After 35 years, thousands of volunteers and more than 60,000 backpacks, Colorado State University’s School is Cool program packed its final backpacks. CSU employees and community volunteers filled 2,664 backpacks with school supplies for area students during the Aug. 4-6 event, while donors contributed more than $70,000 to support the program and its next chapter. School is Cool organizers marked the milestone by honoring the program’s legacy, with longtime committee members and founder Kathy Phifer returning to pack backpacks with school supplies and deliver them to area schools. Phifer – a retired communications professional who worked at CSU for 30 years – started School is Cool in 1991 after seeing a need for school supplies among Poudre School District families. You’ve made a tremendous impact on 2,600 students who need your help to have a successful school year.