$1 million dollar gift transformational
On October 16, Colorado Mesa University hosted a celebration unveiling the newly named Davis School of Business. Earlier this year, university trustee and longtime CMU supporter and donor Ron Davis contributed $1 million dollars to the CMU Foundation. During the event, Davis was surrounded by the students whose lives have changed through his decades of generosity. CMU faculty and staff were also in attendance to show appreciation for Davis and applaud his dedication to supporting higher education.
Davis’ relationship with CMU began more than a decade ago when he observed the consistent commitment made by CMU to first-generation, low-income and minority students. Since then, he’s been transforming the future pathways of today’s youth at CMU.
For CMU President Tim Foster the event represented the pinnacle of Davis’ service and investment in CMU students.
“Ron Davis didn’t ask to have the business school named after him, but honoring what he has done for CMU in a visible and permanent way puts on display the good that comes when values and resources align,” said Foster.
Davis was sentimental when he addressed the crowd — reminding attendees that it’s not the name on the building but the kids inside it that are his priority and legacy.
In addition to the president, Chair of the Board of Trustees David Reed and Davis School of Business Head Christine Noel, PhD, applauded Davis and congratulated him on the impact he’s made.
“The faculty of our department are pleased to be a part of this transformative investment,” said Noel. “These resources are going straight to the students that Mr. Davis has been supporting year in and year out at CMU for the last decade or so. Davis brings to CMU a diversity of students from a diversity of backgrounds, and his ongoing generosity and leadership enriches our programs in meaningful ways. We are grateful.”
Davis explained why he selected CMU for his investment, highlighting that the university's values have always aligned with the values embedded in the Guardian Scholars program, a nonprofit he started in California that also has its headquarters in western Colorado. This recent contribution is one of his largest single contributions, but his investment throughout the years in scholarships and time serving volunteering is of equal value.
At the naming ceremony, Davis announced the creation of a Davis scholarship to memorialize the late Cody Lyster, a CMU student who passed away in 2020 from COVID-19.
Community members interested in learning more about the Guardian Scholars program and how its mission can be advanced should contact the CMU Foundation.
