CSU celebrates 142 years, presents Founders Day Medal to Pat Stryker

Colorado State University is celebrating its 142nd anniversary with Founders Day celebrations this weekend. Events will take place at the state capitol in Denver and on campus in Fort Collins.

As part of the commemoration, Fort Collins philanthropist Pat Stryker was named the third recipient of the Founders Day Medal, which honors an individual or family that has had a significant, lasting impact on the university’s history and progress. The medal was presented to Stryker for her long-term, transformational support of the university’s academic and athletic programs, including:

• Creation of the Albert C. Yates Chair in Mathematics in the College of Natural Sciences.

• Global Social and Sustainable Enterprise program and the Rockwell Hall expansion in the College of Business.


• Bohemian Complex at the University Center for the Arts, which encompasses the University Theatre, Studio Theatre, Black Box Theater, and William E. Runyan Rehearsal Hall.


• Land-development improvements to the Environment Learning Center for the Warner College of Natural Resources.

• Support of CSU Athletics, including Ram Legacy Scholarships.

“Pat has been an extraordinary and generous supporter of Colorado State, but even more important, she has been a champion of our land-grant mission who has encouraged the university to improve and evolve in all its dimensions,” said CSU President Tony Frank. “CSU is, truly, a better institution because of her efforts and leadership.”

Thanks to Stryker’s generosity and that of 90,000 other donors, CSU announced earlier this month that it had reached the $500 million goal for the Campaign for Colorado State University six months ahead of schedule. The private funds will be used for scholarships, faculty support, programs and facilities on campus.

Events scheduled in honor of CSU’s Founders Day include:

• “Happy 142nd Birthday CSU” at 1:42 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, on the Lory Student Center Plaza in Fort Collins. CAM the Ram, CSU Pep Band and CSU Spirit Squad will be on hand. Birthday cupcakes will be served and free T-shirts will be given out in celebration of 142 years of Colorado State University.

• A Founders Day event at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver, highlighting the economic impact of CSU on the state. The CSU Chamber Choir will perform followed by a reading of a joint Legislative resolution acknowledging CSU’s long, successful history in Colorado.


• CAM’s Birthday Party, a kid-friendly Founder’s Day celebration
, on 
Sunday, Feb. 12, from 
1 to 4 p.m., at Pump It Up, 
1420 Riverside Ave., 
Fort Collins. CSU alumni are invited for a free Alumni Day in either Denver or Fort Collins to help CAM the Ram celebrate CSU’s birthday. The events include pizza, cupcakes and games. Children of all ages are welcome, and there is no cost to attend, but reservations are required. Sign up online at the CSU alumni page.