Celebrating Dedicated Broncos
The Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest honor bestowed upon an alum. Every year, the Alumni Association honors excellence by awarding several outstanding achievements to alumni. These individuals exemplify the loyalty, passion and innovation of all dedicated Broncos. Honorees are recognized at the annual Distinguished Alumni Awards Gala during Homecoming. Nominations are due March 1. Watch the 2024 Awards Gala below.
About the Awards
Distinguished Alumni Award
The Distinguished Alumni Award is awarded to extraordinary alumni who have enhanced the reputation of the university by making a difference in the world through daily impact in their companies or chosen profession, communities, and for Boise State University. Presented during Homecoming.
Anyone can submit a nomination, and the deadline for fall awards is March 1. Please fill out the online nomination form online and include a letter describing the nominee’s qualifications and why they should be selected, a resume or bio of the nominee and two letters of reference for the nominee.
Watch the 2024 Ceremony
2024 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients
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Esther Oppenheimer ’76, ’84, ’89
Licensed professional counselor, early childhood art therapist and artist
College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education -
Heidi Peterson ’98
Senior manager for philanthropic engagement with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), an organization dedicated to developing vaccines against future epidemics
School of Public Service -
Elizabeth Schneider ’87
Retired engineering manager, Intel Corporation and contract grant writer for Idaho STEM Ecosystem, a division of Idaho Business for Education
College of Engineering -
Andrea Tuning ’99, ’02
Senior urban and regional long range planner for the City of Boise
College of Health Sciences, School of Public Service
2024 Distinguished Alumni + Service Award Recipients
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Anthony Guho ’09
Vice president and construction manager, Guho Corporation General Contractor
College of Engineering -
Dave Shuldes ’99
Retired director of Boise Respiratory Therapy after 30 years with St. Luke’s Health System and 20-year chair of Boise State Respiratory Therapy Medical Advisory Board
College of Health Sciences
2024 Honorary Alumni Award Recipient
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Rick Isaacson
Chairman, Isaacson Family Office; Isaacson Foundation; board member at SERVPRO Industries, LLC
Past Recipients
2021-Present
2023
Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients
- Rheanna Allen ’01
- Roger H. Allen ’58
- Cathy Hall ’77, ’97
- Korey Hall ’06
- Chris Mathias ’04
- Theodore G. Obenchain, M.D. ’57
Distinguished Service Award Recipient
- Art Berry ’73, ’81
2022
Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients
- Marianna Budnikova ’13, ’14
- Caleb Cram ’21
- Tony Fitzpatrick ’88, ’95
- Kay Hardy ’74, ’84
- Tim Lowe ’91, ’99
- Mike Mers ’92
- Stacy Pearson ’95
Distinguished Service Award Recipients
- Patrick Fithen ’08
- Tucker Robb ’11
Honorary Distinguished Service Award Recipients
John Grizzaffi
2021
Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients
- Danielle Bennion ’93
- Soñia Galaviz ’02, ’05, ’20
- Zach Higgins ’09
- Jim Martin ’87
- Brent Moylan ’84
Distinguished Service Award Recipients
- Jan Bryant ’08
- Diana Garza ’95, ’00
Proud Sponsors
Liberty Mutual
Liberty Mutual Insurance is the proud sponsor of the Distinguished Alumni Awards Gala and is a long-standing affinity partner with the Boise State Alumni Association. Liberty Mutual has partnered with the Alumni Association to offer alumni exclusive savings on Liberty Mutual Auto and Home Insurance. Liberty Mutual offers personalized coverage, Multi-Car and Multi-Policy Discounts, 24-Hour Claims Assistance and more. Liberty Mutual is trusted countrywide for quality coverage and exceptional service.
For alumni who live in the Boise area, please call (208) 323-7755. For alumni outside of Idaho, visit the Liberty Mutual Website directly or call (800) 524-9400 (mention client #4020).
Mountain America Credit Union
Mountain America Credit Union is a proud title sponsor of the Boise State Alumni Association. Mountain America is a full-service financial institution, founded in the 1930s. They are community focused with six branches in the Boise area and more than 90 across the mountain west. Mountain America provides a variety of personal and business financial services designed to help members achieve their financial dreams including Auto Loans, Mortgages, SBA Loans, Youth Accounts, and Retirement Planning. Becoming a member is easy – ask how you can join! Learn more at Mountain America Credit Union.
When you take advantage of your alumni membership benefit savings by choosing Liberty Mutual Insurance and Mountain America Credit Union, those dollars help fund legacy scholarships, and quality events and programs that ensure the success and enrich the experience that is Boise State University.