Colorado College received an anonymous $8.5 million commitment that will provide support for the further development of its innovation program. The commitment includes $6 million toward a $15 million building for innovation and $2.5 million to permanently endow a professorship in innovation. The commitment, one of the largest gifts in CC’s history, comes after Forbes listed CC as the third “Most Entrepreneurial College in America” and U.S. News & World Report ranked it first for innovation among national liberal arts colleges.

“Colorado College is becoming a nationally recognized leader in innovation. So this commitment is not only extraordinarily generous, but also, its timing could not be better,” says President Jill Tiefenthaler.

The anonymous donor cited CC’s unique approach to innovation, noting that the college weaves innovation and entrepreneurship throughout the liberal arts. “My goal in making this gift is to obliterate silos and ensure that Colorado College students from all academic backgrounds are equipped and given the opportunity to realize their dreams while changing the world in significant, positive ways,” the donor says.

Current plans for an innovation facility include a product development laboratory, recording studio, and food ecology laboratory. CC plans to raise another $6 million before breaking ground.