Awards

William E. Morgan Alumni Achievement Award

Nancy (B.S., housing and interior environment, ’82) and Curt Richardson

Nancy and Curt Richardson, founders of OtterBox and the OtterCares Foundation, have a decades-long legacy of impact in the Fort Collins community. Nancy came to Fort Collins to attend Colorado State University, where she graduated with a degree from the design program. It was while a student at CSU that Nancy met Curt, a young entrepreneur with a passion for innovation. Curt and Nancy would marry and go on to own several businesses that would eventually fail and end up “back in the garage.” In the early ’90s, Curt would develop a waterproof, crushproof dry box that Nancy would bestow an iconic name. In 1998, the Richardsons officially launched OtterBox.

OtterBox evolved to become a household name as the No. 1 most-trusted smartphone case brand in the U.S. At the core of their rapidly growing company was a dedication to giving back. In 2010, that dedication was formalized with the formation of the OtterCares Foundation – dedicated to advancing youth education in the areas of entrepreneurship and philanthropy.

Through OtterBox and OtterCares, the Richardsons also enable employees to make an impact in their communities by giving back through volunteer time off. Since 2011, when tracking started, Otter employees in the U.S., Europe, China, and Australia have volunteered more than 165,000 hours.

Nancy’s and Curt’s support of the local community has naturally extended to Colorado State University due to the alignment of values in innovation, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy. In 2014, the Nancy Richardson Design Center started as an idea and, in 2019, opened as a cross-disciplinary collaboration center. Curt is a member of the CSU College of Business Global Leadership Council. Nancy serves on the Executive Council for the CSU College of Health and Human Sciences and as a mentor at the college. She was a co-founder of the Women and Philanthropy group and is an active booster of the CSU women’s golf team. For her dedication to the CSU community, Nancy has previously been awarded the 2024 Friend of the College Award, 2016 Distinguished Athletics Award, and 2014 CHHS Outstanding Alumna.

About the award: Named for the eighth president of the University, Dr. William E. Morgan, this award is the highest honor given by the Alumni Association and is reserved for individuals who have excelled at the national or international level. The purpose of this award is to recognize a graduate who has attained extraordinary distinction and success in their field of endeavor and whose achievements have brought credit to CSU and benefited their fellow citizens.

Charles A. Lory Public Service Award

John Stulp Jr., D.V.M. (’72) (Posthumous Award)

John Stulp, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and dedicated public servant, passed away July 7, 2025, leaving a legacy of service and good will.

Born and raised in Yuma, Colorado, John went on to Colorado State University, graduating with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1972. During his time at CSU, he met his wife, Jane, in Aylesworth Hall. They eventually settled in Lamar, Colorado, where they raised their five children, all of whom graduated from CSU.

In the 1970s, John became an active voice in the American Agriculture Movement, crisscrossing the nation speaking at dozens of rallies and working with numerous agricultural agencies. Soon thereafter, he was asked to fill a vacancy for county commissioner for Prowers County. He was reelected and held the a position for many years. He had an ability to cross the aisle, work with people on all sides, and do what was best for the people he served. His strong agricultural background and ability to work as a bipartisan leader earned him appointments from five Colorado governors.

He served as agriculture commissioner under Gov. Bill Ritter. During this time, he also chaired the Western Association of State Departments where many states could discuss ag issues, as well as the Tri-National Accord to put policy in place for the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

After serving as ag commissioner, John accepted a newly created cabinet position under Gov. John Hickenlooper to serve as Colorado’s “water czar.” John worked tirelessly traveling across the state to create a unified vision for water usage and a means of stewarding one of the state’s most precious resources. John served additional leadership positions, including being chairman of the State Board of Agriculture. In that role, he hired Al Yates to be CSU’s president, a fitting legacy, as all five of his children graduated from CSU during Yates’s tenure. He also served on the Wildlife Commission, the State Land Board, and several other boards, always striving to make Lamar, Prowers County, and Colorado a better place.

About the award: This award is named for Dr. Charles A. Lory, the fifth president of the University, whose leadership helped the institution attain a vital balance of teaching, research, and service. It is given to alumni who have demonstrated exceptional and sustained leadership in their community, professional field, or personal commitments and have given a significant contribution of time and talent to the University.

Jim and Nadine Henry Award

Kevin Keefe (B.S., business administration, ’81)

Kevin Keefe’s philanthropy is rooted in the riches of the relationships he has cultivated with hundreds of people in the CSU community and in the kindhearted example from his parents who prioritized care over compensation in life and work.

Kevin was born and raised in Cheyenne Wells, a small town in eastern Colorado. His mother was a schoolteacher, and his father was a medical doctor, the namesake for Keefe Memorial Hospital. In 1977, Kevin followed his four older brothers to Colorado State University.

His business accounting career took him across the state, including working for Denver firms, a manufacturing facility in Lamar, and a John Deere dealership in Fort Morgan. He spent the last nine years of his career in CSU’s financial reporting and analysis department.

Kevin is a lifetime member of the Alumni Association. He served on the Alumni Association and Ram Club board of directors, including a year as president of the Ram Club board. He holds season tickets for football, men’s and women’s basketball, and volleyball and regularly volunteers for annual student events and programs across campus. Kevin was the 2013 recipient of the Larry LaSasso Spirit Award.

His heart is with the Fostering Success Program, which provides scholarships and other support to CSU students who grew up in foster care or independent living situations. In 2017, to honor his parents, Kevin established the Dr. Jerome and Ellen Keefe Memorial Scholarship, which provides an annual scholarship to CSU for students from eastern Colorado and western Kansas, or to a student in the Fostering Success Program.

About the award: This award is given in honor of Jim (’40) and Nadine (Hartshorn) (’41) Henry of Longmont, Colorado, to alumni who exemplify extraordinary service to the University and its academic, athletics, and alumni programs. This award is presented annually to alumni who represent the highest goals of the Alumni Association and the University and who have given significant support and service to both.

Distinguished Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD)

Maya Siegel (B.S., business administration, ’22)

Maya Siegel (she/her) is a Chinese American social entrepreneur and media strategist.

In 2021, Maya received first place in the Service-Learning category at CSU’s Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creativity and was named one of five first-place winners at the 2021 MURALS Symposium. She is also a 2024 Diana Award recipient. Established in memory of the late Princess Diana of Wales, the Diana Award is the most prestigious accolade a young person aged 9-25 can receive for their social action or humanitarian work.

Maya is the co-founder of Stories of Consent, the first and only national organization in the U.S. using a youth-led, peer education model to expand consent education in states without mandated curriculum. She has spent the last seven years leading digital strategy for social impact initiatives.

Most recently, Maya served as the platforms manager at FEMINIST, the largest women-owned nonprofit media platform serving women, girls, and gender-expansive people, where she led global strategy for an audience of 6 million and represented the brand on stages including the White House, TED2025, and Coachella.

About the award: The purpose of the GOLD award is to recognize a CSU graduate from the past 10 years for accomplishments made in the areas of career, service, and/or volunteer efforts that have brought honor to the individual and the University.

Distinguished Athletics Award

Golden Family: Sheron (B.S., home economics, ’62), Reggie, and Sarah Golden

Vernon Golden, who earned a degree in veterinary medicine in 1935, started the Colorado State University Golden family legacy.

In 1947, Vernon founded Golden Companies, a successful concrete company. Vernon and his wife, Marjorie Mae Stewart, supported CSU then by funding football programs and contributing to the Fum McGraw Athletic Center construction.

Their son, Stewart “Stew” Golden, who graduated with a degree in music education in 1962, and his wife Sheron, also a 1962 graduate in home economics, continued the family business and remained active CSU supporters. Stew served as general manager and vice president of Golden Companies after his military service in 1964.

Stew was a talented organ player, and he and Sheron donated more than $1 million to establish an Organ Chair, creating a permanent organ program at CSU. They also funded a scholarship for students studying music and, through Sheron, have sponsored a Legacy Scholarship annually for a women’s volleyball player.

Their son, Reggie Golden, began working with Golden Companies during summer vacations. After attending college in Texas, he returned home as president of the family company. The family sold the business in 1999 and today, Reggie is a developer in the Longmont area. He and his wife, Sarah, have two children, Drew and Rex, and a granddaughter, Frankie.

Reggie and Sarah, passionate about sports and quality family time, have supported CSU’s football and basketball programs for many years – holding Rams football season tickets for 50 years. They funded a room in the new athletics facility, donating approximately $500,000 to the basketball program.

About the award: The purpose of this award is to recognize an outstanding commitment to CSU Athletics; significant contributions toward the success of CSU Athletics as a staff member, athlete, volunteer, or donor; and achievements that have brought honor to the University.

College Honor Alumni

College of Agricultural Sciences

Dr. Alley Watada (B.S., horticulture, ’52; M.S., horticulture, ’53)

Alley E. Watada’s research contributed significantly to the modern-day practices of processing and handling fresh-cut produce. His directed applied and basic research findings resulted in national and international invitations to share his knowledge and expertise. He served in the U.S. Army as a scientist doing research on biological warfare.

Alley graduated from Colorado High School in Fort Lupton. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in horticulture from Colorado State University and a Ph.D. in plant physiology from the University of California, Davis.

He served on the faculty of the horticulture department at West Virginia University and then accepted the research leader position of the Horticultural Quality Laboratory of Agricultural Research Service for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Beltsville, Maryland.

Alley was recognized two different years as the Distinguished Scientist of Agricultural Service for the USDA. He also was recognized as the Distinguished Alumnus of the horticulture department at Colorado State University.

College of Business

Lisa Hackard (B.S., business administration, ’97)

Lisa Hackard, a highly respected audit partner based in Denver, is the head of Global System of Quality Management with KPMG International. Her career reflects a commitment to quality, inclusivity, and the well-being of her community. As a mentor and founding member of KPMG’s mental health task force, Lisa champions a culture where mental and physical health are recognized as fundamental aspects of professional and personal success.

She’ll soon run her fifth New York City Marathon, raising funds for Team for Kids, supporting running-based fitness, goal setting, and nutrition programs for kids throughout the U.S.

Earning a bachelor’s degree with concentrations in accounting and finance from Colorado State University’s College of Business, she now holds an important role on the Global Leadership Council for the college. She has also served as KPMG’s lead recruiting partner for CSU.

Lisa, a licensed certified public accountant in Colorado and New York, has held a variety of significant positions during her career with KPMG, including serving twice with the Department of Professional Practice in New York City. She has led the annual assessment of KPMG’s U.S. system of quality control and represented the U.S. in the global development of methodology, technology, and guidance for quality control standards.

Lisa values spending time with her husband, Andy, sons, Brennan and Evan, and their dogs, Max and Nitro. She enjoys travel and outdoor activities, reflecting her passion for a balanced and fulfilling life.

College of Health and Human Sciences

Ray Jackson (B.A., social work, ’99)

Ray Jackson has been part of three Super Bowl-winning teams during his 24 years with the National Football League, where he sits on the steering committee. In 2025, he enters year 11 with the Denver Broncos and his fifth as vice president of player development for the organization, charged with spearheading training and education for players through initiatives aimed at maximizing players’ potential and ability to achieve their goals on the field and off.

Ray, who was inducted into the CSU Hall of Fame in 2011, played for the Colorado State University Rams, where he graduated as the program’s all-time leader in career interceptions. As a senior in 1995, he was named First-Team All-Western Athletic Conference and was selected to the prestigious AFCA Good Works Team.

He was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the fifth round (156th overall) of the 1996 NFL Draft. He played cornerback for six NFL seasons with Buffalo (1996-98) and Cleveland (1999-2001) and began his post-playing career as the assistant director of player development for the Browns from 2002-04. He was the director of player development for the Pittsburgh Steelers for 10 years.

A graduate of Denver’s Montbello High School, Ray was born in East Chicago, Indiana. Ray and his wife have five children and six grandchildren.

College of Liberal Arts

Amy Hoeven (B.A., liberal arts, ’95)

Amy Hoeven is a fourth-generation Coloradan and local community leader.

Amy used her journalism education and Campus Television experience from Colorado State University to pursue a career in communications and community outreach in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors.

She was named Young Professional of the Year by the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce and, in 2017, she helped establish the First Generation Near-Peer mentoring program at CSU, which is solely run by CSU students and alumni. To strengthen connection to the program, Amy executive produced Who I Am, a virtual reality documentary film showcasing the mentoring work between first-generation CSU students and immigrant and refugee high school students in Fort Morgan, Colorado. Today, the program has grown from serving 35 students in one rural school to hundreds of students in six school districts statewide. Inspired by the mentoring program’s students and the giving nature of Dr. Ann Gill, Amy and her husband, Kurt, established the Elephant Scholarship in 2019 to benefit students from the northeastern Plains of Colorado.

Amy continues to advocate for immigrant and underserved communities by serving on the boards of College Access Navigators, Community Empowerment Fund, and the Interfaith Solidarity and Accompaniment Coalition. She was a member of the College of Liberal Arts Development Council from 2015-22 and in June 2022, she was appointed by Colorado Gov. Jared Polis to the Colorado Humanities board of directors where she continues to serve on the Program Committee.

Amy is a new member of the College of Liberal Arts Leadership board, serves on the city of Fort Collins Citizen Review board, and is a candidate for Fort Collins City Council, District 5.

College of Natural Sciences

Andrew Bane (B.S., psychology, ’91; M.S., psychology, ’93; Ph.D., psychology, ’96)

Andy Bane currently serves as CEO of Vetsource, having been a vital member of the founding team and previously holding the COO position for many years. He brings extensive experience in operations and strategic development, having been instrumental in Vetsource’s growth and evolution. Andy is also recognized for his empathetic leadership.

Andy earned his master’s degree and Ph.D. in experimental psychology/behavioral neuroscience from Colorado State University in 1996. Following that, he completed a postdoctoral fellowship in pharmacology and toxicology at Bowman-Gray School of Medicine in 1997.
Based in the Pacific Northwest, Andy enjoys exploring the outdoors through activities such as hiking, skiing, fly-fishing, and boating. He values time spent with his wife, their three children, and the family’s two Rhodesian ridgebacks.

College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Kwane Stewart, D.V.M. (’97)

Dr. Kwane Stewart, co-founder of the nonprofit Project Street Vet, helps unhoused pets and people in need – that’s his calling.

He has been a California practicing veterinarian for more than 28 years, working in nearly every part of the profession to refine his clinical and business expertise.

Kwane was the CNN Hero of the Year for 2023, recognized for his impactful work, and for his outspoken, compassionate, charismatic, and genuine nature.

A graduate of CSU in 1997, Kwane started his career as an associate and emergency clinician, and he quickly become the chief medical officer of VETCO Hospitals Inc. in 2002. In 2007, he took the reins of a struggling municipal shelter and reversed one of the worst euthanasia rates in the country during his five-year tenure. Later in 2013, he became chief veterinary officer of American Humane and director of their legacy movie program. Today, he serves as Netflix’s chief veterinary advisor in charge of global animal oversight protecting animals behind the scenes.

Kwane is committed to efforts that connect unhoused people and their pets with quality care at no cost. That work – and inspiring stories of hope – is chronicled in a docuseries called The Street Vet. He also published a book in 2023 called What It Takes to Save a Life, that is being considered for a true-to-life movie.

Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering

Dave Montgomery (B.S., mechanical engineering, ’93)

Dr. David Montgomery has been a leader and technical contributor in the engine industry for 31 years. He has more than 115 U.S. and foreign patents.

He currently has a combined role of engineering manager and technical fellow in Caterpillar’s Engine Research Division. He leads a team focused on research and development of natural gas and alternative-fueled power systems including engines and fuel cells.

David is an adjunct professor at Colorado State University. He teaches and serves on graduate committees and manages joint Caterpillar/CSU research projects. He has served on the dean’s advisory board for CSU’s Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering for 14 years.

His most recent previous corporate position was serving as Caterpillar’s primary dual-fuel engine subject matter expert, consulting on combustion system R&D programs for natural gas powered off-highway equipment, including mining, marine, and locomotive products. Previously, he led research efforts on innovative spark-ignited natural gas engine technologies while managing the joint Caterpillar/U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Natural Gas Reciprocating Engine Systems program. David joined Caterpillar in May 2006, after six years in engine R&D at Johnson/Evinrude/Ski-doo.

He earned his undergraduate mechanical engineering degree at Colorado State University and completed his master’s and Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Warner College of Natural Resources

Bob McDonald (B.S., fisheries science, ’66; M.S., fishery and wildlife biology, ’74)

Bob McDonald came to Colorado State University from Nebraska to study forestry but changed his major to fisheries science. While at CSU, he met his wife, Janet, and they married at Danforth Chapel.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in 1966 and started his career as a fishery biologist with Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Ultimately, he would have a 60-year career in environmental and natural resource management – including working for the Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Land Management and for environmental engineering firms where he held executive-level positions across the country. He earned a master’s degree in fishery and wildlife biology in 1974.

Bob was instrumental in developing agency regulations to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. He has managed more than 400 interdisciplinary environmental analysis studies for several types of industrial projects throughout the United States.

He has been a member of the Warner College of Natural Resources Dean’s Advisory Council for 14 years. Spring semester of 2025, he co-taught a project management course for graduate students in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability.

Unfortunately, Janet passed away in March 2024. Bob’s three boys, their families, and three grandchildren live in Fort Collins.