Bob and Joyce Everitt to be honored
On Wednesday, Feb. 11, Colorado State University will celebrate its 145th anniversary with a Founders Day Celebration that will highlight 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.
As part of the 145th anniversary celebration, CSU will honor longtime supporters and Fort Collins community leaders Bob and Joyce Everitt with the prestigious Founders Day Medal, in a public ceremony at the Lory Student Center on campus.
The Everitts have been strong advocates for Colorado State University for more than 60 years, since they first moved to Fort Collins in 1953.
“Together, Bob and Joyce have set an extraordinary example of what it means for business leaders to give back to the community they call home – and it is largely thanks to their example that Fort Collins and CSU are the exceptional places we know today,” Colorado State President Tony Frank said. “Their vision and generosity have had an enormous influence on all aspects of our community, from education and innovation to arts and athletics. The Founders Day Medal is one small way we can pay tribute to all they have done to support the health and vitality of our campus and community.”
The couple moved to Fort Collins from Enid, Okla., to run a family lumberyard, the original Everitt Lumber Company. They soon branched out into commercial and residential real estate development, and the Everitt Companies led major projects across Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, and Oklahoma. In Fort Collins, they developed numerous residential neighborhoods and commercial properties, including the Foothills Mall and the Center for Advanced Technology (in partnership with the CSU Research Foundation). The couple also helped spearhead support for public projects including the Lincoln Center, and they were instrumental in the creation of the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado.
Bob has served on the university’s governing board, the Board of the CSU Foundation, the CSU Development Council, the Campaign Leadership Council, and on advisory councils for the College of Business and the Equine Teaching and Research Center. He was one of the first industry partners of the College of Business, and was instrumental in helping to build the college’s connections with Colorado industry. The Everitts’ commitment to fostering business education through partnerships with businesses resulted in the creation of the Everitt Real Estate Center within the college, as well as the Summit Investment Fund, which provided students hands-on experience managing an investment portfolio.
Joyce has been an advocate for education, children, and the arts and helped establish both the Fort Collins Childrens Theater and the Pi Beta Phi sorority at CSU. She also served for many years on the Lincoln Center Board.
Together, the Everitts have been strong advocates and generous supporters of the Morgan Library, CSU arts programs and facilities, Ram Athletics, the equine program, and more. While neither graduated from CSU, they have been recognized as Honorary Alumni – and Bob received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from the university.
“Time and time again, Bob and Joyce Everitt have stepped up to serve in ways that positively impact their community – both in Fort Collins and across Colorado State University. They have been staunch supporters of the progress and innovation that have made CSU one of the nation’s premier research universities, and they’ve embodied the notion that successful individuals and businesses give back to the communities that sustain them,” said Brett Anderson, vice president of University Advancement. “Through their support of the College of Business, Morgan Library, University Center for the Arts, Athletics and countless other programs, they have helped build a great university that contributes to the economy and spirit of this great community. They are true ‘founders’ of this community, and we are so grateful for their partnership and support.”
Read about other Founders Day Medal recipients
RSVP for the ceremony
The Founders Day Medallion Ceremony held to honor Bob and Joyce Everitt begins at 4:30 p.m. in LSC Ballrooms C and D. The ceremony is free and open to the public. Registration for the event is encouraged.
Founders Day events
Other events will occur at both the state Capitol in Denver and on campus in Fort Collins.
Denver
Beginning at 8 a.m., there will be a legislative reception with CSU System Chancellor Michael Martin, CSU President Tony Frank, CSU Global President Becky Takeda-Tinker, and CSU-Pueblo President Lesley Di Mare, in Community Room 0109 of the Capitol.
The 34-member CSU Chamber Choir will perform on the third floor rotunda of the Capitol, as well as in both the House and Senate chambers. Several lawmakers will present a proclamation in honor of CSU Founders Day, which will be read on both the House and Senate floors.
Fort Collins
Students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends are invited to join CAM the Ram and the CSU cheerleaders on the plaza of the main campus for CSU’s birthday celebration. The celebration begins at 1:45 p.m. in honor of the 145 years CSU has been in existence. A photo booth also will be available to commemorate the event.
