RECOGNITION
Alpha Phi Frances E. Willard Award
Suffragist and educator Frances E. Willard was president of Alpha Phi Fraternity in 1887. The Frances E. Willard award honors Alpha Phi alumnae who have achieved outstanding success in their chosen fields and have gained recognition on a national or international level. Merle is an alumna of the Lamba chapter of Alpha Phi at the University of California, Berkeley. In recognition of her success in business and commitment to philanthropy, she was honored with the Frances E. Willard award in 2016.
Bonfils-Stanton Award for Community Service
Merle received the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Award for Community Service in 2016 in recognition of her extraordinary contributions to and leadership for a variety of organizations and causes in her philanthropic endeavors.
Colorado Business Hall of Fame
Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and Junior Achievement partner each year to pay tribute to outstanding Colorado business and civic leaders and promote the importance of the free enterprise system and community involvement. Merle Chambers was inducted into the Colorado Business Hall of Fame in 2010, recognizing her successful management of oil and gas and transportation businesses.
Rocky Mountain Oil & Gas Hall of Fame
Merle Chambers was inducted into the Rocky Mountain Oil & Gas Hall of Fame in 2009 by the Independent Petroleum Association of Mountain States (IPAMS.) She was the first woman to receive the honor and her father, Jerry G. Chambers, was in the inaugural class of inductees. The Hall of Fame induction, held every five years, recognizes individuals who have had an eminent role in the development of Rocky Mountain oil and natural gas over the past 35 years. Induction into the Hall of Fame is one of the highest honors that oil and natural gas producers can receive.
University of Denver John Evans Award
At its 145th anniversary and annual Founders Day celebration in 2009, Merle Chambers (LLM ’84) received the University of Denver’s highest alumni honor, the John Evans Award. The Evans Award was first awarded in 1951 and is named for John Evans, principal founder of the University of Denver. It is presented annually to a distinguished alumnus or alumna who has demonstrated achievement in his or her profession, offered humanitarian services to the community and demonstrated continuing interest in the University.
Josef Korbel Humanitarian Award
Merle Chambers received the Josef Korbel Humanitarian Award in August 2004. The Graduate School of International Studies at the University of Denver established this award to recognize individuals who have given concrete expression to the values underlying the Universal Declaration of Human Rights through unusually generous philanthropic work within the Denver community.
The Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame
Merle was inducted into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame at a ceremony in March 2004. Founded in 1985, the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame is dedicated to educating the Colorado community about women who have made significant and enduring contributions to their fields of endeavor, elevated the status of women, opened new frontiers for women and society and inspired others. Selected because of her distinguished career as a businesswoman and philanthropist, Merle joins an extraordinary group of women.
Outstanding Philanthropist Award
Merle received the Outstanding Philanthropist award at National Philanthropy Day in Colorado in November 2002. This event recognizes individuals, foundations, nonprofits and businesses for their exceptional philanthropic and volunteer contributions in Colorado. Award recipients are selected by a committee of their peers from nonprofit organizations and foundations in Colorado.
Changing the Face of Philanthropy Award
In April 2000, Merle received the Women’s Funding Network’s Changing the Face of Philanthropy award in recognition of her vision and dedication to establishing women’s foundations in Wyoming and Montana. This annual award is presented to a woman who has made a significant contribution to the philanthropic field, one who inspires, challenges and serves as a model for others to become a part of social change and women’s philanthropy.
Philanthropic Innovator Award
The Committee of 200 honored Merle with the Philanthropic Innovator award in October 1999. A national professional organization of preeminent women entrepreneurs and corporate leaders. C200 works to capitalize on the power, success and influence of businesswomen in the global economy to equip the next generation of women with scholarships, education, mentoring and business opportunities that will foster their rise to the top. The award recognizes an exceptional woman entrepreneur and corporate leader who has charted new territory and made an extraordinary accomplishment in philanthropy.