A Legacy of Giving: Galen and Bonnie Frantz

From the small town of Sugar City, Colo., to far overseas in the country of Nigeria, Galen and Bonnie Frantz have spent their lives rooted in agriculture and education. The 45-year history they have shared between their two careers at Colorado State University, in addition to four children who are alumni, makes them true to the University's land-grant mission and, of course, the RAMS!!

The Frantzes began their long-term relationship with CSU when Galen decided to go back to school after returning from World War II, and Bonnie went to work in the office of International Programs. Upon receiving his master's, Galen, too, began working for the office of International Programs. When the opportunity arose for 25 families to go to Nigeria to set up a CSU field office, Bonnie and Galen were on the bandwagon. Bonnie was in charge of setting up the office, while Galen was the business manager of the Nigeria contract. After two years in Nigeria, they returned to the United States and continued working for the University until retiring.

They may have retired in 1985, but their relationship with Colorado State continues. Galen and Bonnie have set up a scholarship through the CSU Women's Association in memory of their daughter, Maybelle Frantz. They have also included CSU in their estate plans by supporting both the CSUWA, and CSU athletics. Galen and Bonnie are also members of the University's President's Council, the 1870 Club, and the Frontier Society.

Bonnie has been actively involved with the CSUWA fundraising committee since 1998. When she joined the committee there were only three scholarships offered. Bonnie is proud that in just eight years they raised enough money to fully endow the CSUWA Scholarship Fund, which now awards up to 25 scholarships a year. Bonnie says, "What's nice about a scholarship is that you can set it up in memory of a person, it pays you back, and it continues forever."

As for Galen, he has not slowed down either. He keeps busy taking care of their rentals, and takes pride in the fact that their renters are all CSU students. It also pleases him that for the most part, students who rent from the Frantzes do so for the entire time they attend CSU. "They're really good kids, and they are our future," Galen says.

So what inspired Galen and Bonnie to give so much of their lives to Colorado State? The couple says, "We're just simple people, and we believe that giving has to come from the heart. You have to see the need to give, and what it does for the students. You just have to be willing to give."

If you would like to begin your own legacy of giving at Colorado State University please contact the Gift Planning Office, Director of Planned Giving at @[Phone], or e-mail @[Email] or check out the Planned Giving website at www.plannedgiving.colostate.edu.