2023
Hall of Fame Award
Brian S. Colón, '98
Brian S. Colón graduated from NMSU’s College of Business in 1998 with a Bachelor of Arts in Finance degree, and then went on to earn his Juris Doctor degree at the University of New Mexico along with becoming a certified fraud examiner. He’s currently the state auditor of New Mexico and has achieved several recognitions and service highlights throughout his career. This includes a fellowship with Hunt Institute, the Corazón de la Cultura Award from NM Hispanic Heritage, the Person of the Year from NM Holocaust Museum, and more. Colón has over 30 years of committed volunteer work, fundraising in the non-profit sector, and public service.
“On this 25th anniversary of my graduation and as the first in my family to go to college, I never could have dreamt of being worthy of this honor (especially when I consider past recipients),” Colón shared. “That said, I am humbled to receive the award and hope it is an example to others who struggle with few resources and support in college. It literally took me 10 years to finish my degree before attending law school. Hopefully, this award is a sign that every single person and organization who invested their time and treasure in me throughout my journey made a good investment. I couldn’t have done it without them, and this is yet one more ‘payment’ on the debt of gratitude I owe them all. I will never repay my debt fully, but I will die trying with my life of service to others.”
Angela Throneberry, '87
Angela Throneberry is a proud College of Business graduate and earned her Bachelor of Accountancy degree in 1987. She began her career at NMSU in 1991 as an accountant II in the Financial Reporting Office and did some work as the assistant athletics director for business, director and then assistant vice president for auxiliary services, and associate vice president for administration and finance. She has 30 years of professional experience in higher education and public accounting. Throneberry retired from NMSU in 2017 after an exciting 26-year career.
“Joining an elite group of alumni into the NMSU College of Business Hall of Fame is an amazing honor. With so many successful and deserving alumni, I am very proud to be selected,” Throneberry said. “Obtaining my Bachelor of Accountancy degree from the COB transformed my life in so many ways by providing me with an outstanding education that allowed me to succeed in my chosen career field and gather many wonderful life-long friends along the way. I am truly humbled to now be recognized for my professional accomplishments and endeavors.”
Corporate Traders Award
Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Risk and Insurance Management Society
Being recognized this year with the Hall of Fame Corporate Traders’ Award is Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Risk and Insurance Management Society. This award was created in 2009 and recognizes outstanding contributions by corporations to the COB.
“The Rocky Mountain RIMS Chapter sees the importance of supporting students however it can, as they are the future of the industry,” said Neil Colclough, president of RM RIMS. “College degrees in Risk Management and Insurance are relatively new and were not available for many seasoned professionals. Students of today are future Professional and Associate Members of RIMS and future Chapter leaders, so we are simply investing in the future of the industry,”
Distinguished Alumni
Charlie Rogers, '63
Past Years
2021
Distinguished Alumni
Sammy Chiolda, '76
2020
Distinguished Alumni
Jerean Hutchinson
2019
Hall of Fame Award
E. Larry Lujan, '77
Corporate Traders Award
Los Alamos Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories
Distinguished Alumni
Margaret Hardin
2018
Hall of Fame Award
Scott Williams '75
Traders Award
Garrey Carruthers
Corporate Traders Award
Independent Insurance Agends of NM (IIANM)
Distinguished Alumni
Eric Powell
2017
Hall of Fame Award
Perry Elders, '83
Phillip Cook, '84 & Sandy Cook, '82
Corporate Traders Award
Chevron
Distinguished Alumni
Del Esparza
2016
Hall of Fame Award
Brenda Joy Baca Alvarez, '81
James Holder, '90
Corporate Traders Award
Bill & Sharon Sheriff
Distinguished Alumni
Loren R. Cook
2015
Hall of Fame Award
Don Beasley, '72
Traders Award
Jim Nordyke
Corporate Traders Award
Citizens Bank of Las Cruces
Distinguished Alumni
Jerald 'Jerry' Smith
2014
Hall of Fame Award
Greg G. Maxwell, '78
Distinguished Alumni
Bobby Lutz
2013
Hall of Fame Award
Bradley Gordon, '13
Traders Award
Peyton Yates
Corporate Traders Award
Laguna Development Corp and Route 66 Casino and Hotel
Distinguished Alumni
Lee Ellen Banks
Raul Prieto (International DA)
2012
Distinguished Alumni
Jackie Kerby Moore
2011
Hall of Fame Award
Margaret L. Hardin
John Long, '76 & Susan Long, '76
Traders Award
Herb Wimberly
Distinguished Alumni
Todd L. Bisio
2010
Hall of Fame Award
William D. Myers, '80
Arturo D. Jurado, '66
Traders Award
John Loveland
Corporate Traders Award
Norm Becker-NM Mutual Insurance
Distinguished Alumni
Julie Dill
2009
Hall of Fame Award
Shari Jones, '80
Kelly J. Pena, '86
Traders Award
Jerry With
Don & Sarah Kidd
David & J Sepich
Distinguished Alumni
Brenda Baca Alvarez
2008
Hall of Fame Award
Richard Baldridge, '81
Kerry N. Weems, '79
Traders Award
Joyce Whitfield Jaynes
Libby Pruett & J.B. Pruett
Corporate Traders Award
Independent Insurance Agends of NM (IIANM)
Distinguished Alumni
Kevin R. Johnson
2007
Hall of Fame Award
Christine Dupnik Aguilera, '86
Roy W. Mall, '83
Traders Award
Edward Lujan
James Bullock
Distinguished Alumni
Greg G. Maxwell
2006
Hall of Fame Award
John Cordova, '81
Jennifer Taylor, '82
Daniel Sosa, Jr., '47
Traders Award
Frankie Clemons
Hank Willis
Stan Hanssen
Distinguished Alumni
Brad Goron
2005
Hall of Fame Award
Jerean Camunez Hutchinson, '80
Chris Knackstedt, '91
2004
Hall of Fame Award
Laura Conniff, '74
Adolpho R. Telles, '71
Distinguished Alumni
Linda J. Volk
2003
Hall of Fame Award
Jim Wetherbe, '71,
Leroy Crow, '72
Distinguished Alumni
Michael R. Rogers
2002
Hall of Fame Award
John A. Papen, III, '68
Andres Gutierrez, '83
Distinguished Alumni
Lisa Donnini
2001
Hall of Fame Award
Kevin R. Johnson, '81
Hugh F. Barham, '42
Michael P. Clute, '68
Lt. Gen. Robert D. Chelberg U.S. Army Retired, '73
Distinguished Alumni
Chris Knackstedt
2000
Hall of Fame Award
Ralph G. Torres, '67
Julie Dill, '81
W. Everett Crawford, '70
Distinguished Alumni
Phillip W. Cook
1999
Hall of Fame Award
Paulina U. Salopek, '55
Michael J. Maloof, '55
Raymond L. Kysar, '53
Distinguished Alumni
Laura Mathers Conniff
1998
Hall of Fame Award
Thomas M. Tarasoff, '71
A.D. Bowen, '53
Distinguished Alumni
Donald A. Beasly
1997
Hall of Fame Award
J. Paul Boushelle, '58
George Carl Everett, '97
Ben H. Haines Jr., '71
Distinguished Alumni
John A. Papen
1996
Distinguished Alumni
Victor E. Arnold
1995
Distinguished Alumni
Adolpho R. Telles
1994
Distinguished Alumni
David & Jane Orr
1993
Distinguished Alumni
Mr. Thomas M. Tarasoff
1992
Distinguished Alumni
Mr. George Carl Everett Jr.
1991
Distinguished Alumni
Mr. Bruce Ritter
1989
Distinguished Alumni
Mr. J. Paul Boushelle
1987
Distinguished Alumni
Mr. Browning Yelvington
1986
Distinguished Alumni
Mr. Michael P. Clute
1985
Distinguished Alumni
Mr. James R. Crouch
1984
Distinguished Alumni
Mr. J. W. Bowman
1983
Distinguished Alumni
Larry D. Higgins
1982
Distinguished Alumni
Mr. J. C. Galbraith Jr.
1981
Distinguished Alumni
Mr. C. W. Ritter
1980
Distinguished Alumni
Mr. Raymond L. Kysar
1979
Distinguished Alumni
Judge Dan Sosa Jr.
1978
Distinguished Alumni
Mr. Wilber L. Fite
1977
Distinguished Alumni
Dr. D. Harold Wiggs Sr.
1976
Distinguished Alumni
Mr. Lloyd M. Varenkamp
1975
Distinguished Alumni
Mr. Michael J. Naloof
1973
Distinguished Alumni
Mr. A. E. Hatch
1972
Distinguished Alumni
Dr. Clark L. Loomis
1971
Distinguished Alumni
Mr. Charles A. Miller
1967
Distinguished Alumni
Mr. John H. Campbell
1964
Distinguished Alumni
Dr. Oris Vernon Wells
1963
Distinguished Alumni
Dr. J. Cloyd Miller
