Despite the national and statewide economic downturn, Colorado State University announced in November it has surpassed the $300 million mark in its comprehensive campaign targeted to raise $500 million in private gifts by 2012 to support scholarships, academics and campus improvements.
“This milestone in the campaign is a vote of confidence in CSU’s education, research and service in this state and around the world,” said Joe Blake, Chancellor of the CSU System. “During these economic challenges, CSU is not sitting idle. It’s so encouraging to see those who care about public higher education and CSU step up to help secure an affordable quality education for our students.”
The Campaign for Colorado State University, the first-ever comprehensive fundraising campaign in the University’s 139-year history, was announced August 30, already having surpassed the halfway mark during the effort’s quiet phase. The campaign’s focus is to ensure student access to a world-class education through scholarships and fellowships, and provide funds to increase quality through enhanced facilities and investments in educational programs.
Dr. Tony Frank, President of Colorado State University, recently announced that the University would eliminate an existing vice president position by combining the responsibilities of the Senior Vice President for Administrative Services with the Vice President for Finance to create a single position, Vice President for University Operations.
Amy Parsons, an alumna of Colorado State University and most recently the campus’ deputy general counsel, will serve in the new combined role. Dr. Tom Gorell, who service as Vice President for Administrative Services, will return to his previous role in the Provost’s Office as Special Assistant to the Provost. Allison Dineen, who served as Vice President for Finance, will remain with University Operations as a Special Assistant to the Vice President.
With demand rising at food banks this year, especially during the holidays, Colorado State University brought the community together in October to raise more than 90,000 pounds of non-perishable food and $27,000 in monetary donations during its 22nd annual Cans Around the Oval food drive. The monetary donation will provide 108,000 meals; and 90,000 pounds of food provides meals to another 2,250 individuals, organizers announced this week.
“We are extremely pleased with the results because we had aimed for 10,000 participants and got 13,000, and we aimed for $25,000 and we finished with much more than that,” said Keith Colton, program coordinator for the Student Leadership, Involvement and Community Engagement or SLiCE office at Colorado State.
This year’s Cans Around the Oval was expanded for the first time to Denver, Castle Rock and Steamboat Springs. Cans were collected at Hometown Huddle Watch Locations. The efforts added more than 300 pounds of food to local food banks. Donations also were collected at two home CSU football games which combined for 369 pounds of food and $160 in donations.
