Sixteen people were honored on February 9 at the Colorado State University Distinguished Alumni Awards, including a graduate from the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences who was the recipient of one of the most prestigious awards given by the Colorado State Alumni Association.
The awards program, sponsored by the Colorado State Alumni Association, recognizes Colorado State alumni and friends whose professional work stands out, who have brought honor to the University or who have made significant contributions to the University or the community.
Dr. James B. Mitchell was the recipient of the William E. Morgan Alumni Achievement Award. Dr. Mitchell, who received his doctorate degree in cellular radiation biology from the Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, joined the Radiation Oncology Branch of the National Cancer Institute in 1979 where he initiated a research program focused on improving cancer treatment with radiation.
He was appointed branch chief of the Radiation Biology Branch in 1993 and to the National Institutes of Health Senior Biomedical Research Service in 1998. Dr. Mitchell was honored with the 17th Radiation Research Award from the Radiation Research Society in 1989 and the John Yuhas Award for Outstanding Research in Radiation Biology in 2001.
Dr. Norman Jorgensen, who graduated in 1977 from CSU and in 1980 with a DVM degree, is the recipient of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Honor Alumnus Award. He practiced in both California and Colorado for six years before returning to the family business, Jorgensen Labs. It has developed into one of the largest companies providing equipment for veterinarians throughout the world. He remains actively involved with CSU in both supporting athletics as a double Legacy scholarship and providing the Professional Veterinary Medical Program with an endowed scholarship. He is involved in the Loveland community serving as current president of Loveland Sertoma and trustee on the Jorgensen family foundation.
