Colorado Mesa University: A Legacy of Notable Alumni

Colorado Mesa University (CMU), located in Grand Junction, Colorado, has a rich history dating back to its establishment as Grand Junction Junior College in 1925. Over the years, CMU has evolved into a comprehensive university, offering a wide range of programs and producing numerous accomplished alumni who have made significant contributions in various fields. This article explores some of the university's notable alumni, with a special focus on recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Alumni Association.

A History of Growth and Transformation

Initially founded as Grand Junction Junior College in 1925, the institution was renamed Mesa College in 1940. To reflect its expanding educational offerings, the college transitioned to Mesa State College in 1988, when it began granting bachelor's degrees in 1974. In 1994, the Colorado legislature authorized Mesa State College to offer select graduate programs, leading to the introduction of a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program in 1996. Finally, in 2011, the institution achieved university status and officially became Colorado Mesa University.

The Distinguished Alumni Award

The Distinguished Alumni Award represents the highest honor that the Alumni Association can confer upon an individual. This tradition, which began in 1963, recognizes alumni who have demonstrated exceptional achievements in their professions, made significant contributions to their communities, and maintained a strong connection with CMU. The Alumni Association Board of Directors carefully selects two alumni each year who exemplify these qualities.

Recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award are honored at the Victory Dinner, alongside Distinguished Faculty members and Hall of Honor athletic inductees. These individuals are recognized for their outstanding accomplishments in scholastics, business, athletics, humanitarian aid, and community service. In addition to the recognition, Distinguished Alumni contribute to an annual scholarship, symbolizing the year CMU was established as a junior college.

Notable Distinguished Alumni

The following is a list of Distinguished Alumni Award recipients from recent years:

2024: Les McPherson, Diana Bailey
2023: Phil Pe'a, Chuck and Quint Shear
2022: Kimberly Raff, Matt Rissell
2021: Doug Sorter, Debra Bailey
2020: Dan Sharp, Robert Bray
2019: Kathy Howa, Kalani Pe'a
2018: Doug Simons, Lori Raya
2017: Robert "Bob" Strong, Al Ruckman
2016: Kris "Tanto" Paronto
2015: Ed Forsman, Mark Martinez
2014: Charles Hull, Jeff Rickard
2013: Eugene Garcia, Don & Deyon Stephens
2012: Jamie Hamilton, Debra Thompson Smith
2011: Michael Burke, Greg Walcher
2010: Ken Johnson, Phil Smith
2009: Marilyn Ferguson, Michelle Ozbun, Walter "Dusty" Saunders, Anthony "Tee" Scatuorchio, Daniel Sprick
2008: Susan Brown, Maurice Dale, Daniel MacKendrick, Daniel Roberts, Bob Wilson
2007: LeRoy Ashby, Don Schoening, Jack Scott, Jamee Simons, Gerry Wubben
2006: Bruce Hill, Leon Shell, Vaughn Shell, Santo Trombetta, Robert Walker
2005: Duane Banks, Gary Burke, Joel Dulaigh, April Heinrichs, Bill Orr
2004: Roger Boltz, Doralyn Genova, David Mitchell, David Svaldi, Diana Wilkie
2003: Laddie Livingston, Ruth Michels, Tim Scates, Tim Schultz, Matt Smith
2002: David Bailey, Don Clark, Dennett Ela, William Moyer, Richard Nourse
2001: Gayle Berry, Chris Cohn, Gregory Hayes, Aden Hogan, Robert Whittemore
2000: Michael Deluca, Roger Franklin, Duane Newton, Merrill Mahaffey, Thomas Osborn
1999: Ron Madrid
1998: Seth Hunt
1997: Helen Wright
1996: George Wear
1995: Ernest Mackley
1994: Jean Tucker
1993: Paul Pletka
1992: Armand DeBeque
1991: Victor Wagler
1990: Jack May
1989: Bill Wright
1988: William Spencer
1987: John Wolf
1986: Louis Inglehart
1984: Miles Kara
1983: Allen Brown
1982: Rex Ingraham
1981: Vicki Armstrong
1980: Max Kendall
1979: Lloyd Jones
1978: Phil Dufford
1977: Guy Cherp, Don Sparn, Alan Workman
1976: Anton Marchun
1975: Dan Showalter
1974: Hazlett Wubben, Caryl LaDuke
1973: Lois Baughman, William Ela
1963: Louis Grasso, Jr.

Examples of Distinguished Alumni

Kathy Howa (2019): Before attending Mesa, Howa was a three-sport athlete at Hillcrest High in Midvale, Utah, at the dawn of Title IX. She played volleyball and softball at Mesa, balancing athletics with academics. Howa's education at CMU led to a 27-year career as a teacher and Hall of Fame coach. "I still love teaching and coaching," said Howa, who has coached volleyball, basketball and softball.

Kalani Pe'a (2019): Pe'a initially wanted to major in music at CMU but later earned a degree in mass communication. After working as an educator for 10 years, Pe'a recorded his first album and won a 2017 Grammy Award in the Best Regional Roots category, launching his successful music career.

Alumni in Athletics

Colorado Mesa University has a strong athletic tradition, with many alumni achieving success in professional sports. The university's athletic teams, known as the Mavericks, compete at the NCAA Division II level as members of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC).

Several former CMU athletes have gone on to play in Major League Baseball (MLB), including:

Darrel Akerfelds: Former Major League Baseball pitcher.
James Brenneman: The first former Maverick to make it to the Major League level.
Brendan Donnelly: Former Major League Baseball relief pitcher and World Series champion (2002).
Randy Ready: Former Major League Baseball player and coach.
Sergio Romo: Former Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the San Francisco Giants; has won two World Series and been an All-Star selection; former Rocky Mountain Conference pitcher of the year.

In addition to baseball, CMU alumni have also found success in the National Football League (NFL):

Larry Brunson: Former wide receiver in the NFL.
Perry Smith: Former NFL defensive back.
Ben Steele: Former NFL tight end for the Green Bay Packers.
Walter Stanley: Former NFL wide receiver and punt returner.
Walter White: Former NFL tight end with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Alumni in Other Fields

Beyond athletics, CMU boasts alumni who have excelled in various other fields, including:

Charles Hull: The inventor of 3D printing.
Marilyn Ferguson: Author, editor, and public speaker.
Dick Nourse: Retired Salt Lake City, Utah television news anchor.
Josh Penry: Former Colorado State Senator.
Jeff Rickard: Emmy-nominated sports broadcaster on SiriusXM.
Ricky Schroder: Actor known for roles in Silver Spoons, NYPD Blue and Lonesome Dove.

Campus Facilities and Resources

Colorado Mesa University's commitment to providing a high-quality education is reflected in its state-of-the-art facilities and resources. The university's main campus, situated on 141 acres (57 ha) in central Grand Junction, features a variety of academic and recreational buildings.

Academic Buildings

Asteria Theatre: Completed in 2024, this 860-seat theatre serves as a venue for CMU's performing arts departments, public speakers, debates, and other notable events. It features the largest stage in western Colorado.
Confluence Hall: Built in 2018, this 68,700 square feet (6,380 m2) building houses CMU's Department of Computer Science & Engineering.
Dominguez Hall: Completed in 2011, Dominguez Hall is home to the Davis School of Business and the Center for Teacher Education.
Escalante Hall: This three-story, 76,000 square feet (7,100 m2) building houses CMU's Department of Languages, Literature & Mass Communication.
Health Sciences Building: Formerly the home of Community Hospital, this building now houses the Department of Health Sciences and the Moss School of Nursing.
Houston Hall: The first building on campus, built in 1940, and named for the college's first president, Dr. Clifford G. Houston.
Kephart Fine Arts Building: Built in 2002 and renamed in 2021 in honor of Jac Kephart, this building houses CMU's Department of Art & Design.
John U. Tomlinson Library: Home to over 200,000 books and nearly 20 million total items across its physical and online databases.
Wubben Hall: Houses the university's various math and science programs, including the Department of Biological Sciences, the Department of Physical & Environmental Sciences, and the Department of Mathematics & Statistics.

Athletic and Recreational Facilities

Maverick Center: Houses all athletic facilities in one building, except for football and baseball. Facilities include the Brownson Arena, El Pomar Natatorium, Hamilton Recreation Center, and Monfort Family Human Performance Lab.
Moss Performing Arts Center: The home to the Department of Theatre and the Department of Music.

Other Facilities

St. Mary's Medical Education Center: Completed in 2022 through a partnership between Colorado Mesa University, the City of Grand Junction, Community Hospital, and St. Mary's Regional Hospital, this center houses CMU's Physician Assistant, Physical Therapy, and Occupational Therapy graduate programs.
Student Wellness Center: Operated in partnership with Community Hospital, CMU's Student Wellness Center offers basic medical resources, as well as mental and behavioral health resources, to all CMU students.
University Center: Built in 2010, this center houses the main campus dining facilities, including the on-campus Dining Hall (known as "The Caf"), the Flattop Grill, Starbucks Coffee, Chick-Fil-A, and a small convenience store.

University Governance and Academics

Colorado Mesa University is governed by a Board of Trustees, with members appointed by Colorado's governor and confirmed by the Colorado State Senate. The university offers programs leading to awards in five levels: technical certificates, associate degrees, baccalaureate degrees, master's degrees, and professional doctoral degrees. CMU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Read also: The history of Colorado Mesa

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