Dale Specht and Lawrence Brase were selected as the 2016 Lamar Community College Outstanding Alumni of the Year.  They were honored LCC’s Annual Antelope Night held on May 6.

President John Marrin introduced Brase and Specht, remarking on their personal successes since their time at LCC as well as their continued support of the college and all of Southeast Colorado.

“Both are outstanding representations of what LCC students can become,” remarked President Marrin. 

Dale Specht grew up in the Sheridan Lake area, graduated from Lamar High School in 1979, and attended LCC in 1980 - 1983. He also served in the Colorado Army National Guard during this time.   After LCC, he went on to graduate from Adams State College in 1987 with his accounting degree and has been employed as an accountant in Lamar since 1988.  He started his own accounting firm, Stagner & Specht, LLC in 2003. 

Specht is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Lamar Elks and Eagles lodges.  He has also organized and managed the Lamar Weekend Warriors youth baseball team and recently assisted with improvements at Merchants’ Park.

Specht has been a staunch supporter of LCC, most recently supporting the college in its efforts to build a new residence hall.  Through his advising and advocacy, he has aided the Foundation’s successful effort to raise private funds and secure Enterprise Zone status for the project.  He could envision how assisting the College in its effort to grow would also benefit individuals and businesses throughout Southeast Colorado.

Lawrence Brase was born and raised in the Wiley area.  He graduated from Lamar High School in 1964 and from Lamar Junior College in 1966.  While at the college, he was a member of Red Heath’s Livestock Judging legacy and served as Student Government President his sophomore year.  Upon graduation from LCC, he completed his bachelor’s degree in Vocational Agriculture from Colorado State University and graduated from the Colorado School of Banking.

Brase settled in Eastern Colorado first as an ag teacher in Calhan, then spent fifteen years in banking in Limon.  In the 1980s, he moved back to Wiley to work in grain operations and then became an independent insurance agent in 1992.  He owns Brase Insurance in Lamar.

Brase is also heavily involved including serving on the Colorado FFA Foundation Board, as a board member and treasurer for Prowers County Development for fifteen years, and he continues to serve on the Southeast Colorado Power Association and Western United Electric Supply boards.  He’s also a long-time active member of the Wiley Lions, Masons, Elks, and the Wiley Methodist Church.

Dale Specht and Lawrence Brase are tremendous assets to Lamar and throughout Southeastern Colorado.  They give their time, energy, and so much more to strengthen their community.

For more information regarding LCC’s alumni awards, see www.lamarcc.edu/alumni