The following individuals will be honored with awards at Homecoming 2016 for their achievements.

The Louis T. Benezet Award

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 characterized the important contributions of the late Louis T. Benezet, president of Colorado College from 1955-63.

Scott Desmarais ’86

Scott Desmarais ’86 has devoted his passion for economic and social development toward corporate strategy, business management, and public sector consulting in Africa, Europe, Asia, South America, the Middle East, and the U.S. He served in the Peace Corps, worked with the U.S. Agency for International Development, and created a consulting firm, The Desmarais Group. He joined McKinsey & Company in 2010, where he serves corporations, public institutions, and foundations.

Paul Liu ’81

Dr. Paul Liu ’81 is chairman of the plastic surgery department and an attending surgeon at Rhode Island Hospital, an attending surgeon at Women and Infants Hospital, and a consultant with Stemnion and Medline Industries. He held previous medical school faculty appointments at Harvard University, the University of Miami, Tufts University, Boston University, and Brown University, and hospital appointments at the Lahey Clinic, Roger Williams Medical Center, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

The Lloyd E. Worner Award

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 characterized 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 (1964-1981).

Thomas A. Fitzgerald ’57 

For 42 years, Thomas Fitzgerald was a teacher and administrator, primarily at Colorado Academy in Denver. His program, Parents as Teachers, garnered him the “Raising Colorado” award from then-Governor Roy Romer. Public Service Company named him “one of the 50 teachers who make a difference.” He was regional coordinator for The National Humanities Faculty and the Educational Development Center, served in the U.S. Navy, and was active on numerous nonprofit and foundation boards.

The Gresham Riley Award

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, 1981-1992.

Professor Emeritus Richard “Ric” Bradley joined Colorado College as associate professor of physics in 1961. He became a full professor in 1966, and he served as dean of the faculty and dean of the college from 1973 to 1979 before retiring in 1987. He is an American Physical Society fellow, and he served in the U.S. Navy. He has testified at congressional hearings against building dams in national parks and monuments.

Cecelia Gonzales

Colorado College horticulturist Cecelia Gonzales’ designs reflect the natural beauty of the campus and are created through careful consideration of cost, maintenance, sustainability, and stewardship. She received the Golden Trowel Award from the City of Colorado Springs for five consecutive years. In 2002, she visited Japan to research gardens, and subsequently she was instrumental in installing a Japanese garden at CC’s Asian House.

The Spirit of Adventure Award

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. He was an adventurer of the mind, body, and spirit that exemplifies much of what is special about the college.

Trinity Ludwig Wells ’06

Trinity Ludwig Wells began her career in 2006 at George K. Baum & Company. She is a strategic consultant and an investment banker, specializing in venture capital, mergers, and acquisitions for emerging technology companies. In 2011, she spent 11 months in South America to collect biodiversity data. Next, she led scientists on an expedition to collect data about biodiversity in Argentina. Previously, she served on the boards of cityWILD and Pacific Biodiversity Institute.