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Elevate Western

Elevate Western

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Campaign Progress


Campaign Dollars Raised*


Campaign Donors


Campaign Gifts Made

*Total Campaign Dollars: $85,081,434
Campaign Period: July 1, 2019 – September 20, 2024

Stories of Impact

Students observe a herd of cows while visiting the Verzuh Ranch in Crested Butte, CO.
Landowners donate 40-acre Verzuh Ranch to Western for conservation, learning

It is a beautiful and functional wetland ecosystem The landscape of so many mountain tourism hubs is covered up by condos or manicured to the […]

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Hurst Hall viewed from large fields east of Western Colorado University's campus on a fall day.
Western partners with Reisher Scholars Program to provide scholarships

Aligns seamlessly with our shared values of accessibility and excellence” GUNNISON, Colorado: Western Colorado University is proud to announce a partnership with the Reisher Scholars […]

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The new Mountaineer Bowl stadium, track and field.
Western Colorado University Invites Public to Grand Opening of Mountaineer Bowl at The Rady Family Sports Complex

A new era at Western Colorado University will start on September 7 with the Grand Opening of the newly renovated Mountaineer Bowl at The Rady […]

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Mountain Sports Scholarship Fund: Bringing Outdoor Athletes to New Heights
Mountain Sports Scholarship Fund: Bringing Outdoor Athletes to New Heights

Many students attend Western Colorado University not only to receive a high-quality education but also to experience all that the Gunnison Valley has to offer. […]

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Butch Clark and the Origins of the Coldharbour Institute
Butch Clark and the Origins of the Coldharbour Institute

By most standards, Butch Clark is a big guy. Although he has an exceedingly gentle demeanor, with a frame well over six feet tall, broad shoulders, and a powerful, deep voice, he’s someone who rarely goes unnoticed in a room.

Seth Mensing

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Patti poses with her motorcycle with a beautiful background of trees.
Shattering the Glass Ceiling

Patti Locke didn’t always have it easy. Growing up in a small agricultural community on Redlands Mesa in Western Colorado, everyone was expected to do hard things.

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2023 Commencement Student holds diploma in the air as celebration.
The Ripple Effect: How Large Donations Reshape Western

When Jeff and Karen Holway (’75) came forward with the vision and the first significant gift to set the Mountaineer Bowl renovation project in motion, […]

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The Perry Anderson Citizenship Award
The Perry Anderson Citizenship Award

Local Fundraising Efforts for the Music Department As the Spring 2023 band concert began to wrap up, Dr. Brett Keating, director of bands, announced the […]

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The Western Difference and STEM Scholarships
The Western Difference and STEM Scholarships

When Fritz and Elaine Culver met as graduate students at Washington State University, it was clear to Elaine that Fritz had a unique undergraduate experience at Western.

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Campaign News

Landowners donate 40-acre Verzuh Ranch to Western for conservation, learning Landowners donate 40-acre Verzuh Ranch to Western for conservation, learning

Western partners with Reisher Scholars Program to provide scholarships Western partners with Reisher Scholars Program to provide scholarships

Western to Host Fourth Annual Mountaineer Gala Western to Host Fourth Annual Mountaineer Gala

Elevate Western Campaign Announced to the Public Elevate Western Campaign Announced to the Public