97-year-old Stanley “Stan” Lucero Sepulbeda, longtime resident of Fort Collins and employee of CSU, dreamed of experiencing the opening day excitement of the Rams’ inaugural season in the new on-campus stadium. Friends in the Department of Economics made this dream happen.

“Stan is a longtime friend of our department and of CSU, and when we heard that he wanted to go to the game we knew that we had to make that happen!” said Interim Chair of Economics Anita Alves Pena.

The theme of the Rams’ season opener was military appreciation and involved numerous tributes and salutes to the men and women who serve and have served in our armed forces. Not only was this opening game special to Ram-fan Sepulbeda, but it carried extra significance. Sepulbeda is a World War II veteran who served in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1945.

Pena and College of Liberal Arts Senior Associate Dean Alexandra Bernasek accompanied Sepulbeda to the game where he was high-fived by students and thanked for his service by fellow servicemen in attendance.

He was especially touched by the rolling out of the U.S. flag during the national anthem. Sepulbeda could be seen standing tall and saluting while the American flag covered the entire length of the new Sonny Lubick field.

Sepulbeda worked in the CSU custodial services department for 20 years starting in 1960.  He is a prominent member of Fort Collins’ Hispanic community, and has been recognized by the United States government with several medals and badges for his honorable service and by Fort Collins Mayor Troxell and Councilman Martinez with local proclamations.

The Department of Economics is in CSU’s College of Liberal Arts.