CC alumni are everywhere, and are uniquely qualified to make a difference in the world, and for Colorado College. Their combined efforts result in robust recruitment, stronger rankings, and career and internship placement.

Robust Recruitment

“Often, prospective students first hear about Colorado College from our alumni. Two years ago, the admission staff told a prospective student — a full-need student who couldn’t pay a dime to attend — that he had been accepted to Colorado College. His reaction was subdued,” says Leah Fugere ’12, assistant director of admission.

“Next, we heard from the Financial Aid Office that he would be receiving a full scholarship. He cried with joy at the news. It was a significant moment for me to observe and remember: the scholarship was more important to him than the acceptance offer.”

Stronger Rankings

Jim Parco P’16, Gerald L. Schlessman professor and associate chair of the Department of Business and Economics, has developed an intensive, nine-day course personal finance course covering budgeting, credit cards, student loans, buying houses and cars, taxes, investing, and retirement planning. One topic that comes up regularly in this class is charitable giving.

“I remind our students that when they leave the college, we want them ‘to do well, to do good.’ I frequently use giving to CC as an example. A small gift of any amount — even $5 per year — does a lot more good than they might realize. Aside from the contributions to financial aid for less-fortunate students, participation through annual giving is also the only category in which alumni can influence U.S. News & World Report rankings. It is NOT the amount of the gifts the college receives, but rather the percentage of the alumni base that gives something — or, rather, anything each and every year,” says Parco.

Career and Internship Placement

A chance encounter led Parker McVey ’17 to a summer internship at Wold Energy Partners.

“By coincidence, I met Matt Kelly, a Colorado College annual giving officer, and I shared my interest of interning at an energy firm. A few weeks later, Matt connected me with Court Wold ’06. The interview went very well and shortly after, I secured an internship. Court has implemented a Block Plan-inspired style into his business and, consequently, into my internship. I have multiple, challenging projects with ambitious due dates that I am constantly working toward completing. Matt was essential in making all this happen, and I’m very thankful for his willingness to reach out and help me,” says McVey.