The University of Colorado Board of Regents has announced the 2025 list of individuals receiving Honorary Degrees, Distinguished Service Awards and University Medals. Honorary Degrees recognize outstanding achievement in one or more of the following areas: intellectual contributions, university service, philanthropy and/or public service. Distinguished Service Awards recognize those persons whose achievements and contributions are particularly associated with the state and/or nation. University Medals recognize those persons whose achievements and contributions are particularly associated with the university.
Three members of the Board of Regents on Tuesday took their oaths of office during a ceremony at CU Denver’s Student Commons Building, formally beginning their six-year terms. Taking part were the victors of three races decided last November: Board of Regents Vice Chair Ken Montera, who was reelected to his seat in District 5; Elliott Hood, elected by voters statewide as the board’s at-large member; and Ray Scott, elected in the 3rd Congressional District.
High honors and awards - including Distinguished Professors and Boettcher Investigators - topped the list of 2024's news features in CU Connections, based on reader interest. See our Top 10 list for summaries and links to these highlights from the past 12 months.
Elected to her first term in 2018, Regent Lesley Smith had planned to spend this year running statewide for a second term as the board’s at-large member. And while she will indeed be taking an oath of office next month, it will be the one for her newly won seat in Colorado’s House District 49. “My scientific background is what drew me to the legislature,” said Smith, who spent nearly 30 years at CU Boulder’s Cooperative Institute for Research in the Environmental Sciences (CIRES). “But I also hope to be a strong voice at the Capitol for higher education."
The current CU Board of Regents loses its longest-serving member next month as Regent Glen Gallegos concludes his second term. "It is hard to believe 12 years is coming to an end," he said. "I think we’re on a good track. Good things are happening and they’ll continue to happen."
Board of Regents Vice Chair Ken Montera was reelected Nov. 5 to his seat in District 5. Last week’s elections also saw voters statewide choosing Elliott Hood to serve as the at-large member of the board, while Ray Scott was the victor in the 3rd Congressional District. Their six-year terms begin in January.
Nine University of Colorado faculty members today are being named Distinguished Professors, CU’s highest honor for faculty across the system’s four campuses. CU Distinguished Professors are tenured faculty members who demonstrate exemplary performance in research or creative work; a record of excellence in promoting learning and student attainment of knowledge and skills; and outstanding service to the profession, the university and its affiliates.
The Board of Regents Finance Committee on Wednesday received some preliminary data on the CU system’s economic impact: $11.6 billion across the state last year, significant dividends of the four CU campuses delivering exceptional teaching, research, community engagement and health care. As detailed during the committee’s meeting held via webinar, the total economic impact grows to an even more impressive $19.3 billion when also factoring in CU’s two affiliate hospitals – UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital and Children’s Hospital Colorado – at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus. The figures come from a new study of the 2023-24 fiscal year completed by the Business Research Division of CU Boulder’s Leeds School of Business.
Colorado voters on Nov. 5 will determine the winners of three races for the Board of Regents, the governance group overseeing the University of Colorado system. CU Connections invited the major-party candidates on the ballot to respond to this request:Please tell the faculty and staff of the University of Colorado system why you wish to serve (or continue serving) on the Board of Regents. Here are the responses we received.
University of Colorado leadership last week celebrated the career and contributions of Tanya Kelly-Bowry, CU’s longtime advocate at the state Capitol and in Washington, D.C. The Board of Regents unanimously passed a resolution expressing deep gratitude for Kelly-Bowry’s dedicated service, leadership and contributions to the CU system. Regents also granted her the title of Vice President Emerita in recognition of her significant and distinctive service.
