The 48th annual CMU alumni awards banquet on Friday honored individuals who dedicated time to the community, are leaders in their careers and have helped set CMU sports records.
Grand Junction lawyer Michael Burke was one of the recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award.
Before Burke became a lawyer, he was a research assistant for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Burke spends a great deal of his time helping the community. He has been president of the Mesa State College Alumni Association, the president of the Mesa State College Foundation and on the Board of Directors for the Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce.
Greg Walcher was also a recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award.
Walcher worked with Senator Bill Armstrong and was also Colorado’s third District Republican nominee for Congress in 2004. For a decade, Walcher was the president of Club 20. The representatives of this organization become involved politically to make the interests of the Western Slope known.
Walcher wrote a book titled “Backlash: The Theft of the Conservation,” which will be available in 2012.
Walcher is President of the Natural Resources Group.
Former Governor Bill Owens said Walcher “knows a lot about natural resources.”
Dr. John Redifer received the Distinguished Faculty Award.
For 17 years, Dr. Redifer has taught public administration and political science at CMU.
“I get to share the knowledge I learn with the students of this university. It doesn’t get much better than that,” Redifer said.
Dr. Redifer encourages students to be actively involved in the political party of his or her choice. Many of his former students have worked in several different state departments. One of his students was an assistant in the communications department that was led by President George W. Bush.
Dr. Redifer was nominated by Senator Mark Udall to be a part of the Ute Water Board.
Stephen Kirkham was one of the recipients of the Hall of Honor Award.
Kirkham, the former coach of the women’s basketball team, won more games than anybody else in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
Kirkham won four RMAC championships, seven RMAC West Division Championships in a row and one RMAC Tournament.
Kirkham’s teams hold dozens of CMU records.
“Coach Kirkham had a knack for finding a way to win,” said Jill Perrier who was coached by Kirkham.
Kirkham’s seniors were athletic and academic. Every person he coached graduated.
The 1982 football team was another recipient of the Hall of Honor Award.
Bob Cortese coached the legendary 1982 football team, which had a 11-1-1 record and lost a national championship 14-11.
“I’m proud of all the constant hard work the team put into that season,” Cortese said.
The 1982 team holds the school football record of winning the most games in a row.
“It’s amazing who has walked through the doors of CMU. I want awards banquets to inspire students. I want students to know that they can achieve great things by graduating from this university,” CMU Alumni Association Executive Director Rick Adleman said.

sfrose@mavs.coloradomesa.edu