Donor Stories

The Handlery Foundation Honors Hard Work
By talking with staff—from the housekeeper to the chef to the General Manager’s office—Harry Handlery learned the hotel business from the bottom up and then founded Handlery Hotels, beginning with his first hotel purchase in 1928. Four generations later, the Handlery family saw the same work ethic practiced by JWU students. In response, they established The Handlery Hospitality Scholarship, which supports two Hospitality College students each year at our Denver Campus.

The Daniels Fund Focuses on Careers
To better prepare students to launch successful, satisfying careers, The Daniels Fund has provided $375,000 to create a five-year program (2006-2011) that supports JWU’s mission. Designed to transform career preparation opportunities and experiential education while enhancing employer relations and promoting and measuring career progress, this program holds the Denver Campus to a higher standard of transforming career preparation and success.

Leadership is Key to the El Pomar Foundation
El Pomar Foundation is one of the original funders of JWU in Colorado, granting $500,000 in 2000 for the renovation of the 26-acre Denver Campus and $100,000 in 2007 for campus improvements. Yet the impact of El Pomar goes far beyond the physical campus. Since 2004, the Foundation has supported thirty-one scholarships for students in the Community Leadership Institute’s Leadership Academy. The Foundation is deeply committed to the development of college-level leadership within the state, viewing these emerging leaders as essential to the current and future wellbeing of the people of Colorado.