Giving back is important for donors Bill and Jan Beitz and Gene and Carol Vaughan. Both couples support programs promoting health in Colorado State University’s Department of Health and Exercise Science, and students and community members have benefited greatly from their dedication to funding outreach, research, and scholarships. They will be honored for their commitment to the college with the College of Health and Human Sciences Friend of the College Award on April 27.
Both couples are members of the CSU Morgan Society in recognition of their lifetime giving to CSU.
“Through years of generosity, Carol and Gene, and Jan and Bill have made an impact on so many programs in CHHS by giving of their time and resources and advocacy,” said Dean Lise Youngblade. “It takes special partners like the Beitzes and Vaughans who make philanthropic investments in not only student scholarships, but also the research, facilities, and outreach programs that help our University achieve its land-grant mission. We truly couldn’t do this work without them.”
Jan and Bill Beitz
Jan and Bill bleed green and gold and have been supporting CSU for more than 30 years. Bill (’66, business administration) and Jan have financially supported programs, scholarships, and the Homecoming Race in Health and Exercise Science. They have been Bronze sponsors of the Homecoming 5K for more than 10 years. In 2007, Bill led the initiative to create the Attack Pack Scholarship endowment in the department as way to honor a group of heart attack survivors, many of whom participate in the department’s Adult Fitness Program.
Bill’s passion, energy, tenacity, dedication, and personal generosity ensured that the scholarship fund grew rapidly and in just five months reached the endowment level. The scholarship is for a health and exercise science student who is planning a career in cardiac rehabilitation.
Jan and Bill also donate to the Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising, and Jan volunteers her time with Fashion Fundamentals, a STEM summer camp for underprivileged youth in the Department of Design and Merchandising. She shares her sewing skills and time with middle-school girls who attend the camp. When essential workers at CSU needed to be on campus at the beginning of the pandemic, Jan hand-sewed masks for CSU employees and connected CSU to sewing guilds and community members in the local sewing community who joined the cause. Jan and Bill attend many college and CSU events throughout the year and are wonderful ambassadors for CSU.
Gene and Carol Vaughan
Gene (’70, ‘72) and Carol (’71) Vaughan are both alumni of the Department of Health and Exercise Science as physical education graduates. They have been supporting the college for 35 years – giving back to initiatives in Health and Exercise Science.
The Vaughans helped support the vision of former department head, the late Gay Israel, who built renowned research and outreach programs in his 18 years in that role. Their generous gifts to the Human Performance Clinical Research Lab and the Heart Disease Prevention Program helped move the department forward.
They also have completely underwritten the annual scholarship fund for Youth Sport Camps, which supports underserved youth who want to attend the camps. Gene and Carol have also served as long-time Gold sponsors of the annual Homecoming Race through their business, RE/MAX ALLIANCE. On more than one occasion, the RE/MAX hot air balloon has made an appearance at the race.
In 2016, the Vaughans provided a meaningful gift to name the Courtyard at the Health and Exercise Science Teaching Facility in honor of Israel. Read more about their gift on SOURCE.
Watch a video recognizing Gene and Carol for their outstanding support of CSU.
