Honoring Our Own – 2010 Honored Alumni
The Alumni Association salutes outstanding individuals who go above and beyond and make us proud.
Each year during Homecoming Weekend, the University of Northern Colorado Alumni Association honors outstanding alumni and friends whose service and achievements embody the university’s tradition of excellence. We are proud to announce the 2010 Honored Alumni Award recipients.
Laura Adams – BS ‘78
Distinguished Alumni Award 2010
Laura Adams is a nationally recognized leader in bringing information technology and quality improvements to the health care system. She is the President and CEO of the Rhode Island Quality Institute (RIQI), a collaboration of the top leadership of health care stakeholders. The RIQI is currently leading and coordinating multiple initiatives to promote the use of health information technology throughout Rhode Island, in addition to advancing other quality initiatives.
Mrs. Adams is an active and inspiring keynote speaker and educator promoting the advanced concept of patient-and-family-centered care in the ICU and abolishing ‘visiting hours’ to respect the family member’s role on the care team further recognizing that the health care system has no right to separate families in times of crisis.
She currently serves on the inaugural board of the National eHealth Collaborative and she has testified before both the Senate Judiciary and Senate Budget Committees on health information technology issues. She helped create improvement efforts across the nation and was among the first to bring the principles of healthcare quality improvement to the Middle East, in conjunction with Donald M. Berwick, MD and the Harvard Institute for Social and Economic Policy in the Middle East.
Mrs. Adams is a faculty member of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) in Boston. She has authored and co-authored a number of articles and papers regarding improvements in healthcare policies. Mrs. Adams received her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing at the University of Northern Colorado in 1978 and Masters in Nursing Administration at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in 1984.
Nominator Quotes
“Laura was so proud to attend UNC and to follow in her mother’s footsteps. Bright, assertive and passionate about nursing, she was determined to learn her profession and make a difference.”
–Sandra Baird, EdD, RN, Faculty and Director of School of Nursing (1973-2003), University of Northern Colorado
“Laura’s work has both touched and saved many lives. Through her work of health IT at the national level, she now influences the quality of care for millions of Americans.”
–Donald M. Berwick, MD, President and CEO, Institute for Healthcare Improvement, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics and Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School
“Her hard work, dedication, and extensive knowledge of issues facing our health care system have been of immeasurable benefit to Rhode Island and have led to improvements that touch the lives of Americans across the country.”
–Sheldon Whitehouse, United States Senator
S. Kato Crews – BA ‘97
Young Alumni Award 2010
S. Kato Crews received his Bachelors of Arts from the University of Northern Colorado in 1997 and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Arizona College of Law in 2000. He is a partner at Rothgerber Johnson & Lyons LLP in Denver and Colorado Springs.
Mr. Crews specializes in the areas of labor and employment law representing management, and construction law litigation. He is an acknowledged leader in the legal and local community and actively volunteers on the Executive Committee of the Colorado Bar Association Leadership Training Program and serves on the Board of Directors for the Urban League of the Pike’s Peak Region.
“As lawyers, our skills can uniquely benefit charities and the disadvantaged. Through volunteering we can pursue our passions while making a positive impact on the community. As a professional of color, I believe it is important to contribute my time and treasure to minority and disadvantaged communities. With my community involvement, I hope to serve as a tangible role model for minority youth, and possibly inspire them to strive for educational and career opportunities they may not have otherwise considered.”
–S. Kato Crews
Nominator Quotes
“His dedication to the community and legal profession is unsurpassed. He clearly personifies the University of Northern Colorado’s tradition of excellence.”
–William E. Walters, III, Immediate Past President of the Colorado Bar Association
“He is an intelligent lawyer with a pragmatic and personal approach to the law. I am sure that his writing and speaking skills, which helped him to succeed, were first developed at the University of Northern Colorado”
–Michael Nosler, General Counselor, Board of Governors of the Colorado State University System
“He easily combines independence with selflessness, discipline with gentleness, and great ability with humility–resulting in a well-rounded, caring individual.”
–Tobias Guzman, nominator, Assistant Vice President Enrollment Management & Student Success, University of Northern Colorado
Dr. Kenneth Evans – BA ‘55, MA ‘56
Distinguished Emeritus Faculty Award 2010
Dr. Kenneth G. Evans is a renowned musician and music educator. He received his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in music education from the University of Northern Colorado in 1955 and 1956 and a Ph. D. from the University of Iowa in Woodwind Instruments Performance and Literature. Dr. Evans served as Professor of Oboe at the University of Northern Colorado from 1962-1990 and is a nationally recognized performer, instructor and advocate for music education.
In 1981, Dr. Evans, a summer resident of Breckenridge, Colorado, founded and directed the Breckenridge Music Institute with the goal to ‘create something of high quality and get as many people as possible involved’. The Institute continues today as the Breckenridge Music Festival and brings nationally renowned musicians to perform every summer.
Dr. Evans was inducted into the Colorado Music Educators Association’s Hall of Fame in 2000.
His teaching methodology, passion for music education and love of music can be seen in his thousands of students and colleagues. Dr. Evans continues to perform in various ensembles and volunteers his time teaching young oboe students.
Nominator Quotes
“The oboe is notorious for being a difficult and frustrating instrument; Dr. Evans had a unique gift of taking a source of frustration and turning it into a source of beauty.”
–Kathy Azari, nominator, Band Director, Brentwood Middle School, Greeley
“Dr. Evan’s keen artistic insights and high academic standards combined with his depth of pedagogy and wealth of performance experiences are matched by few people in the teaching profession.”
–Dr. Miles M. Ishigaki, Professor of Music, California State University, Fresno
“I use many of the same method books with my students that he used with me, and I do my best to encourage them in the same way he encouraged me. I would be genuinely honored if my students ultimately respect me even half as much as I respect him."
–Michael Ericson, Professor of Music, Western Illinois University
“Dr. Evans loves to teach music. My lesson is usually peppered with ‘picky, picky, picky’ and ‘haste makes waste’. I have come far in my playing and could not have done half as well with any other teacher. I love playing the oboe.”
–Micah Svenson, Dr. Evan’s seventh grade oboe student
Dana Landry – MM ‘94
Creative Achievement Award 2010
Dana Landry is Director of Jazz Studies and Professor of Music at the University of Northern Colorado where he directs UNC Jazz Lab Band I and the Northern Colorado Voices. He also teaches graduate courses in jazz and studio jazz piano. He serves as the Artistic Director of the UNC/Greeley Jazz Festival and the Director of UNC Jazz Press.
Under Professor Landry’s leadership, UNC Jazz Lab Band I has received four Down Beat Student Music Awards in the last five years, two as “Best College Big Band.” They were invited to perform at IAJE conferences in Long Beach, CA and New York, NY.
Landry has performed with Milt Jackson, Bela Fleck, Dick Oatts, Ingrid Jensen, Jeff Coffin, Eddie Daniels, Don Aliquo, Rufus Reid, Clay Jenkins, Bob Mintzer, Slide Hampton, and others. He has appeared throughout the U.S. and in Europe and Australia. He co-leads the Colorado Jazz Orchestra and performs regularly with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra.
His first release as a leader, Journey Home, was nominated for a Grammy Award. The CD, which features vibraphonist Gary Burton, reached #20 on the Jazz Week radio airplay chart.
Landry earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Berklee College of Music and a Master of Music degree from the University of Northern Colorado in 1994.
Nominator Quotes
“It is extraordinary and noteworthy that one individual, Dr. Dana Landry, through his vision and perseverance, continues to maintain these programs and entrepreneurial organizations at an extremely high level of excellence.”
–Dr. Allan E. Aitken, Honored Alum ’09
“Mr. Landry taught me that I had to be patient and learn to enjoy the musical endeavor each and every day. That advice increased both my musical enjoyment and advancement. Mr. Landry knows what works best for each student.”
–Masayoshi Ishikawa, UNC Student
“Under Landry’s leadership, the Jazz Studies Department exemplifies outstanding teaching and service to the community.”
–Dr. Robert Longwell, UNC Professor Emeritus, nominator
Mark Nuccio – BM ‘85
Creative Achievement Award 2010
Mark Nuccio is Associate Principal and Solo E-flat Clarinet for the New York Philharmonic. He has held positions with orchestras in Pittsburgh, Denver, Savannah, and Florida. He has recorded and toured with both the New York Philharmonic and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra to numerous countries, and performed with the Philharmonic on the award-winning series, Live From Lincoln Center, on PBS.
An active solo and chamber musician, Mr. Nuccio has been the featured performer with several orchestras in the U.S. and at the International Clarinet Association conventions. He made his New York recital debut at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall in 2001, his Japan recital debut in 2002, and he now regularly performs in recital in the Far East and Europe, as well as across the U.S. He is a member of the Philharmonic Quintet of New York (PQNY —a group of five woodwind players from the New York Philharmonic performing across the globe.
As a studio musician, Mr. Nuccio is featured on several movie soundtracks, including Failure to Launch, The Last Holiday, The Rookie, The Score, Intolerable Cruelty, Alamo, Pooh’s Heffalump, Hitch, The Manchurian Candidate, and numerous television commercials. He also performed on the Late Show with David Letterman as well as on the 2003 Grammy Awards. In November 2006, Mr. Nuccio released his first CD, Opening Night, featuring the clarinet quintets of Mozart and Brahms.
A Colorado native, Mr. Nuccio performs chamber music at the Strings in the Mountain Music Festival in Steamboat, Colorado during the summer. He currently serves on the faculty of the Manhattan School of Music in New York City and teaches master classes across the U.S. and abroad. Mr. Nuccio received his Bachelor’s of Arts from the University of Northern Colorado and Masters from Northwestern University.
Nominator Quotes
“It is very gratifying to see one of our graduates attain such a high level of performance and recognition.”
–Vergie Amendola, Professor of Music, University of Northern Colorado
“He visited out university earlier this year and gave a terrific recital and thoughtful and productive master class, confirming my initial impression that he is one of the finest players and teachers in the U.S.”
–Richard MacDowell, Professor of Clarinet, Butler School of Music, Austin TX
“In my 25 years of teaching at UNC, I can’t think of anyone from the UNC School of Music that has attained this degree of success. Mark’s significant accomplishments are a testament to UNC’s excellent educational opportunities.”
–Bil Jackson, Instructor of Music, University of Northern Colorado, Principle Clarinet, Colorado Symphony Orchestra
Masoud Shirazi – BA ’74, MA ‘75
Distinguished Alumni Award 2010
Masoud S. Shirazi emigrated from Iran to the United States to pursue a dream of higher education. Speaking little English and with little money, he began learning the language and culture while working to support his education at the University of Northern Colorado. Mr. Shirazi graduated from UNC with his Bachelor’s of Arts in Management in 1974 and his Masters in Management in 1975.
In 1976 he started Shirazi and Associates, Inc., a private insurance and consulting firm in Greeley that has achieved many professional awards and recognition in the insurance and financial management industries on the national level as well as within the community.
Mr. Shirazi’s involvement in the Greeley community is widely respected and appreciated. He has served on countless advisory groups and boards and received a number of awards including the 2006 Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen Award.
His involvement with the University of Northern Colorado continued almost immediately after graduation. He has continued to provide his time, support and guidance to continually build a better institution through collaboration and connection with the Greeley community.
Nominator Quotes
“Mr. Sharazi exemplifies what we hope to find in alumni from our college and university. He is an excellent representation of the transformation we hope to effect in all our students’ lives.”
–Don Gudmundson, Dean Monfort College of Business University of Northern Colorado
“Masoud exemplifies what UNC, and especially the business school is all about; he is not a brash or boastful man, just a hard-working, smart business person. I am truly proud of what Masoud has accomplished and even more proud to consider him my friend.”
–Richard (Dick) Monfort
“Mr. Shirazi as a distinguished alumnus not only acknowledges his success as a businessperson and the exceptionally best that UNC offers, but also is a tribute to signifying the very foundation of our country as the land of opportunity.”
–Dr. Abe Harraf, Provost and Senior Vice President, University of Northern Colorado
Dr. Sumate Yamnoon – MS ‘81, PHD ‘84
Distinguished Alumni Award 2010
Dr. Sumate Yamnoon is the Secretary-General of the Commission on Higher Education in Thailand, a position comparable to the U.S. Secretary of Education. He has been actively involved in Thai higher education policy and planning for more than 30 years, playing key roles in strengthening and supporting Thai higher education institutions to enhance their positions in the global higher education community.
As the Secretary-General, he has accelerated the implementation of higher education development in Thailand focusing on the production and development of quality university graduates to promote international recognition and competitiveness of Thai higher education institutions. By establishing international cooperation, like the international student and faculty exchange partnerships with the University of Northern Colorado, students and faculty are sharing, learning and gaining experiences through networking and exposure.
Dr. Yamnoon is helping to empower Thailand’s higher education stakeholders, educators and the community members to produce quality human resources, especially new generations, equipped with the appropriate skills and attributes needed for the workforce as well as opportunities for life-long learning and the overall improvement of their quality of life and happiness.
Dr. Yamnoon obtained a degree in Mathematics from Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok Thailand, in 1972. He received his Masters and Ph.D in Applied Statistics and Research Method from the University of Northern Colorado in 1980 and 1984.
Nominator Quotes
“Dr. Yamnoon has risen to the highest level possible in the educational hierarchy in Thailand... He has instituted many important initiatives that have significantly advanced the quality of education in Thailand, including work on accountability and the integration of students with disabilities into the Thai higher education system.”
–Eugene Sheehan, Dean of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, University of Northern Colorado
“Dr. Yamnoon has been instrumental in developing partnership agreements with between our university and the Commission on Higher Education to implement faculty and student exchanges, and the creation of a pipeline of undergraduate and graduate students who seek admission to a variety of programs at UNC. I am delighted to see the high caliber of applicants from Thailand who seek admission to our university, due in large measure to the proactive efforts of Dr. Yamnoon…”
–Dr. Harvey Rude, Professor and Director, School of Special Education, University of Northern Colorado
“The position Dr. Yamnoon currently holds is regarded as one of the highest and most distinguished positions in the field of education in Thailand. He is a leader and plays a significant role in the direction that higher education in Thailand will go. His support and enthusiasm for the importance of higher education in Thailand is immeasurable.”
–Dr. Somphol Dounglomchunt, University of Northern Colorado Alumni Ambassador to Thailand
