The Thirteenth Annual Adams State University Educators Hall of Fame Ceremony on June 3, 2025, included a warm welcome from Adams State President David Tandberg, Ph.D., introductions by Master of Ceremonies Curtis Wilson, and a heartfelt address from Alamosa Elementary 3-5 School President Michelle Rubidoux-Wilson. They all voiced appreciation for professional educators and their positive impact on individuals, classes, and society. Honorees expressed gratitude for Adams State and the skills and experiences they acquired in and out of the classroom.
The Adams State School of Education staff and faculty organize the annual event. “I am very proud of the dedication from our team to make this a very special occasion,” said Curtis Garcia, Ph.D., School of Education director. “We are all committed to making the Educators Hall of Fame a priority and I appreciate everyone who works to recognize outstanding educators.”
The following were inducted into the Educators Hall of Fame:
Elementary Educators
Donna Armenta
Donna Armenta received her Bachelor of Arts from Adams State in 1989, and her Master of Arts. in 1997. She dedicated 29 years of service to the field of education. She accepted her first teaching position in 1989 as the K2 physical education teacher at Polston Primary, after her mentor, Judy Phillips, retired. Armenta received the Teacher of the Year Award twice and she embraced the new innovative teaching program for K-6 SPARK and became a SPARK trainer, passing along the method to teachers in the field of physical education. Armenta mentored numerous Adams State student teachers and Boettcher mentor teachers, and coached volleyball, track and field, and cross country for fifteen years at Alamosa High School.
Lila Whiting McIntyre
Lila Whiting McIntyre graduated from Adams State in 1968 with a Bachelor of Arts and a earned a Master of Arts from the University of Arizona in 1985. She taught for 32 years. McIntyre started her career in PreK12 and kindergarten. She strived to ensure every child would love school. After moving to Phoenix, Ariz., with her family, McIntyre began working at the Arizona Boys Ranch, a residential treatment facility. After earning her master’s degree, she taught classes for non-readers to high school level grammar and Shakespeare’s Macbeth and all levels in between. After a move to California, McIntyre became an elementary special education teacher. She was awarded the Teacher of the Year award in Bakersfield in 1999. Her father, mother, two brothers, and two daughters graduated from Adams State, making it a family tradition.
Secondary Educators
Diane Lara
Diane Lara ’82, ’86, received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Adams State and a master’s from the University of Northern Colorado. She spent 30 years in education and is the first librarian to be inducted into the Adams State Educators Hall of Fame. At the start of Lara’s career requirements to become a librarian included a teaching license, three year’s classroom experience and a master’s degree in a library related field. However, budget restrictions prohibited these requirements in small districts and many libraries were staffed by para-professionals. Lara, along with several San Luis Valley librarians, developed a summer class at Adams State to teach para-professionals the basics. Lara also began the practice of monthly meetings for fellow librarians to provide professional advice and share concerns and successes. When computers were first introduced in schools, Lara automated the library and spent a summer placing barcodes on the collection. She precipitated internet access and databases for students to research topics outside of the limited physical collection.
Administrators
Robert Framel
Robert Framel ’95, ’03, earned his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts from Adams State and has spent 30 years, and counting, as an educator. After receiving his undergraduate degree, Framel returned to teach and coach at Burlington Middle School for two years. He then taught and coached at Ellicott High School and then Yuma High School. His first administration job was athletic director and business manager at Palmer High School where he was honored with the 5A athletic director of the year, in 2010. In 2015, Robert became superintendent of the Kit Carson School District where he led a $32 million BEST project for the construction of a new PreK-12 building. Framel is a member of the CHSAA Board of Directors and CASSA Board of Directors; and is the SAC chairman for BOCES, and SCAP chairman.
Robert Whiting
Robert (Bob) Whiting ’59, ’63, received bachelor’s and master’s from Adams State and a Ph.D. in 1972 from University of Colorado in Denver. After graduating with his master’s degree, he accepted a position at Kamehameha Schools in Honolulu, Hawaii. He taught high school English for six years (1963-1969) after earning his doctorate degree, continued at Kamehameha Schools as director of special events, and director of curriculum for the next 29 years. He continued his career for eleven more years at a private school. Whiting believed in meeting the educational needs of students and the needs of his professional faculty and staff. He was director of the high school Library Learning Center, including centers for student graphics production, a student video production studio and a computer center, all to serve 1800 students and faculty.
Post-Secondary
J. Thomas Gilmore
Tom Gilmore ’67, ‘68 received his B.A. and M.A. from Adams State and earned a Ph.D. from Colorado State University in 1976. He dedicated 30 years of service to the education profession.
Awards and Accomplishments Include:
- 1978-1993 Professor and Dean for the School of Business
- 1993-1994 Associate VP of External Affairs and Dean of Business
- 1995-2003 Adams State University President
- 2006 Adams State Willis Fassett Award
- 2020 Adams State Billy Adams Award
- Economic Development Specialist Southern Colorado Economic Development District
- Founding member of a 500 member National Business Accrediting Organization
- External business program review for the Black Hills State University and Southwestern Oklahoma State University
- Board of Directors for the SLV Federal Bank, chairman for Audit Committee and Chair of the Board for several years.
- Developed Executive in Residence Program for the School of Business where senior executives of major corporations visited campus and gave seminars to business students.
Dr. Gilmore’s wife, Pat, and their two sons are also Adams State alumni.
Dr. Garcia and the School of Education appreciate the Educators Hall of Fame committee members including Adams State Alumni Relations Director Uriah Cisneros ’10, Stephanie Hensley, Ph.D., ’93 & ’00, Lori Laske, ’91 ’01, Ted Morrison ’69, and Curt Wilson ’90.
