President Larry Penley to Deliver First Address, Provide Initial Thoughts on State of the University, at Annual Fall Address and Picnic

FORT COLLINS – Colorado State University President Larry Penley will deliver his first fall address to the university and Fort Collins communities on Sept. 16 on the campus’ historic Oval. In kicking off Colorado State’s annual President’s Fall Address and University Picnic, Penley will reflect on his observations about Colorado State from his first weeks on campus.

Faculty, staff, students, alumni, retirees and friends of the university will convene at 11:15 a.m. on the Oval while the Colorado State Marching Band plays. At 11:30 a.m., Penley will deliver his address from the south end of the Oval.

The annual all-university event provides an opportunity for the campus to celebrate accomplishments of the past year and look ahead to future endeavors. This year’s address also provides the university and Fort Collins communities an opportunity to welcome President Penley and hear his initial thoughts on the state of the university.

"Over the last several weeks, I’ve been meeting with faculty, students and staff, and gaining a deeper understanding of Colorado State University. These conversations have confirmed the perceptions that drew me to Colorado State in the first place: this is a great university with the characteristics necessary to address the challenges that face higher education and our global environment," said Penley. "I am looking forward to the opportunity to meet and talk with many more students, faculty, staff and community members at the annual fall address and university picnic."

Immediately following the president’s address, attendees are invited to participate in the all-university picnic featuring free food, live music and a variety of activities. Guests are welcome to bring picnic blankets and enjoy lunch on the lawn. The picnic will focus on the university’s land-grant heritage as well as its leadership role as a public research university.

Activities will run from noon-1:30 p.m. and include:

–     An appearance by Cam the Ram;

–     A performance by the Colorado State University Jazz Combo;

–     A Rocky Mountain Raptor program exhibit, including a live raptor;

–     Free health screening;

–     Educational and entertaining hands-on experiments by the Little Shop of Physics;

–     A student-built formula race car, student-designed robots and other student presentations;

–     Horse-drawn wagon rides; and

–     A variety of special displays.

To show Colorado State Ram Pride, attendees are encouraged to wear the school’s green and gold colors to the event.

University classes will not be canceled, but departments are encouraged to arrange schedules to accommodate those who wish to attend the event. The Oval will be closed to vehicular traffic and parking throughout the day.

Penley began his role as Colorado State’s 13th president on Aug. 1. He came to Colorado State from Arizona State where he was dean of the W.P. Carey School of Business, a position he was appointed to in 1991. Previously, he had served as professor of management and chair of the Department of Management at the university.

Penley received his doctorate in management from the University of Georgia and his bachelor’s degree in psychology and his master’s degree in communication from Wake Forest University. Following graduate school, Penley joined the faculty at the University of Texas at San Antonio as assistant professor of management and served as associate dean of the College of Business and associate professor of management at that institution.

For more information about the President’s Fall Address and University Picnic, call 491-4634.

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