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Congratulations CSU — Celebrating the Colorado State University System
Thursday, May 13 2010
Windsor Now
May 9th, 2010
On Thursday (Feb. 11), the legislature will take time to welcome and honor Colorado State University system on the occasion of its Founder's Day, the 140th anniversary CSU's beginnings. As Larimer County legislators, we are pleased to sponsor a resolution and day-long celebration honoring the outstanding achievements and contributions of Colorado State University. Together, we renew our praise and continued support for this storied and vital institution whose campuses lie within our home districts.
As one of Colorado's two major research universities, CSU is a source of academic 
excellence, cutting-edge research, and economic strength for the entire state. CSU-Fort Collins is Colorado's “Land-Grant” university whose mission encompasses three key elements of teaching, research, and extension. The nation's system of land-grant universities was envisioned by Justin Smith Morrill who dreamed of a network of colleges throughout our country where the sons and daughters of farmers, factory workers, and emancipated slaves would be afforded the benefits of an advanced education which were previously reserved for the landed gentry.
By signing the Morrill Act into law in 1862, President Abraham Lincoln recognized that a national system of agricultural and mechanical colleges would be critical for healing a broken nation and for leading America into the future. And so it was that Colorado Agriculture and Mechanical College came to be founded in 1870, a full 6 years prior to statehood. In many ways, CSU is truly Colorado's “flag-ship” university.
During the 140 years since its founding, CSU has evolved into one of the nation's premier research universities while remaining true to its land-grant roots. Today the system has expanded to include CSU-Fort Collins, CSU-Pueblo, and CSU-Global Campus. CSU consistently ranks among the top public universities in terms of educational quality and affordability with world-leaning programs in fields as varied as veterinary and diagnostic medicine, performing arts, natural resources, agricultural science, engineering and hydrology, clean energy, liberal arts and history, social work, business and real estate, and many others.
CSU's campuses and their faculties, students, and alumni comprise a powerful economic force that generates an estimated $4.1 billion in statewide economic activity representing 3.1 percent of Colorado's total household income. True to its land-grant mission, CSU excels in the area of workforce education. The university brings in annual research funding exceeding $328 million and has created start-up businesses employing more than 2,500 Coloradans. CSU's extension mission thrives around the state through a network of agricultural experiment stations, extension offices, and 4-H programs that puts research to work for our citizens and disseminates valuable information which improves people's lives.
With its longstanding tradition of serving Colorado, we are privileged as legislators to represent and honor CSU on the 140th anniversary of its founding. This Founders Day, we are delighted to welcome Chancellor Joe Blake, President Tony Frank, President Joseph Garcia, and members of the Board of Governors to the House and Senate Chambers. With our hearts uplifted by CSU' A Capella choir, we will pause to celebrate the immeasurable wealth that this tremendous institution has bestowed upon Colorado. Happy Birthday CSU!
By: Senator Abel Tapia (D-Pueblo), Senator Bob Bacon (D-Fort Collins), Representative BJ Nikkel (R-Loveland). Representative John Kefalas (D-Fort Collins), Representative Randy Fischer (D-Fort Collins), and Senator Kevin Lundberg (R-Berthoud)
