Each year, the 50 Year Club recognizes a graduate for public service and for career achievement. The awards are presented during the annual luncheon, held on the Friday of Homecoming & Family Weekend.

This year’s recipients are Karen Ostermiller (’59, Humanities) from Riverside, Calif., for the Career Achievement Award and Tom Nix (’50, Animal Science) from Fort Collins for the Public Service Award.

A native of Boulder, Tom Nix enrolled at Colorado A&M after returning home from WWII. Upon graduation, Nix became a dairy farmer and held numerous leadership positions in the dairy industry. After 23 years of dairy farming, Nix retired and became a realtor in 1973. During his 30-year career, he was often the opening speaker at the yearly meeting of the Fort Collins Board of Realtors, serving as chaplain for the board, and a mentor for new realtors. Known for providing educational experiences to students of all ages, the Nix family farm was purchased by the City of Fort Collins in 1998, designating it the Nix Natural Area.

A founder of the Heart of the Rockies Christian Church, Nix has developed service programs for the church and the greater community. An active member of the Lions Club and the Elks Club, Nix served in leadership positions, receiving honors for his distinguished service. He has also served on the Salvation Army Advisory Board and the Larimer County Office on Aging Advisory Council. Nix is a tremendous Ram fan, attending every football and basketball game for almost 50 years and serving in several volunteer capacities for the Department of Athletics.

Story written by Beth Etter.