Dear CSU Colleagues,
It is with tremendous appreciation that I announce the planned departure of our friend and colleague — and stalwart Ram! — Kathleen Henry from her role as President and CEO of the CSU Research Foundation.
Kathleen has been a part of Colorado State University community for more than 30 years. We are incredibly grateful to her for devoting her career to excellence at CSU, following up on the incredible legacy of her parents, Jim and Nadine Henry.
Since 1988, Kathleen has served as president and CEO of the Colorado State University Research Foundation. She also served as president and CEO of the Colorado State University Foundation from 1990 to 2018. In her CSURF role, she has adeptly managed the protection and commercialization of intellectual property that derives from research conducted here at CSU and she led the management of all non-campus real estate holdings on behalf of CSU. As head of the Foundation, she strengthened CSU by leading the management and investment of all contributions, gifts and bequests to the university.
In short, Kathleen has played a major role in shaping the institution we all value today. Her knowledge, positive attitude and keen business acumen helped build the financial foundation of CSU.
In addition to playing a key professional role at CSU, Kathleen has been an incredible member of both the campus and the Fort Collins communities. She serves or has served on numerous local boards. She is a founding member of the CSU Touchdown Club, a longtime member of the Ram Club and the Ram’s Horn Club, and a lifetime member of the CSU Alumni Association (and she served for years as ex-officio member of the Alumni Association’s Board of Directors). In 2007, Kathleen received the Jim and Nadine Henry Award honoring her extraordinary service to CSU and its academic, athletic, and alumni programs. I can only imagine how proud her parents must have been!
Kathleen has been a familiar face in crowds at CSU football and men’s and women’s basketball games for many, many years. She has been a supporter of CSU through thick and thin; without a doubt, she bleeds green and gold.
I am honored to personally and publicly thank Kathleen for making a new president feel so very welcome here at CSU. I know you will all join me in thanking her for her immeasurable contributions to our institution, our communities and our future over a long and distinguished career. Plans for the continued leadership of CSURF moving forward will be announced to CSU’s campus community soon.
Kathleen, we will miss you but wish you the very best. Know that there are many on the CSU campus who are proud to be your biggest fans!
Warmly,
Joyce E. McConnell
President
