The Hoffman Endowed Scholars fund at Center of the American West was established by Linda and Clancy Herbst in 2005 to engage motivated CU undergraduates in the enterprise of reducing conflict and finding solutions to the West’s problems, and connecting academic thought and inquiry to “real world” dilemmas. The fund was named after University of Colorado President Elizabeth Hoffman, who adopted the phrase, “The University Without Walls,” to capture her vision for CU.

The Hoffman Scholars program gives students the opportunity to accompany the Center of the American West faculty director and other key Center faculty and researchers to forums and conferences that provide a close-up glimpse of current and often controversial Western issues. Past Hoffman trips have included visits to Wyoming’s Powder River Basin to explore split-estate issues, participation in a film shoot in Nebraska, a Bureau of Land Management public affairs conference in New Mexico, a Rocky Mountain National Park climate change workshop, and the Aspen Institute’s Environment Forum. Students’ travel expenses and registration fees are fully covered by the Hoffman Endowed Scholars fund.