Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: Cora Zaletel
May 15, 2003	External Affairs
	(719) 549-2810

University of Southern Colorado Name Change Gala to Benefit Students

Pueblo -- A journey through seven decades of food, music, and trivia awaits guests at the Name Change Gala and Scholarship Benefit on Friday, June 27, one of several events scheduled this summer to celebrate the official name change of the University of Southern Colorado to Colorado State University - Pueblo on July 1. All proceeds from the event will benefit future generations of students through an unrestricted scholarship fund. Nearly 80 percent of USC students receive some form of financial assistance.

The Name Change Gala and Scholarship Benefit begins at 6 p.m. with cocktails, a silent auction, and music by a student jazz band combo. Motivational speaker Mark Towers will incorporate campus, local, and national news from the past seven decades in between sets of dance tunes through the years by the band, "Changing Times." Seven buffet stations will mirror trends of the times as well, providing variety to the taste buds from Beef Wellington (1950s) to fondue (1970s).
The evening will conclude as USC President Ron Applbaum honors members of USC's President's Club, presents the inaugural President's Medallions for Distinguished Service, and joins with members of the university's various constituent groups in an official "Name Change" ceremony.

Tickets for the event at $100 per person or $1,250 per corporate table. Sponsorship opportunities are available to underwrite major portions of the event from entertainment and music to signage and printing. For additional information or to make reservations, call (719) 549-2810.

On July 1, the United States Postal Service will set up the Occhiato University Center to offer a special postal cancellation to commemorate the name change. Cake and refreshments will be available to campus and community members throughout the day. In addition, the university hopes to unveil the new CSU-Pueblo signage that will be installed at all three campus entrances - Bonforte Blvd., Troy St., and Walking Stick Blvd.

The university will take the name change festivities downtown as it sponsors the June 13 B-Street Bash and to the skies with a July 4 Fireworks event along with the Sertoma Club. An art fair, food festival, and concerts by numerous community groups will begin early afternoon and build toward the fireworks at approximately 9 p.m. display on the grounds west of campus.

Numerous events during the first week of classes at the end of August will allow students and faculty to kickoff the first academic year at Colorado State University - Pueblo, including the dedication by students of a bronze wolf sculpture to the university and dedications of the newly renovated Life Sciences and Physic/Math buildings.

The University of Southern Colorado is a regional, comprehensive university emphasizing professional, career-oriented, and applied programs. Displaying excellence in teaching, celebrating diversity, and engaging in service and outreach, USC is distinguished by access, opportunity, and the overall quality of services provided to its students.