Colorado State Commencement
Gov. Ritter Delivering Commencement Address, May 17
Celebrates 30-year anniversary as a CSU graduate
May 2008
Thirty years ago, Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter graduated from Colorado State University. He will return to his alma mater this weekend to deliver remarks at the university's College of Liberal Arts commencement at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, May 17 in Moby Arena.
Gov. Ritter: Then & Now
(7 images)
Bill Ritter proudly accepts his CSU diploma in 1978.
The future governor smiles for the camera.
The political science graduate in May 1978.
The happy graduate with family members in 1978.
Gov. Ritter signs the first bill of the 2008 legislative session.
At DIA, Gov. Ritter makes a major announcement.
Gov. Ritter greets Colorado military men and women.
Ritter and four of his siblings attended CSU. The governor earned his undergraduate degree in political science from Colorado State in 1978 from the College of Liberal Arts. His former political science professor, John Straayer, taught Ritter when he was a freshman through 1974 and 1975. Today, Straayer continues to teach political science full-time at the university and has become a well-known political expert among national media outlets.
Value of public universities
"Our governor's successful career is a testimony to the value of public colleges and universities, and a solid liberal arts education. His story is one of hard work, humanitarian values and extraordinary public service - a story that may not have been possible in the absence of institutions like Colorado State University," said Straayer.
"However, the bottom line is the success he has had in his career is in part due to my teaching and his failures can be attributed to the lectures he missed," joked Straayer.
Worked hard, played hard
As a student, Ritter played intramural football, winning at least two championships. In one game, the governor broke his nose but continued to play the entire game. He worked part-time as a work-study as part of the campus cleaning crew and in construction as a pipe layer to help pay his way through college.
The College of Liberal Arts plans to award 936 baccalaureate degrees for the combined 2008 spring and summer commencement. Nearly 800 students will welcome Gov. Ritter back to his alma mater when he addresses them this weekend. At CSU, each college and school hosts its own commencement, unlike other universities that have one large combined commencement.
Liberal Arts largest college at Colorado State
In 1978, Colorado State University's total enrollment was 18,223 students including 3,708 in the College of Liberal Arts - then the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. Thirty years later, the student population at CSU has grown to 24,700 students; the College of Liberal Arts has nearly 4,500 undergraduate students and more than 350 graduate students.
As the largest college at Colorado State, Liberal Arts has 12 departments and seven centers for scholarly research. Undergraduate students are enrolled in 14 undergraduate majors, 20 minors, and a variety of interdisciplinary study options. Students are taught by more than 300 full-time faculty members.
Live Web broadcast
Gov. Ritter's address and the entire ceremony will be broadcast live via the Web.
