Willis Fassett, Jr. Award Recipients

Outcalt Foundation Trustee Karla Shriver, Desiree Lewis, Sydney Thompson, Ariel Caldon, Brooklyn Hogan, Chris Burtschi, DeOnna Salazar, Adison Vick, Outcalt Foundation Trustee Carolyn Kawanabe, Taylor Lewis, President Cheryl D. Lovell.

The Outcalt Foundation makes educational opportunity its mission

Ralph Outcalt was a longtime resident and business leader of Alamosa. As an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and former board member of the Adams State University Foundation, he made a tremendous impact on the San Luis Valley. Ralph passed away in 2014, but his legacy continues through the work of The Outcalt Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to the growth and prosperity of the valley’s youth and good will organizations. For its important work, The Outcalt Foundation has been named the recipient of Adams State’s 2021 Willis Fassett, Jr. Corporate Award. The award, “Buffalo Chant,” a bronze by William Moyers, Class of 1939, was presented to the Outcalt Foundation at the Annual Donor and Student Recognition dinner on November 4.

“One of Mr. Outcalt’s legacies and directives for the foundation was to focus on youth development,” said Karla Shriver, trustee of The Outcalt Foundation. “Ralph loved the valley. He thought it was an extraordinary place, and he was very adamant that we support the education of our youth.”

To that end, the Outcalt Foundation awarded Adams State $150,000 for student scholarships, including a fullride scholarship of up to $25,000 per year for four years, and multiple one-time awards of up to $3,000 to cover direct educational costs that include tuition, fees, books and supplies.

“Many families just don’t have the funds to pursue higher education. Ralph wanted to make sure that kids, no matter what their financial background, had the opportunity to further their educations. If they were willing to put in the time and energy, he wanted to help them out,” said Shriver. Ralph’s childhood experiences influenced his attitudes about education. His father passed away during the 1918 flu pandemic, when Ralph was just five years old. To help support his mother and two siblings, Ralph dropped out of high school as a junior so he could work. However, he continued to pursue his education, eventually receiving his diploma and surveying certificate via a correspondence course.

“He was always one that cherished education and wanted to see youth have the opportunity to have education available to them,” said Shriver. “He was also clear that the students we support don’t have to be right out of high school. He wanted us to support people no matter what their age. If they’re a nontraditional student who wants to learn and better themselves, we’d make sure to help them.”

As a prominent businessman and long-time resident of the valley, Ralph Outcalt knew Adams State well. “He had a long-term relationship with Adams State and recognized its importance,” said Shriver. “He felt that Adams State was a huge component of the valley and a tremendous asset, not only for education but as an economic engine.”

Scholarships and Other Initiatives While the Outcalt Foundation provides funds for scholarships, it also supports education at Adams State in other ways. Recently, it provided a $125,000 grant to renovate an industrial kitchen in the east campus building. The kitchen is for students in the University’s food studies program, which prepares graduates for food-related careers. Community members also have access to the kitchen. In addition to Adams State, the Outcalt Foundation supports other local organizations, especially those that promote and protect youth development, including vocational schools and after-school programs. “We’ve helped make sure that these important organizations prosper, stay open and that they maintain their viability,” said Shriver. “Ralph was always involved in the community and supported it not only with his funds but with his time. He was involved in many things, and he wanted the foundation trustees,

which include Carolyn Kawanabe and myself, to stay involved in the community and support it any way we can.”

In fact, residents of the valley might be surprised at just how much the foundation does.

“The foundation is pretty low-key, and we do a lot in the valley that I don’t believe the public knows about. That’s by design,” said Shriver. “Ralph was very humble. He was generous, kind, and not out for the glory. We try to maintain that philosophy, but it is nice to be recognized for the work the foundation is doing. So we are very proud and honored that the foundation is being given this prestigious award.”

Paul Morley helps the school that helped him

By his own admission, Paul Morley, Class of 1966, had some growing up to do. During his senior year of high school in South Denver, he didn’t give much thought to college or anything else, for that matter. “I got a new car and a new girlfriend,” he said. “I was not taking school seriously. I was skipping a lot. I even thought of dropping out, but my parents and guidance counselor forced me to graduate.”

The summer after graduation, Morley had a change of heart. “I thought, maybe I better make something of my life. Maybe I need to go to college,” he said. What changed his mind? A visit to Alamosa, where older brother Stephen was a junior at Adams State. Stephen showed him around campus, and they talked about Paul’s future.

“Adams State is the only place I applied to and the only place I wanted to go. I hadn’t thought about other colleges, and it was a late decision on my part,” said Morley. “I thought it was the best place for me because the influence of my older brother would be good for me. My parents probably agreed with that too.” After a year at Adams State, Morley discovered just how much he had changed. To his surprise, the University recognized him as an outstanding freshman and awarded him a scholarship. “I was quite surprised. I didn’t apply for it or anything,” he recalls. Fast-forward nearly 60 years and Morley has earned another recognition from Adams State, this time as the recipient of the 2021 Willis Fassett, Jr. Individual Award, for his generous support of the University.

“I really appreciate any recognition that my college gives me,” said Morley. “I think the award shows that I’ve been helpful to my college, and that’s important because the college has done so much for me.”

From Adams State to a Distinguished Career

After graduating from Adams State, Morley went to law school, then joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served four years as a JAG officer. On completion of his military service, Morley was hired by the District Attorney’s Office for San Diego County, where he served for 29 years before retiring in 2003.

“I was an economics major at Adams State, but a career in economics didn’t seem that appealing,” Morley said. “I had read a book about law when I was in high school, and it just sort of stayed in the back of my mind.” Still, he didn’t make the decision to attend law school lightly. He sought advice and support from his favorite professors – Dr. Norma Peterson and Mr. William Gillies – who encouraged him. “The attention and wisdom they shared was very important. They didn’t guide me to law, but they supported my desire,” said Morley.

He hopes that current students take the same advantage of Adams State’s close-knit community, one in which students can get to know their professors. “I think you learn a lot from some professors, and they will have an influence upon you,” he said. “I think you should get close to those professors who seem to offer the most guidance and hope, because that can be very beneficial in many ways.”

It’s Never Too Late to Reconnect

Living in San Diego and pursuing his career, Morley didn’t stay as connected to Adams State as he’d have liked. “I would say I kind of drifted away. You sort of naturally drift away, particularly when you live 1,200 miles away,” he said.

He reconnected through an alumni association event about 15 years ago, finding real delight in hearing about the University and its plans. That’s when he really began to reflect on the University’s role in his own life.

“Adams State really got me started. It got me started in a career, and it helped me to mature and to become a better citizen,” he said. “I started feeling more and more that I really owed Adams State a lot and that I wanted to be helpful to the college.”

He decided to make a series of donations. Moreover, he made those gifts without restrictions, allowing the University to direct the funds where they were most needed. “I don’t know what would be the most helpful to the University,” he said. “I figured, let them use it the way they think is best for the college. I just want to make it available. Nowadays, the way that state funding goes, colleges need more support. This was my opportunity to give back.”

by Andy Brown

Door prizes, coffee, and burritos warmed golfers before teeing off for the Adams State annual Alumni Golf Outing on Friday, October 15.

The annual Awards Banquet honored alumni award recipients including, front row, left to right: 2021 Exceptional New Alumna Carissa Sidor, Class of 2016 and 2017; 2021 Billy Adams Award Dennis Lopez, Class of 1974 and 1978; 2020 Billy Adams Award J. Thomas Gilmore, Ph.D., Class of 1967 and 1968; standing: 2020 Exceptional New Alumna Katherine Schultz, Class of 2015; 2021 Outstanding Alumnus Edward Atencio, Class of 1968 and 1973; President Cheryl D. Lovell, and Alumni Relations and Engagement Director Ashley Maestas, Class of 2013 and 2020. Not pictured, 2020 Outstanding Alumnus William Manzanares, Class of 1967.

Artist Kathy Park, Class of 2007, pictured left, discusses her 50-year retrospective with Lisa Clements. Her exhibition opening was October 15 in the Cloyde Snook Gallery. The Adams State Homecoming of the Century Parade filled Alamosa Main Street with Grizzly pride and excitement on Saturday, October 16.

Homecoming of the Century

Rashad Murphy, and KatyRose Heldstab were selected for the 2021 Adams State Homecoming GrizzLeads. Nominations included, left to right, Tessa Coffelt, Jazmine Palacios-Molinar, Mary Benavidez, Rashad Murphy, Jose Villagomez, KatyRose Heldstab, and Courtney Hocking.

The Adams State University Homecoming of the Century hosted a free carnival for community and campus. The beautiful autumn day drew hundreds of participants who enjoyed rides, sweet snacks, games, and more for over four hours.