Awards

William E. Morgan Alumni Achievement Award

Kathleen Pitre (B.A., speech communication, ’00; M.S., technical communication, ’04)

Kathleen Pitre has built an extraordinary career by pairing strategic communication with executive leadership, rising from marketing and communications roles to lead one of the world’s largest beverage packaging businesses. Today, she serves as president of Ball Corporation’s North & Central America Beverage Packaging business and senior vice president of Ball Corporation, overseeing a business that generates more than $6 billion in annual revenue across more than 20 manufacturing facilities in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, and Panama. Under her leadership, Ball continues to advance its position as the world’s leading manufacturer of innovative, sustainable aluminum beverage cans and bottles.

A Fort Collins native and two-time Colorado State University graduate, Pitre has spent more than two decades growing with Ball Corporation. Her career has spanned both the company’s aerospace and packaging businesses, demonstrating an uncommon ability to translate expertise in communications into executive leadership. After spending 11 years with Ball Aerospace in a variety of marketing and communications leadership roles, she transitioned into corporate leadership positions that included executive director of the Ball Foundation, vice president of communications and corporate relations, vice president of sustainability and public affairs, and chief commercial and sustainability officer before assuming her current role in 2021.

Beyond Ball, Pitre also serves on the board of directors for Armstrong World Industries, where she helps guide one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of innovative architectural ceiling, wall, and exterior systems. Throughout her career, she has championed sustainability, strategic growth, and corporate responsibility while helping lead organizations whose innovations reach customers around the world.

Pitre has remained deeply connected to Colorado State University throughout her career. A lifetime member of the Colorado State University Alumni Association, she serves on the College of Business Global Leadership Council and is a member of the Green and Gold Foundation. Her support of the University extends beyond her professional accomplishments through leadership, service, and philanthropy. Alongside her husband, Jason, and sons, Nolan and Brady, Pitre continues to be an enthusiastic Rams fan and season ticket holder for football and basketball.

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 Colorado State University and benefited their fellow citizens.

Charles A. Lory Public Service Award

Sal Giunta (B.S., supply chain management, ’20)

Sal Giunta has dedicated his life to serving others, first through military service and later through leadership, advocacy, and education. A former United States Army staff sergeant, Giunta became the first living service member since the Vietnam War to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military award for valor, for his extraordinary heroism during combat operations in Afghanistan on Oct. 25, 2007. His actions that day saved the lives of fellow soldiers and exemplified the courage, selflessness and leadership that have continued to define his life and career.

After leaving the Army in 2011, Giunta began a new chapter at Colorado State University as a nontraditional student. He earned his bachelor’s degree in supply chain management in 2020, demonstrating the same determination and commitment to excellence that distinguished his military service. His time at CSU reflected a belief in lifelong learning and the importance of preparing for meaningful service beyond the military.

In the years since, Giunta has remained committed to sharing his experiences and encouraging others to lead with integrity, humility and purpose. Through public speaking, writing and community engagement, he has continued to advocate for veterans, military families and servant leadership. His memoir, Living with Honor, offers a deeply personal reflection on military service, sacrifice and the responsibility that comes with receiving the nation’s highest military distinction.

Giunta’s remarkable journey from decorated soldier to Colorado State University graduate reflects a lifelong commitment to service, resilience and leadership. His example continues to inspire others to lead with courage, put others before themselves and make a lasting difference in their communities.

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

Joni (B.A., technical journalism, ’82) & Gary Ozzello (B.A., technical journalism, ’78)

For more than four decades, Joni and Gary Ozzello have exemplified what it means to be lifelong Rams. Through careers dedicated to communication and service, decades of volunteerism, and an unwavering commitment to Colorado State University, the Ozzellos have become steadfast champions of the University and the community it serves.

Gary’s connection to CSU began as a student in 1974, when he joined the sports communications office as an intern. What started as a student job grew into a remarkable 42-year career at Colorado State, including 36 years in athletics, where he became one of the University’s most respected communications leaders. Rising to senior associate athletic director for communications, Gary helped shape the national reputation of CSU Athletics while mentoring generations of students and communications professionals. After serving in the Office of the President, he retired from the University in 2020 and now serves as vice president of university relations at Canvas Credit Union. His extraordinary service has been recognized with induction into the CSU Athletics Hall of Fame and receipt of the Distinguished Athletics Award and the Jim Saccomano Award for excellence in sports communications.

Joni’s commitment to service has been equally impactful. After earning both a technical journalism degree and an administrative certificate from Colorado State, she built a career in the hospitality industry, helping promote Denver as a convention destination through the Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau. She later stepped away from her professional career to raise her three children, including caring for a daughter with significant special needs. During that time, she became a certified nursing assistant while also helping manage her family’s business. A lifelong volunteer, Joni remains active with Chi Omega and other Colorado State organizations, reflecting the same spirit of service that has defined her life and her family’s connection to the University.

Together, the Ozzellos have dedicated decades to strengthening Colorado State University through leadership, volunteerism, philanthropy, and enthusiastic support of the Rams community. Lifetime members of the Colorado State University Alumni Association, they have remained deeply engaged with the University while raising a family rooted in service and community. Their enduring commitment to Colorado State continues to leave a lasting impact on generations of Rams.

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)

Dexter Beasley (B.S., human development and family studies, ’21)

Dexter Beasley has dedicated their career to strengthening communities through compassionate leadership, nonprofit innovation, and a commitment to serving others. A Colorado resident since the age of 4, Beasley came to Colorado State University in 2017 intending to pursue a career in early childhood education before discovering a passion for community leadership and service that would shape their professional path.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies with a concentration in leadership and entrepreneurial professions in 2021, Beasley joined FoCo Cafe, Fort Collins’ nonprofit, pay-what-you-can restaurant dedicated to addressing food insecurity through dignity and community. Hired initially as operations manager, Beasley was selected just six months later to serve as executive director, leading the organization through a period of significant growth and impact.

During more than three years leading FoCo Cafe, Beasley helped raise enough funding to provide nearly 25,000 meals to community members experiencing food insecurity or homelessness and more than 40,000 meals overall. When grant funding declined dramatically in 2025, Beasley launched the “Save FoCo Cafe” campaign, raising more than $120,000 and helping position the organization for long-term financial stability. Recognizing the importance of sustainable leadership, Beasley also developed and implemented a yearlong succession plan that ensured a smooth transition to the organization’s next executive director and a strong future for the cafe.

Today, Beasley serves as operations manager for Fort Collins-based Vortic Watch Company while continuing to seek opportunities to serve the community through nonprofit leadership and board service. Their commitment to building stronger communities through collaboration, service, and thoughtful leadership reflects the values fostered during their time at Colorado State University and continues to make a lasting impact across Northern Colorado.

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

Chris (B.A., accounting, ’90) & Cathy Schmidt (B.S., hospitality and event management, ’91)

Chris and Cathy Schmidt’s connection to Colorado State University began as students, where they met, built lifelong friendships, and discovered a shared passion for Rams athletics. More than three decades later, that connection has grown into a lifetime of leadership, philanthropy, and unwavering support for Colorado State student-athletes and the University community.

Chris earned his accounting degree in 1990 while playing club soccer for the Rams before building a distinguished career with Deloitte, where he now serves as managing partner for the firm’s Denver marketplace. Cathy graduated in 1991 with a degree in hospitality and event management and began her career in hotel management before dedicating herself to raising their family and volunteering in their community. Throughout every stage of their lives, Colorado State has remained a constant, shaping the friendships, traditions, and values they continue to share today.

The Schmidts have become two of Colorado State Athletics’ most dedicated champions. Chris was a founding member of the Green and Gold Guard, the University’s Name, Image and Likeness collective, and served as its board chair and treasurer from 2022 to 2026, helping position Rams student-athletes for success in a rapidly evolving collegiate athletics landscape. Together, Chris and Cathy are longtime supporters of CSU Athletics and the College of Business, active members of the Ram Club, and devoted advocates for the University. Chris has also served on the College of Business Global Leadership Council, the Green and Gold Foundation, and the Colorado State University Foundation board of directors, extending the couple’s impact well beyond athletics.

For the Schmidts, Colorado State has always been more than a university – it is where their family story began. Their commitment to supporting student-athletes, strengthening the Rams community, and investing in the future of Colorado State reflects a lifelong dedication that continues to inspire generations of Rams.

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

Ed Eggers (B.S., agricultural business, ’78)

Ed Eggers has spent his career advancing agriculture through innovation, entrepreneurship, and global leadership while remaining committed to supporting the next generation of agricultural professionals. A Colorado State University graduate, Eggers has built an international career spanning seed production, food systems, and agricultural business, bringing distinction to both the industry and his alma mater.

After earning his bachelor’s degree in agricultural business in 1978, Eggers began a career that would take him around the world. He spent two decades with DEKALB Genetics, ultimately serving as director of international operations and overseeing activities in more than 50 countries. He later purchased Sunfield Seeds with his wife, Vicki, building the company into a global leader in hybrid sunflower seed production that supplied approximately one-quarter of the world’s sunflower planting seed before its acquisition by Syngenta in 2012. The couple then turned their entrepreneurial focus to natural and allergen-free foods, co-owning Bella Via and Skyway Foods, companies that continue to support food innovation and production.

Since returning to Colorado, Eggers has renewed his engagement with Colorado State University and the College of Agricultural Sciences. A lifetime member of the Colorado State University Alumni Association, he has become an active advocate for the college through philanthropy, industry engagement, and student support. His generosity includes establishing a scholarship for agricultural sciences students, with preference for those connected to the Fostering Success Program, while his leadership through Farm Foundation has strengthened connections between Colorado State and agricultural leaders across the country.

Throughout his career, Eggers has exemplified the entrepreneurial spirit, global perspective, and commitment to service that define Colorado State University’s land-grant mission. His continued investment in students, faculty, and the future of agriculture ensures that his impact will extend well beyond his own professional accomplishments.

College of Business

Col. Jack (B.S., business administration, ’71) & Tonia Queen (B.S., business administration, ’75)

Col. Jack and Tonia Queen have spent more than five decades demonstrating the values of leadership, service, and generosity that define the Colorado State University College of Business. Through distinguished careers in military service, education, and business, along with their enduring commitment to supporting future generations of students, the Queens have created a lasting legacy at Colorado State.

The couple’s story began in an accounting class at CSU, where they met as business students. Jack, a finance and real estate major from Brush, graduated in 1971, married Tonia, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force – all within the same week. He went on to serve more than 27 years in logistics management and leadership, retiring as a colonel and director of supply for Air Force Space Command before beginning a second career supporting U.S. Northern Command. Tonia returned to Colorado State to complete her bachelor’s degree in business education in 1975 before building a career as an educator and technology professional. She taught at the high school and collegiate levels, earned a master’s degree in management information systems and, ultimately, retired as academic dean of the Colorado Springs campus of DeVry University.

The Queens’ greatest impact on Colorado State may be found in the opportunities they have created for students. In 2016, they established the Jack and Tonia Queen Business Scholarship to support first-generation Colorado students, with preference given to those from rural communities. In 2022, they created the Tonia and Jack Queen DVM/MBA Student Scholarship to help veterinary students develop the business skills needed to successfully lead their future practices. Through both scholarships, the Queens hope to give students greater access to a CSU education and the opportunities that helped shape their own lives and careers.

Lifetime members of the Colorado State University Alumni Association, Jack and Tonia Queen remain active members of the Rams community, regularly returning to campus for University events and athletics competitions. Their enduring commitment to student success, philanthropy, and Colorado State University reflects a shared belief that education changes lives – and that investing in future generations is among the most meaningful ways to give back.

College of Health and Human Sciences

Teresa Boynton (B.S., psychology, ’73; M.S., occupational therapy, ’89)

Teresa Boynton has dedicated her career to improving patient care, advancing occupational therapy, and creating safer healthcare environments for both patients and caregivers. A two-time Colorado State University graduate, Boynton has spent decades combining clinical expertise, innovation, and leadership to improve healthcare systems while mentoring future professionals and giving back to her alma mater.

After earning her bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1973, Boynton returned to Colorado State to join the inaugural cohort of the University’s professional master’s program in occupational therapy, graduating in 1989. She began her career in industrial rehabilitation before joining Banner Health, where she spent more than 26 years leading ergonomics, injury prevention, and safe patient handling initiatives across a growing healthcare system.

Boynton is best known as a leader in the development of the Bedside Mobility Assessment Tool, a nationally and internationally adopted assessment that helps healthcare professionals safely mobilize patients while reducing caregiver injuries and patient falls. Throughout her career, she has authored numerous professional publications, presented nationally on patient safety and injury prevention, and continued consulting with healthcare systems to improve mobility practices and workplace safety. Her work has earned national recognition, including an Innovation Award from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and the Association of Safe Patient Handling Professionals’ Advocacy Award.

Boynton’s commitment to Colorado State extends well beyond her professional accomplishments. She serves on the College of Health and Human Sciences Executive Leadership Council and, alongside her husband, Bruce, has supported numerous University initiatives through philanthropy, including scholarships for occupational therapy students, Rams Against Hunger, Adult Learner and Veteran Services, social work, and other student-centered programs. Her lifelong dedication to improving lives through education, healthcare, and service continues to reflect the mission and values of Colorado State University.

College of Liberal Arts

Joe Conrad (B.A., journalism, ’87)

Joe Conrad is a creative entrepreneur and digital health pioneer who has built his career around a belief in the power of creativity and innovation to improve people’s lives.

Since 1990, Conrad has led Cactus, a purpose-driven branding and creative agency focused on growing brands that help people thrive. He is also the founder and CEO of Grit Digital Health, which brings together expertise in behavioral health, wellness, technology, and marketing to help people overcome barriers to accessing support.

Conrad and his team created Man Therapy, an innovative, award-winning campaign that uses humor and culturally relevant messaging to address men’s mental health and suicide prevention. The campaign has grown into the world’s leading men’s mental health brand and, in June 2026, Conrad published Man Therapy – Therapy the Way a Man Does It, a book based on the groundbreaking initiative.

Through Grit Digital Health, Conrad has also maintained a meaningful connection to Colorado State University. In partnership with CSU, Grit launched YOU at College, a student success and well-being platform that has expanded to 65 college campuses.

A first-generation college student, Conrad graduated from CSU with a degree in journalism in 1987. His connection to the University has since become a family tradition: He met his wife, Erin, at CSU, and all three of their children attended CSU.

Conrad is a member of the Green and Gold Foundation, and he and Erin sponsor a social impact scholarship through CSU’s Department of Journalism and Media Communication, helping create opportunities for the next generation of Rams to use communication and creativity to make a difference.

College of Natural Sciences

Hudson A. Washburn (Ph.D., physics, ’78)

Dr. Hudson A. Washburn has combined scientific innovation, entrepreneurial leadership, and a lifelong commitment to education throughout a distinguished career spanning more than four decades. After earning his doctorate in physics from Colorado State University in 1978, Washburn moved to California’s Silicon Valley, where he helped advance technologies that shaped the evolution of modern data storage and fiber-optic communications.

Washburn began his career at Intel Magnetics, where he developed a patented innovation that helped make magnetic bubble memory commercially viable. He later held engineering and technology leadership positions with several high-tech companies, including Akashic Memories where he contributed to multiple generations of high-density magnetic disk technology. In 2000, he co-founded CoAdna Photonics, serving as vice president of engineering while helping develop optical switching technologies that became instrumental to the large-scale deployment of fiber-optic communication networks. The company went public in 2011 and later became part of Coherent Corp.

Following his retirement, Washburn returned to the classroom to pursue another lifelong passion, studying geology at San Jose State University and conducting geological research alongside faculty members. His enduring curiosity and commitment to scientific discovery have remained constant throughout every stage of his career.

Washburn has maintained a lasting connection to Colorado State University through generous philanthropic support of the Department of Physics. His gifts have established undergraduate summer research opportunities that will inspire future generations of scientists while reflecting his belief in the transformative power of research, education, and discovery. Through his professional accomplishments and unwavering support of Colorado State, Washburn continues to leave a lasting legacy within the College of Natural Sciences.

College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Apryl Steele (D.V.M., ’97)

Dr. Apryl Steele has dedicated her career to improving the lives of animals and the people who care for them through compassionate veterinary medicine, visionary leadership, and an unwavering commitment to expanding access to care. A fifth-generation Coloradan and the first person in her family to earn a college degree, Steele graduated from Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in 1997 after serving in the U.S. Army during Operation Desert Storm.

Steele began her veterinary career in private practice before purchasing a small animal clinic and transforming it into Tender Touch Animal Hospital, a thriving five-doctor practice where she cared for generations of Colorado families and their pets for nearly two decades. In 2018, she transitioned into nonprofit leadership as president and CEO of Humane Colorado, formerly the Dumb Friends League, to expand her impact on animal welfare across the state.

Under Steele’s leadership, Humane Colorado has expanded access to veterinary care, strengthened animal welfare programs, and completed a landmark $40 million renovation of its Denver shelter. She also helped establish the Humane Colorado Veterinary Hospital at CSU Spur, where more than 25,000 pets receive subsidized veterinary care each year while Colorado State students gain hands-on clinical experience. Through this partnership and her leadership across numerous state and national veterinary organizations, Steele has advanced both the veterinary profession and opportunities for future veterinarians.

Throughout her career, Steele has remained committed to collaboration, innovation, and service, believing that quality veterinary care should be accessible to every family and every animal. Her extraordinary leadership has strengthened communities across Colorado while bringing distinction to Colorado State University and the veterinary profession.

Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering

Keith Meyer, PE (B.S., civil engineering, ’93)

Keith Meyer has built a distinguished career as an engineer, entrepreneur, and mentor while remaining deeply committed to the success of Colorado State University. A lifelong Ram, Meyer has spent more than three decades leading complex engineering and construction projects, building businesses, mentoring future industry leaders, and helping strengthen the Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering through service, philanthropy, and volunteer leadership.

After earning his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Colorado State in 1993, Meyer built a career spanning consulting firms, municipal government, and entrepreneurship. As founder and president of Ditesco, he grew the company into a respected engineering and construction services firm with offices in Fort Collins and Loveland. Ditesco merged with ESP Associates in 2022, allowing Meyer to remain president of Ditesco while overseeing the national program and construction management business unit for the enterprise of ESP companies. Throughout his career, Meyer has overseen more than $1.5 billion in capital improvement projects across Colorado, earning national recognition from organizations including the Construction Management Association of America, Engineering News-Record, and the American Public Works Association. In 2017, Meyer was awarded the Entrepreneur of the Year award by the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Meyer’s fingerprints are all over Northern Colorado communities from Old Town Square, MAX Bus Rapid Transit, Foundry, utility systems across the CSU campuses, and water and wastewater treatment plants throughout the region.

Meyer’s commitment to Colorado State has remained constant throughout his professional journey. A lifetime member of the Colorado State University Alumni Association, he has guest lectured in both the departments of Engineering and Construction Management, mentored students, and served as a trusted adviser to the Scott College of Engineering. As a member of the industry advisory board for CSU’s new Construction Engineering program, Meyer helped shape its vision, established its first endowed scholarship through Ditesco, and played a critical role in strengthening industry partnerships and philanthropic support for the program.

In 2025, Meyer stepped into the role of interim director for the Construction Engineering program, serving largely in a volunteer capacity during a pivotal year for the program. He led the successful launch of the program through student recruitment, industry engagement, donor relations, faculty recruitment, and cross-campus collaboration while helping establish a strong foundation for its future. In only its second year, the program has an 88% admissions rate with 34 students in the program, hitting the planned enrollment mark.

Meyer’s generosity, leadership, and unwavering dedication to Colorado State University continue to shape opportunities for future engineers. His commitment to mentoring students, strengthening academic programs, and advancing the engineering profession embodies the spirit of the Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering Honor Alumnus Award.

Warner College of Natural Resources

Kimberly Roberts (B.S., outdoor recreation, ’80; B.S., geology, ’89)

Kimberly Roberts has built a career rooted in curiosity, lifelong learning, and a passion for the natural world. A two-time Colorado State University graduate, Roberts has combined technical expertise, industry leadership, and a steadfast commitment to supporting future generations of Warner College of Natural Resources students.

Roberts first came to Colorado State in 1976 to study outdoor recreation with an emphasis in environmental interpretation. Inspired to further expand her knowledge of Earth’s natural systems, she returned to CSU in 1982 to pursue a second bachelor’s degree in geology while working for eight years at the University Computer Center, where she managed the student computer lab, developed software documentation, and presented technology seminars for graduate students and faculty.

Following graduation, Roberts built a successful career in the oil and gas industry, working with consulting firms in California before returning to Colorado. Throughout her career, she developed advanced three-dimensional geologic reservoir models for international clients, led interdisciplinary technical teams and, ultimately, served as a geologic team lead for one of Colorado’s largest natural gas producers. In that role, she coordinated engineering, planning, permitting, and drilling efforts that supported the successful development of more than 400 natural gas wells annually in northwest Colorado. Along the way, she remained connected to Colorado State, returning to campus to speak with students and share the value of a well-rounded education and the experiences that shaped her career.

In retirement, Roberts has continued to serve her community through volunteer work with museums, nature organizations, historic preservation efforts, and the National Western Stock Show. Her commitment to Colorado State remains equally strong. Inspired by the transformative experiences she had at the Mountain Campus and Geology Summer Camp, Roberts established two scholarships within Warner College of Natural Resources – one supporting Mountain Campus students and another benefiting geosciences students. Through her philanthropy, mentorship, and lifelong enthusiasm for the University, she continues to create opportunities for future Rams while embodying the spirit of Warner College.