Adams State student athlete and art major Alicia Nelson received the Adams State University Marv Motz Outstanding Athlete Scholarship. Established by Adams State alumnus, Bob Weems '56, the award honors the late Dr. Marv Motz, emeritus professor of psychology. "Marv was a good athlete, a good friend and a good student," Weems said.

To be eligible for the $1000 scholarship, the student must be a member of a varsity athletic team with a 2.8 or better GPA. Coaches and faculty nominate recipients to the athletic director who makes the final recommendation. This is the second year it has been awarded. Nelson runs track and a football player received the scholarship last year.

Weems taught math and coached football and basketball after graduating from Adams State. He later became a computer programmer for the Air Force and eventually retired from the Standard Oil Company in Tulsa, Okla., in 1988.

The Adams State University Foundation continues to appreciate the many scholarships established to financially assist students pursuing their academic goals.

Gerald Corning Accounting Scholarship

Accounting alumnus Jim Harvey '83 created the Gerald Corning Accounting Scholarship to honor the emeritus professor of accounting for his 35-year commitment to teaching at Adams State.

"This is a fitting tribute for someone who dedicated so many years to serving students at Adams State," Harvey said. "I also want to give back to the institution that had such a positive effect on my life."

Corning said he was pleased and honored to be recognized by Harvey. "He was an excellent student."

Harvey said he had many classes with Corning and appreciated how effectively Corning explained accounting principles and applied them to practical problems. "You could see his enjoyment as his students grew academically and developed their skills as future professionals," Harvey said. "You sensed his pride when his students performed well in class and at PBL (Phi Beta Lambda) competitions. This inspired me to do my best."

With Corning's help, Harvey earned his Certified Public Accounting license in 1985 and has held various controller/CFO positions through the years. Harvey is in his 11th year as CFO (chief financial officer) for USA Swimming in Colorado Springs. They serve over 300,000 members and have an annual budget of $30 million.

"I have been very blessed in my career and am grateful to Mr. Corning and Adams State for the excellent education that I received," Harvey said. Corning genuinely wanted to see his students succeed. "When they did, he received his greatest reward."

Sinclair Scholarship

The family of William "Bill" Sinclair '70, '76 established a scholarship in his name to benefit students in Human Performance and Physical Education (HPPE). For 30 years Sinclair taught physical education at the Los Animas High School, which named their gymnasium in his honor.

"He touched so many students' lives while he taught," said his wife, Phyllis '71, noting Sinclair's friends and family created the scholarship. "He actually started getting letters and calls from people that really appreciated what he had done for them."

The award is for graduate or undergraduate students in HPPE, with preference given to physical education K-12 and coaching majors. Preference will also be given to graduates from Las Animas High School, located in Las Animas, Colo.

William and Taka Oba Memorial Scholarship Endowment

Adams State President Fred Plachy originally hired Dr. William Oba '47 to teach philosophy. Oba later became the first professor to teach sociology when the school established a sociology program.

According to Oba's son, Ronald, Oba enjoyed his profession, particularly helping students learn to better understand themselves and improve the quality of their relationships through the principles of sociology and philosophy.

"He (Dr. Oba) was always proud to be an Adams State alumnus." After receiving his undergraduate degree from Adams State, William Oba attended the Iliff School of Theology in Denver.

The Oba children, David '77, Dean '75 & Evelyn '83, and Ronald, established the William and Taka Oba Memorial Scholarship Endowment. "Our parents were the beneficiaries of various levels of outside support throughout their lives," Ronald said. "This scholarship is a way to pay forward the support they received to future generations."

The scholarship is for students majoring in science, technology, engineering, mathematics or nursing who will be at least a sophomore during the award year. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0, or better, and preference will be given to residents of the San Luis Valley.

Ronald and his siblings established the scholarship in both parents' names, because they were a team in everything they did. "During his lifetime, William was a Methodist minister, a college professor, and a successful entrepreneur with multiple businesses and Taka always stood by his side to help and encourage him. They had a very strong partnership."

Both William and Taka were Colorado natives and Southern Colorado was their chosen long-term home. "They strongly believed a college education was a very important springboard to allow people to pursue a better life and establish themselves professionally," Ronald added.

Most will agree the teaching profession influences countless lives, as those immediately touched in turn inspire another, in an endless ripple. Occasionally, an individual manifests not only an effect on their students but also on their colleagues, friends, family, and nearly everyone they meet. Dr. Stuart Hilwig was just that sort of person. On October 28, 2012, the Adams State University professor of history was killed in an auto accident in northern New Mexico.

Stu Hilwig HGP Department Honors Scholarship

Compassionate, funny, approachable, humble, truly a person who made the most out of his life, Hilwig's sudden death shook the entire campus, especially those within his department. "Stu had a tremendous sense of humor and a real passion for working with students," said Dr. Edward Crowther, History/Government/Philosophy Department chair.

According to Crowther, the HGP Department "overwhelming" agreed to establish a scholarship in Hilwig's name. The department had set aside revenue from its master's in humanities/history for an undergraduate scholarship that will be named for Hilwig. Dr. John McDaniel, emeritus professor of history, also contributed to the scholarship.

"A 'scholarship' in every sense of the word, it is a fitting way to honor Stu. He wrote a book, was in the process of having it translated into Italian, and founded the Latino Studies minor," said Dr. Mari Centeno, associate professor of political science. "I half-jokingly announced that the most important criterion for scholarship recipients would be a sense of humor. After all, applicants to the scholarship should reflect some of the characteristics that made Stu great."

The faculty designated the Stu Hilwip HGP Department Honors Scholarship for students majoring in political science or history. Political science students must demonstrate successful progress toward completing a Latin American Studies minor and/or upper-division courses in Latin American Government, politics or US Latin American relations. History majors must demonstrate successful progress toward completing a bachelor's degree in history/government with courses in European, Latin American, Mexican and Chicano history.

Crowther said while Hilwig was engaging and humorous, he also had high expectations of his students. "He believed they could achieve those expectations and he was willing to help them reach those expectations."

Stuart Hilwig Memorial Scholarship

Ray Hilwig, Stuart's father, established the Stuart J. Hilwig Memorial Scholarship for Adams State students majoring in history. He said Stuart had gone through a lot of medical conditions, including his first heart surgery when he was four-and-a-half-years-old. "He had lots of miles, with surgeries and pace makers but he didn't let that slow him down, especially academically."

Ray said he admires Stuart for pursuing an academic career, including traveling to Europe to study, despite his chronic heart condition. "That kind of baggage did not keep him from moving forward and taking on more and more. As I look back on it, I wonder if I would have had the strength to forge forward."

Ray, who owns his own construction company and vacation rentals in Maine, said Stuart once told him, "'You know Dad, you have to remember I loved homework.' In that way, he was the total opposite of me." Although their chosen career paths differed, Ray said Stuart was "a working man's intellectual."

Ray established the scholarship at Adams State, rather than one of Stuart's alma maters because "Stuart really loved Adams State and it is those students he wanted to influence. This scholarship will carry on his influence."

Friends of Ray and Stuart have also donated to the scholarship. Ray hopes to add to the scholarship on the anniversary of Stuart's passing.

Stuart earned his B.A. from Vanderbilt University in 1991 and a Ph.D. in history from Ohio State University in 2000. He joined the Adams State faculty in 2000. He and his wife, Dr. Stephanie Hilwig, Adams State associate professor of sociology, have three children. His book Italy and 1968: Youthful Unrest and Democratic Culture was published in 2009 by Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave Macmillan.

The Adams State University 2013 Spring Commencement Ceremony, on Saturday May 11, included 14 graduates from Adams State Mobile Campus Program, formerly known as the Rural Education Access Program (REAP).

Pictured, the 2011 REAP Elementary Education Cohort includes (left to right) Sandra Pak Norton, Pueblo, Colo.; Naomi Ledesma, Lamar, Colo.; Gail Wilkins, Weldona, Colo.; Marleen Jones, Trinidad, Colo.; Desteny Falthager, Trinidad, Colo.; Jerica Kroeger, Monte Vista, Colo.; Jillian Guara-Merchant, Trinidad, Colo.; Michelle Grande, Trinidad, Colo.; Barbara Marquez, La Jara, Colo.; and Cicily Boswell, Bloomfield, NM. Not pictured, Na'Tasha Ray, Brush, Colo.; Amanda Hawks, Sugar City, Colo.; and Casey Hilton, La Junta, Colo.

The REAP Elementary Education Program started in 2000 as a face-to-face program in partnership with Lamar Community College, Otero Junior College and Trinidad State Junior College, then grew to include Arapahoe Community College, Morgan Community College and Pueblo Community College. In the fall of 2009, the program switched to the online delivery format to include students from anywhere in Colorado. All field experience and student teaching assignments are completed in the students' own areas.

Since 2002, with the first cohort graduation group, there have been almost 400 students complete their distance based elementary education degree through Adams State.

The Mobile Campus Program includes programs for elementary education, available only in Colorado since the students follow Colorado State Standards; and business and nursing (RN to BSN), available to those living in any state.

For more information regarding the Adams State Mobile Campus call 719-587-8061 or 719-587-7347;or mobilecampus@adams.edu.

Pictured, Adams State honored David Goetzman, Dr. Brent Ybarrondo, and Murleen and Dale Goodrich at the retirement dinner.

As they enter the banquet room, Adams State University former employees, recent retirees, and current faculty and staff pause to shake hands, exchange hugs and greetings. The Retirement Dinner atmosphere remains upbeat and jovial as the evening progresses and the spotlight illuminates each retiree's dedication and commitment to their position and the campus.

The Adams State Office of Alumni Relations hosted the event on April 30. President David Svaldi expressed appreciation for the 2013 retirees: Dr. Brent Ybarrondo, professor of biology; David Goetzman, director of Nielsen Library, Murleen Goodrich, Nielsen Library technician; Dale Goodrich, Facilities Services structural trades II; Glenda Geu, Nielsen Library; Charlie Johnson, Computing Services; and Erik van de Boogaard, Associate VP for Facilities Planning, Design and Construction.

Senior Vice President for Enrollment Management and Program Development Michael Mumper related the many talents of Goetzman and remembered having to convince him to leave his "dream job" as the cataloging librarian and accept the position as director of the library in 2010.

Over the past three years the library became home to the Grizzly Testing and Learning Center, Student Support Services, and the Student Success Center. In addition, during the remodel of McDaniel Hall, many faculty offices were moved temporarily to the library. "I appreciate David putting aside what was best for the library and doing what was best for Adams State," Mumper said.

Goetzman said: "There was no place I felt a better fit or worked with a better class of people. I enjoyed myself at Adams State." He then expressed his appreciation for Murleen Goodrich, recalling her first year when she remained "reliable and rock steady."

Murleen graciously accepted her retirement clock, telling how the advice Goetzman shared her first year has remained with her ever since, "Ours is not to question why. Ours is just to do or die."

Jeff Horton, Facilities Services structural trades III and Dale Goodrich's supervisor, said one word he would use to describe Dale would be "craftsman." Horton appreciated Dale's willingness to take on additional duties. "Dale always helped the institution the best way he could." Dale said he really enjoyed working for the university and appreciated the faculty and staff.

Expressing her appreciation for Ybarrondo's ability to listen and be supportive, Dr. Benita Brink, Biology Department chair, said: "Brent always had the students' best interests and was committed to excellence."

Ybarrondo said he never regretted his decision to work for a liberal arts college instead of a research institution. "Adams State was a perfect fit. It has been a privilege to participate in a student's intellectual development." He enjoys hearing of former students' successes and feels good about his contribution to their accomplishments.

Geu, Johnson, and van de Boogaard were unable to attend the dinner.

The Adams State University Spring 2013 Commencement Speaker Dr. Gary Peer said commencements are not about speakers and speeches, but rather, about a significant place and event in one's life.

"The Class of 2013 will not long remember my speech nor should they," Peer said. "On the other hand, they will never forget ASU, Alamosa and the extraordinary San Luis Valley region of which they've been a part these past several years."

The ceremony begins at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 11, in Plachy Hall. Adams State will award 233 degrees, including 209 bachelor's degrees, and 24 associate degrees.

Peer was the Adams State vice president for academic affairs from 1987 until 1997. During that time, attending numerous commencement ceremonies, he remembers the accolades shouted from the audience to the graduates and the warmth and affection conveyed through "group hugs" following the ceremonies. "As many of Adams State's students are first generation college graduates, the graduation of the family's sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, spouses, grandchildren, etc., is often a very special thing and something very beautiful to witness."

His speech, "The Enduring Power of Place," will convey the idea that graduation from college is a special day in every graduate's life and something fewer than half of those who begin college ever accomplish. "The college/university from which they are graduating will forever remain one of the most important 'places' in their life experience; - and those things being invariably true and widely understood throughout higher education, they will likely recall very little of what the commencement speaker actually said."

Peer started his career at Adams State as the assistant vice president for academic affairs and graduate dean in 1985. He also served as interim president for a few months during his tenure as vice president. After leaving Adams State, Peer accepted a position at Central Michigan University – Mt. Pleasant, Michigan as assistant vice president for academic affairs and later became the vice provost for academic affairs at the same institution. From 2001 until 2007 he was the provost and vice president for academic affairs at Tarleton State University – Stephenville, Texas.

Peer received his Doctor of Education from Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana; his Master of Science from Emporia State University, Emporia Kansas; and his Bachelor of Arts from Washburn University, Topeka, Kansas. He has been a member of numerous civic clubs and boards of directors and as Chamber of Commerce President in Alamosa, Colo.

Steve Valdez, chair of the Adams State Board of Trustees, will convey the greetings from the board, while Jasmine Mascarenas will deliver the 2013 class message. Dr. Christine Keitges, professor of music, will lead the singing of the Alma Mater. A reception will follow the ceremony for graduates and their guests in the Plachy Hall Field House.