By Ann Gill (M.A., ’76)
The Washington, D.C., Ram Network is one of the most engaged in the country. Credit goes to Molly O’Connor, an agriculture business alumna who is director of federal government relations for CropLife America in Washington, D.C.
When O’Connor moved there for work, she found herself “surrounded by SEC (Southeastern Conference) alumni and missing interaction with people who understand how special CSU is.” Then, she found the Ram Network chapter. The president was stepping down, so O’Connor volunteered to take on that role.
She began with watch parties, the biggest draw being CSU vs. CU games. Then she created a board, which became a wonderful network for area Ram alumni. They continued with watch parties and challenged area CU alumni to see which group could raise the most money for various charities in Colorado and D.C., (a challenge they’ve always won!). They also engaged with CSU administrators who came to D.C. on business, attended professional sports events when Colorado teams were playing, and gathered at social outings such as the Go West Beer Fest.
They prioritized volunteer work. Dressed in their CSU gear, they met the Northern Colorado Honor Flight when it landed at BWI airport, welcoming the veterans. They laid wreaths on graves at Arlington National Cemetery during Wreaths Across America and helped with cleanup. For CSUnity, they did MS Walks and cleaned up a local park and waterway. At their events, they took along a plastic ram, taking photos of it and using “Where is Cam the Ram?” to advertise their activities.
O’Connor “really enjoyed the opportunity to build an alumni community in D.C.; it is special when folks get together and bond as Rams.” Although no longer president, she remains an engaged member and shares fond memories of her days on campus, including reading books while sunning on Monfort Quad and enjoying the horses at the equestrian facilities. Thank you, Molly O’Connor, for creating a wonderful CSU alumni community in D.C.
A Message from Molly
The DC Ram Network would not have accomplished so much without all the hard work and dedication of the great board members throughout the years, who I am lucky to now call friends. I look forward to see the network thrive under the new leadership of President Taylor Jackson and Vice President Tyler McDermott.
