COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO — Four individuals with outstanding ties to Colorado will be honored as part of the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs 30th Commencement Ceremonies.
The individuals will be recognized by the CU Board of Regents during formal Commencement ceremonies beginning at 9:30 a.m. Friday. Additionally, they will be honored Thursday at a dinner at the Garden of the Gods Club, Colorado Springs.
Those who will be honored Thursday night include: Bruce E. Shepard, Colorado Springs, Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters; Karen Possehl, Denver, University Medal; Joseph Woodford, Colorado Springs, Distinguished Service Award and Sen. Wayne Allard (R-Colorado), Fort Collins, Alumni Legislative Award.
Allard received his award during an April Colorado Springs town hall meeting and will not attend Commencement.
The award winners and a brief summary of their contributions to the university follow.
Bruce E. Shepard, Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters
Bruce Shepard is a long-time community leader, businessman and university supporter. He will be recognized for his support of the university’s Reach Your Peak Scholarship program.
Through his personal contributions, and his efforts to encourage others to contribute, more than 200 CU-Colorado Springs students benefit from the scholarship program. In recognition of his efforts, the scholarship program will be named the Bruce and Ann Shepard Reach Your Peak Scholarship Program.
Karen Possehl, University Medal
Karen Possehl’s vision provides scholarship funding for non-traditional women students. She is dedicated to helping women with great potential but limited means pursue college degrees. She and her husband, Jim, created a comprehensive, endowed scholarship program known as the Karen Possehl Women’s Endowment. Each year since 1996, 12 to 15 women have received funding and 40 women have earned degrees from the university.
Joseph Woodford, Distinguished Service Award
Joseph Woodford is a distinguished community and business leader who is also known for his philanthropic efforts. His support helped fund the Center for the Study of Government and the Individual as well as scholarships for students enrolled in the Pre-Collegiate Development program.
Wayne Allard, Alumni Legislative Award
Wayne Allard is a powerful supporter of combining the strengths of the university, the federal government and private business to benefit the nation. His efforts were instrumental in helping create the university’s Network Information and Space Security Center, a national program to develop new ways to protect the nation’s infrastructure.
CU-Colorado Springs, located on Austin Bluffs Parkway in northeast Colorado Springs, is the fastest growing university in Colorado and one of the fastest growing universities in the nation. The university offers 25 bachelor’s degrees, 17 master’s and two doctoral degrees. The campus enrolls more than 7,600 students annually.