Have you recently celebrated a wedding, baby, new job, promotion, or honor? Been published, moved into a new home, or welcomed a grandchild? Share your news with the CSU alumni family by submitting a class note. Approved class notes will be published here and in Colorado State University Magazine.
1970s
Mark Driscoll (B.S., ’76; M.S., ’88) was among many Rams fans who were thrilled when the Mountain West Conference announced reinstatement the Fall 2020 football season, after earlier suspending play because of COVID-19. Driscoll has a special connection: He played quarterback from 1972-75, worked as an assistant coach, and served as director of CSU Athletics from 2003-06. Since 2016, Driscoll also has provided color analysis during radio broadcasts of Rams football games aired through the Colorado State Sports Network (He works alongside play-by-play announcer Brian Roth). In December 2019, Driscoll retired from his position as Colorado Market president at First National Bank of Omaha; he had worked for the bank for 37 years. Honored as a distinguished alumnus of the College of Business, he lives in Fort Collins with his wife, Neyla (B.A., ’79), an accomplished tap dancer who retired from her career leading music programming in the Poudre School District. The couple have three children and three grandchildren.
Dave A. Koon (B.S. ’76), of Westminster, recently retired from his job as a bus operator for the Regional Transportation District after working for nearly 20 years with the agency. He earlier worked for US West Communications and taught vocational agriculture. Koon looks forward to traveling during retirement and is pleased to conclude his career as one of several CSU alumni in his family. His late father, Sidney Koon, earned a bachelor’s degree in vocational agriculture in 1956 and a master’s degree in education in 1968.
Robert Nash (B.A., ’78) recently retired as a Professor Emeritus after 35 years of service at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
1990s
Candelario Garcia (B.A., ’94) and Mimi Lewis (B.A., ’17) published Hola, a children’s book written in Spanish and English promoting cultural awareness and acceptance in which Javi, a passionate Jalapeño, introduces some of his compadres, many of whom have emigrated from various countries. Written by Candelario Garcia and illustrated by Mimi Lewis.
2000s
Dr. Robert S. McNamara (M.S., ’05; Ph.D., ’08) and Dr. Bette K. McNamara are thrilled to announce the arrival of William Brendan on August 4, 2020. William joins big siblings, Belle and Bo Jack.
Abby Karcz (B.S., ’07) is a contributing writer for The Business of Plastic Surgery: Navigating a Successful Career (second edition) by Heather Furnas and Joshua Korman. Also, after eight years serving as a marketing and patient director at a Bay Area plastic surgery practice, followed by a position at the only dental marketing agency endorsed by ADA Member Advantage, Karcz is proud to work as a consultant and marketing director for YellowTelescope, a leading plastic surgery consultancy.
2010s
Maddie Wilbur (B.S., ’15), of Fort Collins, founded a company called Adventure Instead, which plans adventure elopement weddings. The growing trend in private nuptials involves only the couple or a small group of guests, who embark on memorable outdoor adventures to tie the knot. Wilbur, whose company was recently featured in Forbes, said business is booming during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many couples are opting for private trips instead of traditional weddings. Adventure Instead grew from Wilbur’s work as a wedding photographer; she runs the business with two other photographers. Wilbur, known as “Maddie Mae,” also has an educational platform for photographers, called Adventure Instead Academy, which she runs with her husband, Alistair Cook (M.B.A. ’15; Ph.D., ’19).
In Memorium