The CSU community celebrated – in style – another record year of giving and generous support Friday night at the annual 1870 Dinner at the Lory Student Center.

More than 600 friends and guests gathered to honor donors who continue to support and invest in CSU and its students, faculty, programs and facilities in impactful ways. Speakers included CSU President Tony Frank, vice president for University Advancement Brett Anderson and new head football coach Mike Bobo.

Record fundraising

CSU alumni, friends and supporters gave $143.3 million in gifts in 2013-14, shattering the previous high set in 2012-13 by nearly $31 million. The celebration extended to the current year, which includes a gift from John and Leslie Malone to develop regenerative medical therapies for animals and people. The $42.5 million gift is the largest in CSU’s history.

Guests honored Eunice Bembissa, recipient of the Sean “Ranch” Lough Memorial Scholarship. The four-year scholarship, given annually to high-achieving, minority, first-generation students from inner-city Denver who attend CSU, honors Sean “Ranch” Lough, an alumnus who died in a 2001 mountain biking accident.

About the 1870 Dinner

The 1870 Dinner is an annual event that honors donors and members of lifetime giving societies. The 1870 Club was named in honor of the University’s founding in 1870. Club members include alumni, corporations, foundations, organizations, faculty, staff and friends of the University whose loyal support is vital to CSU’s ongoing pursuit of excellence.

This year, the event honored 2,578 donors who had given $1,870 or more during the past year. Those donors combined to generously give $52.8 million to CSU in 2014.