Alumni Association Awards
One of the most important functions of the Colorado College Alumni Association Council is to recognize the contributions of distinguished alumni, faculty members, and members of the CC community to the betterment of society, to the enhancement of the college and its mission, and to the advancement of CC’s core values. The Alumni Association Council acknowledges these alumni and staff members through four awards (the Benezet, Worner, Riley, and Spirit of Adventure awards) given at the annual awards ceremony during Homecoming Weekend.
Nominations to be considered for the 2025 cycle can be submitted here. Please contact Wes Mooney '00, Chair of the Awards Committee, with any questions.
Eligibility
The following are not eligible for Alumni Association awards: previous awardees; recipients of an honorary degree from CC; recipients of the President's Leadership and Just World awards; current members of the Alumni Association Council and their spouses/partners; and members of the Board of Trustees, including Emeritus Trustees. While the Alumni Association generally does not make posthumous awards, timely posthumous nominations are accepted.
Congratulations to our 2024 Alumni Association Award Recipients! Awardees will be honored during Homecoming at the alumni award ceremony on Saturday, November 2 from 2-3 p.m. in the Richard F. Celeste Theatre (Edith Kinney Gaylord Cornerstone Arts Center).
2024 Award Recipients
The Louis T. Benezet Award recognizes outstanding achievement in one's chosen field, excellence through unusual success or contribution, innovation or research that has advanced a profession or a cause, and/or extraordinary contributions and achievements that have impacted people's lives and exemplify the values of a liberal arts education. These attributes characterize the important contributions of the late Louis T. Benezet, president of Colorado College from 1955-63.
The Lloyd E. Worner Award recognizes outstanding loyalty, service, and generosity to the college as evidenced by continuing concern and support for students and the quality of teaching and learning, as well as the general well-being and future excellence of the institution. These attributes characterize the many years of service and effective contributions of Lloyd E. Worner, Class of 1942, who served as a faculty member, dean, and ultimately president of Colorado College from 1964-81.
The Gresham Riley Award recognizes faculty and staff who have made a significant difference to the Colorado College community through outstanding service, commitment, and accomplishment. The continuing concern for, and support of, students and alumni demonstrated by such individuals ensures the general well-being and future excellence of the college. These accomplishments exemplify the important contributions made by Gresham Riley, the 10th president of Colorado College serving from 1981-92.
The Spirit of Adventure Award recognizes an alumnus/a who exemplifies the unique CC experience through a life of intellectual, social, or physical adventure. These attributes are characterized by the late Robert M. Ormes '26, a Colorado College English professor from 1952-73, who was the inaugural award recipient.
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