Adams Family Album

Denver Alumni Chapter luncheon Fall 2021

Throughout the summer, Adams State alumni participated in the Alamosa 4th of July parade, Monte Vista Ski-Hi Stampede parade, the Santiago y Santa Ana Parade in San Luis and the Manassa Pioneer Days parade.

Coming Soon... Adams100 History Book

Read excerpts below and learn more about our upcoming release date in the next issue of the AStater.

The cornerstone of the Normal School was placed on August 31, 1923, but the real foundation of the college has always been its location and connection to the local land and community.

Regarding facilities, (President Fred) Plachy pushed ahead with an ambitious plan to revitalize the campus. He embarked on a journey that would continue Adams State’s physical transformation, adding new facilities, refurbishing old buildings, and paving roads and parking lots.

Marguerite Salazar ’75, ’76, remembers a campus filled with students who wanted to make a difference: “We grew up in an era where whatever we did, we knew had to be good for the entire community. It was always about, how are we going to bring everybody else up so that we’re all standing even, because we saw the injustices.”

“Athletics brought a lot of different kinds of people here,” Todd Cotton says. “Athletics can be your window to the world, the handshake to the world. That’s the beauty of it. It’s a wonderful melting pot of cultures, brought together with teamwork, and that’s how the world needs to think today.”

“One of the good things about ASC is that we looked at every student as important,” said President Gilmore. “Every year at graduation, there were always a couple of students for whom you felt you really made a difference. Despite their early struggles, they had succeeded, and it made me realize what Adams State does for the individual. I can’t think of anything better than an education to help people better their lives.”

The reality is that Adams State has been empowering Hispanic students long before it received an official recognition for doing so. Adams faculty and staff know that to be an HSI is more than a federal distinction. It’s a call to serve, celebrate, and support the advancement of the diverse students who identify as Latino/a, Chicano/a, Mexican-American, and Hispanic.

“We have a responsibility to educate the people of the Valley, and I think we need to keep that mission near and dear to our hearts as we move into the future,” says Board of Trustee member Donna Griego ’03, ’12.

The Adams State community is saddened by the loss of longstanding Grizzly Club member, Janet “Skippy” Morrison ’69. Janet died on August 8, 2021 of natural causes, surrounded by her loving family.

Janet and her husband, Ted ’69, were avid supporters of Adams State. They received the Adams State University 1999 Billy Adams Award, the institution’s highest award, and the Grizzly Club Individual Partner of the Year in 2017.

Janet was a long-time member of the Alumni Association Board including serving twice as president. She owned and operated Arby’s Restaurant in Alamosa for 27 years. During that time she hosted many tailgate parties for homecoming games.

She was also dedicated to all San Luis Valley students and for years helped organize the yearly all-star game, which funded scholarships for Adams State students from the San Luis Valley.

Other causes near and dear to her heart were the orphanage in Mexico and the Conejos County Gift of Giving. She was a very kind and gentle person that had a bit of spunk to her. She had the ability to make everyone feel special. Skippy was one to work behind the scenes and get things done without anyone’s knowledge. Her greatest love was her family and she especially enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. They will miss their Mimi very much.

Skippy is survived by Ted; her children Kim ’95, (Aaron ’94) Woodke of Del Norte and Melissa ’21, (Chas ’98) Moeller of Alamosa; and her grandchildren Sydney and Jayda Woodke and Brayden and Kamryn Moeller.

For more information or to send condolences visit www.rogersfunerals.com.

Ignacio “Nacho” Martinez, former owner and president of Jalisco, Inc. and the Best Western Alamosa Inn and true supporter of Adams State University passed away in March of 2021.

Nacho received the 1993 Billy Adams Award and the first Grizzly Club Corporate Partner of the Year Award in 2004. He also served on the University’s athletic booster clubs and was a trustee for the state colleges for a four and onehalf year term, concluding in 1999.

His commitment was not limited to sports. He hosted banquets at the motel and in the early 90s, when Adams State ran out of housing room, Nacho offered a block of profitable rooms at cut-rate prices.

A native of Guadalajara, Mexico, Nacho came to the United States with his family at age 10. He is a graduate of Arizona Western Junior College. He started his very successful career in the hospitality industry at the age of 15. In 1978, he arrived in Alamosa to manage the Best Western. After a transfer to Dallas, Nacho and his wife, Karen, returned to the Alamosa Inn in 1986, and purchased the motel in 1994.

While living in Alamosa, Nacho volunteered for a vast number of community organizations.