$2.5 Million Gift from Ken and Myra Monfort Will Fund Top Students at Colorado State University

Ken and Myra Monfort–through a $2.5 million gift–have established a scholarship endowment designed to bring the top Colorado high school scholars to Colorado State University. The gift is the largest ever to the university from an individual contributor.

The Monfort Scholarship, a gift from Ken and Myra Monfort, today was awarded to two recipients–Jennifer Lynn Kaiser of Highlands Ranch and Justin Houk Moninger of Broomfield. Selection of Monfort Scholars is based on superior academic ability, leadership, character and service to community and school.

The Monfort Scholarships will provide full tuition and fees, a room and board stipend and a book allowance for four years.

"In endowing this extraordinary scholarship, Ken and Myra Monfort have done more than show their dedication to students, they’ve demonstrated their commitment to Colorado State as the university of choice for Colorado’s most talented students," said Colorado State University President Albert C. Yates. "The Monfort name has always been associated with excellence. Selection as a Monfort Scholar carries with it not only academic distinction, but a Colorado tradition."

Today’s scholarship announcement is the latest in a series of positive announcements from the university on enrollment trends. Last fall, the university announced a 20 percent increase in its freshman class among Colorado residents. This freshman class also was the most diverse and the best academically prepared class in school history.

"These are indeed good times for our university," Yates said. "Ken and Myra Monfort, through their continued support, will help us to continue to attract our state’s top high-school scholars."

Ken and Myra Monfort are longtime Colorado State University benefactors whose past gifts have benefited the Morgan Library, the McGraw Athletic Center and the Monfort Chair in Agriculture. Ken Monfort served on the Colorado State Board of Agriculture, which is the university’s governing board, from 1969-73 and again from 1989-91. He was an Honor Alumnus in 1970 and received an honorary doctor of science from Colorado State in 1988. Myra has served on the university’s Development Council since 1996.

"Our family has a long commitment to Colorado State and to the quality of education this institution provides to the students of Colorado," said Ken Monfort. "We believe that the educational opportunities offered at Colorado State are among the best anywhere, and we thought, through this scholarship, that we could help more of the brightest students in the state receive top-quality education and go on to become leaders in Colorado."

"To become Monfort Scholars, students must show academic strength, dedication to excellence and commitment to service," said Loren Crabtree, provost at Colorado State. "We are proud to welcome these individuals to Colorado State, a community where they will continue to grow as leaders, as citizens and as scholars. Monfort Scholars will benefit from the rigorous education and opportunities offered at Colorado State, and will enrich our community with their talents."

Kaiser and Moninger, the high school seniors designated to receive the first Monfort Scholarships, will enter Colorado State this fall.

Kaiser will graduate from Highlands Ranch High School and hopes to become a veterinarian. She is a member of the National Honor Society and has been involved in student government, serving as freshman class president, sophomore class president and student body co-president. Kaiser also has organized volunteer activities for her school, community and church. She is interested in art and won her school’s annual design contest. Kaiser played on the school volleyball, basketball and track and field teams and is involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Moninger is an honors student at Broomfield High School. He is student council co-president, a varsity athlete, is involved in the performing arts and has donated much of his time to volunteer activities. Moninger distinguished himself as the school’s No. 1 doubles tennis player. He will major in electrical engineering at Colorado State.

For more information about the Monfort Scholarship, call the Office of Admissions at (970) 491-6909.