Twelve outstanding members of the University of Colorado at Boulder community will be honored May 6 during the CU-Boulder Alumni Association's 79th Annual Alumni Awards Ceremony.
The ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. in Old Main Chapel on the CU-Boulder campus and is free and open to the public.
The George Norlin Award honors outstanding alumni for their careers and service to society. Recipients of the 2009 Norlin Award are: Dale "Pete" Atkins, a Denver physician and former CU baseball standout who served 12 years on the CU Board of Regents; Richard "Dick" Engebretson of Wayzata, Minn., and Rancho Mirage, Calif., who had a successful career in marketing and trade shows and has been a tireless advocate for the business school; and George Sissel of Westminster, Colo., former CEO of Ball Corporation who helped steer the Engineering Advisory Council and CU Foundation board during a critical time in the university's recent history.
Three professors will receive the Robert L. Stearns Award in recognition of extraordinary contributions to the university: Douglas Burger, associate professor and associate chair of the English department whose outstanding efforts in the classroom have had a profound impact on students; Patty Limerick, a history professor, faculty director of the Center of the American West and nationally recognized expert on the American West; and Owen "Brian" Toon, professor and chair of atmospheric and oceanic sciences whose research on the dangers of nuclear war during the 1980s had widespread public policy ramifications, including helping to end the arms race during the Cold War.
David M. Oliver of New York will receive the Leanne Skupa Lee Award as a faithful National Alumni Admissions Assistance Program volunteer for more than 20 years, participating in college fairs and contacting admitted students to congratulate them and answer their questions.
Five students will be recognized as recipients of the Public Interest Internship Experience awards: Nicholas Alvey, Jeremy Edwards, Kathryn McCune, Kelly McGrew and Kelsey Wills.
The awards ceremony will be followed by a reception with dessert in the CU Heritage Center on the third floor of Old Main.
To attend the May 6 event, please make reservations by calling 303-492-0635 or e-mailing ryan.lecky@colorado.edu.
Based in the Koenig Alumni Center at the corner of Broadway and University avenues, the CU-Boulder Alumni Association administers scholarships, awards, online networking opportunities, alumni clubs, the CU Heritage Center and publishes the monthly electronic newsletter Buffalum Notes and the quarterly alumni magazine, the Coloradan.