Stalwart Ram Wall of Fame
The Stalwart Ram Wall of Fame honors Ram Battalion and Detachment 90 alumni that left a lasting mark on the CSU Army and Air Force ROTC programs. Every fall two new ROTC alums will be inducted to the wall of fame during a ceremony at ROTC Alumni Rendezvous. A photo and biography of each wall of fame inductee will be displayed on the first floor of the Military Science Building. The display is the first initiative of the newly formed CSU ROTC Alumni Advancement Council.
Fall 2022 - First class of the Stalwart Ram Wall of Fame
Veterans Day 2022 was the inaugural unveiling of the Stalwart Ram Wall of Fame with two distinguished inductees. Major General Robert L. Halverson and Colonel Sheldon Godkin were honored in an on-field ceremony at Canvas Stadium after the ball transfer of the Bronze Boot Run, in conjunction with the ROTC Alumni Rendezvous reception.
Major General Robert Lee Halverson
Class of 1963
Major General Robert Lee Halverson graduated from Colorado State University in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Construction Management. During his time at Colorado State University, he participated in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in Military Intelligence after earning recognition as a Distinguished Military Graduate. After commissioning, he attended the Infantry Officer Basic Course and Intelligence training and served in positions typical of a young officer including company command in Germany and as an Intelligence / Infantry Advisor in Vietnam. His Major years included service as a Battalion Operations Officer at Fort Hood, TX and as the Special Security Officer to the US Military Representative to NATO in Brussels, Belgium. After 15 years, he left Active Duty and continued his Army career for a short time in the Reserves before moving to the Texas Army National Guard in 1985. In addition to his military service, he served in various positions in the Texas State Government culminating after 20 years of service as the Deputy Commissioner for Safety for the Department of Insurance.
General Halverson’s military career concluded as the 49th Armor Division Commanding General from 1998-2002. Under his command, the 49th Division served as the Multi-National Division Headquarters for 11 nations conducting peacekeeping operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina as the first Active and Reserve component integrated headquarters. He received many awards during his 39-year career including the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal with 1 bronze service star prior to retiring in 2002. In 2006, General Halverson was inducted into the US Army Military Intelligence Hall of Fame. In 2016, he was awarded a Congressional Veteran Commendation. In 2018 he was inducted into the Texas Military Hall of Honor.
Always a supporter of the Ram Battalion, General Halverson created the Major General Robert L. Halverson Army ROTC Scholarship in 2018 to award Army ROTC students that show exemplary leadership skills. In 2021, he spearheaded the creation of the ROTC Class of 1963 Scholarship in Memory of Colonel Robert W. Patterson, Assistant Professor of Military Science.
Colonel Sheldon Godkin
Detachment 090 Commander and Professor of Aerospace Studies
Colonel Sheldon “Shelly” Godkin often remarked “I’m the luckiest guy you’ll ever meet,” and his life is a testament to those words. A superb athlete, he attended Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, GA, on a basketball scholarship and joined the US Air Force after graduation. Selected into the aviation cadet program, he earned his pilot wings and went on to serve 31 years as a fighter pilot and leader. He accumulated over 4,000 hours flying time, including 100 combat missions in the F-105 Thud during the Vietnam War. Other assignments included Taipei, Taiwan, where he had the opportunity to fly F-100s with the Taiwanese Air Force as a fighter instructor and earned Taiwanese Pilot Wings. His awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Air Medal and others.
During his final military assignment as the Commander and Professor of Aerospace Studies of CSU’s Air Force ROTC Detachment 90 (1979-1983), he established the Ram-Falcon Trophy, awarded to the winner of the annual CSU vs. USAFA football competition, founded the nationally recognized Wing Walker Drill Team, and inspired countless young future Air Force leaders.
Following his retirement from the Air Force in 1983, he established and managed the CSU University Club for 17 years. As a result of his close and long-time association with CSU, he was awarded the “Special Meritorious Service Award” by the CSU President, was named an Honorary Alumnus, and received the “Community Partner Award” for support and dedication to the AFROTC program at CSU.
An active member and Past President of the Rotary Club of Fort Collins, he received the “Four Avenues of Service” award, one of Rotary’s highest individual honors. He also served as President of the Longs Peak Chapter of the Air Force Association and the CSU Men’s Science Club and greatly enjoyed his membership in clubs throughout Ft. Collins including the Elks and CSU RAM Booster Club.