u003c!DOCTYPE htmlu003enu003chtml lang=u0022enu0022u003enu003cheadu003enu003cmeta charset=u0022UTF-8u0022u003enu003cmeta name=u0022viewportu0022 content=u0022width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0u0022u003enu003ctitleu003eFive Finalists Selected for Threlkeld Prize for Excellence | CSU Pueblou003c/titleu003enu003clink href=u0022https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Playfair+Display:wght@400;700;900u0026family=Source+Serif+4:ital,wght@0,300;0,400;0,600;1,400u0026display=swapu0022 rel=u0022stylesheetu0022u003enu003cstyleu003en *, *::before, *::after { box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0; padding: 0; }nn :root {n u002du002dgold: #C8A84B;n u002du002dgold-light: #E5C97A;n u002du002dnavy: #1C2B4B;n u002du002dnavy-dark: #0E1928;n u002du002dcream: #FAF8F3;n u002du002dink: #1A1A1A;n u002du002dmuted: #6B6B6B;n u002du002drule: #D6CFB8;n }nn body {n font-family: ‘Source Serif 4’, Georgia, serif;n background: var(u002du002dcream);n color: var(u002du002dink);n line-height: 1.7;n }nn /* ── MASTHEAD ── */n .masthead {n background: var(u002du002dnavy-dark);n padding: 0.75rem 2rem;n display: flex;n align-items: center;n gap: 1rem;n border-bottom: 3px solid var(u002du002dgold);n }n .masthead-logo {n font-family: ‘Playfair Display’, serif;n color: #fff;n font-size: 1.05rem;n font-weight: 700;n letter-spacing: 0.04em;n text-transform: uppercase;n }n .masthead-logo span {n color: var(u002du002dgold);n }n .masthead-tag {n margin-left: auto;n color: var(u002du002dgold-light);n font-size: 0.75rem;n letter-spacing: 0.12em;n text-transform: uppercase;n font-family: ‘Source Serif 4’, serif;n font-weight: 300;n }nn /* ── HERO ── */n .hero {n background: var(u002du002dnavy);n color: #fff;n padding: 4rem 2rem 3.5rem;n position: relative;n overflow: hidden;n }n .hero::before {n content: ”;n position: absolute;n inset: 0;n background: radial-gradient(ellipse at 70% 50%, rgba(200,168,75,0.12) 0%, transparent 65%);n pointer-events: none;n }n .hero-inner {n max-width: 860px;n margin: 0 auto;n position: relative;n }n .hero-kicker {n display: inline-block;n background: var(u002du002dgold);n color: var(u002du002dnavy-dark);n font-size: 0.7rem;n font-weight: 700;n letter-spacing: 0.15em;n text-transform: uppercase;n padding: 0.3rem 0.75rem;n margin-bottom: 1.25rem;n font-family: ‘Source Serif 4’, serif;n }n .hero h1 {n font-family: ‘Playfair Display’, serif;n font-size: clamp(1.9rem, 4vw, 3.2rem);n font-weight: 900;n line-height: 1.15;n color: #fff;n margin-bottom: 1.25rem;n letter-spacing: -0.01em;n }n .hero-meta {n display: flex;n gap: 1.5rem;n font-size: 0.8rem;n letter-spacing: 0.08em;n text-transform: uppercase;n color: rgba(255,255,255,0.55);n font-family: ‘Source Serif 4’, serif;n font-weight: 300;n flex-wrap: wrap;n }n .hero-meta span { display: flex; 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font-style: normal; display: block; margin-bottom: 0.25rem; font-size: 0.7rem; letter-spacing: 0.12em; text-transform: uppercase; }nn @media (max-width: 620px) {n .collage-grid { grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr); }n .collage-grid .collage-item:nth-child(n+4) { display: none; }n .hero { padding: 2.5rem 1.25rem; }n .page-wrap { padding: 2rem 1.25rem 4rem; }n }nu003c/styleu003enu003c/headu003enu003cbodyu003ennu003cheader class=u0022mastheadu0022u003en u003cdiv class=u0022masthead-logou0022u003eCSU u003cspanu003ePueblou003c/spanu003e — Newsu003c/divu003en u003cdiv class=u0022masthead-tagu0022u003eFor Immediate Release u0026bull; March 20, 2026u003c/divu003enu003c/headeru003ennu003csection class=u0022herou0022u003en u003cdiv class=u0022hero-inneru0022u003en u003cdiv class=u0022hero-kickeru0022u003eStudent Recognitionu003c/divu003en u003ch1u003eFive Finalists Selected foru0026nbsp;the Threlkeld Prize for Excellenceu003c/h1u003en u003cdiv class=u0022hero-metau0022u003en u003cspanu003eu003cspan class=u0022dotu0022u003eu0026#9632;u003c/spanu003e Pueblo, Coloradou003c/spanu003en u003cspanu003eu003cspan class=u0022dotu0022u003eu0026#9632;u003c/spanu003e March 20, 2026u003c/spanu003en u003cspanu003eu003cspan class=u0022dotu0022u003eu0026#9632;u003c/spanu003e CSU Pueblo Foundationu003c/spanu003en u003c/divu003en u003c/divu003enu003c/sectionu003ennu003cmain class=u0022page-wrapu0022u003enn u003csection class=u0022collage-sectionu0022u003en u003cdiv class=u0022collage-labelu0022u003e2026 Threlkeld Prize Finalistsu003c/divu003en u003cdiv class=u0022collage-gridu0022u003en u003cdiv class=u0022collage-itemu0022u003en u003cimg src=u0022https://newscsupueblo.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/embedded-4295-1.jpgu0022 alt=u0022Derrick Downsu0022u003en u003cdiv class=u0022collage-captionu0022u003en u003cspan class=u0022collage-nameu0022u003eDerrick Downsu003c/spanu003en u003cspan class=u0022collage-degreeu0022u003eConstruction Managementu003c/spanu003en u003c/divu003en u003c/divu003en u003cdiv class=u0022collage-itemu0022u003en u003cimg src=u0022https://newscsupueblo.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/embedded-4295-2.jpgu0022 alt=u0022Samantha Norrisu0022u003en u003cdiv class=u0022collage-captionu0022u003en u003cspan class=u0022collage-nameu0022u003eSamantha Norrisu003c/spanu003en u003cspan class=u0022collage-degreeu0022u003eCriminology u0026amp; Sociologyu003c/spanu003en u003c/divu003en u003c/divu003en u003cdiv class=u0022collage-itemu0022u003en u003cimg src=u0022https://newscsupueblo.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/embedded-4295-3.pngu0022 alt=u0022Sarah Petersonu0022u003en u003cdiv class=u0022collage-captionu0022u003en u003cspan class=u0022collage-nameu0022u003eSarah Petersonu003c/spanu003en u003cspan class=u0022collage-degreeu0022u003eNursingu003c/spanu003en u003c/divu003en u003c/divu003en u003cdiv class=u0022collage-itemu0022u003en u003cimg src=u0022https://newscsupueblo.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/embedded-4295-4.jpgu0022 alt=u0022Evan Smithu0022u003en u003cdiv class=u0022collage-captionu0022u003en u003cspan class=u0022collage-nameu0022u003eEvan Smithu003c/spanu003en u003cspan class=u0022collage-degreeu0022u003eBusiness Administrationu003c/spanu003en u003c/divu003en u003c/divu003en u003cdiv class=u0022collage-itemu0022u003en u003cimg src=u0022https://newscsupueblo.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/embedded-4295-5.jpgu0022 alt=u0022Taylor Singletonu0022u003en u003cdiv class=u0022collage-captionu0022u003en u003cspan class=u0022collage-nameu0022u003eTaylor Singletonu003c/spanu003en u003cspan class=u0022collage-degreeu0022u003eCivil Engineeringu003c/spanu003en u003c/divu003en u003c/divu003en u003c/divu003en u003c/sectionu003enn u003cdiv class=u0022article-bodyu0022u003en u003cdiv class=u0022datelineu0022u003ePueblo, Colo.u003c/divu003enn u003cpu003eFive Colorado State University Pueblo students have been named finalists for the Threlkeld Prize for Excellence, one of the university’s most prestigious student honors. Selected from a pool of candidates nominated by faculty and staff across multiple departments, this year’s finalists are Derrick Downs, Samantha Norris, Sarah Peterson, Evan Smith, and Taylor Singleton.u003c/pu003enn u003cpu003eEstablished in 1990 in memory of respected faculty member and community leader Budge Threlkeld, the award recognizes a graduating senior who has completed at least four full-time semesters at CSU Pueblo, maintained a grade point average of 3.7 or higher, and demonstrated service to both the university and the community.u003c/pu003enn u003cpu003eThe recipient will be announced during the Student Involvement and Leadership Awards ceremony on u003cstrongu003eThursday, April 9u003c/strongu003e, at the Occhiato Student Center Ballroom. The award winner will also be recognized during spring commencement on u003cstrongu003eSaturday, May 16u003c/strongu003e, at the ThunderBowl, where they will be presented with the first diploma of the ceremony, along with a monetary award.u003c/pu003enn u003chr class=u0022finalists-ruleu0022u003en u003cdiv class=u0022finalists-headu0022u003eMeet the Finalistsu003c/divu003enn u003cdiv class=u0022finalist-cardu0022u003en u003cdiv class=u0022finalist-thumbu0022u003eu003cimg src=u0022https://newscsupueblo.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/embedded-4295-6.jpgu0022 alt=u0022Derrick Downsu0022u003eu003c/divu003en u003cdivu003en u003cdiv class=u0022finalist-nameu0022u003eDerrick Downsu003c/divu003en u003cdiv class=u0022finalist-degreeu0022u003eB.S. Construction Managementu003c/divu003en u003cp class=u0022finalist-biou0022u003eDowns will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in construction management, a minor in leadership studies, and certificates in construction project management, construction safety law and management, construction procurement, estimating and planning construction costs, and foundations of business. A U.S. Army combat veteran, Downs serves as a peer support specialist and veteran mentor. He was selected as the 2026 Boettcher Colorado Leadership Alliance Student Leader of the Year and has accepted a position as a project engineer with SEMA Construction.u003c/pu003en u003c/divu003en u003c/divu003enn u003cdiv class=u0022finalist-cardu0022u003en u003cdiv class=u0022finalist-thumbu0022u003eu003cimg src=u0022https://newscsupueblo.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/embedded-4295-7.jpgu0022 alt=u0022Samantha Norrisu0022u003eu003c/divu003en u003cdivu003en u003cdiv class=u0022finalist-nameu0022u003eSamantha Norrisu003c/divu003en u003cdiv class=u0022finalist-degreeu0022u003eB.S. Criminology u0026amp; Sociologyu003c/divu003en u003cp class=u0022finalist-biou0022u003eNorris will graduate with bachelor’s degrees in criminology and sociology and a minor in honors. She is nationally certified through the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigation as a medicolegal death investigator. As part of her senior honors project, she created and launched a Death Education for Colorado website to educate the public about death, dying and the death industry. Norris has been accepted into the forensic science graduate program at the University of Florida and aspires to work for the Colorado Bureau of Investigation or the Federal Bureau of Investigation.u003c/pu003en u003c/divu003en u003c/divu003enn u003cdiv class=u0022finalist-cardu0022u003en u003cdiv class=u0022finalist-thumbu0022u003eu003cimg src=u0022https://newscsupueblo.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/embedded-4295-8.pngu0022 alt=u0022Sarah Petersonu0022u003eu003c/divu003en u003cdivu003en u003cdiv class=u0022finalist-nameu0022u003eSarah Petersonu003c/divu003en u003cdiv class=u0022finalist-degreeu0022u003eB.S. Nursingu003c/divu003en u003cp class=u0022finalist-biou0022u003ePeterson will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and is a certified nursing assistant. She holds certifications in basic life support, advanced CPI with skills, trauma-informed care, ACA swift water rescue and wilderness first aid. Peterson serves as an undergraduate teaching assistant and supplemental instructor in the School of Nursing, leads biweekly study sessions and works at UCHealth as an advanced care partner.u003c/pu003en u003c/divu003en u003c/divu003enn u003cdiv class=u0022finalist-cardu0022u003en u003cdiv class=u0022finalist-thumbu0022u003eu003cimg src=u0022https://newscsupueblo.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/embedded-4295-9.jpgu0022 alt=u0022Evan Smithu0022u003eu003c/divu003en u003cdivu003en u003cdiv class=u0022finalist-nameu0022u003eEvan Smithu003c/divu003en u003cdiv class=u0022finalist-degreeu0022u003eMBA u0026amp; B.S. Business Administrationu003c/divu003en u003cp class=u0022finalist-biou0022u003eSmith will graduate with a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in economics, with a concentration in finance and a minor in leadership studies. A four-year member of the men’s golf team, Smith is active in the President’s Leadership Program and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. He has completed internships with El Pomar Foundation and Express Employment Professionals and plans to pursue a career as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force.u003c/pu003en u003c/divu003en u003c/divu003enn u003cdiv class=u0022finalist-cardu0022u003en u003cdiv class=u0022finalist-thumbu0022u003eu003cimg src=u0022https://newscsupueblo.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/embedded-4295-10.jpgu0022 alt=u0022Taylor Singletonu0022u003eu003c/divu003en u003cdivu003en u003cdiv class=u0022finalist-nameu0022u003eTaylor Singletonu003c/divu003en u003cdiv class=u0022finalist-degreeu0022u003eB.S. Civil Engineeringu003c/divu003en u003cp class=u0022finalist-biou0022u003eSingleton will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. She recently passed the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, serves as treasurer of the American Society of Civil Engineers student chapter, and works in a transportation materials laboratory with the Colorado Department of Transportation. Singleton is also the owner and operator of Cactus Creek Silver, a western jewelry business.u003c/pu003en u003c/divu003en u003c/divu003enn u003cdiv class=u0022article-footeru0022u003en u003cemu003eThe CSU Pueblo Foundation was created in 1954 to solicit, receive, invest, and disburse private gifts and exists solely for the benefit of Colorado State University Pueblo and its students.u003c/emu003en u003c/divu003en u003c/divu003enn u003cdiv class=u0022contact-blocku0022u003en u003cstrongu003eMedia Contactu003c/strongu003en James Muller u0026bull; Marketing, Communications u0026amp; Events Manager u0026bull; CSU Pueblo Foundationu003cbru003en 719-549-2307n u003c/divu003ennu003c/mainu003enu003c/bodyu003enu003c/htmlu003e