Article by Julie Waechter, special to Adams State
Many San Luis Valley families have a tradition of attending Adams State University. This year at Homecoming, the Alumni Association will introduce a new award: The Family Tree Award, created to honor families with at least three generations of Adams State alumni. The inaugural award goes to the family of Dr. Richard Gritz ’64, ’66.
Dr. Gritz and his extended family will receive the award at the 2025 Alumni Homecoming Awards Ceremony, Friday, October 3, beginning at 11:30 a.m. in Vistas Grill (2nd floor Rex Stadium.) The ceremony will be followed by a reception from 2:30-4 p.m. in the Marvel House, 2nd St. and Richardson Ave. Tickets are no charge, but please RSVP by calling 719-587-8110, or by email to: ulcisneros@adams.edu.
Vice President of Advancement Jacob Rissler explained, “Adding the Family Tree award to the Alumni Office’s prestigious award listings was a clear-cut decision. I’ve worked for other institutions that have a family tree award and can without a doubt say that Adams State has a symbiotic history with the San Luis Valley that is deserving of recognizing families with multiple generations of Adams State alums. We are proud to now begin the public recognition of families with strong ties to Adams State. We can only do this with you; however, so please reach out to the Alumni Office with your nominations for future years’ award recipients.”
Dr. Gritz has furthered the mission of Adams State, to provide educators in rural areas, throughout his career. He initiated a legacy of Adams State that has carried through to his children and grandchildren, all of whom have also found success.
After earning a bachelor’s in business administration-economics and a master’s in secondary education-business at Adams State, Richard Gritz earned an Ed.D. in higher education administration from University of Northern Colorado in 1982. He held a range of positions in Colorado’s community college system, retiring from Trinidad State Junior College in 1996 as Dean of Arts and Sciences. His 30-year career also included positions at Red Rocks Community College, Community College of Denver, and Northeastern Community College. He has published several articles on education, as well.
Richard’s children and some grandchildren followed his footsteps to Adams State. Son, Mark Gritz ’86, earned an accounting degree and is a Certified Public Accountant in Florida. Julie Gritz attended Adams State for two years and is now a psychiatric nurse practitioner. Valerie Gritz Semones ’92 is a veterinarian in Montrose who does animal chiropractic and acupuncture.
Her sons, Logan and Chase Semones, became engineering students at Adams; Chase is a current student.
Richard’s wife, Judith (Houser) Gritz, RN, represents another branch in their Adams State Family Tree. She became a nurse after attending Adams State, where her parents, Denver and Esther Houser, worked. Denver was House Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds, and Esther was the school nurse.
Judith’s brothers and nephews attended Adams State, as well. David Houser ’56 became a nuclear physicist and Lutheran pastor. Paul Houser ’59 became a high school math, physics, and chemistry teacher, and his son Matthew attended Adams State, as well.
Judith’s brother Ronald Houser also attended Adams State, and his two sons are alumni. Andrew Houser ’99 earned a Ph.D. in horticulture and now manages the Colorado Potato Certification Service; his wife, Lori, graduated in 2000. John Houser ’05, earned a master’s at Colorado State University.
Visit Homecoming Week.
