28th Alumni Awards Banquet
At the 28th Annual University of Colorado Law School Alumni Awards Banquet, the alumni honored four distinguished alumni—Britt Banks of Newmont Mining, Colorado Secretary of State Bernie Buescher, Peter Dietze of Dietze & Davis, and philanthropist Myra Monfort on Thursday, March 12th, at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.
The banquet showcased four exceptional award recipients, entertaining speakers, and a wonderful new venue. As one of the school’s signature alumni events, the banquet drew 350 members of the legal community and raised $35,000 for student scholarships, thanks to the generous contributions of law firms, businesses, nonprofits, alumni, and friends.
Following an hors d'oeuvre happy hour in the Donald R. Seawell Grand Ballroom, the Law Alumni Board Chair Brian Meegan opened the banquet and thanked past and present board members for their dedication. Then the Banquet Chair, Board Chair-elect, and Master of Ceremonies Eric Rothaus recognized all previous alumni award winners and thanked the 36 sponsors, advertisers, and in-kind donators.
Following a fabulously presented three-course dinner, Governor Bill Ritter (Class of ’81), one of last year’s award recipients, spoke about the award recipients and their overall accomplishments. Dean David Getches welcomed guests and reviewed Colorado Law’s accomplishments over the past year, expressing gratitude for such a wonderful turn out and fundraising efforts considering the difficult economic times.
Stanley Dempsey (Class of ’64) introduced Britt D. Banks (Class of ’88), who received the Distinguished Alumni Award for Corporate Counsel for serving top legal roles, including Executive Vice President of Legal & External Affairs, at Newmont Mining Corporation for 12 years, where he had oversight responsibility for environmental affairs, sustainable development, reclamation and closure, government relations, corporate communications, and security.
John Suthers (Class of ’77) introduced Colorado Secretary of State Bernie A. Buescher (Class of ’74), who received the Distinguished Alumni Award for Public Sector for his 12 years as a public servant to the state of Colorado, including reorganize the Colorado State Fair, serving as Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Finance, and served two terms in the Colorado House of Representatives.
CU Regent Michael Carrigan (Class of ’94) introduced Peter C. Dietze (Class of ’62), who received the Distinguished Alumni Award for Small Firm Practitioner for managing Dietze & Davis for more than 40 years in Boulder. In addition, Dietze was elected to serve three terms on the CU Board of Regents.
For the first time at the Banquet, the Law Alumni Board presented Colorado Law’s highest alumni honor, the William Lee Knous Award. Meegan spoke to the prestige of this award given to one alumni each year in recognition of outstanding achievement and sustained service to the Law School. Former CU President Hank Brown (Class of ’69) introduced Myra H. Monfort-Runyan (Class of ’75) who was presented the Knous Award for distinguishing herself as a loyal alumna, serving on the Law Alumni Board and supporting Colorado Law in pursuing its educational mission, as a fine attorney and legal advisor working in industry, and as a committed community member and citizen, enthusiastically giving of her time and resources to educational and other causes of critical importance to the well-being of society. A short video of Monfort's friends and family interviews was shown.
Dean Getches stated that “the quality of this year’s award recipients reminds us that our most important mission is developing and inspiring young people to become leaders of our profession.”
Thank you especially to the Keystone Sponsors: Gibson Dunn & Crutcher; Myra Monfort; Morrison & Foerster; Qwest; and Wheeler Trigg Kennedy. And, to our Flagstone Sponsors: Arnold & Porter; Colorado Bar Association: CLE; Davis & Ceriani; Davis, Graham & Stubbs; Denver & Colorado Bar Associations; Dufford & Brown; Faegre & Benson; Fisher & Phillips; Holland & Hart; Husch Blackwell Sanders; Ireland Stapleton Pryor & Pascoe; Isaacson Rosenbaum; Krendl Krendl Sachnoff & Way; Monfort Family Foundation; Moses Wittemyer Harrison & Woodruff; Newmont Mining Corporation; Otten Johnson Robinson Neff & Ragonetti; Rothgerber Johnson & Lyons; and Snell & Wilmer.
2009 Award Video featuring Myra Monfort