“The overall goal remains steadfast, ambitious and far-reaching: to provide the finest medical care in the world, to push the science behind that care to new horizons, and to train those who will deliver it in the future,” said CU Anschutz Chancellor Donald Elliman.
This work is fueled by philanthropy, and the annual Benefactor Recognition Dinner highlighted the progress made possible by our community of support. More than 475 people attended the 2019 event in the Seawell Ballroom at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts on Feb. 28.
CU Anschutz Chancellor Don Elliman, center, introduces special honorees Ted Harms, left, and Christian Anschutz, right, from The Anschutz Foundation at the dinner.
This year’s gathering highlighted two special honorees: The Anschutz Foundation and The Marcus Foundation. Hosts for the evening included Chancellor Elliman and UCHealth President and CEO Elizabeth Concordia, with special guests CU President Bruce Benson and CU First Lady Marcy Benson.
The event started with a video demonstrating the rapid growth of the CU Anschutz Medical Campus and the power of philanthropy for advancing its forward trajectory.
Click here to watch the videos.
“Back in the late 1990s, a group of leaders at CU, facing considerable opposition, had the imagination to look at 230 acres of dirt and decrepit buildings and envision a thriving healthcare campus,” said Elliman. “All this has been made possible with your support in the 20 years since. Our task is now to imagine the course for the next 20 years.”
Marcus Ruzek, left, of The Marcus Foundation and Spencer Milo of the Marcus Institute for Brain Health step to the podium as special honorees at the annual Benefactor Recognition Dinner.
The Benefactor Recognition Dinner demonstrated the power of philanthropy and the unique characteristics of an academic medial campus that together add up to more than the sum of its parts. “When I first visited the Anschutz Medical Campus several years ago, I was amazed at what this campus offers,” said Concordia. “Beautiful, state-of-the-art buildings, nationally recognized education and research programs, excellent health care – and most importantly, exceptional people.”
CU President Bruce Benson and CU First Lady Marcy Benson receive a custom saddle embossed with the CU Anschutz Medical Campus logo.
In honor of President Benson’s final year at CU, Chancellor Elliman presented the Bensons with a custom saddle dually embossed with their family’s brand and the CU Anschutz Medical Campus logo.
“We hope you share our excitement about how far we’ve come and where our momentum will take us next,” said Elliman. “You helped us write the recent chapters of our history together, and you will be essential to the next one.”
Guest contributor: Devin Lynn, Office of Advancement