Giving in Action

$10M investment to invigorate sustainability education at �� Boulder

Megan Maneval — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 18:47:50 +0000

$10M investment to invigorate sustainability education at �� Boulder Megan Maneval Tue, 08/05/2025 - 12:47

Left to right: Vice Chancellor for Sustainability Andrew Mayock, alumnus and donor Spike Buckley, and Chancellor Justin Schwartz at the signing ceremony.

A $10 million gift from a �� Boulder alumnus will transform the way sustainability is taught at �� Boulder—empowering students and faculty to create a more environmentally sustainable future in the face of a changing climate.

Through a venture-style investment designed for rapid impact, the gift from Spike Buckley will establish the Buckley Center for Sustainability Education. Buckley’s donation will provide $2 million annually for the next five years to implement a robust sustainability curriculum across campus, advance faculty impact and educate students for a more sustainable future.

“�� Boulder is already a powerhouse in sustainability and climate research,” said Chancellor Justin Schwartz. “Spike's remarkably generous gift will allow us to better support the growing number of students across disciplines who are seeking the knowledge, skills and experiences to lead and thrive in a rapidly changing world.”

Investing in a more sustainable future

Universities play a key role in helping students engage with the environmental challenges shaping our future. The new Buckley Center for Sustainability Education will guide this work at �� Boulder, providing resources to students, faculty and staff to deepen their knowledge and strengthen their ability to integrate sustainability into the curriculum.

In this way, the center will help respond to the growing demand for sustainability education and support students in their pursuit of meaningful work.

Through course development, teaching collaborations, learning modules and tech tools, the center will create best practices and offer support for integrating sustainability concepts into courses across campus. The center will also support faculty in effectively teaching sustainability concepts—for example, through a fellowships program, curriculum ambassadors, professional development and recognition for outstanding sustainability educators.

“The Buckley Center will use a hub-and-spoke approach to accelerate this work, serving as the central coordinator for sustainability-related curricular efforts on campus,” said Andrew Mayock, �� Boulder’s vice chancellor for sustainability.

“By fostering a collaborative and dynamic environment for learning, research and real-world application, the center will not only prepare students to tackle environmental challenges but empower them to lead global solutions.”

Lastly, all students on campus will have the opportunity to participate in experiential learning, civic engagement, career pathways and leadership development related to sustainability, including through a new, competitive Buckley Scholars Program for students committed to sustainability work.

�� Boulder is uniquely equipped to continue its leadership role in sustainability education. By combining its legacy of environmental leadership—including its fifth STARS Gold rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education—with world-renowned research institutes, academic programs and local partners, the university is an ideal hub for advancing innovative learning.

“The impact of these efforts will resonate around the world, preparing graduates who are equipped to shape a sustainable future for all,” Mayock said.

A legacy of impact

Spike Buckley is a proud graduate of �� Boulder’s economics program and a successful real estate redeveloper with four decades of experience across the U.S. and Canada. A longtime environmental philanthropist and advocate, Buckley founded the nonprofit Earth’s Call Fund in 2019 and One Earth Philanthropy in 2021 to help discover and fund climate solutions.

He has been recognized for his leadership in climate action, including with the Earth Legacy Leadership Award from the American Renewable Energy Day Summit in 2019. He has also served on the boards of several organizations focused on climate, public health and technology, and actively supports a wide range of environmental and conservation causes.

Buckley's gift to establish the Buckley Center for Sustainability Education underscores his confidence and commitment to advancing education in areas critical to the planet’s future.

“Thanks to recent initiatives, events and awards, �� finds itself uniquely positioned to take a leadership role among universities in the drive toward a more sustainable world,” said Buckley. “It is my fervent hope that �� students, faculty and alumni will ultimately see the Center for Sustainability Education as their vehicle to make the world a better place for future generations.”

This gift is part of �� Boulder’s strategic vision and investments in a more sustainable future. For more information, visit colorado.edu/sustainability.

Sustainability at �� Boulder

Recognition and rankings

First university to earn and maintain a STARS Gold rating for five consecutive cycles

Ranked 11th in the U.S. for sustainability by QS World University Rankings (2024)

Top five global rankings in earth and atmospheric sciences

Pioneering achievements

First U.S. campus with a student-run Environmental Center (1970)

Launched the nation’s first campus recycling program (1976)

Among the first universities to commit to carbon neutrality (2007)

First major college football stadium with a zero-waste program

First university to sign the UN’s Sports for Climate Change Action Framework

Academic and research leadership

Sustainability to be integrated across all colleges and schools through the Sustainable Futures Common Curriculum

Home to leading institutes and centers like CIRES, RASEI, INSTAAR, LASP, IBS and NSIDC

Strong national and global research collaborations with federal labs, NGOs and industry partners

Established the campus-wide Sustainability Research Initiative (SRI) in 2024

Climate action and innovation

Climate Action Plan targets 50% emissions reduction by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050

Investments in solar, geothermal and electric fleet upgrades

Zero-waste and net-zero initiatives in athletics facilities

Eliminated single-use beverage plastics on campus (2025)

National leadership and partnerships

Founding member of the University Climate Change Coalition (UC3)

Member of the Board of Directors of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE)

Co-hosted the inaugural Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit with the UN (2022)

Transformative gift to help elevate Leeds School community, mission

Megan Maneval — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 15:25:25 +0000

Transformative gift to help elevate Leeds School community, mission Megan Maneval Mon, 07/21/2025 - 09:25

A significant gift to the Leeds School of Business at �� Boulder will expand experiential learning, enhance student success and mental health, and support faculty excellence—all in service of the mission to elevate business as a force for good.

“This transformative gift to Leeds expands experiential learning for students, empowering them with real-world opportunities,” said Chancellor Justin Schwartz.

“This investment aligns with �� Boulder's broader applied education initiatives across campus, providing tomorrow’s leaders with access to a broad toolkit of resources for their academic and professional success.”

Amplifying experiential learning

In honor of his mentor and friend, �� Boulder alumni John Cumming and the Cumming Foundation are launching the Nicholas Dante Badami Office for Experiential Learning. The new, high-impact initiative will bring together and amplify existing experiential efforts, serving as a hub to strengthen student career outcomes, foster leadership and entrepreneurial mindsets, and ensure professional readiness, better equipping students for lifelong success.

Cumming’s desire to advance experiential learning stems from Badami’s guidance and his own professional experiences.

“Nick used to say, ‘Management starts where the fingertips end,’” said Cumming. “What he meant by that was that management is not just formulaic. It’s not just what is in the job description. It is human.

“I also took it to mean that it requires enhanced EQ [emotional intelligence]...To know how to manage people, I had to have interpersonal relationships and experiences, and I had to navigate existing human organizations. I worked in every department, in every location, with different managers, in different roles, and I learned that the job description wasn’t the only parameter for success.”

Experiential learning deepens students’ understanding of the concepts learned in the classroom and how that knowledge can be applied to careers. Through project-based engagements, students will work in dynamic environments to learn to solve challenges and develop skills that empower them to contribute in professional settings on day one of their careers.

“Students will gain invaluable real-world experiences that deepen their learning, broaden their perspectives and prepare them to lead with confidence, empathy and purpose,” said Vijay Khatri, Tandean Rustandy Endowed Dean at the Leeds School of Business. “This gift will help close the gap between classroom knowledge and real-world impact, shaping the future of business education.”

Business faculty and student excellence

In addition to supporting the new Office for Experiential Learning, the Cumming Foundation’s donation will establish programs that promote well-being and community within Leeds, with a special emphasis on mental health initiatives that foster connection and belonging.

Lastly, the investment will establish two endowed faculty professorships and four fellowships for faculty whose work advances high-impact, cross-disciplinary education in the business school.

These roles strengthen �� Boulder and Leeds’ ability to attract top-tier educators and students while maintaining a reputation for academic excellence. Having exceptional faculty means students can obtain a high-quality education with engaged mentors.

This holistic focus on the student experience, including experiential learning, reinforces �� Boulder’s standing as a national leader in applied business education.

Impactful year for Leeds

Read more impact stories

This transformational gift marks the culmination of Leeds’ best-ever fundraising year, totaling a record-breaking $41.6 million. That total includes a $15 million gift last fall to establish the Klump Center for Real Estate and support student wellness—part of the inspiration for the Cumming Foundation’s own donation.

Cumming is the founder and chairman of POWDR, an adventure lifestyle company. With his foundation’s gift, he honors his mentor Nicholas Dante Badami by naming the new Office of Experiential Learning and associated endowed funds after him.

A pioneering figure in the ski industry and former chairman of the United States Ski Association, Badami shared Cumming’s passion for the outdoors and experiential learning. He played a key role in the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics and was later inducted into the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame.

The Cumming family’s generosity amplifies �� Boulder’s commitment to experiential education and student success. The foundation's transformative gift will strengthen the university’s leadership in applied learning—ensuring students graduate with the skills, experience and confidence to thrive in the job market and lead in the business world.

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Supporting future business and engineering leaders by paying it forward

Megan Maneval — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 18:06:07 +0000

Supporting future business and engineering leaders by paying it forward Megan Maneval Wed, 07/02/2025 - 12:06

Terry and Charlotte Quarton turned their gratitude into impact by creating a scholarship fund at �� Boulder. Through tax-wise giving, they support future business and engineering leaders.

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New endowed professorship in space policy and law to expand frontiers of global collaboration

Megan Maneval — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 19:30:44 +0000

New endowed professorship in space policy and law to expand frontiers of global collaboration Megan Maneval Mon, 06/23/2025 - 13:30

A $2.5 million donation will establish a new endowed professorship in space policy and law, with broad implications for national security, global communications, navigation, weather forecasting and international collaboration.

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Jazz swings forward at �� Boulder thanks to Thompson endowment

Megan Maneval — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 19:17:06 +0000

Jazz swings forward at �� Boulder thanks to Thompson endowment Megan Maneval Thu, 04/10/2025 - 13:17

In the fall, alumni and longtime donors Jack and Jeannie Thompson expanded their endowment, adding a vocal jazz degree option to the Thompson Jazz Studies Program in �� Boulder’s College of Music.

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Buffs All In—tomorrow’s the day!

Megan Maneval — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 14:47:39 +0000

Buffs All In—tomorrow’s the day! Megan Maneval Wed, 03/05/2025 - 07:47

March 6 is �� Boulder’s annual giving day. When you give, it shows your belief in the life-changing work that happens here. Be part of Buffs All In’s collective impact.

Plus: Don’t miss the chance to celebrate with the Buffs community. Stop by Farrand Field from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy free games, giveaways and food. Together, we’re all in.

Explore different causes and donate today!

Tomorrow is �� Boulder’s annual giving day. When you give, it shows your belief in the life-changing work that happens here. Be part of Buffs All In’s collective impact.

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Every dollar counts: The impact of collective giving at �� Boulder

Megan Maneval — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:50:06 +0000

Every dollar counts: The impact of collective giving at �� Boulder Megan Maneval Wed, 02/12/2025 - 09:50

When it comes to philanthropy, it’s easy to get caught up in the multimillion-dollar donations that often make headlines. While these gifts are undeniably transformative, every gift—large and small—adds value.

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$1.9M bequest from �� sweethearts bolsters university’s art museum

Megan Maneval — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 21:17:23 +0000

$1.9M bequest from �� sweethearts bolsters university’s art museum Megan Maneval Mon, 02/10/2025 - 14:17

The �� Boulder Art Museum has received the largest philanthropic gift in its history: a $1.9 million investment reflecting a couple’s love of art and acknowledging the museum’s significance to the campus community.

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Presidents Leadership Class donation expands scholarships, experiential learning

Megan Maneval — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 19:07:07 +0000

Presidents Leadership Class donation expands scholarships, experiential learning Megan Maneval Thu, 02/06/2025 - 12:07

A �� Boulder family with 100 years of history at the university has committed $2.15 million to expand scholarships and experiential learning for students in the Presidents Leadership Class.

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How philanthropy fuels success—with the CAAAS

Elizabeth Lock — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 19:24:25 +0000

How philanthropy fuels success—with the CAAAS Elizabeth Lock Tue, 02/04/2025 - 12:24

The Center for African & African American Studies at �� Boulder, which recently celebrated its third annual CAAAS Day, empowers students and drives impact through donor support.

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Giving in Action

$10M investment to invigorate sustainability education at �� Boulder

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