Throughout the 2024-25 fiscal year, donors across the region established new endowments to support CMU students. These gifts fund scholarships, strengthen academic programs and create opportunities for students to pursue their goals, regardless of circumstance.
“Every day, we see the impact donor support has on the lives of our students,” said Foundation CEO Robin Brown. “Donors, friends and alumni make it possible for students to forge their own paths through the deep connections that make our Mavily."
The CMU Foundation was founded in 1961 to receive charitable gifts for the institution. Today, the Foundation manages an endowment of nearly $70 million and growing and oversees hundreds of named scholarships, providing more than $4 million in financial aid to CMU students each year.
The following endowments established in the 2024-25 fiscal year reflect the collective impact of donors who continue to strengthen CMU as it celebrates 100 years.
Alan H. Oldland Endowed Scholarship
The Alan H. Oldland Endowed Scholarship was established by Janice Oldland in honor of her father. A proud U.S. Navy veteran and Meeker High School graduate, Alan Oldland went on to earn a college degree and build a career as an aerospace engineer.
Andy Smith Memorial Scholarship
The Andy Smith Memorial Scholarship honors the legacy of Andy Smith, whose resilience and commitment to community defined his time at CMU. After being diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, Smith persevered and completed his degree. The scholarship is awarded to first-generation students from Mesa County.
Ann J. Sanders Shopbell Dance Scholarship
The Ann J. Sanders Shopbell Dance Scholarship supports Mesa County students enrolled in CMU’s dance program. The endowment honors Professor Emerita Ann J. Sanders, founder of the program and a lifelong champion of the arts, by investing in the next generation of performers.
Catherine (Katy) Smith Thorpe Scholarship
Catherine “Katy” Smith Thorpe established this scholarship after returning to school in her 40s to pursue nursing alongside her sons. Having benefited from scholarships herself, she created this endowment to extend that same support to future CMU nursing students.
Dick and Gaylene Thompson Endowment Fund
Dick and Gaylene Thompson established their endowment to support Mesa County residents pursuing higher education. As strong believers in access and opportunity, they aim to assist students who will be the first in their families to graduate from college.
Jo Ann Colosimo Click Scholarship
The Jo Ann Colosimo Click Endowment honors her lifelong dedication to advancing occupational therapy in Grand Junction. A 1955 Mesa College graduate, Colosimo Click pioneered occupational therapy programs locally and in Denver. The scholarship supports students committed to service, learning and patient-centered care.
Juanita and Bob Moston Endowed Scholarship
Juanita and Robert “Bob” Moston established this scholarship to support nontraditional students. Juanita attended CMU as a nontraditional student and graduated in 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts, inspiring the couple’s commitment to expanding access for adult learners.
Lance Balding Clifton Community Fund
Established by the Clifton Community Hall Committee, the Lance Balding Clifton Community Fund provides scholarships and supports other philanthropic purposes. Recipients must be Clifton residents who demonstrate financial need.
Lew Goodhart Memorial Scholarship Endowment
The Lew Goodhart Memorial Scholarship supports nontraditional students pursuing health sciences degrees at CMU or CMU Tech. Priority is given to Mesa County residents who demonstrate financial need.
Louis Buescher Memorial Scholarship
The Louis Buescher Memorial Scholarship supports students in the Davis School of Business. A lifelong businessman and community leader, Buescher served on the CMU Foundation Board and shared his expertise in investing and asset management. His legacy continues through support for future business leaders.
Montrose Permanent Fund
The Montrose Permanent Fund was established through a partnership between CMU, the CMU Foundation, the City of Montrose and Montrose County. The fund strengthens medical education programs at CMU Montrose and reflects a shared commitment to expanding access to higher education in the region.
Murray Swindell Endowment
The Murray Swindell Endowment supports students interested in environmental engineering, hydrology or geoscience. A firm believer in education, Swindell established the scholarship to help foster the next generation of scientists.
Norbert Braeuer, MD, Endowed Scholarship
After a distinguished career as a radiologist and professor in Texas, Norbert Braeuer, MD, established this endowment to support Western Slope juniors and seniors studying health sciences and music. The gift includes both immediate funding and a future gift through a beneficiary designation as part of the Maverick Legacy Circle.
Players and Friends of Bob Cortese Scholarship
The Players and Friends of Bob Cortese Scholarship honors the record-setting legacy of Mesa’s most successful football coach. During his nine seasons, Cortese led teams to six NAIA playoff appearances and two national championship game appearances. The scholarship supports varsity football student-athletes.
Presbyterian Single Parent Scholarship
The Presbyterian Single Parent Scholarship was established to support single parents pursuing degrees at CMU or CMU Tech. The endowment serves students in health sciences and teacher education who delayed higher education due to single parenthood.
ProSpace+ Interiors Men’s Wrestling Scholarship
Established by Dave Huerkamp, president of ProSpace+ Interiors, this scholarship supports Western Colorado students on the men’s wrestling team. The family-owned business has operated in Grand Junction for more than 50 years and created the endowment as part of its long-term commitment to the Western Slope.
Richard and Muriel Saunders Family Endowed Scholarship
Anne and Paul Saunders established this scholarship in memory of their parents, Richard and Muriel Saunders. Inspired by a lifetime of service, the endowment supports first-generation students pursuing degrees in nursing, physician assistant studies, engineering, science or pre-medicine.
Saccomanno Higher Education Endowment
The Saccomanno Higher Education Endowment honors the legacy of Geno Saccomanno, MD, and Virginia Saccomanno. Saccomanno was a renowned physician and cancer researcher whose work advanced early detection of lung cancer. The endowment supports scholarships, research and educational initiatives that benefit CMU students.
Tuohig Family Endowed Nursing Scholarship
Gail Tuohig, PhD, and her husband, Barry, established this scholarship to support future nurses. Gail Tuohig’s nursing education enabled a career as a military veteran, researcher and educator, shaping the foundation for this investment in the next generation.
William L. Spencer Endowed Scholarship
The William L. Spencer Endowed Scholarship honors the legacy of Bill Spencer, whose education was made possible by scholarships during the Great Depression. A CMU Distinguished Alumnus, Spencer dedicated his life to mentorship and philanthropy. Established by one of his mentees, Don Remey, the endowment supports Guardian Scholars pursuing higher education.
To discover how you can make an impact on the lives CMU students through pass-through scholarships, endowments and general giving, visit the CMU Foundation website.