NMSU enshrines pair in College of Business Hall of Fame

Two alumni from New Mexico State University’s College of Business received recognition recently for their impact in the business community and career milestones as they were inducted into the college’s Hall of Fame.

Angela Throneberry, former NMSU senior vice president for administration and finance, and former New Mexico State Auditor Brian Colón were honored by the college in a September ceremony. The college also gave its Corporate Traders’ Award to the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Risk and Insurance Management Society.

NMSU’s College of Business takes pride in recognizing outstanding alumni who have distinguished themselves in their careers and contribute their success to the education received at the college, the university said in a news release. The annual Hall of Fame Award honors those alumni and creates visibility while highlighting a strong relationship with the business community.

“This year we honored two of our rockstar alumni, and also an organization that has put itself forward to serve our students time and again,” College of Business Dean Bryan Ashenbaum said. “Angela and Brian have had amazing careers and are continuing to humble us with their success and dedication to service.”

Throneberry is an NMSU College of Business graduate, earning a bachelor of accountancy degree in 1987. She began her career at NMSU in 1991 as an accountant II in the financial reporting office and worked as the assistant athletics director for business, director and then assistant vice president for auxiliary services before retiring in 2017 as NMSU’s senior vice president for administration and finance.

“Joining an elite group of alumni into the NMSU College of Business Hall of Fame is an amazing honor. With so many successful and deserving alumni, I am very proud to be selected,” Throneberry said.

Colón graduated from NMSU in 1998 with a bachelor of arts degree in finance, then earned a juris doctor degree at the University of New Mexico, becoming a certified fraud examiner. He currently works at Singleton Schreiber Law Offices as the New Mexico managing partner. Colón was previously the state auditor of New Mexico and has received numerous recognitions and awards, including a fellowship with Hunt Institute, a Corazón de la Cultura Award from the New Mexico Hispanic Heritage Committee and Person of the Year award from the New Mexico Holocaust Museum.

“On this 25th anniversary of my graduation and as the first in my family to go to college, I never could have dreamt of being worthy of this honor – especially when I consider past recipients,” Colón said. “That said, I am humbled to receive the award and hope it is an example to others who struggle with few resources and support in college. It literally took me 10 years to finish my degree before attending law school. Hopefully, this award is a sign that every single person and organization who invested their time and treasure in me throughout my journey made a good investment. I couldn’t have done it without them, and this is yet one more ‘payment’ on the debt of gratitude I owe them all. I will never repay my debt fully, but I will die trying with my life of service to others.”

The college’s Hall of Fame Corporate Traders’ Award went to the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Risk and Insurance Management Society. This award was created in 2009 and recognizes outstanding contributions by corporations to the College of Business.

“The Rocky Mountain RIMS Chapter is a consistent partner in helping our students prepare for their professional careers. Our humble thanks go out to them all,” Ashenbaum said.

“The Rocky Mountain RIMS Chapter sees the importance of supporting students however it can, as they are the future of the industry,” said Neil Colclough, president of Rocky Mountain RIMS. “College degrees in risk management and insurance are relatively new and were not available for many seasoned professionals. Students of today are future professional and associate members of RIMS and future chapter leaders, so we are simply investing in the future of the industry.”

Visit business.nmsu.edu/alumni/hof-traders-award.html.