Throughout 2021, you supported our Colorado State University community with extraordinary vision and generosity. Thank you for providing emergency support for those in need, driving excellence in research, nurturing student success, and so much more. Because of you, the future is bright for CSU, our community, and our world.
STUDENT SUCCESS
Steadfast scholarship and programmatic support opened doors of opportunity for thousands of students, helping them pursue their dreams with fewer financial burdens and a community of support.
“Being awarded a scholarship has shown me that I am valuable within the Colorado State community, giving me a boost in confidence to work hard throughout my college career and toward a better future for myself and my children.”
– Portia Cook, CSU Alumni Association Legacy Scholarship recipient
Unprecedented Generosity
Last October, recipients of Walter Scott, Jr. undergraduate scholarships attended a special reception hosted by representatives of the Suzanne and Walter Scott Foundation and members of the Scott family. They had an important announcement to share.
Walter Scott, Jr.’s unprecedented generosity ($64.2 million in total to support CSU students and faculty over his lifetime) will continue to create meaningful opportunities for students for years to come. In Walter’s words, “Helping young people with their education is one of the finest investments we can possibly make as a society.”
“I’m so thankful. A lot of why I went into engineering is not only because I care about it, but also because I want to support my family. My mom is a single mom, and she’s the one who’s mostly supporting me through this. I want to help people, just like Walter Scott.”
– Emma Schmit, a first-year environmental engineering student
EXCELLENCE
Your support drove innovation and strengthened our ability to perform research that benefits the global community across a broad range of disciplines.
“Our faculty, staff, and graduate student and undergraduate researchers are focused on problems that need answers right now, and they are determined to make a positive, demonstrable impact with their work. That impact will be felt here in our own community, across the country and, in some cases, around the globe.”
– CSU President Joyce McConnell
Powering the Future, Today
Believing clean energy is vital to the health of our planet and humanity, Alan and Judi Cogen created the Cogen Renewable Energy Fellowship to support Ph.D. students conducting cutting-edge research in renewable energy and decarbonization strategies. Their investment is just one of many fellowship and scholarship opportunities made possible by donor generosity at CSU’s Energy Institute, where faculty and students are developing innovative solutions to energy and climate challenges that achieve global impact.
Meeting the Moment
Even as you followed and applauded CSU’s many scientific efforts to combat COVID-19, you never lost sight of the need to support Rams who encountered challenges that threatened to derail their academic dreams. Thousands of you gave to practical programs that provided immediate support for specific needs such as food insecurity, housing instability, and other bills. The cumulative impact of that generosity was profound.
You took care of Rams.
Last year, you provided $228,448 in immediate emergency assistance for those in need.
“Someone, a very kind person or group of people, thought I deserved to finish my degree on time. Thought I deserved to continue my path at CSU with the group of friends I now have. I am forever thankful for such a kindness and for the belief in the power of education."
–Camila, graduated spring 2021
First-Generation Students
In 1984, Colorado State became the first university in the nation to offer scholarships specifically for first-generation students. Since 2007, about 25 percent of enrolled freshmen at CSU have been first-generation students – the first in their families to attend college. These students are a testament to the power of a land-grant university to improve individual lives, communities – and the world. Since 1984, the First Generation Award scholarship program has helped thousands of first-generation students graduate. The combination of financial aid and structured student support have been key to its success.
“When you’re a first-generation student, and when you’re a person of color, going to college is more than just about you. I felt like I had to shine for the other people who were like me, the ones who came before and the ones who will come after. When I graduated with my degree, my family graduated with me.”
– Heidi Stuckert (B.A., ’08; M.S., ’17), First Generation Award scholarship recipient and assistant director for Student Success in the Office of Financial Aid
SUSTAINABILITY
Colorado State University’s commitment to environmental and global sustainability is as old as the campus itself. CSU consistently ranks among the world’s most sustainable academic institutions, and our researchers and students are forging a path toward a sustainable future for us all – thanks to your generosity and commitment.
Fostering Collaborative Innovation
Each year, the Global Challenges Research Teams in the School of Global Environmental Sustainability use a team-based, creative approach to solve real-world problems. The GCRT projects are highly innovative and enterprising in their approach and combine environmental, societal, and economic knowledge in a manner that is directly applicable to real-world sustainability challenges.
“The SoGES grant really allows us to create the time and energy to dive deeper here than simple Band-Aid measures, and consider both the big picture and details simultaneously. We were excited to hear about the funding and felt very proud of CSU. Having a broad, cross-discipline resource like SoGES is true to a land-grant mission.”
– Steve Simske, Principal investigator for the Re-use Efficiency Packaging with Analytics for Customized Knowledge team
