A Message from the President | University of Colorado

Five who embody the ideals of Thomas Jefferson honored

It is our pleasure to recognize five faculty, staff and student leaders from the university community who have been chosen recipients of the 2012 Thomas Jefferson Award, among the highest honors given at CU. The winners of the award demonstrate how the CU community adds value not only to our institution, but throughout the state and beyond. By teaching, research and providing service, our people have a profound effect on improving quality of life for countless others.

A committee of CU faculty, staff and students determined that these winners embody and advance the ideals of our third U.S. president and a Founding Father, Thomas Jefferson, whose influence shaped American arts, sciences, education and public affairs. These folks have demonstrated excellence in the performance of regular academic responsibilities while contributing outstanding service to the broader community.

The 2012 honorees are:

	Andrea O'Reilly Herrera, Ph.D., director of the Women and Ethnic Studies (WEST) Program at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS). The poet and author is regarded as a leading scholar of the Cuban diaspora, and her work bridges art, literature, literary criticism, creative writing and history. She partners with local libraries and schools in developing writing and art programs.
	Thomas Huber, Ph.D., professor of geography and environmental Studies at UCCS. An alumnus of the University of Colorado Boulder (CU-Boulder), he has worked on such projects as habitat mapping of the Prebles meadow jumping mouse in El Paso County, vegetation mapping of large portions of Colorado for the Division of Wildlife, and mapping and analyzing elk habitat in the Pikes Peak region.
	Philip Zeitler, M.D., Ph.D., professor of pediatrics and clinical sciences at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He is an internationally known expert in the field of pediatric endocrinology. His rigorous focus on top-quality research has contributed greatly to the world's understanding of pediatric Type 2 diabetes and pediatric obesity.
	Linda Theus-Lee, M.S., program assistant and event coordinator for the University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) Business School. She is a versatile professional, artist, counselor, teacher and entrepreneur. A CU Denver alumna, her volunteerism includes developing and implementing a reading program at the Ford Warren Library, and mentoring girls at the Gilliam Youth Services Center and the Jefferson County Correction Facility.
	Angie White, M.A., doctoral candidate in the Department of Communication at CU-Boulder. She studies issues of community building, experiential education and poverty. Her research explores how communication strategies may be used to help people in poverty empower themselves and move toward self-sufficiency.

Recipients are recognized by the Board of Regents and receive an engraved plaque and a $2,000 honorarium. A reception in their honor will be April 5.

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