As a girl, Diana Sanderson-Mori, '62, often traveled from Pueblo to Fort Collins for 4-H competitions. She found it thrilling to stay in dorms on campus and, when it came time to apply for college, the Colorado State University Foundation was her top choice.

Because Diana had enjoyed a bookkeeping class in high school, she decided to become an accounting major. "I didn't even know what a CPA was at that point," Diana remembers. "But all my professors were very supportive."

After graduating, Diana realized that the field was highly male-dominated. Some firms wouldn't interview her; another hired her but wouldn't allow her to travel to audit company clients. Instead of getting discouraged, Diana persevered.

Diana started her own accounting firm and joined the California CPA Society, where she became the first female president of its education foundation and the second female president of the society. "I wanted to make a difference," she says.

Her desire to make an impact also led Diana to leave a gift in her living trust to CSU's accounting department. The gift will provide scholarships for future students.

"It makes me feel good that I can do that," she says. "I don't care about recognition, but I am extremely proud to have been named to the Accounting Hall of Fame at CSU."

Diana's CSU experience was a formative one, and her gift will now help the next generation of accounting students find success. "My time at CSU gave me the basis for my career and helped me get to where I am," she says. "That's the bottom line."

Follow in Diana's Footsteps With a Gift to CSU

You can make a difference for CSU students, faculty, and programs. To learn more about planned giving options – including trusts, IRA beneficiary designations, and gifts of life insurance, securities, or real estate – contact the Office of Gift Planning at (970) 491-4254 or giftplanning@colostate.edu.