Warm wishes and appreciation

CSU Marching Band at 2025 Parade of Lights

December 23., 2025

Dear CSU Community,

As we enter the holiday break and the close of the fall semester, I hope this season offers moments of rest, reflection, and connection for you and those you care about. This fall was filled with energy, momentum, and meaningful accomplishment—along with real challenges facing CSU and higher education institutions across Colorado and the nation. As I reflect on the months behind us, I feel deep pride in the way our community has continued to advance excellence at CSU, and genuine gratitude for the care, creativity, and resolve you bring to moments that test us. We do not always approach every issue with one voice, but we are united by one mission and an abiding belief in Colorado State University. Together, we are truly One CSU.

Throughout the semester, our students, faculty, staff, and programs earned national and international recognition, reflecting the extraordinary talent and dedication across our campus. As one of the nation’s leading research universities, CSU achieved a record-breaking year in sponsored project expenditures—an important milestone that underscores our impact and our commitment to discovery and outreach across Colorado and around the world. This fall, CSU was named a “Dream School” in a New York Times bestselling book, ranked among the top three universities globally for sustainability, and recognized by the Colorado Department of Higher Education as a “Career Connected Campus.” These honors belong to you, and they speak powerfully to the work you do every day.

Our campus also continues to grow and evolve as we renovate historic spaces and build state-of-the-art facilities to support teaching, research, and student life. Thank you for your patience with construction detours and extra steps along the way. These visible signs of progress represent our long-term commitment to excellence. Student success remains our highest priority, and investing in outstanding facilities, faculty, staff, and opportunities is central to helping every Ram thrive. The photos below capture just a few of the moments and milestones you made possible this semester.

As we close out 2025, my hope is that each of you finds time to relax, recharge, and connect with those who matter most. Take pride in what we have accomplished together, and let’s enter 2026 with clarity of purpose, confidence in our shared mission, and continued commitment to caring for one another and for CSU.

Go Rams!

Photo of CSU's entering class, the largest ever, and the inaugural cohort of Spur Start students and students participating in the CSU Ram Transfer Academy

In August, CSU welcomed its largest-ever student body, including the inaugural cohort of Spur Start students and students participating in the CSU Ram Transfer Academy.

Members of CSU and Northern Colorado communities in music, theater, and dance performances and student and faculty art at the University Center for the Arts and across campus

Members of our CSU and Northern Colorado communities enjoyed hundreds of opportunities to attend music, theater, and dance performances and to view student and faculty art at the University Center for the Arts and across campus.

photos of CSU research as CSU celebrated record-high research activity with $622 million in annual sponsored project expenditures

CSU celebrated record-high research activity with $622 million in annual sponsored project expenditures.

Alumni, Ram families, and friends joined us on campus for Homecoming and Family Weekend Oct. 16-18, 2025.

Alumni, Ram families, and friends joined us on campus for Homecoming and Family Weekend Oct. 16-18.

Colorado State’s 25th Symposium brought together students, faculty, staff, and community members for workshops, keynotes, and panels including former Colorado Governor Bill Owens; CSU Executive in Residence and former Peace Corps Director Carol Spahn; and nationally acclaimed educator and scholar Michael Benitez Jr.

Colorado State’s 25th Symposium brought together students, faculty, staff, and community members for workshops, keynotes, and panels.This year highlighted themes of civic engagement, access and student success with speakers including CSU Executive in Residence and former Peace Corps Director Carol Spahn; former Colorado Governor Bill Owens; and nationally acclaimed educator and scholar Michael Benitez Jr.

C.A.N.S. Around the Oval brought in more than $63,000 and 22,000 pounds of food in support of the Food Bank for Larimer County and CSU’s Rams Against Hunger.

C.A.N.S. Around the Oval brought in more than $63,000 and 22,000 pounds of food in support of the Food Bank for Larimer County and CSU’s Rams Against Hunger. On this year’s Giving Tuesday , our community raised an additional $144,000 in support of Rams Against Hunger.

Dozens of CSU faculty members and researchers were recognized with national honors, and our students continued to benefit from working alongside the brightest minds in their fields. Among those honored this fall was Professor Todd Bandhauer, who was named to the TIME100 Climate 2025 List.

Dozens of CSU faculty members and researchers were recognized  with national honors, and our students continued to benefit from working alongside the brightest minds in their fields. Among those honored this fall was  Professor Todd Bandhauer, who was named to the TIME100 Climate 2025 List. 

Major projects are shaping our campus, including the Clark Building revitalization. CSU celebrated the naming of Ann Gill Hall, a four-story building, now under construction, which will replace the bridge between Clark A Wing and Clark C Wing.

Major projects are shaping our campus, including the Clark Building revitalization. CSU celebrated the naming of Ann Gill Hall, a four-story building, now under construction, which will replace the bridge between Clark A Wing and Clark C Wing. 

Ram Fans came out in record numbers to support our fall sports programs for their final year in the Mountain West Conference before CSU joins the Pac-12 beginning in July of 2026.

Ram Fans came out in record numbers to support our fall sports programs for their final year in the Mountain West Conference before CSU joins the Pac-12 beginning in July of 2026. 

CSU welcomed Jim Mora as the Rams’ new head football coach and Ali Farokhmanesh began his first season as head coach of the men’s basketball program.

CSU welcomed Jim Mora as the Rams’ new head football coach and Ali Farokhmanesh began his first season as head coach of the men’s basketball program.

Snow Days debuted as a new CSU tradition with Rail Jam, career programs, a Vendor Village, and conversations about CSU’s leadership in the outdoor economy.

Snow Days debuted as a new CSU tradition with Rail Jam, career programs, a Vendor Village, and conversations about CSU’s leadership in the outdoor economy. 

CSU’s Early Childhood Center children brought music and joy to the Administration Building during their December visit.

CSU’s Early Childhood Center children brought music and joy to the Administration Building during their December visit.

We’re cheering on our fall 2025 graduates as they look ahead to bright futures. And we have so much to look forward to in Spring 2026!

We’re cheering on our fall 2025 graduates as they look ahead to bright futures. And we have so much to look forward to in Spring 2026! On Jan. 17, join us for CSU Day at the National Western Stock Show in Denver. Celebrate  Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day with new indoor programming at the Lory Student Center on Jan.19, and be sure to keep an eye out for information about CSU’s third annual Democracy Summit, being held March 9-11.