Honored Alumni Awards
Recognizing Distinction in Alumni Success and Service
UNC alumni are recognized leaders in their careers and communities. And from among our growing network of alumni, UNC honors a distinguished group of graduates whose lifetime of leadership and service inspires all Bears to remain involved and invested in the university.
The UNC Honored Alumni Award is presented annually to UNC graduates in recognition for career success and a commitment of service to the university. The award is the highest honor presented to a UNC graduate by the Alumni Association.
Meet the Honorees
Each year, the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) celebrates the extraordinary achievements of its alumni through the Honored Alumni Awards, recognizing individuals whose lives and work embody the university’s values. The 2025 honorees reflect a commitment to personal growth, inclusive leadership, innovation, and strengthening connections—principles at the heart of UNC’s vision for the future.
2025 Honorees
David Diggs, MA '84
Maria Nomie Ketterling, MA '85
Trustee Annette Martinez, '86
Jeff Crabtree, '05
Deana Lemos-Garcia, '05, MA '18
Neal Kingman '10
The 2025 Honored Alumni honorees embody UNC’s enduring values and its vision for a future grounded in innovation, inclusivity and service. Across diverse fields—from corporate leadership and academia to small business ownership and philanthropy—these individuals reflect a shared commitment to using their talents to make a meaningful impact.
Trustee Annette Martinez, ’86, dedicated her career to advancing opportunities for others, paving the way for equity in corporate spaces. David Diggs, MA ’84, championed experiential learning, equipping generations of students to thrive in their professions. Maria Nomie Ketterling, MA ’85, and Deana Lemos-Garcia, ’05, MA ’18, have each made their mark by reinvesting in their communities, supporting students and families through leadership, advocacy, and generosity. Meanwhile, Jeff Crabtree, ’05, and Neal Kingman, ’10, have channeled their entrepreneurial and civic spirits into strengthening Northern Colorado’s business and financial landscapes.
Together, these honorees exemplify UNC’s mission to inspire and empower. Their stories remind us of the power of education to transform not just individual lives but entire communities. Each honoree demonstrates that by living with purpose and vision, we can create lasting change, inspire those around us, and pave the way for future generations. Their contributions challenge us to aim higher, dream bigger, and stay deeply connected to the values that unite us as the UNC Bear community.
Can't wait to celebrate? Register today for the 2025 Honored Alumni Ceremony, on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the Rocky Mountain Grand Ballroom of the University Center.
Past Honorees
Since 1947 the University of Northern Colorado has honored outstanding alumni and friends whose service and achievements embody the University's tradition of excellence. When the University of Northern Colorado Alumni Association was established in 1965, the annual awards program was adopted by the Association and continued as a university tradition. Each year the UNC Alumni Association recognizes some of our most distinguished alumni and friends with Honored Alumni awards. See past honorees below.
Centennial Hall of Fame
In honor of UNC's centennial year, 100 individuals were inducted into UNC's Centennial Hall of Fame in 1989. These alumni were chosen to serve as an example of "the impact this university has had on our society for the past century." View the full event brochure, complete with individual honoree biographies.
Glen Alps 1941
George Ayers 1963, 1965
Mildred Ballou 1960
Alvin Barnhart 1962, 1988
J. Michael Barrett 1968
Edward Beaty 1963
Robert Benton 1961
Tilman Bishop 1955, 1956, 1999
Idris Boltz 1936
Fritz Brennecke 1936
Clyde Brundy, attended
Robert Bush 1935, 1937
Pete Butler 1931, 1934
Rodger Bybee 1966, 1969
George Carlson 1898
Gordon Cawelti 1954
Ying-Hau Chen 1973, 1975
Sandra Cole 1967, 1970
William Creswell, Jr. 1948
Barbara Davis 1974
William Davis 1958
Harold DeBey 1947
Marie Diggs 1941, 1947
Maggie Divelbiss 1953
Thomas Doherty 1938, 1942
Frances Dougherty 1935, 1940
Lawrence Eicher 1960
Ed Elliott 1969
Hollis Fait 1946, 1947
Dean Fleischauer 1967
William Force 1938
Leslie Franklin 1962
Ralph Frazier 1939, 1941
Ervin French 1942, 1946
Donald Garrity 1950
Lloyd Gaskill 1935
Samuel Gates 1945, 1947
Bill Gearheart 1963
Robert Gilchrist 1927, 1928
Donn Gresso 1966
Mildred Hansen 1927
Fred Harcleroad 1939, 1942
Dorothy Hayden-Watkins 1967
Paul Heidger, Jr. 1963
Harold Heller 1964
Edgar Hewett 1898
E'Rena Hockenberry 1946, 1972
Philip Hosford 1963
George Houston 1893
Norman Howe 1972
Kun-Huei Huang 1971
Author Hughes 1954
Paul Hurd 1929, 1934, 1980
George Hynd 1976
Mary Francesca Kearns 1973
Richard Killmer 1960
Ray Kilmer 1959, 1963, 1973
Frank Lakin 1955, 1957
Duane Littell 1968, 1969
Charles Lory 1898
Gordon Maddux 1953
Lian-Wen Mao 1970
Dallas Martin, Jr. 1965, 1970, 1971
Samuel Martinez 1957, 1961
Alan McCormack 1969
William McDivitt 1947, 1956
Stephen McNeal 1960, 1965
John Mendoza 1961, 1969
Edward Meyen 1958, 1959
James Michener 1937, 1972
Verle Mickish 1951, 1955
James Miller 1955
Warren Monfort 1914
Ekavidya Nathalang 1956
Thomas Nicholls, Jr. 1949
Jesse Nusbaum 1907
Arthur Ohanian 1948, 1967
Don Park 1966
Don Robinson 1958
William Ross 1940, 1964
George Sage 1955, 1957
Lynn Sandstedt 1954
Larry Schultz 1965
Wilma Scott 1942
M.D. Selim 1962
Robert Smith 1958, 1964
Sylvia Smith 1963
David Stalls 1978
Poonsang Sutabutra 1965
Robert Timothy 1941, 1986
Roy Unruh 1978
Gloria Velasquez 1978
David Wacker 1975
Jean Waid 1970
Wellington Webb 1964, 1971, 2009
Connie Willis 1967
Philip Wilson 1968
Robert Winslow 1972
Doyle Winter 1971
Mildred Ying 1950
