Nominate a Classmate for the 50 Year Club Awards
Started in 1934, the 50 Year Club is celebrating its 91st anniversary this year. This stalwart group of Rams includes anyone who graduated 50 or more years ago from Colorado State University.
Please review our nomination criteria and details below for the 2025 50 Year Club Awards. The awards ceremony and luncheon will take place during Homecoming and Family Weekend, where we will induct and welcome the class of 1975 into the 50 Year Club!
Outstanding Recognition Awards
Each year, the Colorado State University Alumni Association and 50 Year Club Committee recognize two alumni who graduated at least 50 years ago for career achievement and public service.
The Career Achievement Award identifies and recognizes an alum who is recognized as outstanding in their occupation, field, or profession by peers in that industry, who has brought honor to Colorado State University and to themselves.
The Public Service Award identifies and recognizes an outstanding alum who is recognized by the University community and also by the alum’s community as someone who has contributed works of public service (e.g., government, clubs, charities, or organizations that are not industry or profession oriented).
Congrats to the 2024 Award Recipients!
Career Achievement Award: Vijay P. Singh
Vijay P. Singh (Ph.D., ’74) began his career journey at the U.P. Agricultural University in India, where he received a B.S. in engineering and technology in 1967. Dr. Singh has since earned three more degrees, including an M.S. in engineering from the University of Guelph in Canada, Doctor of Science in environmental and water resources engineering from the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa, and a Ph.D. in civil engineering from Colorado State University. These are in addition to the four honorary doctoral degrees he has received throughout the course of his career.
Currently, Dr. Singh is a Distinguished Professor, a Regents Professor, and the inaugural holder of the Caroline and William N. Lehrer Distinguished Chair in Water Engineering at Texas A&M University. Dr. Singh’s research interests include surface- and groundwater hydrology; irrigation engineering; environmental quality and water resources; and hydrologic impacts of climate change. His extensive research efforts, which include the publication of more than 1,590 referred journal articles, 40 books, 95 edited reference books, hundreds of book chapters, and hundreds of thousands of citations, as well as the Handbook of Applied Hydrology and Encyclopedia of Snow, Ice and Glaciers, led to him being named one of the top hydrological scientists in the world.
As a registered professional engineer and professional hydrologist, he has received more than 120 national and international awards, including being a two-time winner of the Norman Medal, which is the highest honor given by the American Society of Civil Engineers. In 2022, he was elected to the National Academy of Engineering and recognized for his distinguished contributions to wave modeling and development of entropy-based theories of hydrologic processes and hydroclimatic extremes.
Dr. Singh has served as president of the American Institute of Hydrology; president of the American Academy of Water Resources Engineers; president of the International Association for Water, Environment, Energy, and Society; and chair of the Watershed Council of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Singh has devoted himself to ensuring the success of future professionals. This is most clearly shown in his founding of the G.B. School in 1994 in his native village of Naglavishnu in District Agra, U.P., India. Inspired by the memory of his parents, the G.B. School imparts quality education to children in rural Agra and currently has four campuses ranging from primary school all the way to the collegiate level.
Public Service Award: Susan Campbell
Susan Campbell (M.Ed., ’73) has dedicated her life to public service through decades of tireless commitment. Her journey began in 1994 when she joined the Payson School District in Gila County, Arizona, as its first district receptionist. For 27 years, Campbell’s ethos was ensuring everyone who crossed her path felt valued and respected. Beyond her role as a receptionist, Campbell managed more than $1 million in grants that helped facilitate critical initiatives for the district; organized the state tax credit appeal; served as the emergency operations coordinator; and advocated tirelessly for non-English-speaking and homeless students. These efforts led to her being recognized as the 2014 Arizona Career Technical Education Administrative Assistant. Campbell’s dedication to public service does not stop at the Payson School District.
She established a scholarship at an Arizona community college that aims to support underserved students and continues to show her Ram Pride by regularly contributing to CSU’s First-Generation Student Success fund, including adding CSU to her estate to ensure educational opportunities for future generations. Other philanthropic efforts include participating in programs combating food insecurity, supporting youth sports for disadvantaged students, and, for 50 years, Campbell has directed and played in handbell choirs.
Campbell’s dedication to environmental stewardship is evident through her volunteerism at Tonto Natural Bridge State Park and her involvement with the Arizona Governor’s Commission on Scenic and Historic Parkways and Roads, where she collaborated on the designation of scenic routes across Arizona, including historic firsts on the Navajo Nation. In 2005, she helped establish Rim Country Friends of Ferals, which has helped trap, neuter, and safely return more than 3,000 feral cats and redefined community perceptions and welfare practices for these animals.
Campbell’s commitment to public service is personal, driven by her belief in the transformative power of education and community engagement. Her dedication to making a positive difference in the lives of others, whether through education, animal welfare, environmental conservation, or community service, exemplifies her role as a “passionate doer” in Payson, Arizona, and beyond.
Thanks to our 2024 Sponsor, Hilton Fort Collins
Thank you to our sponsor, Hilton Fort Collins, for supporting this event. If you are interested in staying at Hilton Fort Collins for this special celebration, please use this booking link and enter the corporate account number 2636934 under “Special Rates” or call (970) 482-2626 with booking code K3 to redeem today!
Nomination Info
Nominations for 2025 are open.
Award Criteria
Criteria for the Career Achievement and Public Service Recognition awards are similar. Please review the criteria carefully to determine which award would most appropriately express your nominee’s achievements.
We will recognize two alumni who are graduates of 50 or more years.
The CAREER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD identifies and recognizes an alum who is recognized as outstanding in their occupation, field, or profession by peers in that industry, who has brought honor to Colorado State University and to themselves.
The PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD identifies and recognizes an outstanding alum who is recognized by the University community and also by the alum’s community as someone who has contributed works of public service (e.g., government, clubs, charities, or organizations that are not industry or profession oriented).
Award Criteria
All nominees must have graduated from CSU or Colorado A&M at least 50 years ago.
The CAREER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD candidate must also have:
- A demonstrated record of distinction in their field.
- Received recognition in their career through awards or honors locally, nationally, or internationally.
- Demonstrated a lifelong history of accomplishments and activities in their field.
- Demonstrated leadership in professional organizations.
The PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD candidate must also have:
- Provided outstanding public service to their community.
- Provided service to their charitable or religious organization.
- Provided service to local, state, or national government.
- Provided service to medical or environmental well-being of humankind.
- Provided service to Colorado State University.
How to Nominate Someone for an Award
- Submit the nomination form online or download (print, complete, and mail). The nomination form must be completely filled out for full consideration.
- If you would like to update or add to your previously submitted nomination, it must be resubmitted by the deadline.
- Nominations are automatically rolled over an additional two years past the initial submission.
- Be as specific as possible, and attach additional sheets as needed. Please type if possible.
- Please attach one letter of recommendation from those who are familiar with the nominee’s accomplishments and service if available.
- Please attach copies of up to two (2) articles, photographs, or other supporting information.
- Before you nominate someone, please be sure you are addressing criteria in the category for which you are nominating them. Each candidate may only be nominated for ONE award: either the Career Achievement Award OR the Public Service Award.
Nomination Forms and Instructions
Select one of the following options to submit a nomination. Please be sure you read and understand the nomination information.
1. Online: Use this online form to submit a nomination. We highly recommend using Microsoft Word (or similar program) to type your answers, then copy and paste them into the form.
2. Print: Download, print, and complete a nomination form. Return via email or mail (contact info below).
Colorado State University Alumni Association
Attn. 50 Year Club Award Nomination
7114 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523-7114
E-mail: [email protected]. If emailing, please be sure to include the appropriate attachments.
Past Recipients
1987: Raymond Kissock (’14)
1988: Bruce Thornton (’18, 27)
1989: Jasper French (’39)
1990: Stew Case (’41)
1991: Jim (’40) and Nadine (’41) Henry
1992: Larry LaSasso (’34)
1993: Lois Smith (’40) and Lola Case (’40)
1994: Cecil Hellbusch (’30)
1995: Cecil Staver (’30, ’53)
1996: Charles Dale Rea (’36)
1997: John Toliver (’34)
1998: Wendell King (’30)
1999: Norm Cable (’38)
2000: Elizabeth Case (’42)
2001: G. Owen Smith (’47, ’50)
2002: John Matsushima (’43, ’45)
2003: Leona M. Heilman (’51)
2004: Robert Shideler (’48)
2005: Nicholas H. Booth, D.V.M. (’51)
2006: Dr. M. Joan (Ouderkirk) Cromer (’53)
2007: Cleon Kimberling, D.V.M. (’51, ’59)
2008: Everett Richardson, Ph.D. (’49, ’60, ’65)
2009: Eugene “Gene” Markley (’47)
2010: Robert Phillips, D.V.M. (’59, ’61) Career Achievement Award
2010: Alvie Rothe (’57, ’61) Public Service Award
2011: Anthony Sroka, Ph.D. (’51) Career Achievement Award
2011: Robert Briggs, Jr. (’59, ’61) Public Service Award
2012: Dr. Carl Burtis, Jr. (’59) Career Achievement Award
2012: Robert Sweeney (’59) Public Service Award
2013: Jim Coleman (’56) Career Achievement Award
2013: Bill Erickson (’51) Public Service Award
2014: Karen Ostermiller (’59) Career Achievement Award
2014: Tom Nix (’50) Public Service Award
2015: Mike Rosser (’64) Career Achievement Award
2015: Dale Yonker (’63) Public Service Award
2016: Donald Rutledge (’62) Career Achievement Award
2016: Polly Baca (’62) Public Service Award
2016: Ingmar “John” Olsen (’48) Distinguished Achievement Award (special award given in 2016 only)
2017: Delbert “Kent” Nelson (’61) Career Service Award
2017: Franklin Anderson (’56) Public Service Award
2017: Robert Miller, D.V.M. (’56) Distinguished Achievement Award
2018: Kenneth Goldsberry (B.S., ’54; M.S., ’62) Career Achievement Award
2018: Jack Welch (B.S., ’68; CERT, ’68) Public Service Award
2018: Jon Larsen (B.S., ’64) Achievement in Science Award
2019: Charlie Vail, D.V.M. (’58, ’60) Career Achievement Award
2019: Lt. Col. Robert W. Johnson, USAF (Retired) (’68) Public Service Award
2021: Thaine Michie (B.S., ’63) Career Achievement Award
2021: Vivian Lee Kerr (B.S., ’69; M.Ed., ’77) Public Service Award
2021: Charles (Chuck) Sylvester (B.S., ’61; M.Agr., ’86) Exceptional Achievement for National Western Stock Show Award
2022: Dr. Len Carpenter (B.S., ’68; Ph.D., ’76) Career Achievement Award
2022: Maxine Henke Schultz (B.S., ’60) Public Service Award
2023: Harry William “Bill” Ellis (B.S., ’64; CERT., ’64; M.Ed., ’68) Career Achievement Award
2023: Jo Ann (Hamil) Ostwald (B.S., ’58) Public Service Award
If you are interested in joining the 50 Year Club or for more info, please email Corryn Zylstra.