A FOUNDATION FAREWELL

After 26 years of exemplary service to the Western Colorado University Foundation and the university community, Tom Burggraf departed from his position on June 30, 2023. Tremendous hardly describes the impact Tom has had on Western. Building relationships with our alums and community members while generating resources that have strengthened our university is the tip of the iceberg for Tom’s accomplishments.

The WCU Foundation has raised more than $125M in its 47 years of existence, all but $6M raised under Tom’s leadership. Additionally, the Foundation’s endowment has grown to over $30M, with 300+ privately funded scholarships supporting our students. Tom has been instrumental in Western’s philanthropic accomplishments over the past 26 years, including:

• Borick Business Building, the first major academic building at any public Colorado college or university built, furnished, and equipped entirely through private investment

• Securing the largest land donation to date – 18 acres from alums Steve Trippe and Steve Reynolds

• Helping launch the Energy Management program through private support of alums, friends, and corporations

• Assisting in the naming of the Clark Family School of Environment & Sustainability

• Significant expansion of $1M+ gifts to the University

We thank him for his dedicated service to the Foundation throughout the many years. He has touched many and continues to inspire from his kind-hearted, compassionate, and selfless acts of stewardship. And we will sure miss seeing his contagious smile around the office, his support through thick and thin, and the cinnamon rolls.

Thank you, Tom!