Aims Community College Board of Trustees Names 2024 Distinguished Fellow

“The Distinguished Fellow Award recognizes exceptional commitment and service to the college. Randy has shown extraordinary passion and energy supporting Aims’ public safety programs for many years,” said Dr. Leah L. Bornstein, Aims Community College CEO and president. “He has been a pillar at Aims and within the community. Randy is absolutely deserving of this recognition.”

Presented annually by the Aims Board of Trustees, the award honors a community member’s extraordinary commitment and contributions to the mission and goals of Aims Community College.  Those eligible for the Distinguished Fellow Award include community members, legislators, previous Aims board members and former employees. 

Jeannine Truswell, a member of Aims Board of Trustees, chaired the award selection committee. “Randy’s unparalleled dedication to Aims truly embodies the spirit of service that this Distinguished Fellow Award celebrates. It's a privilege to celebrate his achievements with this accolade,” she said. 

An ideal Distinguished Fellow makes a long-standing effort to advance the goals and purposes of Aims and higher education as a champion of students, learning and service. According to the selection committee, Randy Souther is an outstanding example of this, with a high level of character, integrity, professional expertise and leadership. For decades, he was fondly known as the go-to guy for most everything at the Public Safety Institute. Souther’s passion and energy have been never-ending. Those who worked with or for him admired his work ethic and desire to make Aims programs the best in Colorado.

After 36 years of service with Aims, Souther retired in early 2023. At that time, he obtained emeritus faculty status. At Aims, Souther served in many roles, including as a faculty member and Director of the Public Safety Institute at the Windsor Campus. Souther was pivotal in program development and accreditation, including with the Aims paramedic program and the college’s first-ever bachelor's degree program. He was also integral in the planning and design of the newly constructed simulated city training facilities on the Windsor Campus.

During his tenure, he enhanced the reputation of Aims. He built community relationships by serving on many local, state, and national boards and committees related to higher education, public safety and emergency medical services. He was a sought-after expert by community colleges around the country and abroad.  Souther also developed tight relationships with local and regional fire departments, emergency medical services (EMS) agencies and public safety organizations. 

Souther currently contributes to the advisory committee for the Public Safety Bachelor of Applied Science as a community member. He is returning to Aims on an interim basis to support the Police Academy while the college recruits and hires a new program director. 

The Board of Trustees shared this news at their April meeting.  Souther will receive the award officially at the 11 a.m. commencement ceremony on May 10.

For more information, visit the Board of Trustees page on the Aims website.  You must submit nominations for next year’s award by February 28, 2025.