“For alumni who have lost touch with the University, I would want them to know what a friendly place it is, what a fantastic campus there is today, and what fun it is to connect with alums,” says Bill Stolfus.
Bill Stolfus (BSBA ’56, MBA ’64) credits his wife, Ann Richardson Stolfus (BA ’56), for reconnecting him with the University of Denver.
And he credits the University of Denver for reconnecting him with Ann.
It was at his 40th reunion in 1996 that he bumped into Ann Richardson, whom he had met, and dated, back in 1952 when they both were in the DU marching band.
“We both played saxophone,” he recalls. “But I switched to the downtown campus and we went our separate ways. We reconnected in the year of our 40th reunion.”
In 2000, Ann received DU’s Randolph P. McDonough Award for Service to Alumni, given to an individual who has served DU alumni in a noteworthy and significant fashion. It’s only fitting that it’s the same award Bill received this year at the annual Founders Day Gala.
The two started dating after the reunion and married in 2002. And together they became strong advocates for the University.
“Ever since we reconnected, we’ve been very involved in the University — becoming more involved with the Lamont Society, the University Library Association, DU ART, the alumni relations department,” Bill Stolfus says. “From time to time, we serve on other committees.”
Most notably, in 2008 the pair helped form PALs (Pioneer Alumni Legends), an alumni affinity group for those who graduated from DU 50 or more years ago.
Stolfus helps organize the annual PALs Summer Soiree at the Cherry Hills Country Club, an annual luncheon prior to a Lamont School of Music matinee performance and an annual evening out at a DU athletics event, as well as lifelong learning opportunities such as the annual Pioneer Symposium and the Divisions of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences’ faculty lecture series.
Stolfus is vocal about encouraging alumni to participate and give back to DU: “For alumni who have lost touch with the University, I would want them to know what a friendly place it is, what a fantastic campus there is today, and what fun it is to connect with alums.”