Moving Forward, Giving Back
A Sense of Community
Personal Pursuits
Our alumni find themselves in exciting professional and personal pursuits. They publish and win awards, become Fulbright Scholars and travel, research and study in prestigious Ph.D. programs, and find successful work as communication specialists, grant writers, editors, authors, literary agents, teachers, and more.
In addition to finding success in traditionally “English” paths, our alumni serve as CEOs, create tech start-ups, lead non-profit organizations, become lawyers, devise communication and training for government programs, coordinate medical programming, and rise through the ranks of Fortune 500 companies. An education in the CSU Department of English opens doors to professions that not only provide professional success, but also intellectual fulfillment and cultural engagement.
Keep up with CSU English with our triannual newsletter!
English Alumni: Beyond CSU
The stories below provide a glimpse of the broad array of exciting and impactful endeavors undertaken by CSU English alumni across the globe. The interdisciplinary scholarship and creative artistry developed by English educations are instrumental in bolstering these important initiatives.
Alumni Spotlight: Katie Naughton (MFA, ’16) discusses debut “The Real Ethereal”
Katie Naughton (MFA, ’16) is the author of The Real Ethereal, recently published by Delete Press. Read on to learn about Naughton’s debut poetry collection, creative practice, and more.
Driving Change Through Creative Motivations
From his early days at Colorado State University to his pivotal role in revitalizing Denver’s Five Points neighborhood, Norman Harris III (B.A., ‘99) has made significant strides in community engagement and cultural preservation. As the Executive Director dedicated to restoring this historic area, Harris is also the driving force behind the nation’s largest Juneteenth celebration, blending his passion for heritage with dynamic event planning. Discover how Harris’ journey has led to profound impacts on both his community and the enduring legacy of Juneteenth.
Allison Clark (B.A., ’13) applies liberal arts skills daily at her job in Colorado’s State Court System
“My ability to communicate in writing, and in person, and find ways to resonate with a variety of audiences has been pivotal to my work,” said Clark. “From working with a member of the public to working with attorneys and judges who have advanced degrees, my ability to navigate into all of those spaces was critical to getting where I am today.”
English Alum? Share Your Story
When stories about our alumni hit the news or our inbox, we love to share them. Teachers, staff, and fellow alumni are excited to learn about how our friends are doing. Current students appreciate examples of English alumni making a life and making a difference. At the same time, information about English offerings and degree opportunities encourages prospective students to engage, and stories of your impact and success illustrate the true value of English education.
Give a gift
By giving to the Department of English at Colorado State University, you will be supporting a dynamic community known for its devotion to teaching, interdisciplinary offerings, and excellence in both research and the creative arts.
Your gift will enable student success through scholarships; enhance faculty development; support our programs, centers, and literary journals; and help us further our mission to foster inclusive excellence, intellectual growth, and the creation of a more just and sustainable world.
Looking for other giving avenues? There are many unique ways you can make a gift to the Department of English and the College of Liberal Arts. Explore your options and contact the development team to design a gift plan just for you.
The Impact of Giving
Funds that Support Community Engagement, Program Enrichment, and Faculty Development
Each fall and spring semester at Colorado State University, the Department of English welcomes distinguished literary voices to share their work and to engage with the local community through the Creative Writing Reading Series.
The series features Pulitzer Prize winners, U.S. poets laureate, National Book Critics Circle Award winners, Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award winners, NAACP Image Award nominees, Oprah’s Book Club selections, National Book Award finalists and recognized voices in young adult literature.
Scholarships that Support Undergraduate Students
Established in 1991, this scholarship honors the memory of Donna Weyrick, a 1962 alumna in the Department of English. This endowed scholarship is made possible by contributions from the Weyrick family and friends.
Fellowships and Scholarships that Support Graduate Students
This scholarship is awarded in memory of Ann Osborn Zimdahl, a 1981 graduate of the CSU MA TEFL/TESL program. Ann taught in the Intensive English Program and contributed to the international community of the university and Fort Collins. Her career also extended overseas where she held several different teaching appointments. Ann was strongly committed to cross-cultural understanding and enthusiastically shared her love of new cultures with her students both here and abroad.
Stories of Impact
In 2021, Linda Randall and her husband, Gerald Hazelbauer, both professors emeriti of biochemistry at the University of Missouri, gave a $1 million bequest, plus annual cash support, to the English department via the Marty Bucco Award for Creative Teaching & Scholarship fund.
“I like reading, and was mostly reading Shakespeare,” Randall says. “Professor Bucco was so fascinating and full of enthusiasm. Because of him, I started reading much more widely. He was magical and bounded around the room. Over my four years [at CSU] I took every English course he taught.”