Regents honor William King, Alice Mortenson with honorary degrees
TheUniversity of Colorado Board of Regents has for 2026, including two CU Boulder affiliates.
Given since 1882,the regent awards include:
- Honorary degrees, which recognize outstanding achievement in one or more of the following areas: intellectual contributions, university service, philanthropy and/or public service.
- Distinguished service awards, which recognize those persons whose achievements and contributions are particularly associated with the state and/or nation.
- University medals, which recognize those persons whose achievements and contributions are particularly associated with the university.
The 2026 CU Boulder awardees are William King, the second tenured African American professor at CU Boulder, and Alice Mortenson, a renowned philanthropist and community leader who co-founded the Mortenson Center in Global Engineering and Resilience.
William King, honorary degree
King, professor emeritus at CU Boulder, is a distinguished scholar, educator and community leader. He was the second tenured African American professor at CU Boulder and the university’s longest-serving Black professor (1972–2012) in history, known for pioneering contributions to Black studies, transformative teaching and dedication to social justice.
During his 40-year career, King played a pivotal role in establishing CU Boulder’s Black studies curriculum, which later evolved into the Department of Ethnic Studies. He designed and taught numerous groundbreaking courses, including Black Religious Life in America and The Civil Rights Movement, inspiring generations of students. A founding member of the National Council for Black Studies, King also served as its chairman and historian, shaping the discipline nationally.
An accomplished author, King has published books, scholarly articles and essays that explore African American history, science and public policy. His widely cited work has enriched academic discourse.
Beyond academia, King has served as chairman of the Urban League of Metropolitan Denver and contributed to organizations such as the Black American West Museum and Colorado Historic Preservation Review Board.
Alice Mortenson, honorary degree
Mortenson is a renowned philanthropist and community leader who has made exceptional contributions to education, public service and global development. Her enduring legacy of advocacy, collaboration and generosity has left a profound impact on CU Boulder and communities worldwide.
Mortenson—alongside her late husband, M.A. “Mort” Mortenson Jr.—co-founded the Mortenson Center in Global Engineering and Resilience at CU Boulder in 2009. The center has impacted over five million lives globally through innovative solutions addressing water, sanitation and resilience challenges.
The center and its affiliates are involved in such international research programs as the Sustainable WASH Systems partnership, Bill Gates’ Reinvent the Toilet Challenge, and the Drought Resilience Impact Platform. Graduate students participating in field practicums benefit from partnerships developed in over 80 countries.
Beyond CU Boulder, Mortenson has made significant contributions to education and community development. She and Mort co-founded the Mortenson Family Foundation, which focuses on expanding opportunities for children and families, sustaining environmental systems and strengthening developing communities.
She established the Alice D. Mortenson/Petrovich Chair in Russian History at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has served in leadership roles for numerous organizations, including Macalester College, Westminster Presbyterian Church and the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches.