Alumni of the Year Award
2026 Alumni of the Year Nomination Form
(Submission deadline: March 31, 2026, by 11:59 p.m.)
2025: Leah Spielman ’15
Leah Spielman has demonstrated a strong, consistent commitment to Metro State University through her volunteer efforts, especially in the Career Center. She has generously given her time to mentor students on professional development and career preparation. Leah has participated in several university-sponsored networking events, sharing valuable advice and encouragement with students as they explore career paths. She has also presented on LinkedIn best practices at the Alumni Career Experience, helping students and fellow alumni build a strong professional presence online. Her involvement reflects a sincere dedication to supporting the Metro State community and assisting students to succeed beyond the classroom. Leah will be featured in the Winter issue of buzz magazine, coming in January 2026.
Past recipients
2024: Nancy Uden ’88
2023: State Senator Sandy Pappas ’86
2021-22 Emerging Alumnus Award: James Houston ’16
2021: Steve Campos ’17
2020: Earlsworth (Baba) Letang ’05
2019: Lawrence Collette ’99
2018: Dr. Michael O’Connor ’92
2017: Latasha Powell ’12
2016: Anthony Cox ’01
2015: Mona Dohman ’98
2014: Gary Cunningham ’91
2013: Retired General Frank Grass ’85
2012: Caroline Lowe ’02
2010: Monte Bute ’91
2009: Margaret Lovejoy ’90
2008: Jesse Bethke Gomez ’87
2007: Jim Lukaszewski ’74
2006: Yusef Mgeni ’74
2005: Victoria Reinhardt ’96
2004: Jean Hart ’79
2003: Senator Sandy Pappas ’86
2002: John Owens ’94
2001: Bernice Sisson ’86
2000: Segundo Velasquez ’00
1999: Sam Rock ’88
Past alumni award recipients
1996 25th anniversary award:
Peter Bell '76, Nancy Blanchard '81, Julie DeCosse '96, Cheryl Dickson '76, Joanne Englund '74, Brian Goodroad '92, James Griffin '74, Gloria Haines '91, Clarence Harris '74, Terri Hawthorne '77, Ange Hwang '92, John Laux '90, Juan Lopez '83, Clarice "Chris" Matteson '76, Vince McGraw '76, Yusef Mgeni '74, Rosalia "Sally" Olsen '73, Elsa Vega-Perez '93, Victoria Reinhardt '96, Charlotte Samuelson '77, Arvid Schwartz '79, John Sipe '91, Linda White-Anderson '83 and Marcia Yugend '90.
1987: Volunteer Services Award, Carolyn Ring '78
1987: Alumni Volunteer Service Award, Linda White-Anderson '85
1987: Public Service Award, James Griffin '74
1985: Association Volunteer Award, Thomas Ransom '77
1985: Public Service Award, Rep., Rosalie "Sally" Olsen '73
1982: Association Service Award: Virginia "Ginny" (Johnson) McCain '74