Colorado State University System Chancellor Joe Blake to Step Down, Work on Donor and Alumni Relations

Note to Reporters: A photo of Joe Blake is available with the news release at http://www.news.colostate.edu.

Colorado State University System Chancellor Joe Blake today announced that he will soon leave his position but continue to work for the CSU System as an advocate for donor and alumni relations and teaching.

Blake notified members of the CSU System Board of Governors earlier this summer that he intended to retire upon completion of the search for a new CSU-Pueblo president or at a time convenient to the board and Blake.

Blake will continue to be associated with the CSU System working on donor development, alumni relations, teaching and providing policy advice. Specifics are being finalized with the board.

“Joe has taught us much and led the CSU System through challenging financial times,” said Joe Zimlich, chair of the board. “He has done a fantastic job representing the entire CSU System as well as the needs of the individual campuses. With his incredibly strong background in job creation and previous work with the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, he has been a pivotal part of the service that the CSU System – and all of higher education – provides the state’s residents through the education of our workforce and job creation.

“We are grateful for his service and delighted he will use his passion for higher education and his contacts to further the mission of the CSU System.”

“Being Chancellor of the CSU System has been the highlight of my career,” Blake said. “The time is right for me both personally and professionally to serve the CSU System in a new capacity.”

Under Blake’s leadership, the system has, among other things:
• Established a stand-alone chancellor operation
• Developed the first system strategic plan
• Positioned CSU Global as a viable and integral part of the system
• Launched the Commitment to Colorado; and
• Built statewide relationships

Blake was named chancellor of the Colorado State University System in May 2009. He officially took the helm as the first sole chancellor for the CSU System on July 1, 2009. As chancellor, Blake oversees a three-campus system comprised of two traditional campuses and an online campus.

Blake, a Colorado native, previously served as president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce for nearly a decade.

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