Philanthropy

CU Boulder Chancellor Justin Schwartz Is Setting a New Pace

Anna Tolette — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 20:36:30 +0000

CU Boulder Chancellor Justin Schwartz Is Setting a New Pace Anna Tolette Tue, 11/12/2024 - 13:36

Maria Kuntz

Chancellor Justin Schwartz spoke with Coloradan editor Maria Kuntz about innovation, inclusion, sustainability and philanthropy as keys to CU’s future.

You said the chancellor position is exactly what you were looking for. Can you say more about that?

CU’s emphasis on sustainability, inclusivity and innovation struck such a deep chord. These are things I’ve been working with at every stage of my career. There was such a strong, clear commitment to create a meaningful impact. I thought, “This is what’s important to me. This is what I want for the next stage of my career.”

You told the CU Independent that you’ve spent your entire career in large, state universities because it’s most meaningful to you. What is meaningful to you about the missions of these institutions?

Large, state universities were created to democratize access to information and give opportunities to all citizens. They are meant to advance individuals for their self-betterment and also to create knowledge for the betterment of others.

So they’re empowered to discover, not just learn from what has been discovered?

Yes. We’re not teaching people what to think so much as how to think. Higher education has to be creative — it’s about fueling a different kind of conversation that leads to something new.

You’ve recently launched a search for a new position: Vice Chancellor of Sustainability. Can you paint a picture of where CU will be in two, five and 10 years regarding sustainability?

Our goal is to advance an integrated, holistic view of sustainability across campus internally and externally so that our students, researchers and campus can have even more impact. This means putting sustainability into our curriculum and programs and asking: What does society need graduates to know and do to advance sustainability? How do we activate that knowledge? Ten years from now, I’d like the world to say, “Wow. CU Boulder was the one who helped bring together all these constituents across the country and around the globe to address the issue.”

You’re an engineer, inventor and entrepreneur. How do these identities and experiences inform your approach as chancellor?

This is a very innovative and entrepreneurial campus. Sometimes, in academia, we can be hesitant and conservative to try new things — but I want us to remember that it’s OK to fail. Many attempts at innovation don’t work the first time. For the best outcome, you probably have to experiment and experience a few false starts before you strike gold.

You’re open about your dedication to creating greater inclusion and belonging on campus. What are some of the next steps to growing and developing these areas as an institution and a community?

It’s a challenge of both culture and numbers. At many institutions, resources are poured into building numbers. However, what’s often missed is the slow, hard work of building the culture and sense of belonging needed to support those who are being invited in. Without that, inclusion doesn’t work.

We also need to reinforce the idea that inclusivity is truly including all. As a community of scholars, we should be dedicated to appreciating and giving credence to all views — which means all voices must be present and invited to speak.

I’ve heard you talk about life-work balance. What does that mean to you?

I appreciate that you said life-work balance. I tell my staff that I want them to look forward to the weekend, and I want them to look forward to Monday. I don’t want them to miss a moment with their loved ones because there’s something at work they have to do. There’s always a way around that. I have my daughter’s volleyball camp on my calendar. I want to make sure we are present where we are and that we all are where we really want to be.

You’ve been an avid triathlete for a few years, and I’ve seen your Instagram photos on area trails. Any favorite places to get outside?

There are so many great trails. I usually start on the Enchanted Mesa, then go around McClintock and the Mesa Trail. And there are so many more to explore.

You’ve jumped right into fundraising and engaging with Forever Buffs. Why is this important for CU’s future, and how can people support the university?

Beyond donations, spread the word. It’s important because we have a critically important mission to Colorado, to the country, to our students and to the world. We have too many students who would become Forever Buffs but for lack of funding. I don’t want students who belong at CU Boulder to not graduate because of finances. We also have amazing faculty doing incredible work, and breakthroughs rely on funding.

The other thing is the importance of alumni philanthropy. I want Forever Buffs to feel deeply and permanently connected to the campus. Some of the best moments in philanthropy are the connections between donors and beneficiaries. Sometimes, the stories bring tears.

You look touched. Something touched your heart just now, if you’ll share it.

I recently had a conversation with a student whose parents were well-educated, but their degrees were not recognized in the U.S. They each worked two jobs so that their two daughters could go to college, but only had money to send one to college.

However, the older daughter received a scholarship to study computer science, and the resources that were supposed to go to her went to her sister. So they both went to school.

That shows the value — that cascade effect of philanthropy. This story happens over and over again, every week.

When I talk about Forever Buffs being permanently connected with CU, it’s about remembering what got them where they are today. I’ve met so many successful alums who say: “I grew up low [socioeconomic status], and I wouldn’t be where I am in life if it weren’t for CU Boulder.”

It’s crucial to help alumni remember what it was like to be at the beginning of their journey. And that moment, when they see the impact of passing it on, is profound.

How do you envision continuing to build strong ties with communities across Colorado?

We are Colorado’s flagship institution. That means we’re the ship with the flag up high so that others can follow. CU needs to be more proactive in bringing CU Boulder across the state. We need to connect with and understand Colorado’s communities. And we need to partner with more institutions across the state and get more Coloradans excited to be CU Boulder students, alumni and supporters.

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Photos by Glenn Asakawa

We sat down with CU Boulder’s 12th Chancellor, Justin Schwartz, to find out why he says innovation, inclusion, sustainability and the power of philanthropy are keys to CU’s future.

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Fall 2024

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Student Philanthropy Month

Anonymous — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 07:00:00 +0000

Student Philanthropy Month Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 03/06/2023 - 00:00

Christie Sounart

After winning the Western Women’s Collegiate Hockey League last February, the CU women’s ice hockey club team needed funds to help them travel to nationals in St. Louis, Missouri. They, along with 10 other CU Boulder student groups, participated in the university’s inaugural Student Philanthropy Month as a way to fundraise for their cause. By the end of March, the team walked away with $11,200.

“It gave us the opportunity to truly connect with our peers and college community,” said Elle LaPerle (Neuro, Psych’25), the club’s vice president, who plays a forward position. “The money that we were able to raise helped lower individual costs for nationals and made it possible for all of our girls to travel and participate.”

Student Philanthropy Month occurs through a partnership with The Herd Leadership Council (HLC) — a group of 15 students who work to deliver meaningful services and programs to engage CU Boulder students with the Forever Buffs community — and the CU Boulder Alumni Association. Up to 20 student groups will crowdfund this March, ranging from Senior Class Council to the CU Independent newspaper.

The goal this year is to raise $30,000 total for all of the groups, said sophomore and HLC Philanthropy Chair Michael Coaty (Expl’25).

“We’re empowering students to be able to help themselves,” he said.

The month will include a Student Philanthropy Fair on March 21 at the UMC fountains to raise additional funds that will be evenly distributed among the participating groups, said Sara Abdulla (EnvSt, Psych’13), senior program manager for student engagement at the Alumni Association.

“We really want to meet students where they’re at in terms of supporting causes they care about,” she said.

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Photos by Matt Tyrie

The Herd Leadership Council and Alumni Association aim to raise $30,000 for student groups.

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Spring 2023

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The Buff Connection

Anonymous — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 07:00:00 +0000

The Buff Connection Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 02/01/2020 - 00:00

Joshua Nelson

Sean Tufts is a former CU football player and Ralphie Handler. Now he’s back at CU, this time with a cause.

At the age of 6, Sean Tufts (Soc’04, MBA’11) received direction that altered the course of his life.

“My soccer coach walked me over to the football field and said, ‘You should do this instead,’” said Tufts.

His early decision to play football eventually brought him fame at CU and in the NFL. But today, the former star CU linebacker — and Ralphie Handler — has a larger intention: Helping former CU athletes in need, especially those struggling with their mental health.

Tufts is head of the Buffs4Life organization, which provides a crisis hotline, resources and funds to former CU players and their families.

“We want to get to people before their worst day,” said Tufts, who lost his friend Drew Wahlroos (A&S’02) to suicide in 2017.

Sean as a Ralphie Handler.

“I was a middle linebacker and he was outside,” said Tufts. “Almost every picture I have in a Buffs uniform, Drew was somewhere in the background.”

The decision to lead Buffs4Life was an easy one: Like football, CU was part of his life at an early age.

“In elementary school, if you had a good day in gym, the coach would put you on his shoulders and you’d get to slap a picture of Eric Bieniemy (Soc’01),” Tufts said.

After playing linebacker at Denver’s Cherry Creek High School, the country’s No. 17 recruit chose CU over Michigan. (Bieniemy became one of his coaches.) From 2001 to 2003, he played starting middle linebacker, finishing his senior season with 95 tackles.

“Sean took football very seriously,” said Brian Cabral (Rec’79), who was on the Buffs’ coaching staff for 24 seasons. “It was like having another coach on the field.”

“Everybody needs help sometimes, whether you’re the Heisman winner or an 18-year-old engineering student.”

In 2004, Tufts was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the NFL’s sixth round. A knee injury ended his professional football career after three years.

“The funny part is, for everybody except Peyton Manning and John Elway, it all ends more abruptly than you thought it would,” said Tufts, 37.

Tufts reinvented himself. He applied to business school at Stanford, but still felt a strong pull to Colorado. He returned to CU for his MBA.

“I wanted to challenge myself, to come back to Boulder and prove that I was invested in the community,” he said.

Back on campus, Tufts again found himself at Folsom Field on Saturdays — this time as a Ralphie Handler. He and Chad Hammond (Engl’01) are the only two former football players to run with Ralphie.

“She’s got a sandpaper tongue, like 80 grit industrial sandpaper, and she loves licking leather,” he said of the recently retired Ralphie V. “She’d wear out your boots or try to take the gloves from your pocket.”

After graduating, Tufts started a business leasing land for the development of wind farms. Forbes named him to its “30 under 30” in 2011 for his work.

In 2017, he joined Optiv Inc., a Denver information security company, working with cyber security solutions for critical infrastructure, which includes everything from power plants to dishwashers.

In the midst of his thriving career, he again answered the CU call. In 2017, Cabral asked him to serve as the president of Buffs4Life.

“Every time we talked, he just took Buffs4Life to another level,” said Cabral, who is on the board for the nonprofit. “It was a natural fit.”

Since 2005, more than 40 other Buffs or their families have received Buffs4Life support. In 2019, proceeds from the Kyle MacIntosh 5K, one of the nonprofit’s signature events, went to the family of TJ Cunningham (Comm’99), who was killed in February 2019.

Tufts hopes Buffs4Life can become a model for the rest of campus.

“Everybody needs help sometimes, whether you’re the Heisman winner or an 18-year-old engineering student,” he said.

Photos courtesy CU Athletics

Sean Tufts is a former CU football player and Ralphie Handler. Now he’s back at CU, this time with a cause.

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Philanthropy

CU Boulder Chancellor Justin Schwartz Is Setting a New Pace

You said the chancellor position is exactly what you were looking for. Can you say more about that?

You told the CU Independent that you’ve spent your entire career in large, state universities because it’s most meaningful to you. What is meaningful to you about the missions of these institutions?

So they’re empowered to discover, not just learn from what has been discovered?

You’ve recently launched a search for a new position: Vice Chancellor of Sustainability. Can you paint a picture of where CU will be in two, five and 10 years regarding sustainability?

You’re an engineer, inventor and entrepreneur. How do these identities and experiences inform your approach as chancellor?

You’re open about your dedication to creating greater inclusion and belonging on campus. What are some of the next steps to growing and developing these areas as an institution and a community?

I’ve heard you talk about life-work balance. What does that mean to you?

You’ve been an avid triathlete for a few years, and I’ve seen your Instagram photos on area trails. Any favorite places to get outside?

You’ve jumped right into fundraising and engaging with Forever Buffs. Why is this important for CU’s future, and how can people support the university?

You look touched. Something touched your heart just now, if you’ll share it.

How do you envision continuing to build strong ties with communities across Colorado?

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Student Philanthropy Month

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