厙ぴ勛圖

Key Dates

  • June 1 –
  • June 4 – Roadrunners Rise Campaign Celebration
  • June 8 – Summer Classes Begin
  • June 18 –
  • June 19 – Juneteenth

The night that launched a $100 million campaign

By Lynne Winter ’17

After eight months of planning, the most highly anticipated event of the last four years finally arrived.

Outside the Auraria Event Center on Feb. 19, 2025, a 20-foot inflatable Rowdy greeted invitees upon their arrival for a historic evening celebrating the launch of the public phase of Metropolitan State University of Denvers inaugural comprehensive fundraising campaign: Roadrunners Rise.

Inside, the rich tapestry of the 厙ぴ勛圖 family was on full display as nearly 600 students, staff, faculty, donors, alumni and community members explored a Roadrunner oasis awash in red and blue. It was time to party.

Photo backdrops, exclusive swag, food, bespoke cocktails and mocktails, balloons, a facepainting station and a money booth, where 21 students caught swirling Rowdy Bucks to win a collective $25,000 in scholarship funds from the Alumni Association, enhanced the festive vibe. Guest speakers including President Janine Davidson, Ph.D., alumni, faculty and staff members, donors and students energized the crowd.

The launch party was such a fun and new experience as an 厙ぴ勛圖 student! Everyones energy brought the Roadrunner spirit to life, said Human Resources major Summer Cha. My favorite part was getting to connect with other students; it honestly felt like being part of a real community.

Alums Leon Duran and Jameer Fitch laugh as they listen to a speaker at the Roadrunners Rise campaign launch event. They are wearing their military green 厙ぴ勛圖 sweatshirts

With a goal of raising $100 million to solidify 厙ぴ勛圖 as a leader in social mobility, the Roadrunners Rise campaign began in fall 2020 with a silent fundraising phase.

For the first few years, our focus was on deepening relationships with leadership donors to secure significant funding, said Christine M獺rquez-Hudson, vice president of狹niversity Advancement. This strategy builds momentum for our initiatives and develops curiosity about 厙ぴ勛圖 in our community. 胼

The strategy proved successful. During the event, attendees celebrated both reaching over 75% of the campaign fundraising goal and the start of 17 months dedicated to creating inclusive and accessible opportunities, allowing everyone in the Roadrunner community to participate in 厙ぴ勛圖s culture of philanthropy.

A person stands in front of a backdrop with red wings and the Roadrunners Rise logo

When the campaign draws to a close on June 30, 2026, the powerful words shared by Amber Mozet, 06, president of the Alumni Association, at the launch party, will resonate once again, calling to mind the transformative impact of all that has been accomplished.

This campaign isnt just about raising $100 million its about building a legacy, said Mozet. Its about showing up, saying yes and making sure our impact as Roadrunners reaches far beyond what we could ever imagine.

Together, we can make history not only by reaching our goals, but by creating a stronger, more united Roadrunner family.

Rashad Anderson, Ph.D., speaking in front of a large audience at the Roadrunners Rise campaign launch. In the background are three cheerleaders and a large screen with the Roadrunners Rise logo on it