Each year, the Adams State University Foundation presents the Willis Fassett Jr. award to someone who has been a strong supporter of the university. One of this year’s recipients – Duane Bussey ‘82 – has a better idea than most what that means. Bussey served on the Foundation’s Board of Directors for more than 20 years.
“When I got the call, it was humbling and also made me feel very proud. I knew what was involved in the selection criteria and knew of the people who received the award in the past, people I have a ton of respect for, who have done a lot,” he said.
Bussey will receive with the award, which includes the Buffalo Chant bronze, created by William Moyers ’39, at the Annual Donor and Student Recognition Dinner on October 10. “When you get an award like this, you always think, ‘I haven’t done some of the things these folks have done.’”
Bussey is modest. The truth is, he has a nearly unmatched resume when it comes to supporting the university. In addition to his time on the Foundation, he also served as president of both the Alumni Association and the Grizzly Club Board of Directors. When he resigned from the Foundation in 2022, it was so he could join the University’s Board of Trustees, where he currently serves as Chair. About this role and contribution, his manner is still self-effacing.
“Michele Lueck, our past chair, left big shoes to fill, and even though I have a lot of background with Adams State, there’s so much involved in the trustee role,” he said. “My learning curve may not have been as steep as some, but it’s still steep.”
Giving Back Is an Ethic
Bussey retired from San Luis Valley Bank in 2021 after a 39-year career, 17 of which he spent as CEO. During his tenure, he had front-row seat to the evolution of the financial services industry.
“When I started at the bank, we were making home loans at 15 and 16 percent. And there was no World Wide Web,” he said. “It was exciting to watch the bank grow and watch it get into new areas, like online banking and mobile banking.”
But most importantly, he found a place that shaped and merged with his personal values. It was during his first years at the bank that Bussey learned to appreciate the importance of civic engagement and community service. He heeded the lessons of his mentors, including Tom Gilmore, his favorite business professor at Adams State and an SLV Board Member, who would eventually serve as the university’s seventh president.
“At SLV Bank, community was part of the ethic. The mentors I had there, especially Bob Foote and Dale Hettinger, showed me that giving back to the community was important, that getting involved in the community was important,” said Bussey. “It was genuine. It wasn’t for some ulterior motive. They really encouraged me and expected everyone to be involved if they wanted to be part of the leadership team. And everyone at the bank just knew how important Adams State was to the community.”
As Chair of the Board of Trustees, he hopes to continue championing the university and its commitment to the San Luis Valley. “Adams State has had a different mission than most of the schools in Colorado. We’ve got to make sure we’re a comfortable place for first generation students, and we really need to live up to our HSI designation,” he said. “Right now, we’ve got a great climate on campus. Dr. Tandberg has told our story to the local community and to the state legislature in a way that hasn’t been told in a heck of a long time. We’re moving down the right path. It’s really positive in spite of the challenges that higher education is facing.”
