CC alumni Jeff Keller ’91 and David Keller ’95 announced a $4 million commitment to the Keller Family Venture Grant Program for individual student research on Thursday, Nov. 5, at CC’s Keller Family Venture Grant Forum. The announcement includes $3 million to permanently endow the program, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.

Anna Cain ’17

The program provided $121,750 to 134 Colorado College students for research and experiential projects during the 2014-15 academic year, and many of those students presented at the forum. One of them was Anna Cain ’17, an English major who studied James Joyce’s “Ulysses” and its ongoing impact on Ireland. She used funds from her Venture Grant to travel to Dublin to research the commercialism that has developed from the book. Another student who received a Venture Grant was Soren Frykholm ’18, who presented “Going the Distance:  The Effects of Travel on Team” about his travel experiences with the men’s soccer team.

Soren Frykholm ’18

The additional funding available as a result of the Kellers’ $3 million endowment gift will not only ensure that the program continues, but it also supports an additional 20 grants annually. Many student projects require funding beyond the grant’s current $1,000 per-project award; the gift allows the college to award additional funds up to $500 for as many as 72 Venture Grant projects annually.

“The Kellers’ steadfast commitment to the Venture Grant Program has benefited more than 1,000 students over the past decade,” said President Jill Tiefenthaler. “Their impact on Colorado College is already immeasurable. Their most recent gift — and the possibilities it holds  for our students — is extraordinary.”