Celebrating Legacy and Tradition
Started in 1934, the 50 Year Club Awards Luncheon is set for Oct. 2, 2026 – the Friday of Homecoming and Family Weekend. We’ll be celebrating you and the rest of the 50 Year Club, inducting the Class of 1976, as well as presenting our Public Service and Career Achievement Award winners.
2026 50 Year Club Awards Luncheon
Friday, Oct. 2
Hilton Fort Collins
Fort Collins, Colo.
Stay tuned for details about registration and our 2026 award recipients.
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).
More About Our 2025 Award Recipients
Career Achievement Award: Mark Dewhirst
Dr. Mark W. Dewhirst (D.V.M., ’75; Ph.D., ’79), the Gustavo S. Montana Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Radiation Oncology at Duke University School of Medicine, grew up immersed in science.
Inspired by his father, who was a professor in animal science at the University of Arizona, he would earn his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Colorado State University with the desire to study diseases in animals as models for humans.
During his third year of veterinary school, Dewhirst worked part time for Edward Gillette, D.V.M., Ph.D., who ran the veterinary radiation oncology service at CSU and whose goal was to establish a veterinary oncology program at CSU with the express purpose of developing translational clinical trials to treat dogs with cancer.
This introduction to the field of oncology spurred Dr. Dewhirst to earn a Ph.D. in environmental and radiological sciences and set the course for his 45-year career and commitment to advancements in veterinary medicine and oncology. He emphasized translational research, going from the human and veterinary clinics to preclinical studies in rodents and back.
Dr. Dewhirst, with specific research interests in tumor hypoxia (cells that lack adequate oxygen), angiogenesis (blood vessel growth in cancer), drug transport in cancer, and hyperthermia (heat) to enhance radiation and chemotherapy sensitivity, began his career at the University of Arizona conducting veterinary clinical trials. He was rapidly promoted to assistant professor and engaged in physiologic studies of solid cancers leading to his first funded NCI-R01 grant, which was continuously funded for 29 years.
Serving in research and faculty roles at the University of Arizona, North Carolina State University, and Duke, he credits his success to his many partnerships and collaborations across academia, noting most prominently “the most precious gift” of his students, whom he sees as paying it forward as the next outstanding generation of researchers.
Over his decades-long science career, Dr. Dewhirst received many prestigious awards and recognitions, including the 2015 Distinguished Alumni Award for CSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and the 2012 Gold Medal Award from the American Society for Therapeutic Radiation and Oncology. He has served in numerous editorial roles for major science publications and has published more than 600 peer-reviewed publications, which have been cited more than 51,000 times.
Public Service Award: Col. Leif G. Johnson
Following graduation from Colorado State University in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science in botany, Col. Leif G. Johnson, USA, RET. (B.S., ’75) embarked on a 1,000-mile bicycle ride to San Antonio, Texas, and a 26-plus-year career as a medical operations officer in the United States Army.
Following military retirement and a short stint in corporate America, he focused on family and community service. Married to Pat, also an Army officer, Johnson’s volunteer opportunities were numerous and largely based on his wife’s assignments – which took the family from the Midwest to the East Coast to the Deep South and to Germany.
Always passionate about serving the public and his military community, Johnson volunteered his time and talent in many diverse ways over the years, from leading Boy Scout troops to substitute teaching, to volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, and the Red Cross, to leading security for historic homes tours, to serving on numerous boards, to organizing golf tournaments, to being a volunteer tax preparer, and so much more to help military families, service members, and retirees thrive.
A lifelong fan of the United Services Organization, while in Germany, Johnson logged numerous hours as a receptionist at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center’s USO Warrior Support Center. He helped organize events – even hosting actor Gary Sinise and his family.
Johnson earned a master’s degree, gained numerous awards and decorations for military service, and received a commensurate number of civilian awards for his numerous volunteer activities and community engagement. A lifetime member of AUSA, he authored three book reviews published in AUSA’s ARMY magazine and two articles on Army training published in the ARMY TRAINER periodical.
He’s been married for 40 years to Pat. They have three grown children and three grandchildren, a golden retriever, and a mostly invisible cat, all who rely on Johnson for his love and support.
Nomination Info
2026 nominations are closed. See above for event details and plan to join us for the celebration.
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.
Nominate
Nominations are now closed.
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
2024: Vijay P. Singh (Ph.D., ’74) Career Achievement Award
2024: Susan Campbell (M.Ed., ’73) Public Service Award
2025: Dr. Mark W. Dewhirst (D.V.M., ’75, Ph.D.,’79) Career Achievement Award
2025: Col. Leif G. Johnson (B.S., ’75) Public Service Award
If you are interested in joining the 50 Year Club or for more info, please contact us.