ALAMOSA–Patti Ortiz received a standing ovation for 40 years of service at the annual Adams State University Employee Recognition Luncheon.

Other recognitions included faculty who received promotions: Dr. Nick Saenz, associate professor of history; Dr. Jared Thiemann, associate professor of counselor education; Dr. Kristy Duran, professor of biology; Jenna Neilsen, professor of theatre.

Tenure was awarded to: Dr. Melissa Milner, associate professor nursing; Saenz, and Thiemann.

Faculty and staff honored for Years of Service includes: Forty Years: Patti Ortiz, Computing Services customer support coordinator; Thirty Years: Dr. Ed Crowther, History, Anthropology, Philosophy, Political Science, and Spanish Department chair and professor of history; Damon Martin, Cross Country and Track and Field programs director; Lisa Strobeck, Extended Studies administrative assistant II; Twenty-Five Years: Anthony Gallegos, custodian; Belén Maestas, registrar; Dr. Frank Novotny, professor of chemistry; Twenty Years: Greg Cook, Student Business Services director; Rodney Martinez, custodian supervisor; Dr. Matt Nehring, acting president and interim vice president for Academic Affairs; Chris Olance, Computing Services manager of support systems; Judy Phillips, assistant vice president for Extended Studies; Linda Relyea, assistant director of communications; Mark Schoenecker, digital media producer; Fifteen Years: Shannon Heersink, assistant director of Human Resources; Dr. Stephanie Hilwig, professor of sociology; Dana Provence, professor of art; Katie Suttles, budget support coordinator; Phil Schroeder, Financial Aid director; James Trujillo, executive assistant to the president.

Ten Years: Dr. Beth Bonnstetter, associate professor of communications; Caryn Chavez, HPPE administrative assistant III; Dr. Comfort Cover, assistant professor of management information systems; Debra Ehrlich, Extended Studies administrative assistant II; Mike Henderson, web application developer; Dr. Liz Hensley, professor of marketing and MBA director; Dianne Lee, associate athletic director/senior women administrator; Mark Melgares, grounds and nursery I; Dr. Beth Robison, Music Department chair and professor of music; Dr. Pat Robbins, School of Business chair and professor of business; Randall Smith, Computing Services senior systems administrator; Brenda Wilson, Housing and Residence Life administrative assistant II. Five Years: Liz Bosworth, coordinator of First Year Immersion; Curtis Howell, first year seminar instructor; Melissa Milner, associate professor and chair of the Nursing Program; Chris Monaghan, custodian; Dr. Nick Saenz, professor of history; Dr. Penny Sanders, assistant vice president of Graduate Studies; and Dr. Jared Thiemann, professor of counselor education.

Inadvertently, the following employees were not recognized in 2017 for their years of service: Lorraine Aragon, custodian I, 10 years; and Jessie Chavez, custodian II, five years; and Uriah Valdez, Welcome Center coordinator, five years.

Dr. Rick Baker, professor of English; Dr. Ed Crowther, Department Chair for History, Anthropology, Philosophy, Political Science, and Spanish and professor of history; and Dr. Dick Goddard, professor of government, are retiring and received emeritus status.

Additional retirements include Kurt Cary, chief operations officer; Larry Joe Hunt, head coach for women’s basketball; Dr. Tony Romero, professor of teacher education; and Eileen Tilton, HAPPSS administrative assistant III.

Jenna Neilsen, professor of HPPE, received the Exemplary Performance Award.