Honored Alumni Awards
Recognizing Distinction in Alumni Success and Service
UNC alumni are recognized leaders in their careers and communities. And from among our growing network of alumni, UNC honors a distinguished group of graduates whose lifetime of leadership and service inspires all Bears to remain involved and invested in the university.
The UNC Honored Alumni Award is presented annually to UNC graduates in recognition for career success and a commitment of service to the university. The award is the highest honor presented to a UNC graduate by the Alumni Association.
2025 Honored Alumni Nominations
Thank you for nominating your fellow Bears! Nominations for 2025 are now closed.
To nominate a potential honoree, complete the Honored Alumni nomination form AND submit a biography that does not exceed two pages. Include all significant accomplishments and details that qualify the nominee for this award. Submissions that do not include a current nomination form and biography will not be considered. The most successful nominations include a compelling story of success while keeping a connection to UNC.
Although not required, we strongly recommend nominators also submit letters of recommendation, news articles and any other relevant documents that support your nomination. We ask that you limit supporting documents to 10 pages or less.
A committee of Alumni Board members and past honorees reads each biography and any accompanying information and reviews the below qualifications to select each class of honorees. The committee selects 5 honorees each year. If your nominee is not selected, we encourage you to consider resubmitting the nomination during the next nomination cycle.
Nominations Open: September 30, 2024 | Nominations Close: November 1, 2024
Winners Announced: January 14, 2025 | Honored Alumni Celebration: March 29, 2025
Award Qualifications
The selection committee considers the following factors when selecting honorees:
- Personal and professional achievement, manifested through lifelong distinguished achievements and/or a one-time significant and distinguished achievement, in one’s chosen field;
- Significant contributions on behalf of the University of Northern Colorado and/or the UNC Alumni Association, which may include teaching, service, research, volunteerism or philanthropy; and
- Extraordinary dedication to the University of Northern Colorado through leadership, vision, creativity, generosity and/or by increasing UNC's stature and impact in the larger community.
Current UNC employees and Alumni Board members are not eligible for consideration.
Past Honorees
Since 1947 the University of Northern Colorado has honored outstanding alumni and friends whose service and achievements embody the University's tradition of excellence. When the University of Northern Colorado Alumni Association was established in 1965, the annual awards program was adopted by the Association and continued as a university tradition. Each year the UNC Alumni Association recognizes some of our most distinguished alumni and friends with Honored Alumni awards. See past honorees below.
1960s
1969 Honorees
Eldon E. Baker '59
Trailblazer
William F. Hartman '38, '52
Special Award
J. Osborne Johnson '28, '38
Male Educator
John C. Johnson '28, '38
Trailblazer
Charles Romine '54
Male Educator
Wilma Scott '42
Female Educator
1968 Honorees
Dorothy Jean Corsberg '46, '52
Female Educator
Warren Monfort
Trailblazer
Robert Timothy '41
Special Award
Carl Wilkerson '51, '57
Male Educator
1967 Honorees
Laurene Edmundson '40
Ted Long '24, '27
Industrial Art
Charles Lott Jr. '42
Social Science
Clyde Morganti '41
1966 Honorees
Ervin French '42, '46
John A. Rosales '75
Helen Jo Shaeffer '54
1965 Honorees
Marvin Foote '40
Henry Lujan '54
Phyllis Roop '54
Warren W. Wiggins
1964 Honorees
Lucy P. Blaisdell '26
Eugene R. Gullette '38
Mildred E. Jobe '29
William L. McDivitt '56
Anna C. Petteys '43
1963 Honorees
Edward J. Flint '29, '38, '54
Jack Pollock '49, '57
Margaret Wood '69
1962 Honorees
Thomas B. Doherty '38, '42
John Taylor Eastlick '39
Mary Louise Flood '17, '27
Edward John Getsch '40
1961 Honorees
Lloyd E. Gaskill '35
Walter Humphrey '31
Emma Lou Purvis '38
Ewald Turner '49
1960 Honorees
Harold Ferguson '35, '42
Chester O'Hanlon '35, '41
Altha Stogsdill '46
Bill Welsh '34
Read More
1950s
1959 Honorees
Myron Willett '30, '39
Elbie L. Gann '43
Mary Hinds '50
Frederick H. Good '33
1958 Honorees
Wilford Woody '26, '27
Gilbert Funk '41
Louise Cronbaugh '38, '39
Elmer F. Bennett '38
1957 Honorees
Harry W. Charlesworth '26, '28
Ann P. Oleson '57, '61
Robert H. Johnson
1956 Honorees
George Irvin '35, '39
Geneva Keirnes '35
Thomas J. Murphy '36, '46
1955 Honorees
Elmer Burkhard '36, '44, '70
Julia Braun '25, '31
1954 Honorees
John T. Roberts '29, '30
Hazel Dalbey
1953 Honorees
Harold Threlkeld
Janet Grauberger '37
1952 Honorees
Margaret McGroarty '22, '27
Robert James
1951 Honorees
Lloyd A. Garrison '26, '32
Grace Finley '17, '27
1950 Honorees
Jean Hunt Goudy '36, '39
Leo Butler '67
Read More
1940s
1949 Honorees
Jennie Tyler '14
James Reiva
1948 Honorees
Irene Conboy '16
Louis H. Braun '30, '31
1947 Honorees
Marguerite Jucham '31, '32
Philip Kirton
Read More
2020s
2024
2023
2022 Honorees
John ’84 and Angela ’89 Schmidt
2021 Honorees
2020 Honorees
Bill Benson '76
Anissa Guzman '93, '01
Gary Loo '64
Read More
2010s
2019 Honorees
Kathleen Dunemn '71
Darlene LeDoux '78
Matt Schuman '86
Julie Zalikowski '75
Jim and Janet Listen, Honorary
2018 Honorees
CJ Archibeque '93, '02
Patricia Escobar '07, '11
Tony Tolbert '97, '08
Monika Vischer '89
David A. Wood & Carol B. Wood, Honorary
2017 Honorees
Jim Alexander '69
Fritz J. Erickson '84, '87
Bob Heiny, Honorary
Bruce Pearson '69
2016 Honorees
Minseok An '93
Daniel J. Carey '72, '75
Robert A. Clark '60
Pia Dounglomchunt '74, '75, '81
Bob & Bonnie Phelps, Honorary
2015 Honorees
Brad Inhulsen '12
Alumni Spirit Award
Mike & Marilynn Loustalet
Distinguished Honorary Alumni of the Year
Dick Monfort '76
Distinguished Alumni Service Award
Dennis Morimoto '65, '66
Distinguished Service Award
Jong Shyong Shyu '84, '88
Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
2013 Honorees
Steve Baker '86
Distinguished Alumni Service Award
Hank & Nan Brown
Distinguished Honorary Alumni of the Year
Richard Kilmer '60
Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
James Kawika Riley '05
Alumni Spirit Award
Ronna L. Sanchez '80, '82, '88, '00
Distinguished Service Award
2012 Honorees
Fernie Baca Hayes '61
Distinguished Alumna of the Year
Theo Holland '61
Distinguished Alumni Service Award
Autumn Hurlbert '02
Alumni Spirit Award
Wayne Melanson '75
Distinguished Service Award
Bob & Betty Tointon
Distinguished Honorary Alumni of the Year
2011 Honorees
David Pierce Beaver '72
Andrew Boian '94
Steve Eastin '70
Michael Hutchinson '79
Joseph Martin '82
2010 Honorees
Laura Adams '78
Distinguished Alumni Award
S. Kato Crews '97
Young Alumni Award
Kenneth Evans '55, '56
Distinguished Emeritus Faculty Award
Dana Landry '94
Creative Achievement Award
Mark Nuccio '85
Creative Achievement Award
Masoud Shirazi '74, '75
Distinguished Alumni Award
Sumate Yamnoon '81, '84
Distinguished Alumni Award
Read More
2000s
2009 Honorees
Allan "Gene" Aiken
Distinguished Emeritus Award
Brian M. Davidson '99
Young Alumni Award
Tim Jorstad '75
Distinguished Alumni Award
Frank and Betty Ottesen
Honorary Alumni Award
Sharon Lee Parker '77
Distinguished Alumni Award
Randy Watkins '99
Distinguished Alumni Service Award
Aléna Watters '03
Creative Achievement Award
Randy Zila '80, '96
Distinguished Alumni Award
2008 Honorees
Edwin “Buddy” Baker
Distinguished Emeritus Award
John Beel
Distinguished Emeritus Award
Tom and Nona Gordon
Honorary Alumni Award
John L. Mendoza '61, '69
Creative Achievement Award
Rhoda Rogers '88
Distinguished Alumni Service Award
Michael Shonka '69
Distinguished Alumni Award
Patrick Varney '99
Young Alumni Award
2007 Honorees
Kathleen Bickford Berzock '87
Creative Achievement Award
Cynthia Evans '73
Distinguished Alumni Award
Glenn McDonald
Honorary Alumni Award
Joe Tennessen
Honorary Alumni Award
James Valdez '69
Distinguished Alumni Service Award
Mark Wallace '79
Distinguished Alumni Award
2006 Honorees
Rodger Bybee '66, '69
Distinguished Alumni Award
Kenneth Cook '80, '84
Distinguished Alumni Service Award
Cheryl DeConde Johnson '76, '82
Trailblazer Award
Steve Forness '63, '64
Distinguished Educator Award
Miles Ishigaki '78
Creative Achievement Award
David Newton '64
Distinguished Alumni Award
Gerald Shadwick
Honorary Alumni Award
2005 Honorees
Dr. Alton Barbour '56
Distinguished Alumni Award
Bruce Broderius '66
Distinguished Emeritus Award
Delores (Lori) Daniel '72
Distinguished Alumni Award
Greg Germann '78
Creative Achievement in Theatre Arts Award
Joe Glenn
Honorary Alumni Award
April-Joy Gutierrez '88
Creative Achievement in Performing Arts Award
Larry Roots '74
Creative Achievement in Visual Arts Award
David Warble '73
Distinguished Alumni Service Award
2004 Honorees
Gregory J. Anton '87
Contribution to Business Award
Duane Banks '65
Contribution to Sport Award
Jon Crane '71
Creative Achievement Award
William Hairston '73
Creative Achievement Award
Henrietta Holsman Fore '75
Public Service Award
Marlene Politzer '52
Humanitarian Service Award
2003 Honorees
Linda S. Akers '86
Humanitarian Service
W. Keith Christy '63, '67
Outstanding Educational Leader
Jay K. Hackett '72
William R. Ross Award for Science
Noreen Heer Nicol '77
Contribution to Health
Sam Schauerman '51, '52
Public Service
C. Daniel Sprick '78
Creative Achievement
2002 Honorees
Robert Ackerman '75
Contribution to Health Award
David L. Hartenbach '81
Outstanding Educational Leader
James Lyke '68
Contribution to Music Award
John A. Mosbo '69
William R. Ross Award for Science
Stanley Shimada '61, '63
Inspiration to Youth Award
George E. Swafford '59
Trailblazer Award
2001 Honorees
Scott Fredrickson '89
Contribution to Music Award
John W. Haefeli '86
Presidential Service Award
Thomas M. Howerton '64, '71
Public Service Award
Chen-ku Hwang '82
International Humanitarian Award
Jerry V. Krause '65, '67
Contribution to Sport Award
Alice C. Leal '68, '76
Inspiration to Youth Award
Carlos Leal '64, '71
Emeritus Award
Charles R. McNerney '61, '62
Outstanding Educator
Jack A. Murphy '67, '94
William R. Ross Award For Science
L. Wayne Wells '49
Community Service Award
2000 Honorees
Donald Bailey '76
Contribution to Music Award
James Cantrell '65
Creative Achievement Award
Jongrak Krainam '75, '80
International Award
John G. Newman '81
Presidential Service Award
Ann O'Brien-Gonzales '97
Contribution to Health Award
George Sage '55, '57
Contribution to Sport Award
Norma Saiter '69, '70
Inspiration to Youth Award
Jean Schober Morrell '94
Community Service Award
Donald Waldrip '61
Trailblazer Award
Cheryl Wenzinger '72
Contribution to Business Award
Read More
1990s
1999 Honorees
Marti Alter '74
Presidential Service Award
David Deforest-Stalls '78
Contribution to Youth Award
Lowell Graham '70, '71
Contribution to Music
Karel King Hill '67
Alumni of the Year Award
Freddie Litton '73
Humanitarian Award
Jack Magruder '66
Administrative Achievement Award
Sue McCarroll '75
Columbine Award: Service to Colorado
Michael McGovern '83
Creative Achievement Award
Lorraine "Lori" Garcia Sadler '67
Trailblazer Award
Joseph Velardo '48
William R. Ross Award for Science
1998 Honorees
Paul D. Beal '52
Professional Achievement in the Arts
Ellen Brilliant '94
Outstanding Young Alum
Walter Katnich '50
Community Service
Frank Lakin '55, '57
Alumni Volunteer of the Year President's Award
Peter Lemon '81
Humanitarian
Harold Love '63
Outstanding Educator
Frances Omori '71, '72
Trailblazer
Charles Putnik '72
William R. Ross Award for Science
1997 Honorees
Alex F. Chappell '77
Columbine Award
Sugree Charoensook '81, '85
International Award
Larry D. Dunkle '65
William R. Ross Award for Science
Marie Louise Anderson Greenwood '35
Trailblazer Award
Vicki Heisler '74
Inspiration to Youth Award
William (Michael) Kleine '70
Outstanding Educator Award
James E. Loehr '66, '68
Contribution to Health Award
Wesley Howard Sargent '69
Presidential Service Award
1996 Honorees
Judith Knecht Babbitt '62
Humanitarian Award
David E. Carter '76
Columbine Award
Steven John Dietz '80
Creative Achievement
Joan Bailey Morley '52
Outstanding Educator
Lydia Miller Ruyle '72
Contribution to the Arts
Peter William Zehna '50, '51
Outstanding Educator
1995 Honorees
Bernice Bass de Martinez '70, '72
Contribution to Youth
Elena J. Batman '87
Creative Achievement
Barbara Coloroso '70, '72
Contribution to Education
Walter M. Francis '71, '73
Community Service
Robert Heinich '48, '49
Trailblazer
Jerry Kiefer '70
Columbine Award
Michael C. Tormey '72, '77
Presidential Service
Neil Westergaard '75
Distinguished Service
Lloyd M. Yonemura '72
Alumni Volunteer of the Year President's Award
1994 Honorees
Neil D. Argo Jr. '79
Contribution to the Arts
Robert L. Blasi '56
Contribution to UNC
Lucile Maxfield Bogue '34
Columbine: Service to Colorado
Daniel A. Frantz '79
Humanitarian Service
Kent W. Glassman '87
Alumni Presidential Service
Raymond J. Kruse '41
Contribution to Youth
Ronald J. Newton '61
Trailblazer
John D. Pacheco '74, '79
Outstanding Educator
1993 Honorees
Mary Jo Drew '79
Outstanding Young Alumna
Thomas Hernandez '59
Inspiration to Youth
Reuben Al Isberg '35
Alumni & Foundation Entrepreneur
Scott Manley '69, '70, '77
Humanitarian
Mary Golda Ross '39
Trailblazer
Michael Weiker '62, '65
Music Educator
William “Bill” H. Welsh, Jr. '35
Contribution to Communication Arts
1992 Honorees
James Shigeo Alegre '59
Outstanding Educator
Maw-Fa Chien '73
International Award
Ralph Willis Levy '48, '49
Columbine Award
Christine Louise Lucero '81
Inspiration to Youth
Carol Schneider Mutter '67
Trailblazer
Barbara Ennis Pigford '53
Outstanding Educator
1991 Honorees
Betty Twist Aylin '39
Contribution to Business
James R. Burress '76
Trailblazer (posthumous)
Alan D. Clark '64
Presidential Service/Past President
Norman Heimgartner '68
International Alumnus
Louise Johnson '71
Alumna Educator
Richard D. Olson '76
Presidential Service/Immediate Past President
William E. Rapp '64
Alumni & Foundation Entrepreneur
Charles L. Rutherford '49, '55, '67
Contribution to Music
George Umberson '67
Alumnus Educator
1990 Honorees
Henry Amicarella '37, '38
Columbine
Tamra Hayden-Rice '85
Honors Program
Charles A. Lindly '57, '61
Alumnus Educator
Don Meyer '67, '68
Contribution to Sport
Janelle Haworth Munn '48
Contribution to Youth
Sherry Ann Ramsey '82, '82
Outstanding Young Alumna
Anthony M. Rossi '49
Trailblazer
John H. Schrant '44
Humanitarian Service
Patricia Bennett Taylor '69
Alumna Educator
Lawrence Von Bamford '80
Creative Achievement
Read More
1980s
1989 Honorees
The Centennial Hall of Fame replaced the honored Alumni awards in recognition of UNC's 100th anniversary.
1988 Honorees
LaMar Steen '51
Alumnus Trailblazer
George E. Ayers '63, '65
Outstanding Alumnus/Educator
Janet Brooks-Gerloff '72
Creative Achievement
Ying-Hau Chen '73, '75
International Alumnus
Leslie S. Franklin '62
Community Service
Gordon T. Maddux '53
Contribution to Sport
Jon R. Runge '76
Presidential Service
Marian Stoskopf '59
Outstanding Alumna/Education
Marjorie Wilson West '62
Alumna Trailblazer
James E. Miller '55
Emeritus Faculty
1987 Honorees
Anan Attachoo '75
International Alumnus
Andrea Slack Doray '77
Outstanding Young Alumna
Martha Epp '40, '43
Creative Achievement
Pete Mirich '50, '61
Contribution to Youth
Patricia Ward Rubano '74, '80
Community Service
Roland M. Smith '69
Outstanding Alumnus/Educator
Gloria Velasquez Trevino '78
Trailblazer
Philip Wilson '68
Contribution to Health
Catherine Yoder '74
Presidential Service
1986 Honorees
Sylvia Adams '83
Presidential Service
Idris K. Boltz '36
Outstanding Alumnus/Education
Alice Amen Heinz '59
Columbine
Ruby Miller
Friend of UNC
Dorothy J. Porter '67
Trailblazer
Don Robinson '58
Contribution to Sport
J. Joseph Stevens '65
Service to UNC
David P. Wacker '75
Outstanding Young Alumnus
1985 Honorees
Glen Alps '40
Trailblazer Alumnus
Barbara Sue Davis '74
Young Alumna
Patrick Haggerty '51, '53
Contribution to Sport
Mildred Hansen '27
Columbine
Maureen Hogg '77
Trailblazer Alumna
Larry T. Schultz '55, '65
Field of Education
Sharon Seery '70
Presidential Service
Knute Skinner '51
Creative Achievement
Maynard Stamper '34, '38
Emeritus
Virginia Anderson Webb '56
Community Service
1984 Honorees
John C. Duran '73
Past President
Rupert M. Goodbrod
Emeritus Faculty
Walter O. Green '55, '56
Creative Achievement (posthumous)
Richard H. Jones '34, '37
Outstanding Alumnus/Educator
William P. Kenney '78
Outstanding Young Alum
Lian-Wen Mao '70
International Alumnus
Greg L. Riddoch '68, '83
Inspiration to Youth
1983 Honorees
J. Michael Barrett '68
William R. Ross Award For Science
Robert Benton '56
Outstanding Alumnus/Educator
Mary Camblin Reed '60
Outstanding Alumna/Educator
Donald S. Groves '67, '70, '82
Past President
Louis Ingelhart '42, '47
Trailblazer
Gaylord Morrison
Emeritus Faculty
Dorothy Strubel '34
Columbine
Mildred Ying '50
Trailblazer
1982 Honorees
Mildred "Mim" Tesdahl Ballou '60
Outstanding Alumnus/Educator
Harold M. Browning '36, '43
Distinguished Service To UNC
Lonis C. "Pete" Butler '31, '35
Emeritus Alumnus
Hollis F. Fait '46, '48
International Alumnus
Michael Homyak '60
Past President
Courtlyn Hotchkiss '46, '54
Columbine
James M. Kadlecek '85
Friend of UNC
Betty J. Kolstoe '57, '69
Trailblazer
Donald C. Roush '59
Outstanding Alumnus/Educator
Joseph L. Shoemaker '42, '51
Faculty Alumnus
1981 Honorees
Irv Brown '57
Columbine
Margaret Anne Campbell '38
Outstanding Alumnus/Educator
Julianne F. Haefeli '54
Past President
Stephen J. Havill '69
International Alumnus
LeRoy Kerns '48
Emeritus Alumnus
Samuel Martinez '57, '61
Past President
Martha Spann Poole '60
Trailblazer
Margaret Bottinelli Troxel '39, '41
Distinguished Service
1980 Honorees
Gerry Flanigan '66
Past President Recognition
Clara Funderburk '63
Columbine
Jacqueline I. Haines '55
Outstanding Alumnus/Educator
William H. Hill '52, '53, '55
Outstanding Alumnus/Educator
Charles F. Howard Jr. '54, '58
Trailblazer
Dean Krakel '50
American Heritage
Victor R. Nottingham '52
Community Service
Read More
1970s
1979 Honorees
Martin Candelaria
Emeritus Community Service
Glenna Dannels '47
Trailblazer
Gilbert J. Hause '52
Distinguished Alumnus
John U. Michaelis '36
Outstanding Alumnus/Educator
Lily Rosqueta-Rosales '57
International Alumnus
J.C. Tim Scates '66
Past President
Andra Schmidt Bookman '70
Columbine
Poonsang Sutabutra '65
International Alumna
1978 Honorees
Said Atiah Abo Ali '75
International Alumnus
R. Rix Blakey '47
Alumni Service
John E. Bothell '26, '36
Emeritus Faculty
George A. Cavender '28, '33
Trailblazer
Richard B. Feaster '51, '54
Business & Industry
Julianne F. Haefeli '54
Centurian
A. Dallas Martin Jr. '65, '69, '71
Trailblazer
B. Corlee Munson '48
Outstanding Women Educator
Arthur L. Ohanian '48, '67
Past President
Virginia L. Sears '28
Columbine
Christine A. Tanner '69
Alumnus Faculty
Joseph C. Weber '66
Outstanding Male Educator
1977 Honorees
Raymond V. Biondo '60
Trailblazer
Irene Pixler Dunstan '32, '37
Trailblazer
Kun-Huei Huang '71
International Alumnus
Arno H. Luker '49
Emeritus Alumnus
Robert W. Noffsinger '43
Distinguished Alumnus
Stephanie Mueller Riley '61
Outstanding Female Educator
Gerald D. Schmidt '60
Alumnus Faculty
Elva Stealy Steinmark '32
Outstanding Female Educator
Robert L. Wendel '59, '60, '67
Outstanding Male Educator
Wellington Webb '64, '71
Columbine
1976 Honorees
Tilman M. Bishop '55, '56
Centurion
Spurgeon Q. Bryant Sr. '54
Outstanding Male Educator
Chunghoon Choy '69
International Alumnus
Donald L. Garrity '50
Trailblazer
Carl E. Hansen '63, '65, '68
Trail Blazer
Edward Kelly '66
Honorary Alumnus Faculty
Samuel Martinez '57, '61
Public Service
Frank A. Slack '39
Columbine
Donnis Thompson '67
Outstanding Female Educator
1975 Honorees
Fritz S. Brennecke '36
Trailblazer
Frederick Haehnlen '65
Trailblazer
Helen Fung Khoo '57
International Alumni
Ralph King '39, '40
Alumnus Faculty
Jack J. Meakins '51, '55
Past President
James E. Perdue '41
Outstanding Male Educator
Roland Rautenstraus '43
Columbine
Ruth Rich '49
Outstanding Female Educator
Ernest B. Scott '50
Centurion
1974 Honorees
Charles O. Douglas '59, '65
Trailblazer
Richard G. Hause '54, '55, '66
Centurian
Jeanette Lacey '39
Outstanding Female Educator
John J. Mirich '58, '61
Outstanding Male Educator
Edwin J. Pittock '65
Past President
Eleanor M. Wagoner '60
International Alumnus
Wayman Walker '41
Alumnus Faculty
1973 Honorees
Ernest Andrade '62, '71, '82
Outstanding Male Educator
A. Irene Armitstead '45
Special Award
Carl H. Gustafson '51
Trailblazer
Donald Blaine Herdman '51
Outstanding Alumni
Dorothy Clayton McKenzie '32
Outstanding Female Educator
Tedde Kast Scharf '73, '74
Outstanding Student
1972 Honorees
Edwin G. Alexander '47
Outstanding Alumnus
William E. Davis '58
Special Award
Audrey V. Dempsey '29, '32, '50
Outstanding Woman Educator
Hal W. Hamm '28, '30
Special Award
Charles J. Mackey '35
Outstanding Male Educator
James A. Michener '37
Trailblazer
1971 Honorees
Samuel G. Gates '45, '47
Special Award
Hazel L. Munson '32, '60
Trailblazer
Hazel E. Petrocco '48
Outstanding Woman Educator
James Wailes '41, '49
Outstanding Male Educator
1970 Honorees
Earl Lester Cole '43
Special Award
Guy Davis '41
Special Award
M. Frances Dougherty '35, '40
Woman Educator
Lafayette W. Green '34, '36
Male Educator
Fred Harcleroad '39,'42
Trailblazer
Eugene Herrington '26
Trailblazer
Ubol Reangsuwan '56, '59
International Recognition
Read More
1960s
1969 Honorees
Eldon E. Baker '59
Trailblazer
William F. Hartman '38, '52
Special Award
J. Osborne Johnson '28, '38
Male Educator
John C. Johnson '28, '38
Trailblazer
Charles Romine '54
Male Educator
Wilma Scott '42
Female Educator
1968 Honorees
Dorothy Jean Corsberg '46, '52
Female Educator
Warren Monfort
Trailblazer
Robert Timothy '41
Special Award
Carl Wilkerson '51, '57
Male Educator
1967 Honorees
Laurene Edmundson '40
Ted Long '24, '27
Industrial Art
Charles Lott Jr. '42
Social Science
Clyde Morganti '41
1966 Honorees
Ervin French '42, '46
John A. Rosales '75
Helen Jo Shaeffer '54
1965 Honorees
Marvin Foote '40
Henry Lujan '54
Phyllis Roop '54
Warren W. Wiggins
1964 Honorees
Lucy P. Blaisdell '26
Eugene R. Gullette '38
Mildred E. Jobe '29
William L. McDivitt '56
Anna C. Petteys '43
1963 Honorees
Edward J. Flint '29, '38, '54
Jack Pollock '49, '57
Margaret Wood '69
1962 Honorees
Thomas B. Doherty '38, '42
John Taylor Eastlick '39
Mary Louise Flood '17, '27
Edward John Getsch '40
1961 Honorees
Lloyd E. Gaskill '35
Walter Humphrey '31
Emma Lou Purvis '38
Ewald Turner '49
1960 Honorees
Harold Ferguson '35, '42
Chester O'Hanlon '35, '41
Altha Stogsdill '46
Bill Welsh '34
Read More
1950s
1959 Honorees
Myron Willett '30, '39
Elbie L. Gann '43
Mary Hinds '50
Frederick H. Good '33
1958 Honorees
Wilford Woody '26, '27
Gilbert Funk '41
Louise Cronbaugh '38, '39
Elmer F. Bennett '38
1957 Honorees
Harry W. Charlesworth '26, '28
Ann P. Oleson '57, '61
Robert H. Johnson
1956 Honorees
George Irvin '35, '39
Geneva Keirnes '35
Thomas J. Murphy '36, '46
1955 Honorees
Elmer Burkhard '36, '44, '70
Julia Braun '25, '31
1954 Honorees
John T. Roberts '29, '30
Hazel Dalbey
1953 Honorees
Harold Threlkeld
Janet Grauberger '37
1952 Honorees
Margaret McGroarty '22, '27
Robert James
1951 Honorees
Lloyd A. Garrison '26, '32
Grace Finley '17, '27
1950 Honorees
Jean Hunt Goudy '36, '39
Leo Butler '67
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1940s
1949 Honorees
Jennie Tyler '14
James Reiva
1948 Honorees
Irene Conboy '16
Louis H. Braun '30, '31
1947 Honorees
Marguerite Jucham '31, '32
Philip Kirton
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2020s
2024
2023
2022 Honorees
John ’84 and Angela ’89 Schmidt
2021 Honorees
2020 Honorees
Bill Benson '76
Anissa Guzman '93, '01
Gary Loo '64
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2010s
2019 Honorees
Kathleen Dunemn '71
Darlene LeDoux '78
Matt Schuman '86
Julie Zalikowski '75
Jim and Janet Listen, Honorary
2018 Honorees
CJ Archibeque '93, '02
Patricia Escobar '07, '11
Tony Tolbert '97, '08
Monika Vischer '89
David A. Wood & Carol B. Wood, Honorary
2017 Honorees
Jim Alexander '69
Fritz J. Erickson '84, '87
Bob Heiny, Honorary
Bruce Pearson '69
2016 Honorees
Minseok An '93
Daniel J. Carey '72, '75
Robert A. Clark '60
Pia Dounglomchunt '74, '75, '81
Bob & Bonnie Phelps, Honorary
2015 Honorees
Brad Inhulsen '12
Alumni Spirit Award
Mike & Marilynn Loustalet
Distinguished Honorary Alumni of the Year
Dick Monfort '76
Distinguished Alumni Service Award
Dennis Morimoto '65, '66
Distinguished Service Award
Jong Shyong Shyu '84, '88
Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
2013 Honorees
Steve Baker '86
Distinguished Alumni Service Award
Hank & Nan Brown
Distinguished Honorary Alumni of the Year
Richard Kilmer '60
Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
James Kawika Riley '05
Alumni Spirit Award
Ronna L. Sanchez '80, '82, '88, '00
Distinguished Service Award
2012 Honorees
Fernie Baca Hayes '61
Distinguished Alumna of the Year
Theo Holland '61
Distinguished Alumni Service Award
Autumn Hurlbert '02
Alumni Spirit Award
Wayne Melanson '75
Distinguished Service Award
Bob & Betty Tointon
Distinguished Honorary Alumni of the Year
2011 Honorees
David Pierce Beaver '72
Andrew Boian '94
Steve Eastin '70
Michael Hutchinson '79
Joseph Martin '82
2010 Honorees
Laura Adams '78
Distinguished Alumni Award
S. Kato Crews '97
Young Alumni Award
Kenneth Evans '55, '56
Distinguished Emeritus Faculty Award
Dana Landry '94
Creative Achievement Award
Mark Nuccio '85
Creative Achievement Award
Masoud Shirazi '74, '75
Distinguished Alumni Award
Sumate Yamnoon '81, '84
Distinguished Alumni Award
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2000s
2009 Honorees
Allan "Gene" Aiken
Distinguished Emeritus Award
Brian M. Davidson '99
Young Alumni Award
Tim Jorstad '75
Distinguished Alumni Award
Frank and Betty Ottesen
Honorary Alumni Award
Sharon Lee Parker '77
Distinguished Alumni Award
Randy Watkins '99
Distinguished Alumni Service Award
Aléna Watters '03
Creative Achievement Award
Randy Zila '80, '96
Distinguished Alumni Award
2008 Honorees
Edwin “Buddy” Baker
Distinguished Emeritus Award
John Beel
Distinguished Emeritus Award
Tom and Nona Gordon
Honorary Alumni Award
John L. Mendoza '61, '69
Creative Achievement Award
Rhoda Rogers '88
Distinguished Alumni Service Award
Michael Shonka '69
Distinguished Alumni Award
Patrick Varney '99
Young Alumni Award
2007 Honorees
Kathleen Bickford Berzock '87
Creative Achievement Award
Cynthia Evans '73
Distinguished Alumni Award
Glenn McDonald
Honorary Alumni Award
Joe Tennessen
Honorary Alumni Award
James Valdez '69
Distinguished Alumni Service Award
Mark Wallace '79
Distinguished Alumni Award
2006 Honorees
Rodger Bybee '66, '69
Distinguished Alumni Award
Kenneth Cook '80, '84
Distinguished Alumni Service Award
Cheryl DeConde Johnson '76, '82
Trailblazer Award
Steve Forness '63, '64
Distinguished Educator Award
Miles Ishigaki '78
Creative Achievement Award
David Newton '64
Distinguished Alumni Award
Gerald Shadwick
Honorary Alumni Award
2005 Honorees
Dr. Alton Barbour '56
Distinguished Alumni Award
Bruce Broderius '66
Distinguished Emeritus Award
Delores (Lori) Daniel '72
Distinguished Alumni Award
Greg Germann '78
Creative Achievement in Theatre Arts Award
Joe Glenn
Honorary Alumni Award
April-Joy Gutierrez '88
Creative Achievement in Performing Arts Award
Larry Roots '74
Creative Achievement in Visual Arts Award
David Warble '73
Distinguished Alumni Service Award
2004 Honorees
Gregory J. Anton '87
Contribution to Business Award
Duane Banks '65
Contribution to Sport Award
Jon Crane '71
Creative Achievement Award
William Hairston '73
Creative Achievement Award
Henrietta Holsman Fore '75
Public Service Award
Marlene Politzer '52
Humanitarian Service Award
2003 Honorees
Linda S. Akers '86
Humanitarian Service
W. Keith Christy '63, '67
Outstanding Educational Leader
Jay K. Hackett '72
William R. Ross Award for Science
Noreen Heer Nicol '77
Contribution to Health
Sam Schauerman '51, '52
Public Service
C. Daniel Sprick '78
Creative Achievement
2002 Honorees
Robert Ackerman '75
Contribution to Health Award
David L. Hartenbach '81
Outstanding Educational Leader
James Lyke '68
Contribution to Music Award
John A. Mosbo '69
William R. Ross Award for Science
Stanley Shimada '61, '63
Inspiration to Youth Award
George E. Swafford '59
Trailblazer Award
2001 Honorees
Scott Fredrickson '89
Contribution to Music Award
John W. Haefeli '86
Presidential Service Award
Thomas M. Howerton '64, '71
Public Service Award
Chen-ku Hwang '82
International Humanitarian Award
Jerry V. Krause '65, '67
Contribution to Sport Award
Alice C. Leal '68, '76
Inspiration to Youth Award
Carlos Leal '64, '71
Emeritus Award
Charles R. McNerney '61, '62
Outstanding Educator
Jack A. Murphy '67, '94
William R. Ross Award For Science
L. Wayne Wells '49
Community Service Award
2000 Honorees
Donald Bailey '76
Contribution to Music Award
James Cantrell '65
Creative Achievement Award
Jongrak Krainam '75, '80
International Award
John G. Newman '81
Presidential Service Award
Ann O'Brien-Gonzales '97
Contribution to Health Award
George Sage '55, '57
Contribution to Sport Award
Norma Saiter '69, '70
Inspiration to Youth Award
Jean Schober Morrell '94
Community Service Award
Donald Waldrip '61
Trailblazer Award
Cheryl Wenzinger '72
Contribution to Business Award
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Centennial Hall of Fame
In honor of UNC's centennial year, 100 individuals were inducted into UNC's Centennial Hall of Fame in 1989. These alumni were chosen to serve as an example of "the impact this university has had on our society for the past century." View the full event brochure, complete with individual honoree biographies.
Glen Alps 1941
George Ayers 1963, 1965
Mildred Ballou 1960
Alvin Barnhart 1962, 1988
J. Michael Barrett 1968
Edward Beaty 1963
Robert Benton 1961
Tilman Bishop 1955, 1956, 1999
Idris Boltz 1936
Fritz Brennecke 1936
Clyde Brundy, attended
Robert Bush 1935, 1937
Pete Butler 1931, 1934
Rodger Bybee 1966, 1969
George Carlson 1898
Gordon Cawelti 1954
Ying-Hau Chen 1973, 1975
Sandra Cole 1967, 1970
William Creswell, Jr. 1948
Barbara Davis 1974
William Davis 1958
Harold DeBey 1947
Marie Diggs 1941, 1947
Maggie Divelbiss 1953
Thomas Doherty 1938, 1942
Frances Dougherty 1935, 1940
Lawrence Eicher 1960
Ed Elliott 1969
Hollis Fait 1946, 1947
Dean Fleischauer 1967
William Force 1938
Leslie Franklin 1962
Ralph Frazier 1939, 1941
Ervin French 1942, 1946
Donald Garrity 1950
Lloyd Gaskill 1935
Samuel Gates 1945, 1947
Bill Gearheart 1963
Robert Gilchrist 1927, 1928
Donn Gresso 1966
Mildred Hansen 1927
Fred Harcleroad 1939, 1942
Dorothy Hayden-Watkins 1967
Paul Heidger, Jr. 1963
Harold Heller 1964
Edgar Hewett 1898
E'Rena Hockenberry 1946, 1972
Philip Hosford 1963
George Houston 1893
Norman Howe 1972
Kun-Huei Huang 1971
Author Hughes 1954
Paul Hurd 1929, 1934, 1980
George Hynd 1976
Mary Francesca Kearns 1973
Richard Killmer 1960
Ray Kilmer 1959, 1963, 1973
Frank Lakin 1955, 1957
Duane Littell 1968, 1969
Charles Lory 1898
Gordon Maddux 1953
Lian-Wen Mao 1970
Dallas Martin, Jr. 1965, 1970, 1971
Samuel Martinez 1957, 1961
Alan McCormack 1969
William McDivitt 1947, 1956
Stephen McNeal 1960, 1965
John Mendoza 1961, 1969
Edward Meyen 1958, 1959
James Michener 1937, 1972
Verle Mickish 1951, 1955
James Miller 1955
Warren Monfort 1914
Ekavidya Nathalang 1956
Thomas Nicholls, Jr. 1949
Jesse Nusbaum 1907
Arthur Ohanian 1948, 1967
Don Park 1966
Don Robinson 1958
William Ross 1940, 1964
George Sage 1955, 1957
Lynn Sandstedt 1954
Larry Schultz 1965
Wilma Scott 1942
M.D. Selim 1962
Robert Smith 1958, 1964
Sylvia Smith 1963
David Stalls 1978
Poonsang Sutabutra 1965
Robert Timothy 1941, 1986
Roy Unruh 1978
Gloria Velasquez 1978
David Wacker 1975
Jean Waid 1970
Wellington Webb 1964, 1971, 2009
Connie Willis 1967
Philip Wilson 1968
Robert Winslow 1972
Doyle Winter 1971
Mildred Ying 1950
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