Media Advisory: CSU celebrates 25th anniversary of annual Fall Address and University Picnic tomorrow, Sept. 29

Note to reporters: CSU’S Fall address will be livestreamed on the Lory Student Center’s YouTube channel at https://col.st/pBcVi.

WHAT/WHEN

For the first time since 2019, the traditional Fall Address and University Picnic at Colorado State University will return to the historic Oval at 11 a.m. on Sept. 29, in celebration of its 25th anniversary.

WHERE

The event will be held on the southwest corner of the Oval from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 29. It will feature remarks from Interim President Rick Miranda at 11:30 a.m., an appearance by CAM the Ram and performances by the CSU Marching Band, followed by the picnic.

The Oval will be closed for parking that morning, and CSU dining centers will be closed with the exception of Braiden, The Foundry and Ram’s Horn.

DETAILS

While an annual address from the CSU president has been a tradition since at least the mid-1980s, it wasn’t until the devastating Spring Creek Flood of July 1997 that it took on new meaning and a new format, including a complimentary lunch for the entire University community.

When the flood hit Fort Collins and the CSU campus that year, it inundated the Lory Student Center Theater, where the annual address was traditionally held. Because of the damage, the address was relocated to the Oval as then-President Albert Yates called the community together in the fall for the event.

He added the free picnic on the Oval as a thank you to the University community for pulling together in the aftermath and recovery effort. Afterward, the Fall Address and University Picnic became an annual autumn tradition at Colorado State University. It was not held in 2020 due to the pandemic, and in 2021 it was restructured to be a “Fall Reflection” on the west lawn of the LSC. But this year, on its 25th anniversary, CSU leaders decided to return to the traditional Fall Address format on the Oval, including the picnic.

CONTACT

Members of the media who would like to attend should contact Jennifer Dimas at Jennifer.Dimas@colostate.edu.