Colorado State University – Pueblo announces 2004 Distinguished Alumni Awards
       
Pueblo- The Colorado State University – Pueblo Alumni Association will honor the achievements of five exceptional alumni and community leaders at the 2004 Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner on Saturday, October 23 as part of the Homecoming weekend activities. The event will take place in the Occhiato University Center Ballroom, beginning with cocktails at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner, the awards presentation, a special tribute to the class of ’54, and dancing until 11 p.m. The cost is $50 per person. For reservations, contact the Office of External Affairs by October 18 at (719) 549-2810 or via email at alumni@colostate-pueble.edu.

The 2004 recipients are:
• Outstanding Achievement; Ken Swann, ’75, Latham, N.Y.
• Outstanding Alumna; Dr. Karen Fowler, ’76, Fort Collins
• Outstanding Alumnus, Henry McIntosh, ‘66, Walsenburg
• Service to the Community, Madelyn Bruning, ’67, Pueblo
• Service to the University, Tyson Valenzuela, ’05, Kailua Kona, Hawaii

The Alumni Achievement Award will be presented to Ken Swann, Sr. Behavior Change Communication Advisor for PATH/India, who earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communications, and began his career as a writer and videographer for KOAA-TV before joining the Peace Corps as an audio-visual technician in Bangkok, Thailand. After earning a master’s degree in Southeast Asian Studies from the University of Michigan in 1983, Swann returned to Thailand to continue his communications career, focusing on health promotion and helping the underserved and undereducated in Southeast Asia, India, and several Soviet states. He speaks fluent Thai, Lao, Khmer, and Indonesian.
 
Dr. Karen Fowler, professor of management at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) in Greeley will receive the 2004 Outstanding Alumna Award. After obtaining a B.S.B.A. degree in 1976 from CSU-Pueblo, Fowler earned her M.B.A. from the University of Wyoming and her Ph.D. in Strategic Management from the University of Nebraska. Her business career began with hometown CF&I Steel and continued with management positions at Xerox and AT&T before serving as a full professor with UNC for the past 16 years. She has received many honors and awards, served on or chaired numerous boards and held as many professional offices. In addition to her 40+ publications, Dr. Fowler has been a reviewer for many business journals since 1987.
 
The Outstanding Alumnus Award will be presented to Henry McIntosh, who has been teaching English at Walsenburg’s John Mall High School since 2001. After graduating from CSU-Pueblo with a B.A. degree in speech, English and history, he earned an M.S. in Speech from Pittsburgh State University in Pittsburgh, Kan. In addition to his exemplary teaching credentials, which have contributed to increased CSAP scores and helping encourage college attendance, he has demonstrated expertise as a Public Affairs Officer for 10 years with the U.S. Naval Reserve and has a finance background with a degree from the School of Mortgage Banking. McIntosh was named the 2004 Colorado Teacher of the Year by the Colorado Department of Education. McIntosh’s volunteer work and professional involvement has been extensive and includes medals in Tae Kwondo, a cycling championship, and a Softball Coach of the Year award as well as membership in professional organizations such as an the Speech Association of America, U.S. Cycling Federation, and the Colorado High School Coaches Association.
 
Madelyn Bruning, who officially retired from Pueblo Community College in 1999 but still teaches there on a part-time basis and serves as an Investment Specialist for SunWest Educational Credit Union, will receive the Service to the Community Award. A native of Pueblo, Bruning earned a bachelor’s degree from the University in 1967 and quickly took to a number of leadership roles in addition to teaching. In 1980, she completed a master’s degree in vocational teaching at Colorado State University. During her 29 years at PCC, Bruning sponsored Phi Beta Lambda and Future Business Leaders. In 1999, Bruning retired from PCC. Her many accomplishments include recognition as PCC’s Faculty of the Year for 1999, developing paralegal and bank teller training programs, and serving as publisher of the Trane Company’s newsletter. She has taught many business and industry workshops, and has given presentations on advances in computer software and successful teaching techniques. Of her many accomplishments, Bruning says her most meaningful was helping students better their lives through education and giving them opportunities to develop leadership skills.
 
The Outstanding Service to the University award will be presented to Tyson Valenzuela, president of the Associated Students’ Government. Valenzuela, who came to the University from Kailua Kona, Hawaii, is not yet an alumnus. However, he has already made significant contributions to the University’s progress and reputation. He has served as an active participant in deliberations about the future direction of the University at CSU System Board of Governors meetings, in student government, with faculty and community members and in the many informal planning meetings with University leadership. He is credited with increasing student funding support for Athletics and Student Life and increasing funding opportunities to all Clubs and organizations. He was named the Outstanding ASG Member of the Year in both 2001-02 and 2002-03.
 
According to a nomination letter, Valenzuela “has demonstrated effective communication skills, an understanding of complex organizations and the decision-making processes and has provided valuable input to the University administration. He not only has encouraged students to be active, but also invested in the future of the University. The newly dedicated bronzed wolf statue on campus stands as a reflection of one of the collaborative and successful ventures he spearheaded.” He is scheduled to graduate in May, 2005.
 
  
Colorado State University - Pueblo is a regional, comprehensive university emphasizing professional, career-oriented, and applied programs. Displaying excellence in teaching, celebrating diversity, and engaging in service and outreach, CSU-Pueblo is distinguished by access, opportunity, and the overall quality of services provided to its students.