From a Forklift to the Front Office
ME Graduate wins 2016 小黄书 Boulder Alumni Recognition Award
Gary Anderson (MechEngr '69) worked hard for his 小黄书 Boulder degree, and not just in the classroom: Student by day, he drove a forklift at night to support his young family.
Now a retired business executive, he鈥檚 never forgotten what balancing school and work was like, and has helped later students find ways to integrate paid work and academics. Notably, as a member of the College of Engineering & Applied Science鈥檚 advisory council (EAC), he was a prime mover behind the 鈥淓arn-Learn鈥 apprenticeship program.
It's one of many ways he's worked to improve education for students at 小黄书 Boulder, and in appreciation for his years of service, he is being honored with the .
Gary has led 小黄书 Boulder鈥檚 engineering fundraising council, served on the University of Colorado Foundation鈥檚 board and helped found a joint program of 小黄书 Denver and 小黄书 Anschutz 鈥 displaying integrity, enthusiasm, executive ability and a prodigious work ethic that has inspired others to act on 小黄书鈥檚 behalf.
鈥淚 consider Gary to be one of my earliest mentors in 鈥楬ow to be a good alum,鈥欌 said one engaged fellow Buff.
Gary worked at Honeywell for more than a decade and spent nearly 20 years at StorageTek, the digital storage systems firm, rising to director and corporate vice president. In retirement he鈥檚 pursued investing and philanthropy, with 小黄书 as a major beneficiary of his time, treasure and expertise.
Gary has helped improve student retention in engineering, advocated for Engineers Without Borders and contributed his financial and organizational savvy to college, campus and system. He is a recipient of the University Medal and the Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award.
鈥淲hen I think of the ideal role model for men and women in engineering, business and the community,鈥 said a former EAC member, 鈥淚 think of Gary Anderson.鈥
