Alumni, staff, faculty and community members are coming together under the Adams100 umbrella to plan events and build community pride for Adams State University as it approaches its 100-year anniversary.
On August 9, the Adams100 committee gathered to review the last six-months of planning for the centennial celebration in 2021. “We have a story worth telling and worth celebrating. To say we have come a long way in 100 years is an understatement,” said ASU President Cheryl Lovell.
The Adams100 Commission was created by the school’s board of trustees to plan events for Adams State’s 100th birthday in 2021. Its membership includes Alamosa Mayor Ty Coleman; Herman and Patsy Martinez, who in 1972 established Las Semillas de la Tierra dance group at Adams State among other efforts; local business leaders Kindra Lambert and Wendi Seger; Alamosa State Bank President Russ Achatz; First Southwest Bank President Jeni Jack-Goodwin; Alamosa County Manager Gigi Dennis; Alamosa community treasure Mary Motz; Monte Vista community treasure Colette Skeff; former Adams State presidents Bill Fulkerson and Tom Gilmore, among other members.
Committee members are helping Adams State plan events for the University’s 100th birthday and to establish a 100-year fundraising strategy. As they work through the planning, the Adams100 Commission is encouraged to reach out and help everyone in their personal and professional lives to re-engage, re-connect, and re-commit to Adams State.
Seger, an Adams State alumni and owner of Locavores, has taken steps to increase Adams State pride within the community and encouraged Adams100 Commission members to join in showing support for the institution.
Alamosa County Tourism and Alamosa County Chamber staffs are working with Adams State students on a “Discover Alamosa” event for Saturday, Aug. 17, as part of Adams State Welcome Back Week events. Adams State begins the 2019-20 school year on Aug. 19.
The city of Alamosa, through its Parks and Recreation Department, is also helping build Adams State spirit. Adams State flags on Main Street, business windows decorated, Grizzly paw prints on streets are part of the “Paint the Town Green” efforts that Alamosa residents will begin to see.
Adams State is also working with residents in towns across the San Luis Valley to showcase their support for the University.
In 1921, the bill creating Adams State Teacher’s College was passed in the legislature, thanks in large part to San Luis Valley residents who saw the need to train teachers and the tenacity of Billy Adams.
The Adams100 Commission will look to stage events over the next two years to build the spirit of Adams State across the San Luis Valley.
