CEMML NEWS FLASH !

Mary Huwa retires from CSU and CEMML with HOOAH Send-off !

Some seventy-five CEMML and CSU co-workers and friends, Army sponsors, and family members gathered on 20 February at the CSU Lory Student Center to honor CEMML's Administrative Director - Mary Huwa, who retires this month after 28 years of dedicated service to the University. The farewell reception included an oral history of Mary's employment and contributions, an awards and gift ceremony and a rousing HOOAH ! cheer by the assembled crowd. As the first employee to be hired by Dr. Shaw, CEMML's Director, Mary has been instrumental in the development and success of CEMML over the past fifteen years. She will be remembered for the high standards she set and implemented in accounting, resource stewardship and employee management - which are hallmarks of CEMML's organizational culture. As the "First Sergeant" and "Voice of CEMML", Mary is known and respected by all of CEMML's on and off-campus employees.

Before joining Dr. Shaw and CEMML, Mary worked for several academic Departments at CSU, eventually moving in the early 1980's to the former Department of Range Science in the College of Natural Resources. There she began a long-standing association with Dr. Shaw as CEMML grew from a two-person research group to one of the largest Centers at the University, now employing over 200 full-time personnel and managing annual contracts and grants awards of $15 million. For the past 15 years, Mary has supervised CEMML's Administrative Office staff, which has grown to 8 full-time employees, with responsibility for all administrative functions of the Center with the College, University and external sponsors.

During the retirement ceremony, Mary was recognized by Dr. Shaw, Dr. Joyce Berry (Interim Dean, College of Natural Resources), family members and colleagues for her many contributions. Additionally, she was recognized by the Army National Guard Bureau in Arlington, VA for her outstanding support to their organization and nine CEMML employees working there. LTC John Fortune of the NGB presented Mary with a formal Certificate of Achievement and "promoted" her to Field Grade rank by pinning a gold oak leaf, symbolizing the Army rank of Major, on her collar.

As a final tribute to Mary, a description and history of the Army term, HOOAH - pronounced like Mary's last name, was read. The expression is derived from early Army history and has come to be known as an expression for "Mission Accomplished" and "Job Well Done". Since both of these aptly apply to Mary's long-standing service, the crowd was led in a cheer of "Hip, Hip HOOAH" to send Mary off into retirement. She will not go lightly, as she and her husband, Larry, are planning a cross-country camper trip to the wilds of Alaska this Spring, returning to help manage the family ranch on the eastern plains of Colorado.

Farewell reception photos

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