DECEMBER 21, 2004

Hamilton Stepping Down from the Mesa State College Board of Trustees

Grand Junction, CO - Mesa State College Board of Trustees member Jamie Hamilton has announced that he will not seek reappointment in 2005.

"It's been a great privilege to be able to serve as a trustee for my alma mater," said Hamilton. "Now, with the Board of Trustees established and Mesa State College thriving, the time has come for me to bow out gracefully and focus on my other commitments."

Hamilton has served on the Mesa State College Board of Trustees since its inception in July 2003. Prior to the establishment of this independent board, Hamilton was a member of the Trustees of the State Colleges of Colorado, a joint governing board that oversaw the activities of Mesa State College and three other state colleges, from 1999 to 2003.

"Jamie has served Mesa State College during some of its most challenging years," said Tim Foster, president of Mesa State College. "He has skillfully shepherded the college from its days under the Trustees of the State Colleges of Colorado to now being governed by an independent board that is in touch with the educational needs of western Colorado's citizens."

Hamilton's association with Mesa State College began as a student in 1974. While earning a bachelor's degree in history and a teaching certificate, he was honored as a baseball Academic All American and Honorable Mention All American. He then played baseball professionally with the California Angels' organization, coached the Mesa State Maverick baseball team for four years and spent seven years as an infield coach with the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs. Hamilton was inducted into the Mesa State College Hall of Honor in 1997 and received the Meritorious Service Award from the American Baseball Coaches Association in 2002.

He later returned to Grand Junction, where he currently serves as the chairman and CEO of Home Loan & Investment Company.

An active community member, Hamilton is past chair of the Community Hospital board of directors, a past chair of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce and past chair of the Grand Junction Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. He served 16 years as director of tournament play and is currently chair of the National Junior College Athletic Association's Baseball World Series. For his ongoing civic contributions, Hamilton was recognized as the Colorado Volunteer of the Year in 1995 and Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 1999.

"Jamie has poured his heart and soul into Mesa State College and the region it serves," said Lena Elliott, chair of the Mesa State College Board of Trustees. "His insight and influence have bettered the lives of past, present and future students, and, as Mesa State College's trustees, we pledge to further his commitment to higher education achievement."

Hamilton, Elliott and the other original trustees were appointed by Colorado Gov. Bill Owens and confirmed by the Colorado State Senate in 2003. They serve staggered terms, with Hamilton's term set to end in Dec. 2004.

Hamilton also serves as an appointee to the Governor's Commission on Science and Technology.

For more information, contact the Publicity Coordinator at 970.248.1371. Additional information on the Mesa State College Board of Trustees is also available at www.mesastate.edu/trustees/index.htm.

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