Giving Back

Jeffryes Scholarship

One-on-one communication became a professional motto for Michael Patritch, Class of 1970 and 1973. This model was demonstrated throughout his college career at Adams State and inspired him, whether teaching scuba diving or working with engineers for the state of Wyoming.

Michael and his wife, Karol Ann Krakauer Patritch, recently established the Dale Jeffryes Memorial Scholarship for Adams State theatre majors. Jeffryes, M.S.E., emeritus professor of speech and theatre, had more faith in his students than they had in themselves and he would work with them one-on-one to make them better actors. “I would not be the person I am today if not for Adams State and its caring staff.”

Michael admits to not being the type of student that learning came easily and therefore appreciated the open-door policy of professors. “I would present myself during their office hours and my professors would go over and over the concept until I finally got it. I so appreciated that”

Adams State means an awful lot to Michael personally and he believes he received a better than average education. He was so appreciative of the personal care demonstrated by his professors that he focused on one-to-one communications when he taught his student actors at Miller Junior High School, in Durango, Colo. Later he focused on one-to-one learning when he was a scuba diver instructor and still later when he became the research manager for the Wyoming Department of Transportation.

During his career at the Wyoming Department of Transportation he would talk to the engineers and then relay to the general public what they said. “I used what I learned at Adams State about communication.”

He was the first non-engineer to be hired as a research manager. “I was successful because of Adams State.”

Looking back fondly on his time at Adams State and the success it brought him in his career, Michael wanted to do

Michael and Karol Ann Patritch

something for the institution and the person he loved dearly was Jeffryes. “Freshmen to grad students worshiped the ground Mr. Jeffryes walked on. I am so proud to carry on his legacy. He did so much for the school and the students. It is my pleasure to establish a scholarship in his name.”

Theatre students were like a big family. “We learned all about how to build sets and costumes, the techniques of lighting and scene design. I tended to focus on lighting and really liked it.”

At a theatre reunion several years ago, Michael recognized that the true spirit of individual attention and personal relations had continued throughout the years. He was treated to an impromptu tour of Richardson Hall Auditorium by then theatre director Paul Newman, Ph.D., emeritus professor of theatre. “It is another reason I love Adams State.”

The scholarship is restricted to theatre majors who are at least a sophomore during the award year. “Money is hard to come by for students and scholarship money helps relieve the financial burden,” Michael added.

Her name is Jazz, and she will be instrumental in teaching Adams State nursing students the many facets of live birth. Thanks to the continued generosity of Janet, Class of 1963, and Jasper Mangum, Jazz has become a permanent fixture in the simulation lab. Jazz is an advanced, full-body simulator available in both manual and automatic delivery modes. Features include: covers all stages of labor from antepartum to postpartum; provides opportunities for enhanced in-situ training with cross-functional teams to work collaboratively; train for the low-frequency, high-risk incidents; prepare learners to recognize and respond to potential high-risk births and postpartum complications such as PPH; controlled wirelessly with LLEAP, Laerdal’s simulation software.

Ira Richardson Sponsor

Your support is greatly appreciated.

SLV Federal Bank employees showing Grizzly pride during spirit day fall 2010

Camilla Alire Scholarship

With a deep sense of gratitude to Adams State University, Camilla Alire, Class of 1970, established a scholarship endowment. “Adams State has always been dear to my heart.”

From her first semester, when she was an hourly employee, throughout her time at Adams State, Alire felt valued and appreciated her many mentors. She remembers Mr. Clark, the Financial Aid director, meeting with her and asking why she wasn’t on scholarship. When she explained she registered too late to be eligible, he “awarded me a scholarship right then and there.” Alire also worked as an RA to cover her housing and meals as a student and took a position as a resident director after starting her master’s degree at Adams State. “I am so grateful for Adams State as an institution and for the professors, administration, and staff who helped shape me into who I am.” Alire has a special place in her heart for Connie Lewis who, as a role model, believed and fought for Alire. “I established this scholarship to acknowledge Adams State and my deep gratitude for the institution.” The scholarship is restricted to freshmen, with a preference given to students from underrepresented populations, to increase diversity and thereby enrich the learning experience. “I decided the best way to help students was through a scholarship. Because it is for underrepresented students, I am comfortable knowing it will help alleviate the stress of paying tuition.” Alire encourages current students to be the best they can be. She believes they should be open to any kind of mentoring, formal or informal, that will help them tremendously while on campus and when they graduate and begin their career search. “I encourage students to look for mentors in their professors, administrators and/or staff.”

She also hopes once they graduate, students will consider passing along the gift either as a mentor to someone else or another way that will benefit and give back to Adams State. “I encourage current alumni to consider making a gift to Adams State, whatever the gift might be. Whatever they give is going to help the institution serve the students.” Alire was active in the Alumni - Denver Chapter when it was first initiated. When talk of establishing a scholarship began, she offered a challenge: she would match any donation to the Alumni - Denver Chapter Scholarship up to $5,000. Within six months the challenge was met. “I strongly believe the best way we can help students be successful is to provide the means for them to not have to worry about the cost of their education. I have a warm place in my heart for Adams State and it feels so good to do something like this for somebody else.” Having retired from a career in university libraries, Alire combined professional expertise with a passion for her alma mater when she served as interim director of the Nielsen Library during 2016-17. She began her path of library science as a work study student and completed a minor in the field. She went on to work in several academic libraries, having earned a master of library science from the University of Denver and a doctorate in education from the University of Northern Colorado. Alire retired from Colorado State University as Dean Emerita and full professor in 2001, then in 2005 from the University of New Mexico as Dean Emerita of University Libraries and full professor. Alire served as president of the American Library Association, the Association for College and Research Libraries, and National REFORMA and has received many prestigious professional awards. Most recently, she was appointed by President Obama and confirmed by the U.S. Senate to sit on the National Endowment for the Humanities Board of Advisors.

Giving Back

Robby handles a live snake during a hike in the San Luis Valley.

Robby Henriksen Memorial Scholarship

An abundance of love for family, friends, animals, nature, and knowledge fed Robert “Robby” Henriksen’s passion for life. Robby unexpectedly passed in 2020 and his parents, Judy and Tom, recently established the Robby Henriksen Memorial Scholarship in his honor and to spread his spirit of adventure and thirst for knowledge to current Adams State students.

Robby, Class of 2008, found a home at Adams State, which fueled his constant quest for furthering his education. Although he visited other campuses, the Illinois native knew the minute he stepped on campus that Adams State was the school for him.

“He loved Colorado and felt immediately at home at Adams State,” Tom Henriksen said.

His intuition about Adams State was right on point. He quickly made lifelong friends, became involved in all the campus had to offer, especially outdoor activities, and bonded with his professors.

Robby traveled with Tim Armstrong, Ph.D., professor of biology, when he organized scholastic trips to other countries including Kenya and Costa Rica. “Robby loved to learn,” Armstrong said. “He had an intrinsic curiosity about the world and made connections among his classes in a way that few students ever do. He was extremely outgoing and was everyone’s friend. He will be missed.”

That was just like Robby, his parents agreed. “He made friends with anyone who could engage in intelligent conversation, regardless of their age or background.” His friends, from all walks of life thought the world of him and when Robby made a friend, he was “a friend for life.” This zest for living extended to animals and the outdoors. He took every biology class offered, played rugby, and, along with housemates, built a bouldering wall in his garage while a student at Adams State. “If we were traveling and a boulder or rock formation caught Robby’s eye, he’d have me pull over so he could climb it,” Tom Henriksen said.

After college, Robby extended his interests to cars and owned over 15 at the time of his untimely death, at age 35. “Robby lived life to the fullest. He got more out of life than many who live to be twice his age,” his parents added.

Robby was employed at the JW Mumma Aquatic Species Restoration Facility. He then worked at the Sanchez Reservoir before he was employed at the Taos Pueblo as an Aquatic & Conservation Species Biologist Program Manager. Robby loved being a mentor to young children. “They loved him and would trail along with him when possible,” his parents said. At the time of his death he was employed at the Taos Market, specializing in farm-to-table and healthy and organic foods.

Robby was a voracious reader and his favorite quote was from Charles Darwin: “A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.” While a student he was awarded the Keene Outstanding Biology Student Award; was named a Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society Member and was recognized with other prestigious academic recognitions. Robby presented research for Student Scholar Days, was a volunteer judge for the Regional Science Fair all four years; and assisted Armstrong with field research. Due to the COVID19 pandemic, Robby’s memorial service was held in August of 2021, at the SLV Brewery Company in Alamosa. “His friends traveled from all over Colorado as well as out of state. He made an impact on those who cared for him,” Judy Henriksen said. The Robby Henriksen Memorial Scholarship is available to current biology majors with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 who are at least a junior during the award year. “We remembered the older classmen often had less opportunities for scholarships,” his parents said.

Back to Work Adams State received $850,000 in funding over three years to help workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic earn postsecondary credentials and degrees. The grant was awarded by the Colorado Department of Higher Education, through its Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI) Community Partner Program.

Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI) County Matching Scholarships Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Huerfano, Las Animas, Mineral, Rio Grande, and Saguache Counties will work with the ASU Foundation and the Trinidad State Educational Foundation in partnership with ASU and TSC to administer locally matched scholarship funds tied to student support programs at each institution.

USDA/ NIFA (National Institute of Food and Agriculture), Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Program: Experiential Education in Agriculture and Food Studies at Adams State University The $274,986 grant will assist Adams State in expanding its enrollments, increase retention and graduation rates, and advance equity in education in three food and agriculture bachelor degree programs: Business Administration (agribusiness emphasis), General Agriculture (agricultural business or agricultural biology emphasis), and Food Studies.

Women’s Sports Foundation, Tara VanDerveer Fund The $13,536 grant supports the part-time salary of the WSF VanDerveer Fellow, assistant coach men’s/women’s cross country/track & field, who will be mentored by Hall of Fame Head Coach Damon Martin. Emma Wren was hired to fill the position.

Colorado Historical Records Advisory Board, Digitization and Preservation of San Luis Valley Historic Photographs at the Luther Bean Museum at Adams State University The $3,860 project is a collaborative effort by the museum and Nielsen Library. The project aims to preserve, enhance, and promote the history and culture of the San Luis Valley as recorded in the museum’s collection of some 400 historic photographs by: 1) digitizing the images, and 2) sleeving and documenting the originals after each has been scanned, and 3) posting a selection of images to a publicly accessible website. Museum work-study student, Kayla Wohlheter, is assisting by scanning and documenting the photographs.

College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), Phil Langan Internship The $15,000 internship supports hiring a sports information intern for the academic year. Paiton Demps was hired for the position. Harriet Dalzell Hester Sponsor

Proud sponsor of Adams100

Your support is greatly appreciated.

The 1st Southwest Bank employees proudly wearing Adams State’s 2005 homecoming shirt.