History of the LSC
Our story began in 1962 and has been evolving since that groundbreaking year. The journey to making the LSC what it is today is nothing short of intriguing. Let’s travel through the years.
Future of the LSC
In 2013, the LSC started down the path of rejuvenation. Students voted to endorse this infusion of energy into their home away from home, and after final approval the plan was put into action.
Building Hours
Staying on campus during break? A full list of all regular Lory Student Center building hours, as well as Thanksgiving break and Winter break hours can be found here.
Department Contact List
Here you will find a comprehensive list of departments who call the Lory Student Center home and their telephone and fax numbers in a alphabetical list for quick access.
The LSC’s Mission:
As a student-centered organization at the heart of campus, we provide programs and services that create an inclusive community and inspire active, engaged learning.
Our Mission
As a student-centered organization at the heart of campus, we provide programs and services that create an inclusive community and inspire active, engaged learning.
Commitment to Inclusive Excellence
It will take a collective lift and relentless focus to center inclusive excellence in our everyday work. LSC employees will strive to engage in discussions, create safety in differing viewpoints, and build bridges to transform our community, not simply create a list of transactions. In recognizing that comfort and transformation don’t typically live on the same block, we will strive to build trust, respect, and fairness in our discussions and actions. Diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging work is hard, humbling, and a journey. We will seek feedback and commit to being accountable.
This is Your Lory Student Center at Colorado State University.
Located in the heart of Colorado State University’s campus in Fort Collins, the Lory Student Center, fondly known as the LSC, enjoys a high percentage of sunny days and a breathtaking view of the Foothills. From its inception, the LSC has been a student-centered student center.
Today, this same fervor for student feedback emanates through the rejuvenated building that is standing 50-plus years strong. The LSC is a centralized location for students, staff, faculty, alumni and passersby in their united front as Ram fans.
After World War II, William Morgan set forth plans to prepare the campus for post-war enrollment. Morgan was CSU’s visionary president from 1949–1969. Administrative predictions projected that CSU would more than double in size in 1970. However, CSU met these enrollment markers much earlier in the year 1962. According to an interview conducted by Mike Davis, executive director of alumni relations in 2002, Morgan said the need for a new student union was a big one. CSU based the current location on a Morgan’s desire to create a place for students to gather between classes. Thus, the Lory Student Center would be built between academic buildings and student housing.
On April 9, 1960, the school began construction on the LSC. That same day, seven student leaders were featured in a photo around the “Coming Soon” sign for the up-and-coming student union. Since this historic day, these seven students have gained notoriety as the LSC 7. They demonstrate the importance of that student’s voice at CSU and within its student center. Jim Hindman, Nancy Allen, Nancy Williams, Lory Tyler, Nancy Mitchell, Bill Neighbors and Dennis Repp were among this original LSC 7. These valued members of the CSU community and student body represented the student voice that supported CSU through big changes toward a better future. Most importantly, they demonstrated what it truly means to be a CSU Ram and to further CSU’s aims to maintain a substantial student-centered focus.
Meet the LSC Leadership Team
Flea Market
Located on the 200 level of the Lory Student Center, the Flea Market is a great opportunity for CSU student organizations and non-CSU to advertise their products, services, or to
LSC Governing Board
The purpose of the LSC Governing Board is to improve the student center operations and offerings. The board is comprised of student members, a graduate assistant advisor, and the LSC
SLiCE
The SLiCE office at Colorado State University provides an important link between students and their surrounding communities with a variety of leadership and community engagement programs.
Campus Info & Box Office
Campus Information supplies information about campus and community events; contact information for faculty, staff, and campus offices; holds the University's central lost & found; and provides a convenient mail drop.
Event Planning
Our wide variety of spaces can accommodate your meeting, lecture, workshop, special event, or wedding. Our coordinators will work with you to determine the space, technology, and equipment that is
Fraternity & Sorority Life
Fraternity & Sorority Life is a great way for students to become a part of the university, excel academically, develop leadership skills, participate in philanthropic and athletic events, volunteer, and
Campus Activities
Campus Activities offers students a multitude of opportunities to become involved and active on the CSU campus through our four entities: Ram Events, Flea Market, Campus Information and Box Office,
RamEvents
RamEvents is an inclusive programming board which values and serves every student at CSU. We seek to meet the needs of all students through planning events based on feedback and
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El Centro
El Centro seeks to provide support and strengthen the academic and cultural experiences of students within the CSU community. To achieve this mission, El Centro provides a wide array of
The Lory Student Center Through the Ages
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
1960s
The Swingin’ Sixties
The Associated Students of Colorado State University (ASCSU) alongside with Shelton Stanfill who became the director of public events in 1967 sought out to change the face of events at CSU. During this era Fort Collins wasn’t the biggest host for main stage events but not for long. With the recent opening of the student center and Moby Arena, the stage was now set for hosting a wide variety of concerts and cultural programs.Cool Dig
In 1961, CSU provided the first University subsidy to permit the expansion of cultural programs over an entire school year. Soon, the Fine Arts Series, along with other cultural events and presentations sponsored by the Student Center Board and the Associated Student Special Events Board, provided lasting opportunities for cultural enrichment and participation.
The Beat Goes On
In 1969, The Rolling Stones opened their US. Tour in Moby Arena. In 1967, Chicago and the Beach Boys performed at Hughes Stadium. A mystery guest dropped in during the Beach Boys appearance- Elton John arrived by helicopter to take the stage with “The Boys”.
1970s
The Disco Era
Groovy. Peace. Far Out.
In 1961, CSU provided the first University subsidy to permit the expansion of cultural programs over an entire school year. Soon, the Fine Arts Series, along with other cultural events and presentations sponsored by the Student Center Board and the Associated Student Special Events Board, provided lasting opportunities for cultural enrichment and participation.
Colorado State University Gets Radical
Notable countercultural icon, Abbie Hoffman delivers a speech to CSU students in 1970. Hoffman, an American political activist in the 1960’s and founder of the Youth International Party (Yippies), was known for his public antics, successful media events and political protests.
1980s
The Decade of Decadence
The Lory Student Center turned 25 years old in 1987 and updated its physical profile: adding a new west-facing solarium to the food court (which earlier had replaced a more traditional cafeteria restaurant) and dedicating a new sculpture garden.
Takes the Cake
As part of student center birthday festivities, LSC Food Services quite literally built a cake. To construct the cake, a tasty replica of the LSC, required 17 eight pound sheet cakes and 40 pounds of whipped cream icing. End result? The masterpiece served 1,000 people.
Time Capsule
Another architectural detail included the instillation of a time capsule that was to be opened in 2012. Made of Lexan and approximately four-feet square, the time capsule was filled with five boxes of memorabilia from all over campus.
1990s
The Millennial Decade
During the mid-to-late ’90s, students of color approached then President Al Yates to discuss the need for a place to hang out, a place where they could feel welcome and safe on campus. Those discussions with President Yates eventually led to the formation of the advocacy cluster (now Student Diversity Programs and Services), now housed in the LSC.The Flood of ’97
On the evening of July 28, 1997, a flash flood ripped through Fort Collins and the Colorado State University campus without warning. Known as the “Spring Creek Flood of ’97,“ the flash flood resulted from a series of heavy thunderstorms over a two-day period in west Fort Collins. In a matter of hours, normally ankle-deep Spring Creek became a roaring, brown river of mud and debris. Five people drowned south of campus when water swept them from their mobile homes.
Acclaimed African-American Poet Nikki Giovanni Visits CSU
Nikki Giovanni, one of the best-known African-American poets visits CSU in 1994. Frequently anthologized, Giovanni reached prominence during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Giovanni’s poetry expresses strong racial pride and respect for family.
2000s
Devastation and Resilience
Two tragedies — one local, one national/international — marked Colorado State University’s passage into the 21st century: the devastating July 1997 flood that inundated CSU’s main campus, and the Sept. 11, 2001, bombing of the World Trade Center in New York City. Both had profound influences on how the campus currently looks, operates, and functions as an increasingly diverse and complex community, addressing the challenges of today and ahead.September 11, 2001
The early 2000’s brought with them momentous changes for both CSU and the nation. The events of 9/11 brought the campus community together to mourn and tackle the complex issues of living in a global society.
Student Affairs professionals, academic programs and private enterprise came together to create a student center environment where students could become engaged and prepared to move into the realities of the 21st century. Along the way, as it has for 50 years, the LSC continues in the strong tradition of its original mission to provide programs, services, and facilities to help create a campus of inclusion, access, opportunity, and optimism.
Rapper Ludacris Performs at CSU
Grammy Award-winning rapper and actor Ludacris performed at CSU on November 18, 2010. Ludacris is best known for his club-banging hits such as ‘Get Back’, ‘Area Codes’ and ‘What’s Your Fantasy’.
2010s
The Tweenies Decade
In October of 2011, The Board of Governors approved the revitalization of the Lory Student Center. The project included renovation of 160,000 square feet of the existing Lory Student Center built in 1962, and added approximately 40,000 gross square feet of new space. The three major aspects of the project were to improve the building infrastructure and systems, organize and highlight Student Diversity Programs and Services, and target growth that aligns with the land-grant mission of CSU.LSC Revitalization
The Revitalization of the Lory Student Center began in May of 2013 and it was open again for business by the beginning of the 2014 Fall semester. Milestones of the Revitalization program included:
- An updated Ramskeller featuring a microbrewery and College of Health and Human Sciences classroom focused on the study of fermentation.
- The Lincoln Mural and Land-Grant Wall which pays tribute the history of Colorado State University.
- A renovated LSC Theatre.
- A Research Wall that serves to showcase the research, artistry, talent, and accomplishments of CSU faculty and students.
- A newly renovated Grand Ballroom.
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Perform at CSU
Thousands of cheering CSU students and community members flooded onto campus to see Macklemore and Ryan lewis perform. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis headlined the outdoor concert on the heart of the Colorado State University campus in Fort Collins. Organizers sold 10,000 tickets to the show, and many more watched from outside the security fences.