Giving Back
“It’s Important to Give Back to Those Who Helped You”
Walt Francis ’71, MA ’73 lived across the street from UNC as a child and remembers attending basketball games. He later earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in sociology from UNC. But the connection didn’t stop there. Some years after graduating, Francis returned to Greeley to teach at his alma mater for several years before pursuing a career in criminal justice. He was also awarded an Honored Alumni Award in 1995 and currently serves on the Dean’s Outreach Committee for the College of Humanities and SocialSciences. In order to continue to give back to his alma mater and help future generations of students, Francis has established nine scholarships (three in criminal justice, three in sociology and three in jazz and voice) and four awards for outstanding students. Several of his gifts are in honrof Ford Cleere, a former UNC professor of sociology who became a mentor and friend. The scholarships will be funded by bequests Francis has set up in his will. “I highly encourage people to join me in making bequests. It’s an easy and productive way to give back to UNC,” says Francis. This past year, Francis expressed his passion for the university by sponsoring the Walt Francis/Ford Cleere Heritage Room and the Walt Francis Alumni Suites at the Judy Farr Alumni Center—an inviting place for alumni to gather on campus. “UNC is a family,” says Francis. “UNC offers alumni a place to come, to participate in things, to continue to explore and learn—for me, jazz and the humanities. UNC has a lot to offer.” To learn more about planned giving, contact the UNC Foundation at 970.351.1370 or visit www.uncfoundation.org.
UNC Foundation Investment Return Tops Custom Index
The University of Northern Colorado Foundation announced a 16.69 percent return on investments in 2006-07, beating the benchmark return of the Custom Index. With this return, the foundation now manages total net assets of $109,066,239 for the university, up from $95,801,779 in 2005-06. “Under the direction of the investment committee of our board, we experienced a great rate of return on our investments in 2006-07,” says Virgil Scott, president and CEO of the UNC Foundation. “With this banner year, we have finally crossed the $100 million mark in assets. This means that the foundation will be able to provide even more support for scholarships, capital projects and programs that enhance the overall educational experience of students at the University of Northern Colorado.” Overall, the foundation provided more than $5.8 million in support for the university, including $2.6 million in scholarships for nearly 2,000 deserving students.
State Farm Continues Support of UNC
The State Farm Insurance Companies continued their ongoing partnership with the University of Northern Colorado’s Monfort College of Business with an $86,500 donation to the college and an additional $13,000 to other university programs. In addition to supporting 45 business students through scholarships, State Farm this year has provided scholarship funding for several upper division student mentors who, with the help of State Farm employees, facilitate the engagement of new freshmen into the university and Greeley communities. State Farm’s donation will also allow instructors of the university’s First-Year Experience, a class for freshmen, to integrate local business professionals more effectively into the class. Seeking to keep students in school and prepare them with important life skills, the College of Business’ component of the course includes a self-paced online offering targeted at helping freshmen manage their personal finances.