On Nov. 7, Rotary Club of Gunnison held its annual Hal Yale Service Above Self banquet at Western’s University Center Ballroom.
Rotary Club of Gunnison was founded over 100 years ago by John C. Johnson, the dean of the Colorado State Normal School, now known as Western Colorado University. Since the club’s creation in March of 1922, Gunnison Rotary has put service above self through developing youth programs, providing scholarships, and leadership development.
The banquet, catered by Sodexo at Western, was full of life and a sense of community. Attendees munched on appetizers while perusing and bidding on silent auction items. Music and entertainment were provided by local musician Julian Young and 2026-27 Rotary Youth Exchange Student Elena Bednarova. Dinner and a live auction followed the Presentation of Awards, where John and Sandra Cosentino and Ronda Connaway were honored.
John and Sandra Cosentino were recognized for decades of generosity to the Gunnison Valley. John is a proud US Army veteran and moved to Gunnison, where he had a successful law career for many years. Above all, he is known for his authenticity. Sandra dedicated her life in Gunnison to provide affordable housing through Aspen West Condominiums and also worked as a travel agent on the side.
The Cosentinos have long been supporters of local programs through both big and small efforts. John has been an advocate for Rotary’s International Foundation for many years. Together, John and Sandra helped establish the Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley in the late 1990s and made it possible to hire its first executive director in 2003. Recently, they gave the foundation the building at 805 W. Tomichi, the old Kentucky Fried Chicken, which serves as a permanent home and gathering place for local non-profit organizations.
“We believe in what Gunnison Rotary does for the community,” said John. “We also believe in what Gunnison Community Foundation and American Legion Post 54 do for the community. It’s the ‘why’ of what people do and what they do it for.”
John emphasized that their gifts, which include the Community Foundation Building and the donation of the old Masonic Lodge to Western, were intended to benefit the community, not to celebrate themselves.
The Cosentinos’ support also includes the John and Sandra Cosentino Rotary Scholarship Fund, which helps students pay education expenses at Western or for career and technical training. During his speech, John announced that they would donate another $25,000 to a fund intended to support Rotary grants for youth.
Ronda Connaway was honored with the Hal Yale Service Above Self Award for her decades of service to the Gunnison community. Connaway’s service began when she was a child in Delta, CO, when she realized that some of the children at her school weren’t fortunate enough to have more than a single biscuit for lunch. This realization became a lifelong pursuit for Connaway. She earned degrees in social work and ultimately became the Dean of the School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis. Connaway retired to Gunnison in 1994, though she soon found herself involved in local service, including helping to establish Habitat for Humanity and serving on its board on and off for 15 years, during which she helped 26 families obtain homes.
“I was slightly terrified of Ronda when I met her,” said event emcee Lauren Kugler. “It didn’t take long for my fear of her to turn into respect. Ronda and her late wife Martha have given generously to this community in so many ways.”
Connaway’s service also included helping found United Church of Christ Gunnison, supporting its benevolence work, and volunteering as an organizational coach for non-profits through the Community Foundation. She worked with Crested Butte State of Mind, where she coached the director as the organization developed its mental-health support work.
As chair of the Gunnison Valley Health Board for eight years, Connaway pushed for the hospital to listen closely to community needs. Board member Maryo Ewell credited that work with spurring mental health programs, medical translation services, and a senior care center featuring small-scale neighborhoods and a space for hospice patients and their families.
“I have tried to do a number of things that I thought might help make this a better community,” said Connaway. “I have worked with many of you, and I appreciated what you contributed to what we did together. I think it will not be a surprise to you if I suggest that we’re not finished. It’s time to get along with it, folks.”
All proceeds from the banquet will be directed toward Rotary’s grants to non-profits serving youth, scholarships, and other youth-oriented activities.
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