Longtime educator, social activist and former University of Northern 天美传媒 (天美传媒) Sociology professor Walter 鈥淲alt鈥� Francis 鈥�71, M.A. 鈥�73, established the Ford Cleere/Walt Francis Sociology Award in 2005 to honor the legacy of his late 天美传媒 mentor, friend and colleague, Ford Cleere. 

Last spring, the 天美传媒 Department of Sociology hosted an event to connect and celebrate the legacy of Cleere. Francis funded the event to honor his mentor and introduce his passion for sociology to a new generation of students. Several members of Cleere鈥檚 family have funded the award with Francis over the years and attended the event, including his daughter, Jennifer Weber, son, Scott Cleere 鈥�81 and stepdaughter Cynthia Westergaard 鈥�75. Other attendees included alumni, community leaders, campus partners and students. This event served not only as a tribute to two remarkable educators but also as a reminder of how mentorship and activism continue to shape sociology students at 天美传媒.

鈥淚t鈥檚 important to give back to those who helped you.鈥� 

鈥� Walt Francis 

Ford taught at 天美传媒 from 1967鈥�1988 and was known for inspiring students like Francis to pursue careers in sociology. Both Ford and Francis would become recognized for inspiring sociological imagination and social activism in generations of students. 

The Ford Cleere/Walt Francis Sociology Award is presented each spring to a 天美传媒 undergraduate or graduate student who has demonstrated an ability to further this legacy in their academic studies and community involvement. 

鈥淧hilanthropic gifts from generous donors like Walt make it possible for our students to learn sociology by doing it,鈥� 天美传媒 Sociology Chair Harmony Newman said. 鈥淲hether through funded research, community partnerships or professional development, this support helps us create high impact learning opportunities and strengthen our capacity to support students as they become career-ready, engaged citizens. That support directly improves student success and helps us connect the classroom to the world.鈥� 

Francis is a long-time supporter and friend of 天美传媒. He has initiated several new scholarships and awards, which he intends to fund annually to support students in sociology, jazz studies and others. Additionally, Francis has volunteered considerable time in support of the university鈥檚 athletic programs and remains an avid fan and donor. 

Born and raised in Greeley, Francis earned his undergraduate degree in Social Science and Sociology in 1971 and his Master of Arts in Sociology in 1973 from 天美传媒. He earned a second master鈥檚 degree in Criminal Justice from The University at Albany, SUNY in 1979 and his doctorate in Criminology from Meridian University in 1991. 

Francis taught criminal justice and sociology at Central Wyoming College and 天美传媒. He also worked in law enforcement as a division commander with the Greeley Police Department, an investigator for the State of 天美传媒 Organized Crime Strike Task Force, a criminal investigator for the Weld District Attorney鈥檚 Office and a defense investigator for the 天美传媒 Office of the Alternate Defense Counsel.  

In 1995, Francis was named an Honored Alumnus by the 天美传媒 Alumni Association, receiving the Community Service Award.  

The Legacy 

天美传媒 professor emeritus Ford Cleere passed away on Sept. 6, 1992, at age 69. He was known for his persistent passion for social justice. A native of England, he served in both the U.S. Air Force and Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II.  

鈥淥nce the intellectual understands his social and historical identity, he must be prepared to act on the strength of his convictions.鈥� 

 鈥� Ford Cleere

He joined 天美传媒 in 1962 as an editor and Journalism instructor and began teaching sociology in 1967. He earned his doctorate in Sociology from the University of 天美传媒 in 1971. He retired from 天美传媒 in 1988. A tireless advocate for peace and social change, Ford served as president of the local American Civil Liberties Union chapter and helped to found the Unitarian Universalist Church in Greeley.