REFLECTIONS ON DEMOCRACY

DEAR READERS,

Since its inception, Colorado State University has had a unique and consequential mission. As a land-grant institution rooted in democracy, our charge is to prepare students not only to lead in their professions, but also to become informed and active members of civil society. This spring marks the conclusion of CSU’s Thematic Year of Democracy and Civic Engagement. This extraordinary year – filled with panels, discussions, lectures, and events – has served as a launchpad for CSU’s permanent new democracy project. As I congratulated the graduating Class of 2024 at commencement, I felt so proud of the thousands of students who have participated in these activities. This group of new leaders is ready to bring their democracy-building skills into the world, and CSU is on its way to becoming a national model in teaching democratic principles.

This issue of STATE magazine also marks a new beginning. Colorado State University is merging the strengths of our two main publications, CSU Magazine and STATE, into a single enhanced magazine. Going forward, you will receive STATE, rather than CSU Magazine. STATE emphasizes academic programs at CSU, our flagship university in Fort Collins, while providing a comprehensive view of the CSU System’s collective impact. Combining these publications enables us to showcase innovations from all our campuses – CSU, CSU Pueblo, CSU Global, and the new CSU Spur campus in Denver.

This spring edition reflects the collaborative nature of our campuses and celebrates the CSU System’s service to communities across Colorado and beyond. As you dig into the following pages, you will find a feature story about the CSU bison conservation herd and the transfer of a new group of yearlings to Native American communities in the West. Other articles explore how the growing CSU Pueblo nursing program addresses an urgent nursing shortage and how innovative CSU Global programs prepare students with skills specific to their career fields. You also will gain insights into college affordability, a new CSU climate initiative, and a one-of-a-kind educational video series. I hope you are as inspired as I am by our CSU community and that you will look forward to more issues from the award-winning STATE magazine team.

Thank you for your engagement as our university celebrates new beginnings.

With gratitude,