Colorado State University and the city of Fort Collins exchanged land in November in an agreement that will allow the University to develop a prime research center at the city’s gateway and the city to expand a premier foothills natural area.

The transaction will provide CSU a 143-acre parcel at the southwest corner of Prospect Road and I-25. In exchange, the city’s Natural Areas Program will receive 267 acres at the northern end of CSU’s Foothills Campus to expand the Reservoir Ridge Natural Area.

CSU President Larry Edward Penley said the land trade and the research center are ways to speed University-developed technology to the marketplace, helping to create jobs in the region while solving some of the world’s most overwhelming problems.

Economic-growth potential
“As a knowledge economy, we are highly dependent on the fundamental products of higher education. This is a tremendous opportunity to further the University’s mission as an engine for economic growth throughout the region and the state,” Penley said.

The trade conserves additional land for the city’s Natural Areas Program and fits with the city’s economic goals, said City Manager Darin Atteberry. After this exchange, Reservoir Ridge Natural Area will become one of the city’s largest local natural areas at 748 acres.

CSU’s Superclusters – alliances that speed research to the global marketplace – and expanded investment in University research also will benefit from a centralized research center.

“This is what higher education can do for residents of Colorado and for economic development,” said Penley. “Colorado State University is one of the nation’s top research institutions with nearly $300 million annual research expenditures. We make significant contributions to the region’s economic health.”

Renewable-energy focus
The University will use the I-25 land to develop a CSU office and research center with a focus on renewable energy companies. Negotiations are underway for AVA Solar, a CSU-founded start-up assisted by the CSU Office of Economic Development and the Northern Colorado Economic Development Corp., to be the center’s anchor tenant with groundbreaking in early 2008.

AVA Solar – whose pioneering, patented technology was developed at Colorado State – plans to build a factory to manufacture low-cost, high-efficiency solar panels. This is one of many examples of successful regional partnerships, Penley said.

Development of the I-25-Prospect intersection will establish Prospect Road as the gateway to CSU. The transaction for CSU is being facilitated by the Colorado State University Research Foundation, which aids the University with intellectual property patenting and licensing management; University start-ups; equipment leasing and municipal-lease administration; financing of equipment, real estate, and buildings through mortgage-debt obligations; and land acquisition, development, and management.

 

November 20, 2007

Colorado State University has announced a $3 million gift to establish a university chair in equine orthopedics in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. The gift is from Abigail K. Kawananakoa of Hawaii; the chair marks the second in equine programs at the university this semester.

Abigail K. Kawananakoa University Chair

The Abigail K. Kawananakoa University Chair in Equine Musculoskeletal Integrative Therapies will reside in the university’s prestigious Gail Holmes Equine Orthopaedic Research Center. The chair follows the August announcement of a chair in equine reproduction, marking two such $3 million gifts to the college to support equine research and medicine this semester and the third such chair in the Orthopaedic Research Center. A faculty member has not yet been named to the position.

Advancing the frontiers of equine orthopedics

“This generous gift reflects Abigail Kawananakoa’s deep love of horses and commitment to advancing the frontiers of equine orthopedics,” said Colorado State President Larry Edward Penley. “This is a commitment shared by Colorado State faculty who are at the forefront in expanding knowledge of human and animal musculoskeletal health. The creation of the Kawananakoa chair offers the opportunity to expand our equine research program while also providing critical support for students from Hawaii with a passion for veterinary medicine.”

The Orthopaedic Research Center at Colorado State is known worldwide for its research and clinical work to prevent joint problems in equine athletes such as racehorses and cutting horses and for researching ways to heal orthopedic injuries including gene therapy and novel cartilage healing techniques, with some recently expanded work in human athletes.

Gift supports research that benefits horses and humans

“This gift supports important research at Colorado State that benefits both horses and humans,” said Dr. Lance Perryman, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. “The university’s Equine Orthopaedic Research Center is known internationally for its innovative research that addresses orthopedic injuries and osteoarthritis including better methods of early diagnosis and new therapeutic targets. In addition, faculty and staff at the center apply that knowledge to equine athletes and share their discoveries with experts in human orthopedic medicine.”

The gift to Colorado State will likely directly benefit veterinary medicine in Hawaii, Kawananakoa’s home state. The university has a strong tuition exchange program arrangement with Hawaii through the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education. The WICHE program allows students from states without veterinary programs to compete for slots at Colorado State University with fees paid by their state of residency. Since the program’s inception in 1972, more than 160 students from Hawaii have graduated from Colorado State’s veterinary program and have returned home to practice.

“This chair completes our strategic plan in acquiring scientific support for rehabilitative manipulative therapies for musculoskeletal conditions, an area that is lacking in scientific based evidence for the horse,” said Dr. Wayne McIlwraith, director of the research center. “I have had a long and rewarding relationship with Abigail and we are pleased and honored to house the chair in Miss Kawananakoa’s name and look forward to the research discoveries and treatments to equine and human athletes the chair will support.”

Kawananakoa breeds and races champion quarter horses

Kawananakoa has bred and raced multiple champion quarter horses. Her horses have won the two biggest quarter horse races in the United States; the All American Futurity with A Classic Dash and the Los Alamitos Million with Evening Snow. Both of these horses had arthroscopic surgery by Dr. McIlwraith.

The Equine Orthopaedic Center treats injuries of the world’s finest horses. Successes include After Market, arguably the best Thoroughbred on grass in the United States this year. After Market came back from arthroscopic surgery by McIlwraith for a sesamoid fracture and won the Grade 1 Charley Whittingham at Hollywood Park and the Grade 1 Eddie Read Handicap at Delmar this summer. He is on his way to the World Championship Thoroughbred Breeder’s Cup Races.

Other recent successes include CD Lights, a renowned cutting horse, who developed problems in the right hock. After surgery at the center, he made good progress and in 2006 was the National Cutting Horse Association World Champion stallion as well as Reserve World Champion and Open World Finals Champion.

 

Colorado State University’s athletics department has secured two major gifts to launch its facility enhancement campaign, the school announced Wednesday.

$1.5 million from Brett and Danette Anderson

Brett and Danette Anderson have provided a $1.5 million gift to assist with the construction of the Academic and Training Center. To recognize the gift, the academic center will be named the Anderson Academic Center.

New athletics facilities are in the design stage

CSU’s new athletics facilities are in the design stage, and once finalized, CSU will announce official ground-breaking ceremonies and a construction timeline.

CSU President Larry Edward Penley said the announcement symbolizes the impact intercollegiate athletics has on the entire university.

“The Board of Governors set a goal for the university to build an athletic program that is as strong and competitive as our academics, and meeting that goal requires modern facilities and strengthened support for our talented student-athletes,” said Penley. “This gift is a major step toward achieving that goal, and it is a testament to our athletics program and its lasting, positive impact on our student-athletes - not just on the playing field, but also in the classroom and in life.”

The Andersons are CSU alumni raised in Fort Collins

Brett and Danette were both raised in Fort Collins. Brett is a 1987 graduate of the College of Engineering and is the managing partner of the Denver office of Accenture, a global management consulting and technology services company.  Danette also graduated from CSU in 1987, with a degree in food science and human nutrition, and is a registered dietician at Exempla St. Joseph Hospital in Denver.

Brett has been a leader for CSU in the community and is the former Chairperson of the CSU Development Council.  He served as master of ceremonies at the 2003 Denver Executive Luncheon and is an active member of the Corporate and Foundation Relations Committee and College of Engineering Dean’s Advisory Board, as well as a charter member of the President’s Club. He also served on the Campaign Advisory Task Force and is the recipient of Colorado State’s Personal Service Award.

Academic center will assist student-athletes become tomorrow’s leaders

Brett and Danette have been outstanding supporters of the intercollegiate athletics program at CSU for many years.  Their support has been reflected as season-ticket holders, Ram Legacy of Champions scholarship donors, and attendance at many athletic special events, as well as a willingness to be leaders for the athletics program.

“The creation of an academic center for Colorado State University student-athletes is a tremendous step forward,” Brett Anderson said. “This center will provide exceptional physical facilities to match the exceptional character and quality of the great student-athletes that compete at CSU. We are very excited to be able to assist these student-athletes in their mission to learn and become tomorrow’s leaders.

Andersons hope gift will challenge other alumni

“CSU has made a tremendous impact on our lives and the lives of the many graduates throughout the country.  We hope that our gift will challenge other alums to think about the important role the institution has played in their lives, the assets they possess, and the difference they could make for CSU.”

$250,000 from Markley Motors for Indoor Practice Facility

Markley Motors, Inc., also made a significant campaign gift of $250,000 toward construction of the Indoor Practice Facility. Gene and Doug Markley, owners of Markley Motors, Inc., have been long-time supporters of CSU athletics.  They previously provided support for the construction of the McGraw Athletic Center and Jack Christiansen Track projects. They also are Ram Legacy of Champions scholarship donors, corporate partners and members of the Ram Wheels program, and have been season-ticket holders for various sports for many years.

Markley family instrumental in progress of CSU athletics

“Every now and then, I have reason to reflect on life and what a privilege it has been to have been associated in one way or the other with Colorado State University,” said Gene Markley. “Having lived and been in business in Fort Collins for 71 years, I have experienced a most welcome growth in our business and in our lives. CSU has been a great contributor to that success. It is indeed a privilege to give back a little from time to time.

“I would hope that all of us in business or practicing our professions in Fort Collins, Larimer County, or all of Colorado, ask themselves, ‘How has CSU contributed to my well being?’ and  hopefully, would feel the urge to give back.”

Academic and Training Center / Indoor Practice Facility

The construction of the Academic and Training Center and the Indoor Practice Facility are the top initiatives of the athletic department’s facility enhancement campaign. The Academic and Training Center will be constructed just south of the McGraw Athletic Center and will include a two-story, 8,500 square-foot academic center and an 8,500 square-foot strength and conditioning center. The Indoor Practice Facility will be located east of the Moby Arena complex near the school’s Student Recreation Center. 

Fundraising efforts are underway to raise the private support needed to make the campaign a success.