On Wednesday, Feb. 11, Colorado State University celebrated its 145th anniversary with a Founders Day Celebration highlighting the values that have sustained the university, the people who have shaped it, and its enduring mission of service through teaching, research and engagement as the state’s land-grant institution.
The celebration began at 1:45 p.m. on the plaza and included cookies, a photo booth and pictures with CAM. At the capitol, CSU’s 34-member Chamber Choir performed on the third floor rotunda and in the House and Senate chambers, where lawmakers also presented the CSU Founders Day proclamation.
Honoring community builders
As part of the anniversary celebration, CSU honored longtime supporters and Fort Collins community leaders Bob and Joyce Everitt with the prestigious Founders Day Medal at the Lory Student Center. Many of Mr. and Mrs. Everitt’s family and friends attended the ceremony.
College of Business Dean Ajay Menon emceed the event, speaking about the Everitts’ long association with the College and their instrumental role in creating both the student-run Summit Investment Fund and the Real Estate Center that bears their name, to improve the educational opportunities at CSU.
“Our College of Business would not be where it is today but for your engaged involvement,” said Menon. “Without your unwavering loyalty and your commitment and your support, we would not be the number one ranked public business university in the state of Colorado.”
Danny Kellogg, who graduated with a degree in finance in 2012, spoke of how working with the Summit Fund gave him the real-world experience that has led to a career with investment funds, and thanked the Everitts for both their own generosity and their inspiration to others to support the fund.
The ceremony concluded with President Tony Frank thanking the couple for their support over the years and presenting them the Founders Day Medal.
“Together, Bob and Joyce set an extraordinary example of what it means for business leaders to give back to the community that they call home. It is largely thanks to their example that Fort Collins and CSU are the exceptional places we know today,” said Frank.
“We believe that the best things we can give to is for us to help future generations fulfill their dreams so that they can be the best that they can be, and that’s why we give to Colorado State University,” said Bob Everitt.
