2013 - William W. Fleckenstein '86, MS '88, PhD '00
Interim Petroleum Engineering Department Head, alumnus and faculty member since 2007, Will Fleckenstein has been an advocate for the university and a donor since 1989. In recent years, he has made extraordinary gifts supporting the Department of Petroleum Engineering, Marquez Hall and the drilling simulator within the facility. His giving has also benefited Mines’ football program, of which he was a part as a student, as well as The Mines Fund. Will is a member of the Mines Century Society at the Copper level, and he has been a member of the President’s Council at the Guggenheim level for four of the past six years. He has served as a leader among his peers on campus and his colleagues in industry in helping to spread the word about the importance of philanthropic investment in Mines, and he has been integral to stewarding essential industry partnerships and further engaging alumni and friends of Mines. Will is a valuable partner to the CSM Foundation, attending campus events regularly and speaking last year at very successful Mines on the Move events in Texas. With the Faculty and Staff Philanthropy Award, we recognize Will’s own generous contributions to his alma mater, and his leadership as a campus advocate for private philanthropic investment.

2012 - Joanne V. Lerud-Heck
Arthur Lakes Library Director Joni Lerud-Heck has been a consistent supporter and dedicated advocate of Mines for more than 20 years. Since she came to the university in 1989, Joni has made significant contributions to the Mines campus community, both professionally and through her ongoing philanthropic support. Joni and her husband, Tom Heck, support a variety of different initiatives on campus, but much of their focus is on helping to sustain the resources provided to Arthur Lakes Library, while modernizing the space and building a 21st century library for today’s Mines student. The couple has also supported faculty chairs and student scholarships and fellowships, as well as special collections at the library, including the Wood Mining Archive and the Center for Ropeway Studies. Joni and her husband's loyal giving has made an  impact all across campus, and Joni’s extensive expertise and experience related to librarianship and geology have made her an invaluable asset to Mines and the broader community. Her contagious enthusiasm has inspired others, both on campus and off, and she exhibits a high level of professionalism and passion for Mines that serve as inspiration to her peers and to Mines students.

2011 - Steve Sonnenberg
Dr. Steven Sonnenberg has been part of the Mines community since he began his doctoral studies at the university in the late 1970s. As the Charles Boettcher Distinguished Chair in Petroleum Geology, he has made significant contributions to Mines both professionally and through his ongoing philanthropic support. A loyal donor for more than 25 years, Steve has directed his support to The Mines Fund, the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering, and the Geology Trail Fund, as well as giving to help establish the Robert J. Weimer Distinguished Endowed Chair in Sedimentary and Petroleum Geology. He has been a member of the President’s Council nearly every year since 1989. In addition to his personal contributions to Mines, Steve is actively involved with the Geology Enhancement Committee, a group of alumni and friends who volunteer their time and efforts to raise private gifts for the Geology and Geological Engineering Department. He regularly collaborates with the Colorado School of Mines Foundation to maximize philanthropic support from both individuals and corporate partners. Steve is also member of the Colorado School of Mines Alumni Association and a tireless volunteer for his alma mater. Steve received the Colorado School of Mines Young Alumni Award in 1989, the Outstanding Alumnus Award in 1998, and the Mines Medal in 1998.

2010 - Dr. Robert D. Knecht
A member of Colorado School of Mines’ faculty since 1991, Dr. Knecht '70, MS '75, PhD '79 is a senior lecturer in the university’s foundational Engineering Practices Introductory Course Sequence (EPICS) program. He and his wife, Joan, are among Mines’ most dedicated supporters, making contributions at the President’s Council level for each of the past 11 years. In 2001 and 2002, Bob served as chair of the Campus Campaign, an initiative that encourages philanthropic support for the university among Mines faculty and staff. He also helped the Class of 2009 multiply the impact of their Senior Class Gift by generously matching the students’ contributions. As a member of the Leadership Summit committee and a regular volunteer for Mines athletic programs, in addition to his role as a faculty member, Dr. Knecht is an important and positive influence on the lives of Colorado School of Mines students.

2009 - Dr. David K. Matlock
Colorado School of Mines has been privileged to have Dr. Matlock as a vital member of the university’s faculty since 1972. He holds the prestigious position of ARMCO Foundation Fogarty Professor of Metallurgical Engineering, serves as director of the Advanced Steel Processing and Products Research Center, and is a member of the National Academy of Engineering. He and his wife, Diane, have demonstrated significant philanthropic commitment to Mines by making contributions at the President’s Council level for each of the past 16 years. David was instrumental in launching the fundraising campaign for the Family of Mines Scholarship, providing both organizational and philanthropic leadership for the project. In both 2006 and 2007, he served as chair of the Campus Campaign, an initiative that encourages Mines faculty and staff to support the university philanthropically. Through his leadership and advocacy, Mines’ Advanced Steel Processing and Products Research Center has earned an international reputation as a leader in ferrous metallurgy education and research.