PHILANTHROPY AWARDS 2012
John '52 & Erika Lockridge
The Tourmaline Award*
John and Erika
Lockridge have demonstrated extraordinary philanthropic
leadership and service to the Colorado School of Mines community,
providing the university with resources to achieve a distinct margin of
excellence in many vital areas across campus. John, a 1952 graduate and
former member of Mines’ varsity basketball team, and Erika, a film
producer, reside in Pebble Beach, California, where John stays active as
president of Mountain Petroleum Corporation and other independent oil
and gas operations. The Lockridges’ generosity to Mines reflects John’s
personal experiences as a student, and their support has brought
tremendous benefit to both the athletics and geology programs, in
particular.
In
recognition of the value of the scholastic and athletics programs at
Mines, John and Erika established the Blaster Basketball Scholarship
Fund in 2001, providing financial assistance for non-resident varsity
basketball players. In 2005, John and Erika gave what was then Mines’
largest athletics gift to-date to help fund the construction of a new
student recreation center on campus. The center’s 2,500-seat gymnasium
is named in their honor, and Lockridge Arena has since played host to
numerous athletics competitions and special events, including this
year’s Men’s NCAA Division II Central Regional Basketball Tournament,
which the Orediggers entered with a number one ranking. Most recently,
the couple made a generous contribution to support the Department of
Geology and Geological Engineering, helping to establish the Robert J.
Weimer Distinguished Endowed Chair in Sedimentary and Petroleum Geology,
which honors the legacy of one of the university’s most revered faculty
members.
John and Erika are
members of the Mines Century Society at the Diamond Level, and have been
loyal members of the President’s Council for many years. John is a
member of Mines’ Athletics Hall of Fame, was awarded the Distinguished
Achievement Medal in 1982 in recognition of his career successes, and
has served Mines in a number of volunteer roles, including membership on
the CSM Foundation Board of Governors, CSMAA Board of Directors,
Boettcher Challenge Committee, Geology and Geological Engineering
Visiting Committee, Reunion Giving Committee, and the Geology
Enhancement Committee.
Travis N. Johnson' 03
Young Philanthropist Award
Travis
Johnson earned his electrical engineering degree from Colorado School
of Mines and has been an active contributor to the university since
graduating in 2003. A Colorado native, he grew up on farms in northern
Colorado before coming to Golden. During his time as a student, Travis
was actively involved with Professor Pankaj K (PK) Sen’s Power Systems
Engineering Research Center program, which inspired both his career and
his giving to the university. He also began to develop his service and
leadership skills during his time at Mines, serving as president of the
Asian Student Association and participating in the Humanitarian
Engineering Program.
Travis has been a
loyal member of the President’s Council for the past eight years.
Inspired by Professor Sen’s work at Mines, Travis has focused his giving
to provide ongoing support for power systems research, hoping to
inspire other students to pursue careers in the power industry, as well
as contributing to The Mines Fund, which makes a collective impact on
the lives of all students at Mines. He has volunteered his time and
talents to judge projects for Senior Design, and he served as one of the
lead donors for the Special Studies in Leadership class project,
helping students to enhance their leadership skills by allowing them to
award real dollars to student clubs through a mock foundation. He is an
active member of the Alumni Association, and he served as the young
alumni chair in 2006-2007. His generosity sets a good example for future
generations of young alumni through ongoing philanthropic involvement
and service to Mines.
After graduation,
Travis began his career with Western United Electric Supply
Corporation, working as a substation transmission specialist. He joined
Xcel Energy in December 2008, where he now works as a specialty
engineer, a job that he calls his “dream job”.
Joanne V. Lerud-Heck
Faculty and Staff Philanthropy Award
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 have made philanthropic investments in the
university nearly every year since they became part of the Mines
community, and they have been members of the President’s Council for the
past 16 years. The couple’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.
*About the Tourmaline Award: The tourmaline crystal forms a unique, three-sided prism or spherical triangle, the shape of the Colorado School of Mines legacy logo. Firm and long-lasting, tourmaline has long been held as a symbol of loyalty and friendship. The award includes a cross section of tourmaline on a platform of CoorsTek ceramic material, mounted on a sculpted base. A pewter medal in the shape of the Colorado School of Mines legacy logo sits atop the cross section of tourmaline. Three overlapping glass discs representing Mines' focus areas of earth, energy and environment form the award's canopy. The Tourmaline Award hearkens to Mines' history and expertise in minerals and materials, and symbolizes the school's deep appreciation for its most dedicated philanthropic supporters.