value their service on be-half of Adams State College and the Grizzly Club.

Debbie & Keith Cerny are proud to help sponsor thenew video scoreboard in Rex Stadium.

Cernys are Griz ClubMembers of the Year

28 | alumnotes

Robert Wallendorff `54, `60 (Rock Springs,WY) received his doctorate degree from theUniversity of Northern Colorado in 1975. Hehas worked as a principal at North Iowa for 6years, Rangely High School in Colorado for 6years, and Rock Springs High School inWyoming for 9 years. Robert has also beenan assistant superintendent for 18 years.

Gilbert E. Montoya `55, `60 (San Mateo, CA),after 36 years of teaching in California, is en-joying retirement, travel, gardening, andthree grandchildren that keep him busy.

Jerrold Booher `59, `61 (Pocatello, ID) retiredin 1998 after 40 years in Colorado schools asa teacher, administrator, and coach. He alsohas officiated basketball games for 27 years.He was a member of the 1958 Adams Statebaseball team that played in the nationaltournament.

Richard L. Bank `59 (West Covina, CA) is anaerospace specialist for an internationalchemical company, Chemetall. He sellschemicals and reviews major aerospace andcommercial aircraft companies and OEM sub-contractors. He is married and has 2 grownsons. One son works for the Los AngelesCounty Sheriff’s Department, and the other isin construction.

1960sJose E. Vallejos `62 (Amalia, NM) retired inMay, 1992, having taught for 30 years at Re-3Valley School District. He married Marie Flo-rez Vallejos in May of 1953; she passed awayin November, 2003, in Pueblo, Colorado. Heand Marie had 7 children.

Billie Sue Miller Darr `65 (Yellville, AR) andher husband, Jim, live on Bull Shoals Lake inArkansas. They are enjoying their retirementby boating, fishing, quilting, traveling, andentertaining. They just attended her 50thhigh school class reunion. She says she is“looking forward to her 50th from AdamsState.”

James I. Martin `66 (Dunwoody, GA) marriedhis wife in 1966. He was in the Army from1966-1968 and spent 6 months in Vietnam.He was awarded the Joint Service Commen-dation medal. He was a chemist for GatesRubber Co. and worked for the US Govern-ment as a chemist at Rocky Mountain Arse-nal. He made a career at F.D.A. until hisretirement in 2005. He helped start the Veter-ans Analysis Center at Denver and went to At-lanta, Ga., to help start a nutrient center. Heretired as a senior chemist in nutrition. He isenjoying fishing and traveling. He has a son

and daughter, each with a son and daughterof their own. His son is a Navy officer and hisdaughter has a master’s degree in gerontol-ogy.

Alan Kuykendall `67(Pueblo West, CO)visited the ASC cam-pus with formerclassmateWaltStoufer `66, andwrites, “What a won-derful day of memo-ries. The Alumni staffshowed us the best time. The campus is won-derful and still has the same feel of the1960s.”

Bob Damashek `68, `73 (Centennial, CO) issemi-retired and living in the Denver area. Hetaught high school physical education for 35years in both Denver and Cherry Creek publicschool systems. Now, he teaches part-time inthe human performance department at MetroState College in Denver. He also sells andmanages vacation properties in Cancun, Mex-ico. He spends 7 months a year in Denverand the other 5 in Cancun.

Christine Pallett-Candland `68 (Los Angeles,CA) published her first novel: Topaz Woman.

Sam Dayzie `69, `72(Cortez, CO) retiredfrom teaching highschool biology andworking as a schooladministrator. Henow works forSouthwest ColoradoCommunity Collegeand Pueblo Community College in Mancos,CO. He is married to Rosemary Wilson `71.

1970sChris Goodwin `71 (Strasburg, CO) works forNelson Pipeline Con-structors and at-tends CalvaryChapel in Aurora. Heand his wife, Teresa,have five children:Melissa, Eric, Brian,Jacque, and Ricky;and six grandchil-dren.

Blanche (Okano) McHugh `71 (Lanai City, HI)visited Adams State after many, many yearsand was amazed at all of the changes. She isnow retired along with her husband, David,and enjoying their children, Stacey and Les-

ley Vierra, son-in-law, James, and grand-daughter, Jaylee. She worked for the HawaiiDOE for 38 years.

Lynn M. Manibog Miyabara `71 (Lahaina,HI) revisited the campus this summer. She re-tired 2 years ago after 35 years at Royal La-haina Resort. She also spent 2 years as asubstitute teacher for Lahaina schools. Shehas 4 grandchildren.

Peg (Jorgensen) Morrison `71 (Littleton, CO)retired from Denver Public Schools in 2005after 34 years. She is busy with her firstgrandchild and traveling with her husband tosquare dance. She just visited ASC with LynnMiyabara and Blanche Okano after 40 years.

Mike Mudd `71 (Colorado Springs, CO) is areal estate broker in Colorado Springs. He’sbeen married 40years to wife, Pat`67, `68. They have2 grown childrenand 4 grandchildren.Mike writes, “TheLutz Era basketballreunion was a greattime, seeing Coachand all the guys.”

Joe Reining `71 (Glenwood Springs, CO) is aprofessor of physics at Colorado MountainCollege.

Jim Altergott `72(Windsor, CO) retiredafter teaching inpublic schools for 30years. He coachedbasketball for 35years in Colorado.He has been marriedto Sharon for 45years, and they have 2 children: Missy is anadvertising executive in Denver, and Jamie isan assistant principal in Waimea, HI.

Katherine Cook `74 (Cañon City, CO) is hap-pily retired and volunteers at Cañon City Liter-acy Center as a tutor substitute and assistantto the director in any duties required on adaily basis. All of their students have im-proved their reading ability, and the tutors’lives have also been enriched.

Milton Place `74(Medina, OH) retiredafter teaching for 35years in Ohio. Heand his wife, Elena,have 2 children: An-naliesa (33) and An-thony (30). He has

1950s

alumnotes


coached cross country and track for 63 sea-sons. In 2007, Medina High School, where heis the head coach, won the state Cross Coun-try Championship and finished 12th in thenation.

Mark Weeks `75(Colorado Springs,CO) is coaching atPine Creek HighSchool. He is mar-ried to Susan Weeks.

Ray Adams `75 (Au-rora, CO) retired after34 years in the gro-cery industry and re-turned to school tocomplete his mas-ter’s degree in foren-sic psychology.

Todd A. Russell `75(Findlay, OH) retiredfrom Marathon OilCompany in 2009after 34 years in ac-counting and fi-nance. Todd and hiswife, Paula, have run30+ marathons together, including 4 Boston Marathons. Theyare also avid boaters and just recently com-pleted a 5,700-mile voyage around the east-ern half of the U.S. They are former residencehall directors of Girault and Savage.

Barry Shioshita `75 (Alamosa, CO) is leavinghis position as Alamosa County Administratorto become the CFO for Southeast MentalHealth Services. Heand wife, LynnGooden `76, `77,have 3 sons: Joshua,Jordan, and Jarett.He studied martialarts for 34 years andhas his 4th degreeblack belt.

Rudy Aragon `76(Peralta, NM) hasbeen married for 26years to his wife,Tina. They have 3children: Angelica(31), Santos (25) andIsaac (21). They alsohave 2 granddaugh-

ters: Jayden (11) and Kamryn (4). He retired asa public school administrator and is now theexecutive director of New Mexico ActivitiesAssoc. He enjoys skiing, biking, fly fishing,

time with his family, and playing the guitar.He is looking forward to his second retire-ment. He was a successful basketball coachin northern NM, and expects to end upcoaching his grandkids.

David Bullen `76(Grand Junction, CO)is getting ready to re-tire. His wife says,“Why? So you canplay golf 7 days aweek instead of 6?”

William E. Jenkins `76 (Point of Rocks, MD)is a health/science instructor of 23 years inBaltimore City. He also has worked for the USPostal service for 23 years. He has two chil-

dren, William (18)and Matthias (15).He enjoys watchingsports and readingabout Maryland’shistory.

Larry Livesey `76(Camarillo, CA) willretire in January after31 years as a fire-fighter with the LosAngeles City Fire De-partment. He hastwo sons and two

grandsons. His family enjoys wakeboarding,surfing, and going to lots of Dodgers games.

Wade Mortensen`76, `80 (Alamosa,CO) coached highschool for 33 years.He has 5 children: 2girls and 3 boys. Hiswife, Lindy `80, isthe Adams State vol-leyball head coach.

Jim Sanchez `76, `82 (Laramie, WY) has beenteaching and coaching at Kelly Walsh HighSchool in Casper, WY, since 2006. He previ-

ously taught andcoached at CentauriHigh School in LaJara, CO, from 1976to 1981. He coachedcross country at theUniversity ofWyoming in Laramiefrom 1981 to 2003.

He worked for an environmental firm (TriHydro) for two years.

Bruce Metsker `77(Center, CO) owns atrucking companythat hauls local agri-cultural productsand long haul flatbed operations.

Sue Patterson ’83 celebrated her re-tirement from 25 years of teaching ele-mentary school art by hosting anexhibit of work by both her own in-structors and ASC alumni who haddone their student teaching with her.

ASC’s Cloyde Snook Gallery was thesite of the summer show that includedwork by Patterson and her teachers,Gerry Thiel ‘81, Steve Quiller,Cloyde Snook, Mary Lavey ‘77, aswell as alumni Cheryl Bishop ‘92,Megan Brockriede ‘04, Jesse Crock‘04, ‘10, John Dodds ‘04, Emily(Scott) Gabaldon ‘98, Karla A. Lee‘91, ‘95, Ben Quinn ‘04, ‘08, andTauri (Neuerburg) Sims ‘90.

Patterson said the best part of teach-ing the younger generation was theirenthusiasm for learning. “Without adoubt, every one of my student teach-ers also inspired me,” she added.

Retirement frees Patterson to exploreher own artwork. A plein aire land-scape painter, nature is her biggest in-spiration

great stories

Back, L to R: Karla A. Lee ‘91, ‘95, BenQuinn ‘04, ‘08, Tauri Sims ‘90, StephenQuiller, Jesse Crock ‘04, ‘10. Front, L to R:Megan Brockriede ‘04, Cheryl Bishop ‘92,Sue Patterson ‘83, Gerry Thiel.

1970s

30 | alumnotes

Gregg `77 and SueStinson `75, `76(Colorado Springs,CO) have been mar-ried for 37 years,having met at AdamsState. Sue just retired from school district #8after 33 years as an elementary schoolteacher. Gregg works for school district #8 asan elementary physical education teacherand high school track coach.

Spence Swartz `77(Grand Junction, CO)has two children,Jared and Jennifer,and two grandsons,Jayden and Antonio.He works for Univer-sal Maps. He is stillplaying a lot of golfand officiating basketball and softball.

John S. Petersen `78 (Austin, TX) was in-ducted as a Fellow of the Society of OpticalInstrumentation Engineers. Fellows are mem-bers of distinction who have made significantscientific and technical contributions in themultidisciplinary fields of optics, photonics,and imaging. They are honored for their tech-nical achievement, service to the general op-tics community, and to SPIE in particular. Heis being honored for achievements in mi-crolithography for semiconductor manufac-turing and computational lithography. Hiscontributions to optics extend beyond thelaboratory, however, as an active member ofthe optics community and the local commu-nity. Petersen has served as a mentor to localmiddle and high school science organiza-tions, and, in fact, he was named the SEMAT-ECH Fellow Mentor of the Year in Texas atCanyon Vista Middle School for his outreachwork with a group of young researchers.

Bob Fink `79 (Love-land, CO) works inthe Fort Collins CityAttorney’s Office. Hehas a 15-year-oldand 6-year-old twinsthat keep him on histoes. He writes, “Ihad a great time atthe ASC Track Reunion.”

Rick Johnson `80(Ottawa, KS) will fin-ish his 31st year asan educator inKansas in June. He isplanning to retire at that point and comeback to the Rocky Mountain region.

Loren Lutz Jr. `81 (Colorado Springs, CO) re-tired after teachingsecondary physicaleducation, coachingboys and girls golf atSand Creek HighSchool, and coach-ing basketball at St.Mary’s High School.

Ivory Joe Hunt `82(Colorado Springs,CO) is in his 29thyear of teachinghealth and physicaleducation in Col-orado Springs-School District #11and is now at Pen-

rose Elementary. He has coached track andfield for 19 years at Mitchell High School andcoached 3 state champions. He was inductedinto the Adams State Hall of Fame in 2009and into the High School Hall of Fame in Ter-rell, Texas, in 2010.

Wes Montoya `82(Colorado Springs,CO) has been aschool administratorfor 11 years. He re-ceived his MA atUniversity of Col-orado-ColoradoSprings in `96 and aPh.D. from Denver University in 2011. He hasbeen married for 29 years to Mary (Jaqua)Montoya.

Susan N. Petrelli `81, `82 (Colorado Springs,CO) began her 30th year of teaching physicaleducation and health at Mitchell High Schoolin Colorado Springs. She has coached trackand field for 30 years at 13 junior highschools and 19 high schools. She hascoached 6 USATFClub teams, 12 bas-ketball teams, and14 volleyball teams.She is a USA Trackand Field Master Of-ficial of 17 years. Sheis the coordinator of

umpires, and a referee at USAFAT&F in Col-orado Springs. She recently spent 5 weekstraveling our nation coordinating umpires atthe world youth trials IAFF World Master Ath-letic and Junior Olympic Nations.

Lori S. Lovato `83 (Saguache, CO) is a middleschool math teacher and math coach. She re-ceived her master’s degree from University ofNorthern Colorado.

Michael R. Honnick `84 (Evergreen, CO)works for the U.S.Fish and Wildlife. Heand his wife, LaVon,have two daughters,Kaitlyn and Laura.Both of the girls areon the EvergreenHurricanes swimteam.

Lori (Thrailkill) Parker `85, `97 (Lamar, CO)is in her 27th year of teaching special educa-tion students. Her husband, Dave, owns aheating and air conditioning company. Herson, Adam, just graduated from high schoolin 2011 and her daughter, Audrey, will gradu-ate in 2012.

Robert Ferguson`86, `88 (West Fork,AR) is an educationgrant consultant inNorthwest Arkansas.

Sharon (Foster)Greenbaum `86(Colorado Springs, CO) is back after 7 years ofliving overseas. She was a teacher in the Mar-shall Islands and now is in the fitness indus-try. She has two kids, Sarah (17) and Mike(13), with husband, Charles, who is a missiledefense engineer.

Peter Graham `86(Santa Fe, NM) hastaught and coachedat Santa Fe HighSchool for 25 years.He has two daugh-ters: Kristin (20) andMarisa (16).

John Thomas `86, `88 (El Paso, TX) continuesto teach science and coach at Andress High

School. He has initi-ated and provides afully automatic train-ing system for trackand cross country.His wife, Diane `85,`88, is an adminis-trator at Austin High

alumnotes

1980s


School and involved in all areas of highschool campus life.

Aldie Alfaro `87 (Al-buquerque, NM) hasbeen teaching highschool Spanish forthe past 23 years inNew Mexico. Shespent 13 years at So-corro High Schooland the past 10years at the Public Academy for PerformingArts. She stopped running competitively in1999, but has continued to coach cross coun-try and track at the high school level. She hastraveled to Europe, Mexico, and Central andSouth America.

Sweetie Marbury `87 (Durango, CO) writes,“I was elected to the Durango City Council onApril 5, 2011. In my profile, the Adams Statelogo was seen on television by residents ofDurango, CO.”

Curt Christensen`88 (ColoradoSprings, CO) is atrack coach andteacher at CoronadoHigh School.

Jeff Pope `88 (FortMorgan, CO) is mar-ried to Jeanine andhas two kids,Jonathon and Jayne.He teaches at FortMorgan MiddleSchool and coachesat the high school.

He writes, “I have been blessed to have con-tact with so many special people. Life isgood!”

Rob (Bobby Bear) Schmidt `89, `92 (Centre-ville, MD) worked in the community psychia-try program at JohnHopkins Hospital for7 years. He is now abehavioral special-ist, researcher, andauthor. He and hiswife, Gail, have twosons: Kevin (11) andWestin (8).

James Seefeldt `89(Steilcoom, WA) is aphysical therapist inWashington andstays in shape bychasing his twoyoung kids around.

He continues to follow his beautiful wife towhere ever the Army sends her. He says hewas thrilled to see all the great people at theTrack and Cross Country Reunion this summer.

1990sMarco Ochoa `90, `92 (Costa Mesa, CA) andhis wife, Elda, have a daughter, Emma. He isa physical educationinstructor at OrangeCoast College inCosta Mesa, CA, aswell as the men’sand women’s crosscountry head coachand assistant trackand field coach.

Craig Dickson `90(Olympia, WA) is theco-director ofGuerilla RunningRacing Club withpartner, RachaelJamison. He alsoteaches English as asecond language.

Dawn (Berry) Gwin`90 (Grand Junction,CO) volunteers atASU as a master gar-dener, native plantmaster on the West-ern Slope.

John Dale `92 (Den-ver, CO) is self-em-ployed and returnedto ASC this fall towork on a master’sdegree in counsel-ing. John writes, “Iremember my timeat ASC as a time of

growth and development. Some of the bestfriends I have were made here.”

Dana Frerich `93 (Ar-vada, CO) has beenmarried to Vince for16 years. Keepingtrack of Andrew (12),Brendan (10), andLucas (7) is her full-time job.

Rick Macias `94 (Pueblo, CO) became ath-letic director of Pueblo City Schools on July 1.He now oversees all high school and middleschool athletics in Pueblo's largest schooldistrict.

Linda Adesanya `95(Clinton, WA) leftAlamosa in 2001 andmoved back home toWashington. Shelives there with herhusband, 6 children,and one grandson. She has worked as a proj-ect administrator for a high-end builder,Gemkaer Construction, for the last 10 years.All her children are very active in sports, par-ticularly wrestling and cross country.

Mary Beth Allen `96 (Arvada, CO) and herhusband, Brandon,have two children:Brooks (6) andAddie Kate (3). Ateacher and coach inJefferson County,she was voted “BestArt Teacher Ever” forthe 15th year in arow.

Martin `96, `98 andNorma Gonzales `97(Garden Grove, CA)have three children:Alexis (15), MJ (8),and Annalia (1).

Vickie Sutton `96 (Ignacio, CO) teaches a2nd and 3rd grade looping class at Ignacio El-ementary. She likes to take pictures, travel,and scrapbook. She has a dog named Dexterand a horse named Red.

Molly Huffman `00 (Frederick, CO) is marriedand has two daughters, ages 5 and 1. Sheteaches physical education and health atMountain Range High School in Westminster,CO, and is also the assistant varsity softballcoach.

Stephanie Milam `00, `01 (Monte Vista, CO)lives with her boyfriend, Lucas, and his threebeautiful girls: Mallory, Payton, and Carson.After many years incollege, she finallydecided to becomea physical therapistassistant and worksfor Valley WideHealth Systems. Sheis enjoying playingsoftball and trainingfor duathlons.

2000s

32 |alumnotes

Elizabeth Brown `01(Colorado Springs,CO) is the adminis-trative concierge atthe Broadmoor hotelin Colorado Springs.She really enjoys her job and the variety it of-fers her, from planning guest trips to givinghistory tours, to typing up the daily newslet-ter that goes on every guest’s bed. She re-cently got the chance to go to Peru, whichshe says was a once in a lifetime experiencethat she highly recommends.

Ben `03 and Anne Naccarato `05 (Centen-nial, CO) both work for Cherry Creek Schools.Ben is an English language acquisition spe-cialist, and Anne is a 4th grade teacher.

Rebekah (Walter) Mayer `04 (Eden Prairie,MN) and her hus-band, Christian,have a busy 2-year-old son, Joshua, andanother little boy onthe way. She worksas the national runtraining manager forLife Time Fitness.

Kimberly Lorimer`05 (Corona, CA) is amarketing designerat Value Click Brandsin Monrovia.

Joshua Merrick `05(Alamosa, CO) is aphysical therapist atValley Wide HealthSystems, and hiswife, Bethanie, is astay-at-home momto their son, Ethan 2.

Brad Regan `05(Floyd Knobs, IN)started his own gymcalled Fitness Stu-dio, where he hasbeen personal train-ing for 5 years. Hehas helped individu-als live a better

lifestyle through weight training, cardio, andnutrition. He is proud to have helped 6 indi-viduals lose more than 100 pounds. He isalso starting to help the girls and boys crosscountry team at Jefferson High School. Hewrites, “I hope to bring what I learned atAdams State to the high school.”

Chelsea (Darrell) Schraeder `05 (Fort Mor-gan, CO) spends most of her time raising her2 daughters. Her husband, Darrel, works forXcel Energy. She teaches Zumba part timeand is the wedding coordinator at her localchurch. She will return to classroom teachingwhen her children are older.

Kim Cooper `06 (Severn, MD) and her hus-band, David , have 2girls, ages 3 and 1.They are stationed atFt. Meade with theMarine Corps. Shewrites, “Visiting thecampus has broughtback good memoriesof the awesome funwe had.”

Mohamed Aden `07(Eden Prairie, MN) iscoaching at St.Cloud State. He ismarried and has a 4-month-old daughter.

Jacob M. Streeter `07(Albuquerque, NM)is in his second yearof law school at theUniversity of NewMexico. This pastsummer he was alaw clerk at the NewMexico AttorneyGeneral’s Office. Josh Streeter `10

(Alamosa, CO) is afirst-year English andsocial studiesteacher at MonteVista Middle School.He volunteer-coached his youngersister, Beth, atSmoky Hill High

School. He writes, “I enjoy rustic Italian cui-sine and the musical stylings of Stan Kenton.”

Josh Teeples `10 (Highlands Ranch, CO) mar-ried Leah Hill `09 in July. He is a salesman forUnited States Welding. Leah teaches at Little-ton Elementary.

Brandon Birdsong`11 (Lubbock, TX)just graduated, butwrites, “I wouldn’tmiss the track andfield reunion!”

Mildred Peterson `42 (San Acacio, CO)passed away Aug. 12 at the age of 93.Among her survivors is her daughter, JoanLorenz `69, `89.

Rose Ann Alt `45 (Pueblo, CO) passedaway Sept. 19 at the age of 88.

Nellie Horvath `48 (Farmington, NM)passed away July 27 at the age of 86.

Paul Booth `50 (Glendora, CA) passedaway April 2 at the age of 85.

Cordelia Duran `50, `73 (Littleton, CO)passed away May 27 at the age of 82.

Leonard Federico `51 (Turner, OR) passedaway July 15 at the age of 82.

Dora Jean Ott `54, `70 (Greeley, CO)passed away Aug. 12 at the age of 82.

Tom Armenta `58, `62 (Grand Junction,CO) passed away Oct. 12 at the age of 81.

Leland Brubaker `59, `61 (La Junta, CO)passed away May 16 at the age of 91.Among his survivors is his wife,MollyBrubaker `58, `61.

Floyd Oaks, Sr. `61 (Alamosa, CO) passedaway July 17 at the age of 86. Among hissurvivors is his wife, Inez Oaks `61.

Ray Lawrence, Jr. `61 (Carson City, NV)passed away Feb. 28 at the age of 73.

Marilyn Schlichting `61, `87 (Durango,CO) passed away Sept. 22 at the age of 75.

Nicholas Heidy `62, `64 (Chandler, AZ)passed away Aug. 28 at the age of 87.

Celsa Martinez `62, `70 (Ranchos deTaos, NM) passed away May 4 at the ageof 78.

Barbara Rogers `63 (Nine Mile Falls, WA)passed away June 29 at the age of 71.

Elizabeth Averett `64 (Farmington, NM)passed away July 8 at the age of 93.

Loraine Everly Lawson Jones `66, `70(Denver, CO) passed away June 25 at theage of 84. Among her survivors is her hus-band, Emeritus Professor of Music Ran-dolph “Casey” Jones.

Ray Stokes `67 (Noti, OR) passed awaySept. 28 at the age of 68.

Sr. Benigna Haug `70 (Colorado Springs,CO) passed away Aug. 11 at the age of 86.

Raymonda McMillan `71, `76 (Branson,CO) passed away June 7 at the age of 95.


dr. marvin motz was many thingsto Adams State College: student, athlete, administrator, pro-fessor, mentor – even president, twice. His death on Aug. 11 ismourned by the college and countless alumni who had theprivilege to sit in Motz’s classroom. Motz was proud to haveknown every Adams State president personally.

“Dr. Motz was literally and figuratively a giant among men,”said Adams State President David Svaldi. “He always providedme advice laced with humor, and I have tried to copy his calmdemeanor, even when it appears that the situation and thepeople in it may be about to dissolve into chaos. Marv was astrong, good, kind, and compassionate man who devotedmost of his adult life to Adams State, ASC students, and theAlamosa community. The college is a better place for his yearsof dedicated service. He will be greatly missed by all of us atASC; but not forgotten.”

Motz was known for his philosophy of using humor to educateand relate to others. After his retirement as Emeritus Professorof Psychology in 1996, he started the Humor Academy andpresented throughout the country and Europe for 15 years.True to that philosophy, Motz was fond of saying: "I havemade it seven blocks in my entire life."

“Everybody who ever had a class with Dr. Motz or met him onthe sidewalk, loves him,” said Adams State Director of AlumniRelations, Lori Laske ‘91, ‘01. “Everywhere we travel, alumniask about or remember Dr. Motz. His inspiration, humor, andcompassion have touched more people then could ever becounted. “

Motz’s wife, Mary ‘62, and all four of their children also grad-uated from Adams State, as have many members of the Motzextended family. The couple’s children include Dr. Tom Motz'82, Susan Motz Arnold '88, Mike Arnold '84 (son-in-law),Stephanie Motz Miner '82, and Natalie Motz Streeter '99.Motz was preceded in death by his twin daughters, Stephanieand Natalie.

After his first year in college, Motz served four years in theNavy during the Korean War, then returned to Adams State in

1954. After finishing his mas-ter’s in 1959, he joined theAdams State staff with re-sponsibilities in public rela-tions, alumni affairs, andadmissions. He joined thepsychology faculty in 1967,eventually sharing his knowl-edge, love, and laughter withapproximately 9,260 stu-dents.

With the desire to offer moreto students, he completedhis doctorate in psychology,counseling and guidance at University of Northern Colorado in1969. He was particularly proud to be named Outstanding Ed-ucator in 1990 by the Consortium of State Colleges in Col-orado. Motz served as faculty marshal at Adams Statecommencement ceremonies and was the first faculty repre-sentation on the Colorado State Colleges Board of Trustees.

Motz concluded his formal service to his alma mater in 1996,having spent his final year in a second term as interim presi-dent. He also held that post in 1980-81. He liked to joke: "I'vesuggested to some I kept doing it until I got it right."

all-star on the court & in the community

Motz’s ASC basketball jersey has been retired, and he was anearly inductee into the ASC Athletic Hall of Fame, in 1963. Hiscareer tally of 1,508 points remains the fourth most in collegehistory. Motz was an All-Conference basketball player in hisfreshman year and an All-RMAC selection in his junior year.

Always active in the community, he served more than twodecades on the San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center Foun-dation board, most recently as vice president. After losing hisdaughter Stephanie to breast cancer, Motz was instrumentalin founding the hospital's Stephanie L. Miner Women’s Imag-ing Center. The SLVRMC Foundation recently presented Motzwith its Lifetime Achievement Award.

remembering . . .

Mary ‘62 and Marv Motz ‘54, ‘59

Dale Payne `72 (Pueblo, CO) passed awayAug. 20 at the age of 61.

Julia Gallegos `73, `89 (Antonito, CO) passedaway June 19 at the age of 78. Among her sur-vivors is her husband, Gilbert Gallegos `60.

Augustine Martinez `73 (Albuquerque, NM)passed away June 6 at the age of 62.

Maurice Blackburn `73 (Eaton, CO) passedaway July 10 at the age of 85.

Metiku Myhre `75 (Ft. Wayne, IN) passedaway June 26 at the age of 59.

Beverly Proctor `76 (La Junta, CO) passedaway Aug. 28 at the age of 58.

Sally Kehler `76 (Denver, CO) passed awaySept. 27 at the age of 78. Among her sur-vivors are her granddaughter, Joni KehlerKern `97, and grandson-in-law, Ben Kern`02.

Bill Zediker `83 (Paonia, CO) passed awaySept. 26 at the age of 73.

Charity Lattin `87 (Pagosa Springs, CO)passed away Sept. 19 at the age of 52.

David Hunter `92 (Lebanon, TN) passed awayJune 19 at the age of 45.

Ronald Schmit `96 (Pueblo, CO) passed awayApril 23 at the age of 70.

Tia Lee King Murtaugh `02 (Albuquerque,NM) passed away Jan. 25 at the age of 35.

friendsBen Fujii (Alamosa, CO), employed at ASCfrom 1980-1995, passed away July 28 at theage of 81.

ASC celebrates life of Dr. Marvin Motz

34 | homecoming

HHoommeeccoommiinnggHHaappppiinneessss


fans stayed pumped on a bright Homecoming 2011, despitethe Grizzlies’ 37-14 loss to Nebraska-Kearney. The new Rex Sta-dium’s 3,000 seats were filled with enthusiastic supporters enjoy-ing the warm day.Alumni Tom Jones ‘52, Denise Trujillo ‘07, and Don Stegman ‘61, ‘64 (far left, from left)

were honored at the annualAlumni Banquet as the Out-standing Alumnus, Excep-tional New Alumnus, andBilly Adams Award recipi-ents, respectively.Tanisha Thomas of

Model U.N. and JiovaniColeman of Cheer reignedas Queen and King.Alumni enjoyed reunions,

the tailgate party, and post-game reception, in additionto the 5K Run and parade.

Top: John & Lynn Michalke, Mary Pirraglia, Cynthia Glynn,Kathy Reyher, Lori Laske, Nancy Idler, Julie & Ted Weeks,and Diane & Darrell Trembly

Bottom: ASC Alumni all decked out and ready to departfor the Caribbean Cruise.

Over 200 alumni and guests gather fora picture in front of the new Rex Stadium.

36 | scrapbook

Top (left to right) Brid-gette Brownell, TamaraFowler, TiffanyHawkins, Mary Mc-Neil

Center: JocelynGarcia, MonicaGarcia Ashley,Kallee BinghamSpilker

Bottom: LisaCrowder,EmilyBussey

volleyball reunion & alumni game • aug. 27

track & field /cross country reunion • aug. 5-6

alumni caribbean cruise • june 5-12

all football reunion • sept. 17

FrontL-R: Emily Jones,Jolleen Myers,Judith Becker, and Vickie Sutton.

Back L-R: Louis Myers, Katie Roseberry,Michael Brace & Darlene Clayton, Marilyn &Dutch Malberg, Donald & Sarah Walker,Sweetie Marbury, Lori Laske, and Ann & DonBrown

Top L-R: Don Buffo, Ron Buffo,Teenan Anderson, Ed Wisniewski,Ronald Johnston, Dan Korber,and Dave Johnston

Botom: Bucky Logan, NickGalbreath, Todd Ruther-ford, Kevin Carpenter,and John Capra

Front L-R: Chris Goodwin, Rick Marriott, Coach Loren LutzSr., Jim Altergott, and Byron Wiehe.

Back L-R: Barry Shioshita, Bruce Metsker, RudyAragon, Dale Crowther, Geoff Bokan, Billy

Jenkins, Dee Betts, Dan Korber,Craig Mortensen, Mike

Mudd, and WadeMortensen.

L-R: Barbara & Don Friese,Lori Laske, and Tony Brown


orlando dinner • june 4

track & field /cross country reunion • aug. 5-6

durango dinner • sept. 7

lutz basketball reunion • june 24-25

all football reunion • sept. 17

men’s cross-country won theNCAA Division II Central Regional Champi-onship for the fourth year in a row, while thewomen finished second behind Western State.ASC was the only team to have both six men andsix women earn USTFCCCA All-Central Regionhonors. Both squads had runner-up finishes at theOct. 22 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference(RMAC) Championships in Denver. Both wereedged out by the Western State Mountaineers, thewomen by 4 points, and the men by 3. Junior Ali-cia Nelson and sophomore Kelly Lamb led theway for the ASC women, finishing second andthird overall in the individual standings. Seniors Nathan Sellers and Matt Bond led the men’s team as they have done all

season. All seven Grizzly runners in both the men’s and women’s races earned All-RMAC honors, as Adams State was the only team on either side to have all sevenrunners finish in the top 21. The Grizzlies also claimed both the Men’s andWomen’s Freshman of the Year honors, awarded to Tabor Stevens and MelissaRoberts.

the grizzly football team had itsbest season start since 1996, beating Dixie State(Utah) and Black Hills State (S.D.) on the road.But the Grizzlies then played two of their firstthree Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference(RMAC) games against nationally-ranked teams,and dropped to 2-3. Thanks to come-from-behind wins against

both New Mexico Highlands and Western NewMexico in consecutive weeks, and a 46-0 drub-bing of Fort Lewis in the Musket Game, the Grizzlies are now 5-5 on the season, sitting fifth

in the RMAC standings, and receiving votes in the American Football CoachesAssociation (AFA) top 25 poll.Adams State has relied heavily on its league-leading defense throughout the

season, led by preseason All-Americanlinebacker Rocco DeLorenzo, rankedfifth in the RMAC in tackles. TheGrizzlies have also seen outstanding of-fensive contributions from senior run-ning back Terjean Saffold and seniorwide receiver Dustin Bolt. Saffoldranks second in rushing in the RMACat 90.5 yards per game, while Boltleads the league in both receptions pergames (6.0) and receiving yards pergame (86.4).

38 | sports scene

Dustin Bolt

Johnny Mercer

NathanSellars

Alicia Nelson

James Ackel

grizzly men’s soccercompleted its second season with arecord of 3-10-2 and 2-9-1 in thetough Rocky Mountain Athletic Con-ference (RMAC). Freshmen JohnnyMercer, Cody Sprouse, and MichaelMiller led the way for the Grizzlies.Mercer earned a single-season programrecord 4 goals, while Sprouse added 3of his own. Goalkeeper Miller has beenstrong in the net, getting credit foreach of the Grizzlies’ wins and a tie.Miller was a Third Team All-RMAC se-lection.

grizzlies update

James Ackel (left) scored the game-winning TD inback-to-back weeks against New Mexico High-lands and Western New Mexico.

four women’s basketballalumni playing with the Colorado Longshotstook the silver medal in June at the NationalSenior Games in Houston.

Diana Preisser ‘82, Debra Gilbert ‘83, LauraWardell-Brown ‘84, ‘85, and Pam Bond-Klecker reconnected in the past year and teamedup with three non-ASC alumni to create theteam and competed 3-on-3 in the 50-55 agegroup.“It was great to be united after 30 years. It

seemed like we never stopped playing,” saidGilbert, one of Adams State’s greatest women’sbasketball All-Americans. “As expected, thecompetition was very good at this level; I thinkit was because we were all the first generation ofTitle IX. Of course we’re going to continueplaying,” she added, “We hate losing!”

grizzly volleyball concluded the reg-ular season as Co-RMAC West Champs, their firstdivision title since 2003. The Grizzlies’ 18 winsthis fall are the second most in DII-era history,while their 12 RMAC wins tie the programrecord. They achieved their longest in-conferencewinning streak in program history, with 7 wins.ASC’s start to the season was one of the best in theprogram’s NCAA Division II-era history (1992-present).


get latest results & statswww.ascgrizzlies.com

Jessica Hellweg

ASC alumni playing for the Colorado Longshots in-clude (L-R) Deb Gilbert `83, Pam Bond-Klecker,(unknown player), Laura Wardell-Brown `84, `85, andDiana Preisser `82.

Alumni still got game

grizzly women’s soccer concluded its season with anovertime win against the Univ. of Nebraska-Kearney, matching a pro-gram record with 7 wins. Senior Jessica Hellweg moved into the ASCcareer lead for both goals scored (23) and points (54) earlier this season.She was named a Second Team All-RMAC performer for the thirdstraight year. The Grizzlies earned their first win or tie against a nation-ally-ranked opponent since 2006 this season, as Hellweg scored twice inthe final 10 minutes against 19th-ranked Colorado Mines to force over-time and eventually a 2-2 tie.

the youthful grizzly women’s golf team turnedin three of their best four tournaments in program history during thefall portion of the season and are in prime position to qualify for theNCAA Division II Super Regionals for the second straight year comespring. The Grizzlies turned in a 329 scoring average throughout thefall season, placing in the top five three times.

Runners compete at Worldszoila gomez ‘04 placed 40th in the marathon with a time of2:46:44, running in her third straight IAAF World Championships inDaegu, South Korea.

senior indira spence represented her native country, Jamaica,at the 2011 World Track & Field Championships in Daegu, SouthKorea, Sept. 3. She earned a spot in the semifinals and shaved 1/10th ofa second off her personal best time in the 100 meter hurdles with a fin-ish of 12.93 seconds, the second-fastest time ever run by a NCAA Divi-sion II runner. In June, she successfully defended her 100 meter hurdlestitle at the Jamaican Championships.

Gabriella RifilatoRMAC/Baden Setter ofthe Week, 10/3

ADAMS STATE COLLEGEC O L O R A D OC O L O R A D O

Great Stories Begin HereSM

A-Stater Adams State CollegeAlamosa, CO 81102

non-profitu.s. postagepaid

permit no. 80alamosa, co

Autumn@Adams explored the theme:Honor Your Story-Discover Your Possibilities/Honre Tu Historia-Descubre Tus Posibilidades. Dinédancer Ramona Roach and her husband, Norman, performed andshared aspects of their culture.

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A Stater