Colorado State University's Pueblo and Fort Collins Campuses Invite Community to Inaugural 'Festival on the Hill' Celebration

Pueblo- Entertainment and cuisine celebrating the diverse cultures of Pueblo will be highlighted as part of the inaugural Festival on the Hill community event, scheduled from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 24 on the Colorado State University - Pueblo campus.

Alumni of both the Pueblo and Fort Collins campuses will be in attendance in addition to local community leaders and CSU System Board of Governors members. The event falls one day before the official opening of the Colorado State Fair on Friday, Aug. 25 and will be officially proclaimed CSU System Day in Pueblo. Colorado State University System Chancellor Larry Edward Penley will welcome incoming CSU-Pueblo President Joseph Garcia, who will begin his duties on Aug. 21.

“We look forward to celebrating both the wonderful cultures of the region as well as the longstanding relationship between Colorado State University and the Pueblo community,” said Penley.

Alumni of both schools and the general public are invited at no charge to enjoy a hors d’oeuvres buffet and soft drinks. A cash bar also will be available. Attendees will take home a complimentary gift that appropriately represents Pueblo. Entertainment will include
a jazz group of CSU-Pueblo music faculty, the dancers of Grupo Folklorico, accordion music by John Skul and Gary Kleinheim, magic and balloon animals by Cliff Tiffany and Marty Wayne, Native American drummers, and an Italian vocalist from Centennial High School.

The two schools have been collaborating for years, according to Interim President Russ Meyer, but since the name change of the University of Southern Colorado to CSU-Pueblo in 2003, the partnership has taken on even greater significance. In the last few years, the schools have partnered to offer new programs like the undergraduate program in nutrition and a graduate program in English and have worked together administratively in various areas from athletics and career fairs to marketing.

For more information, call 719-549-2810 or 1-800-286-ALUM.

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