The Pueblo community braved an atypical snowstorm Saturday night to honor three prominent citizens being inducted into the Pueblo Community College Hall of Fame. These three–Dan DeRose, The Honorable Dennis Maes and Dee Rogers Brown–join those in the Hall of Fame who have made significant social, civil and charitable contributions to the community. The Pueblo Hall of Fame was established to honor individuals who, by their extraordinary efforts, have contributed to the betterment or enhancement of Pueblo.
Past honorees and supporters of the Pueblo Community College mission gathered in the Fortino Ballroom to wish each other well and perpetuate the camaraderie that is the cornerstone of Pueblo strength.
A little bit about the honorees:
Brown came to Pueblo from Albuquerque, N.M., in 2000 as project manager for WL. Enterprises Ltd., and through her role as project manager, has overseen notable local projects such as the expansion of the North Side from Eagleridge Boulevard to Dillon Drive and west of city limits. She has been involved in giving substantial gifts from WLE to the Pueblo community and has served on numerous community boards.
DeRose is a Pueblo native and has strong ties to both athletics and higher education in Pueblo, having played football at East and USC and holding positions such as Colorado State University-Pueblo professor of business, football and track coach; CSU-Pueblo Foundation president; founder, president and board member of Friends of Football. That organization that raised $14 million in 2006 to bring back football, wrestling and women’s track to CSU. FOF also is responsible for construction of the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl, introduction of the school’s 120-member marching band, and continuing support for CSU-Pueblo’s athletic programs.e also served a short stint as CSU-Pueblo’s athletic director.
Maes, who is the namesake of the Pueblo justice center, served as the deputy state public defender in Pueblo and opened a private law practice that he operated until being appointed district judge of the Tenth Judicial District in 1988, and later chief district judge. He retired in 2012, but last month was elected to the Pueblo City Schools board.
For more information about the Hall of Fame, the Pueblo Community College Foundation and community efforts, log on to www.puebloccfoundation.org.
Ernest and Cindy Montoya–Ernest is the Foundation’s Scholarship Coordinator
PCC Foundation Executive Director Martha Simmons, left, and her sister-in-law Lynn Simmons
Wally and Wynona Sullivan (she’s board secretary), left, Barbara Duff (board member and planning committee chair), Jan Williams (board member) and Ralph Williams, Jim Duff
Barbara Johnson, left, and June King
Alisa Potestio, left, and Theresa Dudley (planning committee)
Abel and Connie Tapia
Sue Takaki, left, Dr. Lin Chang and Dr. Jacob Chi
Cynthia Ayala-Cooper and Mark Cooper
Sales Manager Jill Young and Steven Trujillo
Ray and Dr. Patty Erjavec, president of PCC
Janette and Jon Brown–he is honoree Dee Brown’s stepson
Board members Marty Poole, left, and Barbara Leonard
Lily Maes Johnson, left, and Sharon Esquibel
Catherine Allen and Brian Gross helped to welcome guests
Jane and Mark Rogers (Dee’s son), left, honoree Dee Rogers Brown, Jon (Dee’s stepson) and Janette Brown
Honoree Dan DeRose and his wife Kerry
Kay Bauman, left, Jim Richerson and Judy Lee
Crystal and Kevin Estrada
Andreas Gaynor and Shauna Bichet (Dee’s daughter)
Andreas Gaynor, left, Shauna Bichet, Dee Rogers Brown, Jane and Mark Rogers, Jon and Janette Brown
Jane Rawlings (PCC HOF ’17) and Dave Dill
Barbara Duff, left, chats with Linda Stetter
Jon and Lori Riggs
Dr. Patty Erjavec, left, and Wynona Sullivan
Judy Hildner chats with Board President Paul Willumstad
Linda and Joe Welte (PCC HOF ’16), left, Paul and Chris Willumstad
Ed Perry and Sharon Bonner
Maggie Divelbiss (HOF ’03), left, and Dr. Patty Erjavec (HOF ’10)
Barbara Vidmar, left, Linda Welte and Mary Keilbach
Dee Rogers Brown, Dan DeRose, retired Judge Dennis Maes
Executive Director:
Foundation Director: Martha Simmons
Committee Members:
Selection committee: Barbara Fortino (chair), Carla Barela, Barbara Duff, Marty Poole, Wynona Sullivan, Jan Williams and Paul Willumstad; Planning and Implementation committee: Barbara Duff (chair), Theresa Dudley, Barbara Fortino, Marty Poole, Wynona Sullivan, Jan Williams
President/CEO:
President of PCC: Dr. Patty Erjavec
Staff:
Martha Simmons, Lorna Jackson, Ernest Montoya, Shauna Boyd
Introductions:
Dr Patty Erjavec
Invocation:
Rev Msgr Edward Nunez
Welcome:
Paul Willumstad
Libations:
Dinner wine compliments of the PCC Foundation board of directors
Sponsors:
Margarita: Colorado State University Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo Foundation, W.L. Enterprises Ltd.; Pina Colada: Health Solutions, KR Swerdfeger Construction, Legacy Bank, McPherson, Breyfogle, Daveline & Goodrich PC, Montgomery & Steward Funeral Directors, Parkview Medical Center, Pueblo Community College; Bahama Mama: Atlas Pacific Engineering Co., El Pomar Foundation, Kathy Farley & Vidmar Motors, St Mary-Corwin Medical Center; Beachfront Beverage sponsor: Waterfront on the Riverwalk; Mai Tai: Credit Union of Colorado, Express Employment Professionals, HW Houston Construction, Michael Salardino, SunWest Educational Credit Union, Xcel Energy; Mojito: Chavez-Huerta K-12 Preperatory Academy, Cortez Construction, Barbara Fortino & Larry & Carole Walls, Gradisar, Trechter, Ripperger & Roth, LDC Properties, Loaf 'N Jug, Martha Simmons & Glenn Parker, Tim and Lynn Simmons, Nadene Verna, Paul & Chris Willumstad;
Menu:
New England clam chowder with homemade oyster crackers; baby green salad with grape tomatoes, croutons, pickled red onion, goat cheese and toasted walnuts; beef short rib with caramalized sweet onion and sherry stock sauce; grilled salmon medallion with Dijon mustard, tarragon and caper Ravigote sauce; Yukon mashed potatoes; Brussel sprouts baked with fresh thyme, roasted garlic and cream; assorted mini Filo mousse cups, fresh mint fruit tartelettes, lemoncello sorbet
Attire:
Black tie, Seaside soiree attire
Special Thanks:
Avalos Fine Portraiture, PCC departments: Center for New Media, Conference and Event Services, Culinary Arts and Hospitality Studies, Dining Services--Executive Chef Michael Degenhart, Kitchen Specialist Koi Arriaga; Fire Services Dept., Marketing and Communications Office; President's Leadership Program; PCC Foundation Student Scholars
Ticket Prices:
$100
Board of Directors:
Paul Willumstad – president; Barbara Fortino--vice president; Wynona Sullivan--secretary; Pamela Patterson--treasurer; Joe Welte--past Val DeSantis; Carla Barela; Ross Barnhart; Val DeSantis; Barbara Duff; Theresa Dudley; Dr. Patty Erjavec; Barbara Leonard; Lori Lovato; Charnell Mayer; Scott Moore; Martha