Robert Oringdulph ’71 • Carol Osborn ’84 • Chris Page ’02, ’03
Robert Oringdulph ’71 • Carol Osborn ’84 • Chris Page ’02, ’03
Jerry Petersen ’77 • Richard Scanga ’75 • Loren Wright ’08
Jerry Petersen ’77 • Richard Scanga ’75 • Loren Wright ’08
Edith Arias ’18, ’22 Alumni Ambassador Liason
Edith Arias ’18, ’22 Alumni Ambassador Liason
ADAMS STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION BOARD
ADAMS STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION BOARD
Joe Martinez ’99, ’12 President Joshua Cody ’05 Vice President
Joe Martinez ’99, ’12 President Joshua Cody ’05 Vice President
Fred Bunch ’77 Secretary/Treasurer
Fred Bunch ’77 Secretary/Treasurer
Ron Howard ’98
Dear Alumni and Friends,
Dear Alumni and Friends,
There have been many things that I’ve been blessed to be a part of since moving to the San Luis Valley and joining the Adams State team last August. To name a few I’d say the amazing outdoor opportunities (my favorite being the hiking trails surrounding Alamosa), meeting Valley folks - including many of you who are Adams State Alumni - and our Grizzly students. I absolutely loved fall commencement and am excited to welcome the latest batch of Grizzlies during the May commencement ceremony.
There have been many things that I’ve been blessed to be a part of since moving to the Valley and joining the Adams State team last August. To name a few I’d say the amazing outdoor opportunities (my favorite being the hiking trails surrounding Alamosa), meeting Valley folks - including many of you who are Adams State Alumni - and our Grizzly students. I absolutely loved fall commencement and am excited to welcome the latest batch of Grizzlies during the May commencement ceremony.
Recently, I had the privilege of attending author Kevin Fedarko’s presentation at the Salazar Rio Grande del Norte Center State of the Basin Symposium. Kevin, who wrote extensively about his explorations of the Grand Canyon, reminded us all of the importance of pausing to truly examine our surroundings and count our blessings. His words caused me to reflect on these past several months in the Valley—a truly special place, with the expansive outdoor recreation, the extraordinary people, and our remarkable students.
Recently, I had the privilege of attending author Kevin Fedarko’s presentation at the Salazar Rio Grande del Norte Center State of the Basin Symposium. Kevin, who wrote extensively about his explorations of the Grand Canyon, reminded us all of the importance of pausing to truly examine our surroundings and count our blessings. His words caused me to reflect on these past several months in the Valley—a truly special place, with the expansive outdoor recreation, the extraordinary people, and our remarkable students.
Just as Kevin asks us to take in the beauty around us, I encourage each of you to stop and reflect on all that has happened in your life—how has Adams State impacted your journey? What difference have you been able to make since beginning your great story here? Each of you carries a unique narrative that forms part of our collective Adams State story.
Ron Howard ’98 • Dorothy Lucero ’61 • Jan Mangum
• Dorothy Lucero ’61 • Jan Mangum
Kim Marvel • Liane “Buffie” McFadyen ’91, ’93
Kim Marvel • Liane “Buffie” McFadyen ’91, ’93
Chas Moeller • Ed Ortega ’86 • William "Bill" Rakow, Ph.D. ’69
Chas Moeller • Ed Ortega ’86 • William "Bill" Rakow, Ph.D. ’69
Richard Scanga ’75 • Elizabeth Suarez • Jesse Torres ’97 Anne Trujillo Board of Trustees Liason
Richard Scanga ’75 • Elizabeth Suarez • Jesse Torres ’97
Anne Trujillo Board of Trustees Liason
FOUNDATION HONORARY BOARD MEMBERS
FOUNDATION HONORARY BOARD MEMBERS
Stephen Bokat ’68 • Michael Ware ’69
Stephen Bokat ’68 • Michael Ware ’69 FOUNDATION EMERITUS BOARD MEMBERS
FOUNDATION EMERITUS BOARD MEMBERS
Duane Bussey ’82 • Jenny Cooper • Harold Kelloff
Duane Bussey ’82 • Jenny Cooper • Harold Kelloff
John Marvel Jr. ’70 • Izora Southway ’66 • J. Byron Uhrich • R. Paul Wagner
John Marvel Jr. ’70 • Izora Southway ’66 • J. Byron Uhrich • R. Paul Wagner
FOUNDATION EX- OFFICIO MEMBERS
FOUNDATION EX- OFFICIO MEMBERS
Tammy Lopez ’91, ’00 Executive Director of the Foundation
Tammy Lopez ’91, ’00 Executive Director of the Foundation
Anne Trujillo Trustee Liason
Anne Trujillo Trustee Liason
GRIZZLY CLUB BOARD OF DIRECTORS
GRIZZLY CLUB BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chas Moeller ’98 President Marcus Shawcroft ’15, ’19 Vice President Joel Polkowske ’12 Treasurer Keith Cerny, Amanda Maez Secretaries
Chas Moeller ’98 President Marcus Shawcroft ’15, ’19 Vice President Joel Polkowske ’12 Treasurer Keith Cerny, Amanda Maez Secretaries
Donnie Bautista • Joseph Garcia ’06, ’20 • Clinton Kerrick
Donnie Bautista • Joseph Garcia ’06, ’20 • Clinton Kerrick
Adams State University’s driving purpose is to provide equitable access to education for all. We promote successful and engaged lives by caring for, connecting with, and challenging our students, campus, and community. As Colorado’s premier Hispanic Serving Institution, Adams State University draws on its rural location in the San Luis Valley, to serve and empower all students, especially those from historically underserved populations.
Adams State University’s driving purpose is to provide equitable access to education for all. We promote successful and engaged lives by caring for, connecting with, and challenging our students, campus, and community. As Colorado’s premier Hispanic Serving Institution, Adams State University draws on its rural location in the San Luis Valley, to serve and empower all students, especially those from historically underserved populations.
VISION STATEMENT
VISION STATEMENT
To become the university community of choice for diverse, historically underserved groups, and all who value quality education and inclusivity.
To become the university community of choice for diverse, historically underserved groups, and all who value quality education and inclusivity.
Adams State does not tolerate discrimination in any form. Go to adams.edu/ads for the full anti-discrimination statement.
Adams State does not tolerate discrimination in any form. Go to adams.edu/ads for the full anti-discrimination statement.
Just as Kevin asks us to take in the beauty around us, I encourage each of you to stop and reflect on all that has happened in your life—how has Adams State impacted your journey? What difference have you been able to make since beginning your great story here? Each of you carries a unique narrative that forms part of our collective Adams State story.
In building the collective Adams State story, we want to continue to hear your stories. Thank you to everyone who has participated in the Publishing Concepts Inc (PCI) story collection project. Your experiences matter to us and to future generations of Grizzlies. If you haven’t had the chance to share yet, please reach out to the Alumni Office—we’d love to help preserve your Adams State memories and accomplishments.
In building the collective Adams State story, we want to continue to hear your stories. Thank you to everyone who has participated in the Publishing Concepts Inc (PCI) story collection project. Your experiences matter to us and to future generations of Grizzlies. If you haven’t had the chance to share yet, please reach out to the Alumni Office—we’d love to help preserve your Adams State memories and accomplishments.
To each and every one of our donors, I extend my deepest gratitude, and the gratitude of the entire campus community. Your generosity opens doors, transforms lives, and strengthens our ability to serve students. Every scholarship funded and program enhanced represents your commitment to Adams State’s purpose to provide equitable access to education for all. You are instrumental in building our future, and the impact of your support reverberates through the lives of our students and throughout the San Luis Valley community and beyond. Thank you for believing in Adams State and for your continued partnership in writing our collective story.
To each and every one of our donors, I extend my deepest gratitude, and the gratitude of the entire campus community. Your generosity opens doors, transforms lives, and strengthens our ability to serve students. Every scholarship funded and program enhanced represents your commitment to Adams State’s purpose to provide equitable access to education for all. You are instrumental in building our future, and the impact of your support reverberates through the lives of our students and throughout the San Luis Valley community and beyond. Thank you for believing in Adams State and for your continued partnership in writing our collective story.
Go Grizzlies!
Go Grizzlies!
Jake Rissler Vice President of Advancement Adams State University
Jake Rissler Vice President of Advancement Adams State University
Justin Henderson ’27
“I am having a great time in college.” Justin Henderson, a sophomore, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness. He is currently a mentor for College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), president of the Agribusiness Club, and president of the Collegiate Farm Bureau Chapter (CFBC).
Justin assumed he was not college material. However, when CAMP reached out to him about applying for Adams State and assisted with the process, he found it was a great fit. “I really appreciate Adams State taking a chance on me.”
As a seasonal farm worker, Justin was eligible for CAMP and says the resources and mentors in the program laid the foundation for his success. “I am paying it forward mentoring freshman in CAMP.”
Zena Buser, Ph.D., professor of business, said Justin is a great leader. He has tripled the membership in the agribusiness club, and the Adams State CFBC has more members and active members than the club at Colorado State University.
Justin’s parents, pictured above, Kristin (Schwarz) and Carl “George” Henderson are Adams State alumni and currently live in Meeker, Colo.
ADAMS STATE UNIVERSITY
Adams State/CSU Mechanical Engineering Program student’s rocket launch
$100,000+
James & Sharen ’65 Branscome Trust
Outcalt Foundation
State of Colorado Department of Higher Education
$50,000–99,999
Alamosa State Bank
Eleanor "Marty" Jane Lopez*
Ron ’65 & Marilyn ’86, ’87 Loser
San Luis Valley Federal Bank
Patricia St. Germain*
$25,000–49,999
Anonymous
Anonymous
Ed Crowther* & Lori Tanner
Cultivating Hearts LLC
Dorothy S. Dorion
Janet ’63 & Jasper Mangum
San Luis Valley Rural Electric Co-op, Inc.
David Snitman & Susan Lewis
$10,000–24,999
Kay Albrecht ’62
Steven Buhl ’69
Colorado Housing and Finance Authority
Richard Croxen ’67
Ellen Evans
Jarrell Harrison ’18
Michael Lantzy ’64, ’65
Richard ’69 & Kathleen Rutledge
Virginia Wehe
Claudette Fisher ’63, ’78
Chuck Owsley ’68
Damon ’87 & Konnie Martin
Donnie Bautista
Southway Construction Co, Inc.
Floyd Higel ’55
Rondaleen Specht ’67
William Crain ’60, ’62
Robert Hoag Rawlings Foundation
El Pomar Foundation
Duane ’82 & Lorey ’80 Bussey
Gabe & Clorinda Salazar
$5,000–9,999
Anonymous Anonymous
Rueben Bangan ’74
Darla Chappell ’77
Wayne and Nancy ’78 Chasen Family Fund of The Community Foundation
Conejos Water Conservancy District
Savala & Lane DeVoge
Rich ’59 & De Gehlbach
Steven Getz ’81
Evan Gibson ’15
Health Care Foundation, Inc.
Rodney ’66 & Anna Lopez
Joe Montano
Mary Motz ’62
Jacob Rissler
LeRoy & Michelle ’92 Salazar
Lewis Schwartz ’73
Torben Walters Insurance Agency, Inc.
Holly Zumbro ’00
* indicates deceased
Elisa Melendez ’95
Chas ’98 & Melissa Moeller
Peter Moscon ’70
Floyd & Jody Oaks
Anthony Oliva ’99
Michael Onofrey ’76
Sandy Ortega ’74
Jerry Petersen ’77
Post Commissary, LLC
Floyd ’54, ’64 & Leila ’84 Quintana
Gregory ’69 & Monica Reid
Robert & Regina Rice
Scott ’98 & Lindsay ’99 Riley
Tracey Robinson
David Root ’78
Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation
Schrader’s Glass Shop, LLC
Shirley Scott ’79
Mark Seaton & Suzanne DeVore
Russell Shawcroft ’17
Cleave & Cathy Simpson
Katelyn Smith ’16
Maurice Smith ’79
Karen Stone ’71
Lois Unger ’94
Wagner Family
Dr. Elizabeth Watts ’70
Karen Wibrew ’23
Laura Wilson ’95
Loren Wright ’08
Alan & Janice Wuckert
Anita Zaffuto ’71
Theresa Zelenka ’83
$199–499
Lucy Adams
Alamosa Live Music Association
Alamosa School District
Anonymous
Edith Arias ’18
Mike ’77, ’84 & Susan ’88 Arnold
Tadini Bacigalupi ’79
Melanie Bagwell ’89
Kenneth Barber ’72 & Jane Fiebelkorn Barber ’71
Victor Barela ’63
Eric Blake ’03
Diane Brittingham
Anne Brown ’74, ’75
Herbert Bruntel Jr. ’69
Gregory Carling ’01
Lonnie ’73, ’78 & Brenda Cavaliere
Emilia Chavez ’62
Ernest ’93 & Tanya ’95 Cienfuegos-Baca
Cisco NJ Construction LLC
Colorado Gives Foundation
Thomas Cortez ’76
Carole Counihan & James Taggart
Jeffrey David ’87
Jeffrey Davis
Kathleen Delzell ’61
Mark & Helen Dorion
Nancy Dunn ’65, ’76
Emma Duran
Robert Fink ’79 and Patty Lopez
Lorraine Fukuda ’68
Francine Gachupin*
Fred Garcia ’73
Michael Glass ’97
Richard Goggin ’76
Kirsten Grado
Marlena Halko ’00
Patrick Hannigan ’76
Jack Harris ’65, ’66
Douglas Hartman ’71
Eddie Hearyman ’71, ’73
Monte Hemphill ’90
David Henkel ’69, ’75 & John Henkel
Carmelo Hernandez
Norman ’62, ’65 & Mary Sue ’64 Howey
Carol & Louis Irwin
Michael Jolly ’84, ’85
Dennis Jouett ’70
Olga Joyce ’61, ’63
Thomas Kim
Kirk and Michelle Kritner
Amy Kucera ’05
Dennis Lamb
Katherine & Michael Lancaster
Shasta and Audrey Liu
John Lopez ’71
Tammy ’91, ’00 & Gerald Lopez
Cathi Lucero ’14
Mark MacDonnell ’83
Thomas ’72 & Kristine ’73 Magel
Rosalie ’86 & LeRoy Martinez
Larry ’64 & d’Anna ’66, ’74 Mayfield
William ’68 & Regina ’68 McCann
Teri McCartney ’87, ’92 & Don Richmond ’13
Craig McDowall ’85
Buffie McFadyen ’91, ’93
Kristi Mease ’96
Chris Medina ’12 & Linda Relyea ’96, ’10
Marie Medina
Wayne Melanson ’69
Thomas ’69 & Beverly ’69 Michoski
Karen Middleton
William ’73 & Katherine ’73 Miller
Monte Vista Cooperative
Stephen Morley ’63
Shaundra Moss
Michael Mumper ’76 & Melissa Freeman
Robert Nageak
Tom ’68, ’81 & Barbara ’71 Nagoda
Dennis ’62 & Linda Nash
Stan Nelson ’61, ’65*
Eduardo Ortega ’86
Arthur Ortegon
Randall & Linda Palmgren
Janine Pearce-Vasquez ’86
Keith Poole ’73
Paul Rahne ’65, ’66
Cornelia Rector ’68
Jason Rogers ’93
Andrew Russell
Mark & Lynette Russell
Stanley Sammons ’63
Savvy Management, LLC
Rich ’75 & Barbara Scanga
Jerry Schloffman ’65, ’70
James Seefeldt ’89
Chris & Lisa Simmons
Mark Skinner ’92 & Lou Ann Cheslock Skinner
Karl ’70 & Susene ’72 Smith
Kelly Smith ’79
Colleen Stabolepszy ’93, ’97
Elizabeth Suarez
Gerry Sunderland ’77
Pattie Swift
Donald Thompson & Jan Oen
Diane Smylie Trembly ’67
Cindy Trujillo ’73
Judy Turner ’74
Everette Williams ’70, ’73
Wayne Williams ’77
Lisa Wilson ’94
Jack Wirth ’72
David ’67, ’75 & Kay ’68 Wood
Aubrey Woodward ’72
Delzia Worley ’97
Chay ’00 & Jennifer ’00 Yund
up to $199
Abigail Algiene-Esquibel ’07
Anita Allinger ’77
Marlo ’95 & Kristi ’95 Anderson
Justin Andrade ’21
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Florencio Aranda III
Diane Arias ’18, ’20
Cathy ’99 & Tim Armstrong
Martha Asher ’73, ’75
Wendy Ast ’12
Gary Baker ’69
Susan Banning ’12
Kristy Bauer
David Bebell ’70
Stacey Becker
John ’63 & Jeanette ’65, ’66 Bell
Ron Bennett ’80
William Benton
Andrea Benton-Maestas ’12
Better Baths
Samuel Bilderbeck ’17
Rosemary Bogart ’11
Richard Boich ’60
Geoffrey ’73 & Deborah ’75 Bokan
Dave Bokel ’12
Ron Bond ’59
Jerry Booher ’59, ’61
Pat ’72 & Donna ’95 Bottini
Carole Brown ’85
Brian & Deborah Brownell
Thomas ’69 & Georgette ’69 Budd
Steven Burch ’82
Pamela Buron
Elena Burr ’15
Jeffrey Butler ’71
Mario Caetano
Russell ’73 & Carol Cagle
Jerry Calley
Mark ’89, ’93 & Colleen Campbell
Orion Taiyo Cannon
Sedrick Cap
Garrett Carroll ’21
Mario Castro ’18
Robert ’07, ’11 & Sharon ’87 Chavez
Gerald Clare ’78
Joshua ’05 & Sarah Cody
Betty Jayne Cole ’73
Larry Coleman ’71
Dutch Collins ’71
John Conlon ’67
Alberta ’94 & Carl Coolbaugh
Kent Cooper ’76
Alfred ’70 & Anna Marie ’72 Cordova
Mary Beth Corsentino ’71, ’74
Theresa Cortese ’76, ’82
Prudy Cosyleon ’77
Caleb Cotton ’06
Mary Crowell ’92
Gloria Curtis ’70
Nick Cutforth
Harold Czarnetzki ’69
Bob Damashek ’68, ’73
Keith ’70 & Carol ’71 Daniel
Carolyn Davis
Shon Davis
Ian Debono ’73, ’73
Richard Decker ’60
Christine Delaney-Haynes ’75
Jerry DeLeon ’89
Gerald Dellinger ’73
Del’s Diner
Blake Denton ’24
Wes DeVaul ’23 & Amanda Langdon
Beverly Devore-Wedding
John Dodds ’04
Dom Tomas Bakery
Susan Drinkard ’78
Samantha Drury
Peggy Dunn
Helen Edwards ’98
Aric ’10, ’14 & Erin ’11 Egana
Lenise Eidson ’92
Frances Eigenberg
Ronald Eisele
Mary Eldredge ’99
John ’86 & Carrie ’86 Elwell
Ellwood Ervin ’67
Erik Estrada
Carolyn Eye ’69
Adrienne Fasse ’89
Tamara Faulkner & Craig Wilson
Anna Finlay ’24
Patricia ’70 & John Fitch
Mike Flavin
Neil Fleischauer ’70
Bill Franz ’77
Dale Frasier ’86 & Kathryn ’76 Radcliffe
Dana ’94 & John Frazee
Carlos Fresquez
Alisa Fryar
Cynthia Fuentes ’87
Kerry Fuller
Jack Gaeb ’74, ’75
Naomi Gallegos ’22
Rudolph Gallegos ’59, ’61
Belen Garcia ’02
Rita Garfield ’68
Celestina Gchachu
Wade George ’85
Aftin Gillespie ’06, ’17
Edwin ’63, 64 & Judith ’64 Ginoza
Rose Giron ’78
Kyle Glenn
Wanda ’74 & Gordan Golsan
Pete ’67, ’71 & Ina ’72 Gomez
Thomas Gonzales ’91*
Gary Goodwin ’90
Evan Grant ’23
Russell Granzella
Janice Green ’87
Jon Greene ’66, ’67
Bob Grooms ’76
Simona Guillen ’12, ’13
Anthony Guntren ’11
Cesar Guzman ’68
Adlar Hall
Scott Hamilton ’18
Elizabeth Hammond ’76, ’80
Spencer Harris ’72
Mark Harvancik ’85
Frances Haugen ’68
Robert & Tiffany Heflin
Larry and Wendy Helms
Paul Hensen
Don & Carole Hermanson
Israel Hernandez ’16
Joanne Hernandez ’69
Sallie Hibbs ’60
Steven ’88 & Monica ’87 Hokansson
Jenene Holcomb ’89, ’94
Lyle & Liz ’80, ’85 Hood
Linda Hoover ’81
Ron ’98 & Zuzana ’06 Howard
John Hroma ’67
Cheryl Husmann ’88
Rick Ince ’75, ’75
Samantha Ingraffia ’23
Monya Jackson ’14
Ian Jakalow ’05
Larry ’69 & Shirley Jeffryes
James Jensen ’89
Cary Johnson ’98
Peggy Johnson
Rick Johnson ’81
Barbara Johnston ’75
Kent Jones ’69, ’75
Teresa Jones
Ronald Jung ’84
Richard Kadinger ’75
Derek Karlinger ’05
Elisabeth Kautsky ’17
Kaymen Properties LLC
Naomi Keys ’86
Sue King ’66, ’90
Elizabeth Kinney
John Kivimaki
Joe & Barbara Kolupke
Judee Konen
Julie Kove ’87
Judith Kunugi ’74
Donald Kusulas ’62
Roy Laird ’67
Sarah Lamb ’10
Laney Lawson ’24
Darryl Laye ’67
John Leach
Charlotte Ledonne ’84
Eldon Leff ’63
Tiffany Leggett ’13
Janet Leinen ’78
Louella Lenberg ’89, ’96
Hubert Letterly ’60, ’68
Susan Likens ’01
Peter Loeb ’68
Meagan Loesche
Fred Lopez ’69
Jessica Lucas
Carlos ’61 & Dorothy ’61 Lucero
Fred Lucero
Charles Lusman ’75
Theodora Madrid ’60, ’69
Ashley Maestas ’14, ’20
Robert ’71 & Marveen ’72, ’76 Manzanares
Manuel and Merlinda Marquez
Erika Marrer ’15
Bernice Martinez ’66
Dominic Martinez ’00
Emily Martinez ’15
Kim Martinez ’15
Rodney Martinez
John ’70 & Betti Marvel
Monroe Mathias ’51
Emelio Mattorano ’73
Rose McAlister ’63
Cheryl McCann
Skip McClure
Danny McDaniel & Tish Hollingsworth
Kathy McGinty ’67
David McGovern ’70
Ted McNeilsmith
Carlos Medina
Karen Melgares
Sarah Menapace-Walker ’93
Gloria Mielke ’65, ’69
Jack Miller ’72, ’76
Dale ’85 & Teri Mingilton
Bikram Mishra ’14, ’16
Shannon Moyer ’92
Raymond Mulligan
Ben ’03 & Anne ’05 Naccarato
Benjamin & Violet Nageak
John Nedin ’69
Kristen Nellis ’85, ’07
Gail Nitta ’66
Jerrie Nix ’71
Thomas & Marlene Norman
Suzanne Off
Stephen Oneal
Ernest Ornelas ’76
Patti Ortiz ’78
Carol Osborn ’84
Renee-Mae Ota ’72
Larry & Evelyn Owens
Susie Pagnotta ’91
Polly Parrish ’04
Manish Patel
Toni Patton ’98
Jolene Pavlovsky ’63, ’67
Gary Pecic
Anita Perez ’91, ’97
Roseanna Perez ’22
John Perry ’64, ’71
Alfred Petross ’15, ’21
Tara Phillips ’14, ’17
John Pim ’67
Sammie Porter ’68
Frank Powell ’62
Artemis Preeshl
Jackson Preston
Beverly Price ’69
Dwight Proctor ’72
Lawrence Pyeatt ’65
Joseph Raker ’24
Phillip Ranke ’66
Elizabeth Ratzlaff ’87
Jeanne Reed
Amber Reher ’06
Joe Reining
Joseph B Reining ’71
Pat Reznak
Cassandra Rhinehart ’04
Stephanie ’00, ’01 & Lucas Riggenbach
Karen S Riggenbach-Vaughn ’76
Patricia Robbins ’93, ’96
Thomas ’77 & Shirley ’77 Roman
Ernest ’74, ’85 & Patricia ’71, ’76, ’99 Romero
Joseph Ross ’66
Cedric Rowley ’13
Albert Roybal ’80
Joel ’72 & Annette Roybal
Reginaldo Roybal ’83
Jack ’79, ’84 & Theresa Rudder
Laurence Rzepka ’81
Nick Saenz
David ’85 & Lori ’99 Salazar
Jerome Sampson
San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition
Carey Sanchez ’77
Hanna Sanchez
Pam Sandoval
Celestino Santistevan ’68
Louie Santistevan ’74
Phillip ’73, ’74 & Jeanne ’74 Sategna
Paulette Schmalz ’75
Regis Schmalz ’75
Merle Schroder ’67
Cheryl ’07, ’09 & Phil Schroeder
Frank Schulze ’72
Emily Sharpe ’19
Matthew Shoban ’64, ’68
SLV Regional Science Fair, Inc
Sara Smith
Fred ’67, ’70 & Barbara ’68 Snow
Heath Soderstrom ’06
Connie Spencer ’63, ’66
Autumn Squires ’21, ’24
Ivan Stahlecker ’73, ’81
Stetson Stallworth ’17
Tracy Steers ’87
Alayne Stevens
Stewy Stewart ’15, ’22
Margaret Stong ’77, ’89
Karyl Sutherland ’84
Linda Swanson ’70
Arnald Swift ’69, ’71
Garrett Szagola ’71
James Tenbrook ’70
Denise Thomas ’97
Jeffrey ’02 & Rose Anna Thomas
Janeal Thompson ’75
Judy Thong
Erik Thurston ’15
Ruth Trowbridge ’12, ’16
Henry Trujillo ’61, ’70
Jack Trujillo ’67
Bea Valdez ’72
Wanda Valencia ’88
Mary Van Pelt ’81
Patricia Vargo ’62
File Vea ’23
Albert Vecellio ’69, ’72
Ruben Vigil ’61, ’65
Christopher Walker
Wayne Wallace ’86
Robert Waltman ’76
Kathy Washeck ’73
Doris Watson ’88, ’90
AJ ’10, ’13 & Jolene Webb
Mark Weeks ’75
John Weidemann ’90
Joy Werner ’88, ’96, ’99
Bill Wesley ’77 & Rose Molina-Wesley ’90
Carol Wheeler ’64, ’70
Vicki Whipple-Mueller ’74
Roland Jr. ’69, ’70, ’84 & Maryann ’70 Wick
Kathleen Williams ’95
William ’64 & Donna ’64 Witt
Keiko Woodyward ’14
Daniel Yoder ’74, ’79
Robert Koch Yund ’74
Sheila Zajkowski ’15
GRIZZLY CLUB INDIVIDUAL SPONSORS
Alamosa Elks #1297
Anonymous
Edith Arias ’18
Donnie Bautista
Jeffrey Bilderbeck ’03
Diane Brittingham
Duane ’82 & Lorey ’80 Bussey
Mario Caetano
Campus Cafe
Filiberto Castorena
Keith Cerny & Debra Sowards-Cerny
Rachael & Lance Cheslock
Glen ’62 & Frances ’62 Clark
David Curtis ’72, ’92
Kevin ’04, ’11 & Kris ’06, ’11 Daniel
Jeffrey Davis
Jason Defee
Wes DeVaul ’23 & Amanda Langdon
Savala & Lane DeVoge
Wilson Dingfelder
Tammy Dodson ’94
Margaret Doell
Emma Duran
Nellianna Edelen
Leroy Espinoza
Farm Fresh Direct
John ’63, ’69 & Margaret ’61 Faron
Claudette Fisher ’63, ’78
Carlos Fresquez
Joseph Garcia ’06
Delbert ’70, ’71 & Jan Gay
Rich ’59 & De Gehlbach
Greg ’96 & Jeni ’85 Goodwin
Kirsten Grado
Devin Haynie
Vern ’97 & Heather ’00 Heersink
Charlotte Hefner ’88
Jenel Hopper ’02
Michael Hudson ’98
Jerry Hughes ’70
Larry Joe ’83 & Christine ’83 Hunt
Karl & Bonnie Keller
Clinton Kerrick
Rena & Nathan Kirkland
Travis Koppenhafer ’03
Chandelle Lancaster
Mark Lara ’94
Kentucky Fried Chicken
Richard & Ericha Loosbrock
Tammy ’91, ’00 & Gerald Lopez
Louie Luster
Jonathan Marquez ’13
Damon ’87 & Konnie Martin
Beatrice Martinez ’76
David ’84, ’87 & Kimberly ’84, ’99 Martinez
Skip McClure
Chris Medina ’12 & Linda Relyea ’96, ’10
Chas ’98 & Melissa Moeller
Ted Morrison ’69
Larry ’88, ’93 & Carolyn ’89 Mortensen
Shaundra Moss
Mary Motz ’62
Floyd & Jody Oaks
Albert ’61 & Kelli ’74 O’Leary
Sandy Ortega ’74
Dennis ’79 & Dawn ’79 Ortiz
Chuck Owsley ’68
Jeff Owsley ’86
Aaron and Shelly Polzin
William Rakow Jr. ’69
Gary & Toni Ramstetter
Jacob Rissler
Tracey Robinson
Lonnie Rogers ’60
Marcus Shawcroft ’15, ’19
Russell Shawcroft ’17
Maurice Smith ’79
Katelyn Smith ’16
Splashland Hot Springs
Fred St. Cyr Jr.
David ’02 & Darin ’02 Tandberg
Ed Crowther* & Lori Tanner
Sharon ’85 & Ken Turpin
Tim ’73 & Peggy ’72, ’72 Walters
AJ ’10, ’13 & Jolene Webb
Weekends Tavern
Weiss Dry Cleaning
Donald Wells ’86
Lisa Wilson ’94
Chay ’00 & Jennifer ’00 Yund
Joe & Shirley Zanski
GRIZZLY CLUB CORPORATE SPONSORS
A & L Coors, Inc.
Ace Hardware of Alamosa
Airgas USA, LLC
Alamosa Chiropractic
Alamosa County
Alamosa Home Furnishings
Alamosa State Bank
Alcon Construction, Inc.
Altitude Appliances
American Electric CO
ASU Counselor Education
Billings Electric, Inc./ Valley Lock & Security
Cattails Golf Course
Century 21 Property Management
Colorado Army National Guard
Colorado Potato Administrative Committee
Comfort Inn & Suites/Super 8/Ihop
Farm Credit of Southern Colorado
First Southwest Bank
Flood & Peterson, Ins., Inc.
Gobin’s Inc
Grimmway Enterprises
Harding Dental Group
Holiday Inn Express/Super 8 Motel/ Days Inn
Husmann Plumbing
Knee Knockers
L & M Auto Sales
Leavitt Group of Colorado
Mountain West Insurance & Financial Services
Nino’s Del Sol
O & V Printing
Pepsi
Purple Pig Pub
Quest Car Rental
RG Bank
Rio Grande Seed & Grain
Rock Creek Family Medicine, P.C.
Rocky Mountain Memorabilia
Safeway
San Luis Valley Federal Bank
San Luis Valley Health
San Luis Valley Rural Electric Coop Inc.
Sherwin-Williams
Sign Guys and Gal Inc
Skiball’s Running World
SLV Behavioral Health Group
Sodexo Campus Services
Southwest Ready Mix, Inc.
Super 8
Torben Walters Insurance Agency, Inc.
Town & Country Auto Mall
Valley Courier
Valley Electric, Inc.
Valley-Wide Health Systems, Inc.
Wall, Smith, Bateman Inc.
Waste Management
Wilbur Ellis Co
Woody’s Q Shack, LLC
Xcel Energy
Zepol Media Partners, LLC.
IN MEMORY OF:
Al Bennett
Darla Chappell ’77
Sherrie Bennett Maule
Darla Chappell ’77
James Caraway
Artemis Preeshl
Marie Czarnetzki
Harold Czarnetzki ’69
Devon J Doyle
Bonnie Mercek ’87
Larry & Evelyn Owens
Wayne Farley
Sheryl Farley ’82, ’85
Don & Carole Hermanson
Dan France
Elena Burr ’15
Brody Geiser
Jeffrey David ’87
Jeff & Nancy Geiser
Pete Lopez
Estate of Eleanor J Lopez*
Timothy Luther
Anonymous
Elias Manesiotis
Anonymous
Jenine Manesiotis
Anonymous
Darrell Meis
Pamela Buron
Alberta ’94 & Carl Coolbaugh
Douglas Montgomery
Frank Schulze ’72
Frank Moore
Richard Croxen ’67
Moe Morris
Philip Britton ’61
Becky Owsley
Wes DeVaul ’23 & Amanda Langdon
Lyle & Liz ’80, ’85 Hood
Boogie Romero
Alfred ’70 & Anna Marie ’72 Cordova
Doug Shriver
Deanna Morris ’64, ’65
Holly Zumbro ’00
Alan Sinton
Webb Family Fund of the Pikes Peak
Community Foundation
Norman Tucker
Beverly Devore-Wedding
Kay Watkins
Lucy Adams
Steven Buhl ’69
Duane ’82 & Lorey ’80 Bussey
Daniel Donohoue ’74
Sheryl Farley ’82, ’85
Patricia ’70 & John Fitch
Dale ’64 & Beverly Hettinger
Floyd Higel ’55
Marty & Diana Jones
Bruce Kimball ’85
Joe & Barbara Kolupke
Ron ’65 & Marilyn ’86, ’87 Loser
Thomas & Marlene Norman
John Petersen ’78
Jeanne Reed
Mark Seaton & Suzanne DeVore
SLV Regional Science Fair, Inc
Connie Spencer ’63, ’66
Larry & Carol Sveum
David Van Pelt ’86
Bill Wesley ’77 & Rose Molina-Wesley ’90
Diane Woodard
Don & Gloria Wuckert
Alan & Janice Wuckert
IN HONOR OF:
Amalia Maya Dorion
Dorothy S Dorion
Adam Fajardo
Sedrick Cap
Lori Laske
John Kivimaki
Tammy Lopez
John Kivimaki
Damon Martin
Daniel ’85 & Michelle ’85 Haney
Kelly Palmeter
Stephen Oneal
Delzia Jolene Pavlovsky
Delzia Worley ’97
Nick Saenz
Boettcher Foundation
Kai Smith
Sara Smith
David Tandberg
Alisa Fryar
Joe Vigil
Daniel ’85 & Michelle ’85 Haney
Tyree Walton
Erik Estrada
FRIENDS OF MUSIC
Lucy Adams
Alamosa Live Music Association
Billings Electric, Inc./
Valley Lock & Security, Inc.
Blackbaud Giving Fund
Brian & Deborah Brownell
Kathleen Delzell ’61
Mary Eldredge ’99
Francine Gachupin
Delbert ’70, ’71 & Jan Gay
Celestina Gchachu
Rich ’59 & De Gehlbach
Wes Hargrove ’78
Jenene Holcomb ’89, ’94
Marty & Diana Jones
Elizabeth Kinney
Julie Kove ’87
Kirk and Michelle Kritner
FRIENDS OF THEATRE
Savala & Lane DeVoge
Anthony Guntren ’11
Marty & Diana Jones
La Puente Home Inc
Charlotte Ledonne ’84
Mary Motz ’62
Neil & Elise Rudolph
LeRoy & Michelle ’92 Salazar
Donald Thompson & Jan Oen
Mary Van Pelt ’81
Dennis Lamb
Shasta and Audrey Liu
Teri McCartney ’87, ’92 & Don Richmond ’13
Danny McDaniel & Tish Hollingsworth
William ’73 & Katherine ’73 Miller
Tom ’68, ’81 & Barbara ’71 Nagoda
Jerrie Nix ’71
Jolene Pavlovsky ’63, ’67
Robert & Regina Rice
Patricia Robbins ’93, ’96
Neil & Elise Rudolph
Mark & Lynette Russell
Mark Skinner ’92 &
Lou Ann Cheslock Skinner
Janeal Thompson ’75
Donald Thompson & Jan Oen
Anita Zaffuto ’71
LIFETIME GIVING
$100,000+
Alamosa County Alamosa State Bank
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
James & Sharen ’65 Branscome Trust
Duane ’82 & Lorey ’80 Bussey
William Crain ’60, ’62
Daniels Fund
El Pomar Foundation
Wayne ’62* & Ellen Evans
First Southwest Bank
Gary ’62, ’65* & Judith Gaston*
Rich ’59 & De Gehlbach
Floyd Higel ’55
John & Paige Keeler
Michael Lantzy ’64, ’65
Drs. Ron ’65 & Marilyn ’86, ’87 Loser
Carlos ’61 & Dorothy ’61 Lucero
Janet ’63 & Jasper Mangum
John Robert Maytag*
Dr. John McDaniel*
Ken Salazar
Paul ’66 & Christine Morley
Pearl Ortner ’58*
Outcalt Foundation
P.E.O. Foundation-Chapter V (Monte Vista, CO)
William Porter Jr. ’51* & Joan Porter
Robert Hoag Rawlings Foundation
RG Bank
Charles & Cleo Ritz*
Richard ’69 & Kathleen Rutledge
Salazar Family Foundation
San Luis Valley Federal Bank
San Luis Valley Health
San Luis Valley Rural Electric Co-op, Inc.
Southway Construction Co, Inc.
Rondaleen Specht ’67
Patsy Spier ’91
Linda Spraitzer*
State of Colorado Department of Higher Education
The Denver Foundation
Douglas Thomas ’55*
Trinchera Blanca Foundation
Olibama Tushar Trust*
Family of Ruth & Stanley Wills
Lorraine Young*
$50,000–99,999
Alamosa Convention & Visitors Bureau
Kay Albrecht ’62
Alcon Construction, Inc.
Alta Fuels
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Arby’s
ASU Counselor Education
Alice Bean
Boettcher Foundation
Janice Bunch*
David ’87 & Wendi Clemmer
Glenn* & Kerry Burnham
Richard ’71 & Mary ’74 Cline
Colorado Potato Administrative Committee
Colorado Health Foundation
Colorado Housing and Finance Authority
Community Banks of Colorado
Jack* & Genevieve Cooper
Carole Counihan & James Taggart
Ed Crowther* & Lori Tanner
Patricia Ewert Flannagan ’76
Tom ’67, ’68 & Pat ’68 Gilmore
Mr. & Mrs. Fred Haeckl*
Phil & Juanita Hall
Grant W Hurley ’47*
Inn of the Rio Grande
J & J Rental Centers
Harold & Kay ’68 Kelloff
Leavitt Group of Colorado
Eleanor “Marty” Jane Lopez*
Dr. Cheryl Lovell
Estate of Eddie & Eileen Lucero
Stephen ’67 & Courtney Marsters
Damon ’87 & Konnie Martin
John & Frances Marvel*
Beatrice Merritt ’36*
Mile High United Way
Pepsi
Mary Motz ’62
National Western Stock Show -
Scholarship Trust
Porter Realty, Inc.
Craig Rhodes
Rio Grande Water Conservation District
Rocky Mountain Septic & Excavating
David Snitman & Susan Lewis
Sodexo Campus Services
Izora Southway ’66
Rock Creek Family Medicine, P.C.
Grace I. Spier Revocable Trust
Patricia St. Germain*
Ann ’96, ’91 & Pat Stanford
Sunflower Bank
David & Virginia ’83, ’84, ’95 Svaldi
Swire Coca Cola
William P. Thomas*
Valley Electric, Inc.
Valley-Wide Health Systems, Inc.
Wall, Smith, Bateman, Inc.
Xcel Energy Foundation
Stephen & Suzan Zoukis
MATCHING GIFT COMPANIES
Blackbaud Giving-Your Cause
Charles Schwab
Shell
State Farm Companies Foundation
MEMBERS OF THE BILLY ADAMS SOCIETY
Anonymous
Anonymous
Mary & Cal Beaver
Philip Britton ’61
Duane ’82 & Lorey ’80 Bussey
Russell ’73 & Carol Cagle
Vernon & Susan Casias
James ’72 & Susan ’94 Conklin
Jack* & Genevieve Cooper
Wayne ’62* & Ellen Evans
Patricia Ewert Flannagan ’76
Claudette Fisher ’63, ’78
Gary ’62, ’65* & Judith Gaston*
Rich ’59 & De Gehlbach
Donna Hayward ’77
Dr. John ’66, ’70 & Anita ’67 Hertner
Dale ’64 & Beverly Hettinger
Drs. Ron ’65 & Marilyn ’86, ’87 Loser
Connie ’75 & Kim Marvel
David Mazel ’85, ’87
Dr. John McDaniel*
Bonnie Moinet ’84
Ted ’69 & Janet ’69* Morrison
Paul* & Pat Nielsen
Pearl ’58* & Edward* Ortner
Chuck Owsley ’68
Michael Patritch ’70, ’73 & Karol Ann Krakauer Patritch
Dr. Clarissa Lee Pollard
Judith Quiller ’61, ’64
Richard ’69 & Kathleen Rutledge
Caroline Sanchez ’56
Michael Sloan ’65
Patsy Spier ’91
Linda Spraitzer*
Patricia St. Germain*
Douglas Thomas ’55*
William "Bill" ’59* & Beth* Waters
Dr. Elizabeth Watts ’70
Arthur Wellbaum*
Dr. Jackie Getz White ’82 & Brent White
Karen Wibrew ’23
Bill Woodward ’61*
Daniel ’74, ’79 & Sheryl ’79 Yoder
The Billy Adams Society consists of individuals who have included Adams State University in their estate plans.
New Adams State University scholarships honor LeRoy and Michelle Salazar
Longtime Adams State supporters LeRoy and Michelle Salazar received a Christmas gift that will keep on giving – to students. Their son, Gabe, and his family created two scholarships in their honor.
“My wife, Clorinda, and I and our three kids wanted to honor my parents and all their contributions to Adams State and the SLV, which includes a large push for access to education. They have always been large supporters of those most in need, and having more scholarships will help reach more people,” Gabe said.
The LeRoy Salazar AgriSTEM Endowment will support students pursuing degrees related to agriculture, science, technology, engineering, or math. To qualify, students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.1.
The Michelle Salazar Language, Arts & Education Endowment is for students majoring in those fields with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
LeRoy is a former trustee for Adams State, having served on the board from 2010 to 2016. Previously, he served on the board of the State Colleges of Colorado, beginning in 2003. He and his brothers, John, Ken, and Elliott, created the Salazar Rio Grande del Norte Center at Adams State in 2016. The center advances the conservation of land, water, and historic and cultural attributes at the headwaters of the Rio Grande in the San Luis Valley.
Now in their 70s, LeRoy and Michelle are “retired,” but remain active in farming and their community.
LeRoy is the 5th generation of his family farming in the San Luis Valley. With master’s and bachelor’s degrees in agricultural engineering from Colorado State University, LeRoy co-founded Agro Engineering, Inc, serving as President and CEO from 1982 to 2000. He has been heavily involved in developing strategies for creating a sustainable water supply system in the San Luis Valley. He has served as a member of the Colorado Agricultural Commission and the United Fresh Potato Growers of Colorado and as a director of Citizens for Colorado Water.
For 25 years, LeRoy served on the San Luis Valley Federal Bank Board, retiring as Chairman. He also served on the North Conejos School District Board of Education for 9 years, with several years as its president. In 2018, he received the Statewide Leadership and Service Award from the El Pomar Foundation and directed part of the monetary award to Adams State.
LeRoy also co-founded and continues to work with the Hope for Children Foundation, which supports orphans, abandoned, and severely impoverished children in Mexico.
In addition to helping on their farm, Michelle volunteers with the Food Bank Network of the San Luis Valley, Hospice del Valle, the Immigrant Resources Center, and the Sisters of Mercy.
Her roots are also in agriculture; she earned a bachelor's degree in agronomy from Colorado State University, followed by degrees in biology and Spanish from Adams State. She taught Spanish in SLV schools, then earned a master’s and Ph.D. in Spanish linguistics from New Mexico State University. Her thesis explored the evolution of the Spanish language in the SLV and Northern New Mexico. She then taught Spanish as an assistant professor at Adams State.
Dr. Cole N. Foster Memorial Scholarship to benefit nursing and English majors
A memorial endowment honoring Dr. Cole Nessa Foster, Emeritus Professor of English, was created by his wife, Sue, for students majoring in English or nursing (Sue’s profession.)
Preference will be given to graduates of San Luis Valley high schools with at least sophomore status at Adams State.
Dr. Foster passed away peacefully at home on Jan. 8, 2025, after enjoying 87 years of life. He was born Sept. 6, 1937, in Ames, Iowa, where he spent long, sweltering-hot summer afternoons as a kid writing “bad poems.”
Dr. Foster received a B.S. in sciences and humanities from Iowa State University, a master’s degree in English from the University of Iowa, and a Ph.D. in English from the University
of New Mexico. He and Sue were married in 1989. He taught Freshman English, American Literature, Emerson and Thoreau, and Creative Writing for 38 years, retiring after 29 years at Adams State University in 1998. It thrilled him to witness the evolution of students’ learning as they discovered and expressed their understanding of the world with new, exciting insights.
Sue said Cole’s last day of life was made-to-order: “He and his buddy, Ben, were awestruck by the flight of a bald eagle. They observed 31 antelope on the refuge, visited an elk farm, and enjoyed lunch complete with chocolate pie! His last word the evening of his passing was ‘student.’
“Nature fueled his spirit, as did reading adventure and wildlife stories; writing poetry and personal essays; racing his MGA sports car; playing baseball and tennis; hunting in the Valley, Alaska and Africa; fly fishing in mountain streams and lakes; and birdwatching from the dining room table.”
Memorial gifts can be made to the Adams State University Foundation, Cole N. Foster Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Tammy Lopez, 208 Edgemont Blvd., Alamosa, CO 81101.
Heather Justus ’95, helps assure her community’s water
A college history class gave Heather (Bollacker) Justus ’95 the insight that propelled her career as a hydrogeologist. “I read that for a community to thrive and be successful, they need access to clean and reliable water. That resonated with me, and my career started,” she said.
In April 2023, Justus began the newly created position of Water Resource Manager with the Parker Water and Sanitation District (Parker Water), outside of Denver. She explained Parker Water has an innovative, long-term water supply solution that will benefit both agricultural and municipal communities in the South Platte River Basin, in partnership with the Lower South Platte Water Conservancy District. The program is called the Platte Valley Water Partnership (PVWP).
“I love my job. When the district hired me, they did not have a defined Water Resource Program. I’m uniquely positioned, because it’s the culmination of what I love to do. I am tasked with the implementation of the Platte Valley Water Partnership, utilizing my strategic planning experience,” she said.
Parker Water’s Water Resource Program includes the district’s water rights and legal responsibilities for those rights, including regulations, short and longterm water supply and demand, and conservation and efficiency. Justus works with the district’s water attorneys and its State Affairs Committee. She also serves on the Colorado Water Conservation Board Metro Basin Roundtable in an atlarge voting position.
“To achieve wise water stewardship, it is essential to complete master planning. Master planning needs to include long-term water resources, capital infrastructure, wastewater infrastructure, water efficiency and conservation, financial planning, and emergency and drought planning. All these elements need to integrate with and complement each other,” Justus noted. “Right now, we are in the midst of updating many of our plans to take us through the next decade. We are just starting the update for our 50-year water plan and will start the update to our emergency and drought plan next year.”
Noting there are climate variations throughout the geologic record, she said there is evidence of a current warming trend. “As part of my job and responsibility to the community that I serve, I need to include those variations and impacts into water demand studies and plan accordingly.”
After earning her B.S. in geology at Adams State, Justus took graduate courses in civil engineering at Colorado State University, followed by courses in water leadership and business.
She began a series of increasingly responsible jobs with Leonard Rice Engineers, culminating as Project Manager and Employee Owner. In 2018, she took a position with Castle Rock Water.
“When I started a family, I realized that I wanted to change from consulting to working for a utility,” she said. “In consulting you never see the impacts of the project on the community, while at a utility, you have the opportunity to see from start up to the water being delivered to the community. Not everyone knows where their water comes from and what it takes to get to the faucet.”
Justus and her husband, David ’96, have three children, the youngest of whom is a biology major at Adams State.
by Julie Waechter
Great Alumni Stories
Michelle
Rubidoux-Wilson ’99,
’10
named Colorado Elementary Principal of the Year
Known as a major agricultural region, the San Luis Valley also grows its own educators. That “produce” is exemplified by Michelle Rubidoux-Wilson, recently named 2025 Colorado Elementary Distinguished Principal of the Year by the Colorado Association of School Executives (CASE). Educated in the Alamosa School District and at Adams State University, she has been principal of Alamosa Elementary 3-5 since 2019. She was selected for the statewide honor by a committee of Colorado elementary principals through a competitive process.
“I am deeply honored and humbled by this award. Alamosa is a place of true greatness, both in our schools and within our community. The educators at 3-5, and throughout the district create extraordinary learning experiences every day, and it’s truly inspiring to witness.”
Under Wilson’s leadership, Alamosa Elementary 3-5 is currently rated as “Performance” based on CMAS, Colorado Measures of Academic Success. However, that rating did not come without the grit and resilience of our students and staff. In 2022, AES 3-5 was rated “Priority Improvement” based on CMAS student achievement and growth data. This rating came in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused widespread disruptions to normalcy in education.
“I knew that didn’t reflect who we are or where we truly stood in academics and instruction, so we took a thorough look at the standards, identified our priority standards, paced our curriculum/instruction, developed proficiency scales with common formative assessments and finally a standards-based report card that reflects the work students are doing in the classroom. This is work that continually gets revisited and adjusted as needed to meet the needs for all students. This school year was the first year we rolled out our standards-based report card and teams have identified areas for improvement.” In 2023 and 2024, AES 3-5 has a “Performance” rating as measured by the State of Colorado. Wilson married her high school sweetheart in 1997, Shawn Wilson, and earned her undergraduate degree in December 1999. Although her father, Robert Rubidoux, was an educator, she didn’t initially consider a career in education. “I took business classes for one semester, but then took some education classes and fell in love with teaching.”
Wilson earned her Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from Adams State in December 1999, followed by a Master of Arts in culturally and linguistically diverse, a reading teacher endorsement, and another master’s degree in educational leadership, all by 2010.
Wilson began her teaching career in first grade in 2000, shortly after she and her husband suffered the loss of their infant daughter, Karlie.
“I was a new teacher, and our baby had passed away on August 14, but I knew I was where I was meant to be. The kindness I received from everyone made me feel so supported, and that year remains one of my most memorable. I will forever be grateful to those who supported me,” she remembered. “School has always been my safe place.”
Continually expanding her experience, Wilson moved up to teaching second and third grade. In 2018, she was named school dean, then interim principal in February 2019. She became principal of the 600-student school in fall, 2019 –right before covid hit. “We had 27 classroom teachers that year, nine teachers in each grade, it was my largest group yet.”
Returning to school after COVID definitely came with some struggles. “We recognized the need for mental health support for students, and now we have three tiers of counselors at our school, offering extensive support. We also recognized some instructional setbacks; however, we are making great strides and continuing to see growth,” Wilson said. “In the classroom, the needs have evolved and I believe we’re better at identifying and addressing those needs for all students.”
Both of Wilson’s parents and sister are Adams State alumni, as well. “What I love about Adams State is that it represents the community where I was born and raised and cares about their students and faculty.”
She and Shawn have two daughters, Emily and Kelli Jo, who are in veterinary school and nursing school, respectively.
