Alamosa State Bank, its owners, officers, and employees have supported the success of Adams State University throughout the shared histories of the two major institutions. Prominent community members are recorded in the annals of both institutions as the bank has always recognized the importance of Adams State in the San Luis Valley and its role as a regional educational provider.
Alamosa State Bank Chief Executive Officer Russell Achatz on Monday presented the latest gift of $100,000 to Adams State President Cheryl D. Lovell. Joining Achatz in the presentation were members of the Alamosa State Bank Board of Directors.
This gift will support the 100-year celebration of Adams State in 2021 and makes Alamosa State Bank a Billy Adams Sponsor for the year-long celebration.
“Adams State will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2021,” Lovell said. “This generous gift will help ensure the success of many of our projects already in the works and gives us all the sense of belonging to this incredible community.”
“Alamosa State Bank is pleased to continue the long tradition of supporting Adams State, which has been a priority of the Bank for decades,” said Achatz, Adams State Class of 1985. “The bank recognizes the positive impact Adams State has on its students, who might not have access to a college education otherwise.”
Alamosa State Bank has always participated in Adams State projects, both long-term and special occasions. The bank has been a corporate sponsor of the Grizzly Club since its inception, and funds four scholarships per year valued at resident tuition and college service fee.
The bank also contributes to special one-time projects, the most recent including the North Campus Capital Campaign; the Salazar Rio Grande del Norte Center; the 50-Year Olympic Trials anniversary; the purchase of softball uniforms; video boards in Plachy Hall; partnering on the Rex Field scoreboard; the purchase of HD cameras for streaming athletics and new helmets; and the purchase of six of the Old Mose bronze sculptures during a fundraiser for the Grizzly courtyard, among other contributions
It’s not only financial support that counts as supporting Adams State. Alamosa State Bank has several employees who are graduates, including Chas Moeller, president, and several other officers, management members, and employees. The staff serves on boards and committees at Adams State. In fact, Achatz served as Adams State University Foundation president from 2007 to 2017, and Moeller was recently appointed to the Grizzly Club Board
From Henry Zacheis, one of the ASB’s first presidents, to current owners, the vested interest in the support of the University continues. Alamosa State Bank is locally owned by the Estate of Henry “Butch” and Izora (Adams State Class of 1966) Southway; the Estate of Tom and Donna Ford; the Estate of Paul “Bud” and Pat Nielsen; Leroy and Rosalie (Adams State Class of 1986) Martinez, and Achatz. A smaller percentage is held by children of the above owners and officers of the bank. Bank directors include chairperson Jamie (Nielsen) Cox, Leroy Martinez, Rocky Southway, Jeff Martinez, Debbie Ford, Achatz and Moeller.
The Southways have contributed to Adams Sate everything from landscaping materials to scholarships, the latest a memorial scholarship to honor Butch Southway. Izora Southway and Rosalie Martinez served on several boards and foundations, and Rosalie was a professor and later vice president at Adams State. She and Leroy have contributed materials from their businesses as well as established scholarships. Rosalie received the 2004 Outstanding Alumna Award and the Southways received the 2008 Billy Adams Award. The Adams State Nielsen Library is named in honor of the Nielsens, for their generosity. Ford was instrumental in establishing scholarships through the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee and other national potato councils.
“We all value Adams State and understand the significance of a well-educated community and the financial impact the University has on the Valley,” Achatz said.
