Back to Top

CSU Pueblo to honor Dr. Margie Massey, Johnson Controls, Inc, Eric and Renee Carson, and Alumnus Timothy Simmons at President’s Blue and Red Gala on May 20

Release Date: April 03, 2023

Amber Shipley

Director of Communications, Events and Annual Giving

CSU Pueblo Foundation

(719) 549-2380

CSU Pueblo Professor of Education, Dr. Margie Massey, Johnson Controls, Eric and Renee Carson, and alumnus Timothy Simmons, 1969, will be honored as part of the Colorado State University Pueblo 2023 President’s Blue and Red Gala on Saturday, May 20. Proceeds from the Gala directly benefit future generations of CSU Pueblo students through scholarships and programs. 

The 2023 President’s Blue and Red Gala will begin at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails in the Occhiato Student Center Ballroom Foyer. Tickets for the 2023 President’s Gala are $150 per person or $1,750 for a corporate table of eight. Information on tickets, sponsorships, and corporate tables is available through the CSU Pueblo Foundation, 719.549.2307 or at www.csupueblogala.com

Aladdin Campus Dining has created a decadent menu and Big Bear Wine and Liquor in conjunction with STIFEL, Mark Kennedy, has selected fine wine to pair with the menu. Entertainment for the evening will feature a CSU Pueblo student musical ensemble: Gavin Grant (freshman) keyboard, Jay Martinez (senior) bass; Gerad Ortiz (senior) guitar; Coulton Reulecke (junior) Saxophone, and Jacob Bumgarner (freshman) drums.

Eric and Renee Carson will receive the President’s Award for Distinguished Service to the University. Born and raised in the San Luis Valley, the youngest of eight children, Eric, grew up recognizing the value of higher education. Both of his parents were only able to complete school through the eighth grade, but the value of education was a priority. Renee also recognizes the importance of higher education through her company, Express Employment Professionals, where she has assisted 50,000 people in finding work. Eric and Renee established the Carson Family Endowed Scholarship in 2016 with the CSU Pueblo Foundation. Since 2017, this scholarship has provided financial support to eight students from the San Luis Valley who are attending CSU Pueblo.

Johnson Controls, the global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, will receive the President’s Award for Distinguished Service to the Community. Since 1998, Johnson Controls has worked with CSU Pueblo to invest in numerous building upgrades, design energy efficiency projects, and work closely to make CSU Pueblo’s facilities infrastructure more stable, more efficient, and more focused on the work of higher education. Johnson Controls investment in CSU Pueblo and the new 23-acre solar farm has a huge impact on sustainability in the greater-Pueblo community.

Dr. Margie Massey will receive the President’s Award for Distinguished Service to Education. Dr. Massey is a CSU Pueblo Alumna, 2002. Dr. Massey is a CSU Pueblo Professor of Education and serves as the President of the Faculty Senate. Dr. Massey is always ready to help, whether it be a search and screen committee, task force, or advisory committee. Additionally, she gives generously of her time to student services activities and community boards supporting education at CSU Pueblo and in Pueblo County. Elevating education to benefit our youth is of utmost importance to Dr. Massey.

Alumnus Timothy Simmons, ’69, will receive the President’s Award for Distinguished Alumni. Timothy Heath “Tim” Simmons graduated from Southern Colorado State College (SCSC), now CSU Pueblo, in 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications and a minor in business. As the son of legendary Pueblo Junior College (PJC)/SCSC/University of Southern Colorado head basketball coach, Harry “The Chief” Simmons, Simmons grew up with a love of PJC and SCSC their  athletics programs. Simmons, who served as SCSC’s first full-time sports information director, currently hosts CSU Pueblo alumni events in the Denver area and manages The Howler Herald, a weekly e-communication for Pack Athletics news. In addition to giving his time to his alma mater, Simmons has given generously to establish several scholarships for CSU Pueblo students through CSU Pueblo Foundation.

For more information about the CSU Pueblo President’s Blue and Red Gala or the President’s Distinguished Award recipients, please contact Amber Shipley, Director of Communications and Events at 719.549.2307 or amber.shipley@csupueblo.edu.

Discover CSU Pueblo

students studying in LARC

Request more information about our degree programs, activities, sports, application process, and more!

Request Information

Register for Classes

two students smiling

Attend an Enrollment Extravaganza for quick-and-easy, one-stop registration and a chance to win a scholarship!

Back to Top