Hoovers contribute $5M to CU Boulder

BOULDER — Suzanne and David Hoover, long-time donors and advocates for education, have contributed $5 million to support the School of Education and other disciplines at the University of Colorado Boulder.

David Hoover is former chairman of Ball Corp., and Suzanne Hoover is a former educator and member of the development board for the School of Education. She’s also a member of the CU Foundation.

The donation will be used to fund learning labs and dynamic collaborative spaces.

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Rocky Mountain Health Plans (RMHP), part of the UnitedHealthcare family, has pledged its commitment to uplift these communities through substantial investments in organizations addressing the distinct needs of our communities.

The Hoovers are donating $2.5 million toward a renovation project that will help the school transform space in its future new home in the Fleming Building to reflect its mission of excellence and innovation in education. Housed in the current Education Building since the early 1950s, the school will move in early 2020.

The Hoovers are also supporting interdisciplinary offerings through the Center for Western Civilization, Thought and Policy, the College of Music and CU Athletics through an additional $2.5 million in support.

“The Hoover family’s generous gift allows us to create collaborative and welcoming spaces within our new building that will bring together faculty, staff, students and members of our surrounding educational community,” Dean of the School of Education Kathy Schultz said in a written statement. “It will enable us to better work together to transform the educational opportunities for children now and in the future.”

Suzanne Hoover said she strongly believes in the “power of education to transform lives,” which is why she and her husband wanted to make this investment.

“When we invest in education, we’re investing in our communities,” she said. “We’re hopeful that our gift inspires others to do the same.”

Education Assistant Professor Melissa Braaten said she is eager to align the spaces where teachers-to-be learn with the school’s curricular focus.

“It’s exciting to think that we’ll be able to design our spaces specifically to make innovative education and learning possible,” Braaten said.

Other investments from the Hoover’s gift include: $1 million in support of the Center for Western Civilization, Thought and Policy and CU Boulder’s mission to cultivate diverse leaders; and $1 million to CU Athletics. The latter will support student-athlete excellence and establish endowments for educational support in the football and basketball programs.

Additionally, the Hoovers are committing $500,000 to the College of Music, expanding its previously established Hoover Fund for Music Education and enhancing the college’s innovative Trying on Teaching and Middle School Ensemble programs. A portion of the investment will support the expansion of the Imig Music Building.

“The Hoovers recognize the need for shaping great educators and strong leaders,” said Chancellor Philip P. DiStefano. “Through their gift, the Hoovers are creating a legacy of support for future generations of students, educators and leaders at CU Boulder.”

The Hoovers are both graduates of DePauw University, which received a $25 million gift from them in 2012.