Peter Coors to Receive Honorary Degree at Colorado State University’s College of Business Commencement Ceremony Dec. 17

Colorado State University will confer an honorary doctoral degree on Peter H. Coors on Saturday, Dec. 17, as part of the fall 2011 commencement ceremonies.

CSU System Chancellor Joe Blake will award the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa, to Coors in recognition of his commitment to education, social responsibility and philanthropy. Coors will receive his degree at the College of Business commencement ceremony at 12:30 p.m. at CSU’s Moby Arena.

“Pete Coors, through his business acumen and his philanthropy, has made Colorado a better place,” said CSU President Tony Frank. “He volunteers his time and energy, has a passion for the outdoors and is committed to keeping Colorado’s economy strong. He’s been a strong supporter of Colorado higher education and understands its importance to Colorado’s future. It’s an honor for Colorado State University’s students, faculty and alumni to recognize Pete for all he has done for our state.”

“As strong sponsors of educational institutions and social charities, Pete Coors and the Adolph Coors Foundation have defined their success by impacting the lives of the less fortunate while maintaining a commitment to business success,” said Ajay Menon, dean of CSU’s College of Business. “Over the past several years, through his leadership and advocacy, Molson Coors and its predecessor company, the Coors Brewing Company, have received national and international recognition for commitment to the environment, diversity and citizenship.”

Coors is vice chairman of Molson Coors Brewing Co. and chairman of MillerCoors. He is a native of the state of Colorado. He was born in Golden, Colo., and remains a resident of Golden today.

Coors graduated from the Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, N.H., in 1965 and attended Cornell University, where he received his bachelor’s in industrial engineering in 1969. He earned a master’s in business administration from the University of Denver in 1970. He also has received honorary doctorates from Regis University in 1991, Wilberforce University in 1992 and Johnson & Wales University in 1997.

His professional career in the brewing business follows a Coors tradition that has spanned more than a century and five generations of Coors family members. He has served in a number of positions at the company. In 2002, he was named chairman, Coors Brewing Co., and chairman of Adolph Coors Co. Currently, Coors is vice-chairman of Molson Coors Brewing Co. In addition, he was named chairman of MillerCoors in July 2008.

Coors’ outside corporate board of director membership includes Energy Corporation of America. He is president and a trustee of the Adolph Coors Foundation and the Castle Rock Foundation. His numerous and diverse civic responsibilities include serving as a trustee and member of the executive board of the Denver Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America and a member of the National Western Stock Show Association executive committee.

Coors serves as a board member of the University of Colorado Hospital and as president of the University of Colorado Hospital Foundation. He also is a member of the International Chapter of Young Presidents Organization and the Denver Art Museum Foundation.

He is an avid outdoorsman. Active in wildlife conservation, he serves on the boards of several conservation groups. Coors is currently a national trustee and also is a former national president and chairman of Ducks Unlimited.
-30-