Priest donates $1 million for Colorado State professorship

The Fort Collins Coloradoan reported Monday that 77-year-old Don Willette, now retired, sold two pieces of property that he bought before he became a priest and is donating the proceeds toward the new spot.

The university says the focus of the new post will be the history and theological traditions of Christianity.

Willette said it will take about $1.5 million to fully fund the endowment. He says the rest of the money will have to come from fundraising.

Willette was active in the priesthood for 28 years. He served at various parishes along Colorado’s Front Range, including Saint John XXIII Catholic Church in Fort Collins.