TRADITION AND TRANSFORMATION

Dear readers,

As this academic year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the balance between tradition and transformation.

This month, we celebrated a milestone in our commencement tradition, as students from across all academic areas gathered for CSU’s first University-wide Commencement ceremony at Canvas Stadium. We were honored to have Eugene Daniels – an alum, renowned journalist, and president of the White House Correspondents’ Association – as our inspiring speaker, and we conferred degrees on about 5,000 students. Like generations of CSU graduates, these Rams are poised to make their mark on the world with the curiosity, brilliance, and drive that define CSU alumni.

While we continue to evolve, we remain deeply committed to our 155-year-old land-grant mission. This issue’s cover story highlights how CSU’s Army and Air Force ROTC programs embody that mission, providing broad access to an excellent, practical education, while instilling a spirit of service to our state and nation. This longstanding connection between our military science programs and our land-grant mission is also evident in the support we provide to military-connected students, as well as the impactful work of CSU’s Adult Learner and Veteran Services.

Another feature story shines a spotlight on first-generation students across the CSU System. Their journeys showcase how our dedication to access and opportunity has evolved to meet the needs of today’s students. We are also excited to highlight CSU Global’s recent designation as a Career Connected Campus and to share the story of CSU Pueblo’s Alisha Little, a remarkable student-athlete who earned recognition as the 2024 Colorado Collegiate Women’s Athlete of the Year while balancing the responsibilities of being a spouse, mother, and nursing student.

I hope the stories of student success in this issue make you as proud as I am of our community. Thank you for your continued engagement as we carry forward CSU’s mission, building on our rich traditions while adapting to meet the opportunities of tomorrow.

With gratitude,