Colorado State University Pueblo Announces 2024 Distinguished Young Alumni Awards

Pueblo, COLO – CSU Pueblo, a small public university with under 4,000 students, has announced its 2024 Distinguished Young Alumni Award recipients. These graduates, all under 40, are making significant impacts across various fields, demonstrating the university's role as a premier incubator for future leaders from rural and southern Colorado.

The honorees include:

- Heather Riganti (2017): Assistant principal and athletic director pursuing a doctorate in teacher retention

- Katie Hausman (2020): ICU nurse during COVID-19, now an adjunct faculty member

- Louis DeSantis (2011): Sign company owner and President of the Colorado Sign Association

- Keenan Wyatt (2019): Sustainability researcher and Colorado National Guard Sergeant

- Thomas Farrell (2010): Community leader in LGBTQ+ advocacy and local school board member

For a small, CSU Pueblo's approach to building leaders emphasizes creating a diverse, interconnected community and developing essential leadership skills. As a Hispanic Serving Institution with a military-friendly focus, the university is positioning itself as a catalyst for diversity in leadership across various sectors.

"These graduates continue what they’ve learned during their time at CSU Pueblo to elevate our community and create connections in and throughout the state," says Daniel Minich, Director of Alumni Relations and Engagement. "Their achievements demonstrate the power of accessible, quality education in shaping tomorrow's leaders, especially for rural and Southern Colorado."

The university will celebrate these alumni at an upcoming brunch, showcasing the potential of a CSU Pueblo education and its role in fostering engaged citizens ready to tackle real-world challenge.