2023 Alumni Awards: Stephen Hatfield (Bus '96) - Leanne Skupa-Lee Award

Stephen Hatfield (Bus '96)
Leanne Skupa-Lee Award
As part of the CU Boulder community since childhood, Stephen Hatfield exemplifies what it means to be a Forever Buff.
Stephen grew up in Boulder and surrounded by the world of CU, where his father was an adjunct professor in the interdisciplinary telecommunications program. This connection to the university led him to discover what would become his ultimate passion: CU Athletics.
From an early age, Stephen was often in the stands at football games, cheering on his beloved Buffaloes in Folsom Field. Years later, he enrolled at CU and graduated with a degree in business administration, later earning his executive master’s of business administration from CU Denver in 2003.
After years of putting his business acumen to work in marketing and sales roles, he returned to CU Boulder where he joined the Forever Buffs Alumni Association Advisory Board from 2019 to 2020. He went on to serve as chairperson of the board from 2020 to 2022, serving both the Boulder and Denver chapters.
During this time, Stephen worked on several impactful engagement and fundraising opportunities, including a showing of documentary film Mission Mt. Mangart, which chronicles the story of the 10th Mountain Division ski troops. This event was the most successful fundraising event for any Forever Buffs chapter to date.
While on the board, Stephen was known for his contagious excitement whenever he gained momentum on a project or solicited support. Even in the midst of the 2021 Marshall Fire tragedy in Boulder County - amid a global pandemic, nonetheless - Stephen’s positivity and professionalism persevered. He is a shining example of grace and professionalism, capable of stepping into any role that needs extra attention.
“Stephen’s leadership is directly attributable to our success,” said Andrew North, chapter officer of Forever Buffs Boulder. “In his first year as a board member, Stephen executed multiple events of unprecedented scope, attracting numerous high-profile attendees and top donors, which garnered significant funds for scholarships.”
Stephen even carries the spirit of CU Boulder into his personal life: For a milestone birthday, he asked guests to make contributions to the CU Boulder Alumni Association scholarship program in lieu of gifts for himself.
With his innate capacity for empathy, Stephen continues to build and nurture relationships with CU faculty, staff and students, always on the prowl for new ways to affect positive change in people’s lives. His undeniable and unwavering dedication to the CU community makes him a quintessential recipient of the Leanne Skupa-Lee Award.