Gratitude and Warm Wishes
December 17, 2024
Dear CSU Community,
As we close out the fall semester, I can’t help but reflect on what an extraordinary time it is to be a Ram! This semester has been marked by milestones that showcase the energy and innovation of our CSU community. From thriving academic programs to groundbreaking research and outreach that’s making a real difference, CSU has once again earned national recognition—and it’s all thanks to you.
Take a minute to browse the photos below—they capture some of the semester’s most inspiring achievements. These moments remind us of the immense talent and drive that define our students, faculty, and staff.
Our campus is also evolving in exciting ways. The construction of cutting-edge research and technology facilities is reshaping CSU, while the much-anticipated revitalization of the Clark Building will breathe new life into the heart of campus. These changes reflect our commitment to fostering a dynamic environment for learning, discovery, and connection. Through it all, CSU’s access mission remains steadfast: to educate and inspire the next generation of leaders while celebrating and supporting the dedicated faculty and staff who form the backbone of this institution.
As we transition to winter break, I encourage you to take pride in your hard work and reflect on the impact you’ve made this semester. You are the reason CSU continues to thrive. In 2025, I’ll begin my third year as president, and I’m immensely grateful to be part of such a remarkable, vibrant community.
Whether you are heading to Tucson to cheer on our Rams in the Arizona Bowl, tackling exciting projects, or gathering with loved ones, I hope this winter break offers you the chance to recharge and reconnect. Let’s step into next year with renewed energy and purpose, ready to continue building a bright future for CSU.
Thank you for everything you do to make CSU such an extraordinary place. Wishing you a restful break and a joyful New Year. See you in 2025!
Go Rams!
Amy Parsons
President
Colorado State University
CSU welcomed 5,485 new students this fall, the second largest incoming class ever. It is also one of the most diverse, with increases in first-generation, rural, and racially minoritized students. Special thanks to Student Affairs and our Enrollment and Access Division for putting on one of the best welcome weeks in the country.
As a top land grant institution, CSU is committed to civic engagement. In the year leading up to the election, we hosted hundreds of democracy-related events, discussions, and debates. In November, we were recognized for our efforts to increase student voting and nonpartisan civic engagement.
CSU announced an impressive record for annual research expenditures at $576 million—surpassing $500 million for the first time in University history. The University has achieved a steady upward trajectory in sponsored project expenditures, with 81% growth over the last 10 years.
At CSU, we are guided by the belief that excellence and equity are inseparable, and this fall we hosted a number of high-profile events that advanced the critical work of inclusivity and access. The Symposium for Inclusive Excellence featured dozens of sessions in October and the Provost’s Ethics Colloquium on Mental Health in Higher Education was held in November.
CSU’s recognitions included being the only institution in Colorado ranked among the nation’s Top Colleges for Affordability. We also ranked in the top four on the 2024 Sustainable Campus Index for the 10th consecutive year. And CSU is one of only 16 schools in the country to be listed on The Princeton Review’s 2025 Mental Health Services Honor Roll.
Campus and the broader community had the opportunity to attend captivating performances at the University Center for the Arts, including the Halloween Organ Extravaganza, the production of Into the Woods, and the Fall Dance Concert.
Our fall sports programs had tremendous momentum and outstanding performances. We made the historic announcement that CSU will join the Pac-12 beginning in 2026, a move that will benefit our students, bolster our core mission, and strengthen our national reputation for academic research and excellence.
This fall, we enjoyed one of the best homecomings many of us can remember! Homecoming and Family Weekend featured the traditional bonfire, alumni events, and the largest ever Festival on the Oval, with more than 90 booths. It all culminated with a 17-6 win against New Mexico.
New facilities on campus mean exciting growth. We began construction on a $150 million high-power laser facility on our Foothills Campus. Another groundbreaking event ushered in the second phase of our Clark Building revitalization. We also announced one of the largest gifts in University history—a gift from the Scott Family Foundation—to support the new Don and Susie Law Engineering Future Technologies Building. And we continue to see progress on the Veterinary Health and Education Complex.
Last weekend, we celebrated more than 2,200 graduates across 202 undergraduate majors and 211 graduate programs. I am proud of all their accomplishments and excited about their bright futures.
And we have so much to look forward to! The CSU football team is bowl eligible for the first time since 2017. The Rams will step onto the field on Dec. 28 for The Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl presented by Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop. Check out ticket options or view locations for game watch parties. Then on Jan. 18, join us for CSU Day at the National Western Stock Show in Denver. Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in downtown Fort Collins and at the Lory Student Center on Jan. 20, and be sure to keep an eye out for information about CSU’s second annual Democracy Summit, being held March 5-7.
Wishing you as much joy as CSU’s Early Childhood Center children brought to the Administration Building during their December visit.