Cochise Newsroom

Cochise College is now accepting nominations for induction into its Hall of Fame. The nomination deadline is June 1, and induction is tentatively planned for November 2025.


The Hall of Fame honors former students, community leaders and faculty/staff who have, through their achievements, positively advanced the college’s legacy after being part of the Cochise College community, or left a legacy that made a significant impact on the institution and/or its students.


Forty-six alumni, volunteers, and former faculty and staff have been inducted into the Hall of Fame to date. Members include 12 alumni, nine community members, 11 college founders, and 14 former employees. In 2024, the college inducted Mark Dannels (‘85), Cochise County sheriff; Michael J. Ortega (‘81), former Cochise County administrator and manager of the cities of Douglas and Tucson; and David Velasco, an early employee who helped lay the foundation for the technology movement at the institution.


“Honoring the stories of people who helped mold or who were shaped by Cochise College allows the college to recognize achievements and celebrate our mutual success,” said Denise Hoyos, executive director of the Cochise College Foundation, which is the sponsor of the Hall of Fame. “Identifying and documenting those stories also adds to the story, legacy and positive image of the college locally and beyond.”


Nomination information and forms are available at https://www.cochise.edu/community/alumni/hall-of-fame/. To nominate an individual, nominators need to provide their contact information and a description of how they know the nominee, information about the nominee’s professional background, and the reason he/she is nominating the individual. Information about community service, professional contributions, and awards is helpful.


Self-nominations and nominations of current employees will not be accepted.