John Trefny
Colorado School of Mines
For distinguished accomplishments and contributions to teaching and research in areas of STEM education and over a half-century of service to Sigma Xi.
Quote
"I have been a member of Sigma Xi for more than fifty years, nominated by my advisor as I completed my doctoral thesis in 1968. Since then, I have served the Society in various capacities including as chapter president, Northwest Region co-director, and member of the Committee on Nominations. Recently, although retired, I was instrumental in reactivating the Colorado School of Mines Chapter #146 which had lost its good standing several years ago. It is a great, and humbling, honor to now be named a Sigma Xi Fellow."
Biography
John Ulric Trefny is President Emeritus of the Colorado School of Mines, having served as Mines 15th President from the summer of 2000 until his retirement in June 2006. Prior to his presidential appointment, he served as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty and, earlier, as Professor of Physics and Head of the Department of Physics at Mines.
As president of the Colorado School of Mines, Trefny advanced his vision of a connected learning community committed to excellence and driven by a noble purpose. Under his leadership, Mines adopted a comprehensive Strategic Plan to extend the School’s strength in undergraduate and graduate education and advance its distinction in research, particularly in the key focus areas of earth, energy and the environment.
Trefny received his undergraduate education at Fordham University and the Ph.D. in Physics from Rutgers University. Before joining Mines in 1977 as an assistant professor of physics, he held appointments at Cornell University and at Wesleyan University. He has published in various fields of condensed-matter physics including amorphous materials, liquid and solid helium, high- and low-temperature superconductivity, and photovoltaics.
He was recognized by the Colorado School of Mines in 1983 with the “Brown Innovative Teaching Award” and in 1984 with the “Amoco Outstanding Teaching Award.” He also received the “Excellence in Science Teaching Award” (1992) and the “Friend of Science Education Award” (1990) from the Colorado Association of Science Teachers. He holds honorary degrees from the Colorado School of Mines and from Red Rocks Community College.
Following his retirement, Dr. Trefny was given a gubernatorial appointment to the governing board of the Colorado Community College System (CCCS) where he served for eight years, the final two as chairman. He continues to serve on the boards of the CCCS Foundation and the foundation of Red Rocks Community College. In 2012, he was a founding board member of WorldDenver, an organization created to host international visitors under contract with the U.S. State Department and also to manage the Denver World Affairs Council’s programs of prominent speakers on international affairs. He currently chairs the board of the international Center for Appropriate and Sustainable Technology (iCAST), a non-profit organization promoting energy efficiency measures for low-income housing complexes in a number of (mostly) western states In addition to his work with non-profit boards, Dr. Trefny serves on a number of committees including at local elementary and middle schools and The Action Center, a non-profit organization which provides food, clothing and counseling for those in need.
Dr. Trefny was honored by the naming of the John U. and Sharon L. Trefny Innovative Instruction Center at the Colorado School of Mines after himself and his wife. The Trefny I2 Center leads and collaborates with the Mines community to advance teaching and learning by providing support for teaching, professional development, and educational research. He is also proud of the Trefny Honors Program at Red Rocks Community College which provides extraordinary educational opportunities for STEM students planning to transfer to baccalaureate programs after completion of their studies at the community college.