The University of Colorado Board of Regents announced on Mar. 26 the individuals selected for the university’s Honorary Degrees, Distinguished Service Awards, and University Medals for 2026. The honorees were approved by the full board in November following recommendations from the Regents Awards Selection Committee, and each recipient has been invited to attend a campus commencement ceremony to accept their award. Dates and locations for these ceremonies will be announced at a later time.
These awards are given annually to recognize exceptional achievement and service within the university community as well as broader contributions to society. Honorary Degrees are presented for outstanding achievements in intellectual pursuits, philanthropy, university service or public service; Distinguished Service Awards honor those whose work is closely associated with the state or nation; and University Medals recognize significant contributions tied directly to the university.
Recipients of Honorary Degrees this year include Sue Anschutz-Rodgers (CU Anschutz), Richard “Dick” Brown (CU Anschutz), William King (CU Boulder), and Alice Mortenson (CU Boulder). Anschutz-Rodgers is recognized as a philanthropist supporting health care, education, conservation efforts, and rural communities through her leadership at the Anschutz Family Foundation. Brown is noted for his support in advancing medical research and women’s health at CU campuses. King is honored as a long-serving professor who played an instrumental role in establishing Black Studies at CU Boulder. Mortenson’s philanthropy includes co-founding global development initiatives such as CU Boulder’s Mortenson Center in Global Engineering and Resilience.
Distinguished Service Awards go to Lorii Rabinowitz (CU Denver) for her leadership expanding educational opportunities through the Denver Scholarship Foundation, and June Waller (UCCS) for decades-long advocacy on social equity issues including affordable housing policy in Colorado Springs.
University Medals have been awarded to Jim Hodge (CU Anschutz) for his fundraising leadership that secured major gifts supporting campus growth; Deborah Mahan (UCCS) for her philanthropic work advancing mental health initiatives; and Clyde Zaidins (CU Denver), a founding faculty member recognized both as an educator and benefactor who helped build up CU Denver’s Physics Department over more than five decades.
The Board highlighted that each honoree has made lasting impacts within their fields or communities through sustained commitment, innovation or generosity. Further details about each recipient’s accomplishments can be found on official university channels.
Looking ahead, recipients will be formally recognized during upcoming commencement events across University of Colorado campuses.
