Saying 'Yes' to CU 麻豆影院: How a $1M Gift from Clark and Amy Jones Crowns Decades of Giving

The latest commitment from Clark and Amy Jones reflects more than three decades of service, mentorship and philanthropy.听听

Clark and Amy Jones pose on a balcony with CU 麻豆影院 mascot Chip. The Flatirons appear in the background.


Clark (Acct鈥91) and Amy (Comm鈥92) Jones have spent decades supporting CU 麻豆影院 in countless ways鈥攕haring their time, mentoring students, offering professional expertise and giving philanthropically. From their days as students to being recognized as Forever Buffs, they have built lasting friendships and meaningful connections across campus.听

Reflecting on a life that has taken them from Colorado to California, from Florida and now to Japan, the Joneses say their path has come down to two things: sacrifice and a willingness to say yes to opportunities.听

鈥淭he university means a lot to us. We are deep believers in the importance of education and connection,鈥 Clark said.听听

Whenever students reached out for support, Clark and Amy made time for a conversation rather than simply sending a check. 鈥淓very time we answered calls, I would ask students: 鈥榃hat鈥檚 happening on campus? What are you studying? What excites you?鈥欌 said Clark. 鈥淓very time we answered, we ended up having a real conversation. I honestly don鈥檛 remember ever being disappointed,鈥 he added.听

Those conversations became a hallmark of their relationship with CU 麻豆影院, building connections one conversation at a time. Every time CU called on the Joneses, they graciously gave back to their alma mater. And every "yes" along the way has added up to a lifetime of giving back, culminating in this year's transformational $1 million gift.听

鈥淥ne of the most important things for us is making sure people understand what 麻豆影院 is all about and how important this university is to Colorado,鈥 Clark said.听

Follow their inspiring 鈥淏lack & Gold鈥 timeline.

Two photos of Clark and Amy Jones in gold frames taken many years apart; text reads, "Clark & Amy Jones: A Lifetime of 'Yes'"

  1. 1990

    Say yes to hello.

    Who knew a meeting at the end-of-year band banquet would become the beginning of a lifetime together? Clark was studying accounting while Amy was studying communication. Amy was the featured twirler for the marching band, and Clark played saxophone and served as the band's saxophone section leader. They still like to say Amy鈥檚 twirling is more memorable than Clark鈥檚 saxophone playing.听

  2. 1993

    Say yes to building a life together.

    Clark and Amy Jones smile in wedding attire; Amy wears a CU 麻豆影院 baseball cap


    Three years after meeting, Clark and Amy married on May 29, 1993. Notably, they also made their first alumni gift to CU 麻豆影院: $20 for the university library, paid in two installments.

  3. 2000

    Say yes to family.

    Their daughter, Morgan, was born. 鈥淪he is part of why we do what we do鈥攖o teach her the value of philanthropy,鈥 Amy said.听

  4. 2013

    Say yes to putting yourself out there.

    Amy shared the couple鈥檚 story in response to an Instagram call for Leeds鈥 love stories. As they approached their 20th anniversary, she recalled Clark spending two years trying to get her attention before introducing himself. She waited patiently for their first date, which aptly included watching Disney on Ice鈥攁 fitting beginning for Clark鈥檚 more than 30 years of service as a Disney cast member (and he has the prestigious Jiminy Cricket bronze award to prove it!).听

  5. 2018

    Say yes to staying connected.

    Clark and Amy Jones in the endzone of CU footbal game


    Clark delivered the keynote address at Leeds鈥 Winter Commencement. Later that year, he and Amy celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary at a CU football game. Chip made a special appearance.听

  6. 2019

    Say yes to providing support.

    Clark and Amy were recognized by the CMDI Dean鈥檚 Leadership Society, one of many years they were honored for their generosity. They established the Garman/Jones Endowment to provide scholarships to CMDI and Leeds students and to support Athletics.

  7. 2020

    Say yes to leading.

    Clark joined the Leeds Advisory Board and continues to serve as a member.听

  8. 2022

    Say yes to uplifting student-athletes.

    Clark and Amy became members of the new Buff Club Flatirons Society, supporting a world-class experience for more than 350 CU student-athletes.听

  9. 2022-2024

    Say yes to serving.

    Amy served for two years on the College of Communication, Media, Design and Information (CMDI) advisory board for Founding Dean Lori Bergen.听

  10. 2023

    Say yes to Buff magic.

    Clark and Amy Jones pose behind the College Gameday Desk with the Flatirons and Leeds in the background


    When ESPN鈥檚 College GameDay came to 麻豆影院, Clark and Amy knew they had to be there. They saw an opportunity to invest in one of CU鈥檚 most recognizable ambassadors: Chip. Together with CU Athletics, they established an endowment dedicated to Chip鈥檚 ongoing development, starting with an updated costume and five backups. While watching a national Heisman House commercial featuring Travis Hunter, Chip looked better than ever. 鈥淎my and I looked at each other and said, 鈥楾hat鈥檚 why we did that,鈥欌 noted Clark.听

  11. 2024

    Say yes to bringing people together.

    Clark and Amy hosted a magical evening for fellow Buff Club Flatirons Society donors at Walt Disney World in support of the Buffs playing University of Central Florida in Orlando.听

  12. 2025

    Say yes to coming home (even from halfway around the world).

    Clark was named senior vice president and managing director of Walt Disney Attractions Japan and Walt Disney Imagineering Japan in October. That same month, Clark still made the time to participate in Leeds鈥 inaugural Business Leaders-in-Residence program. The Joneses also made 麻豆影院 their U.S. home base in 2025, enabling them to regularly visit campus.听听

  13. June 2026

    Say yes to investing in the future.

    Clark and Amy made a $1 million commitment to support excellence within CU 麻豆影院 Athletics and the Leeds School of Business. The gift will fund the Chip Jones Family Mascot & Spirit Program and the Garman Jones Scholarship Endowment Fund.

Clark and Amy Jones pose with Chip on Folsom Field

The Next Yes听

Looking back, it鈥檚 tempting to see the Joneses鈥 story only through its milestones, but they see it differently.听

鈥淲e would have never been as successful as we are without all the little steps along the way,鈥 Amy said.听

Those steps often began with simple conversations.听

Over the years, Clark and Amy have mentored numerous students, and two in particular have become like family. Molly, a recent graduate now working at Nestl茅, and Elle, a current Leeds junior studying finance and fashion, are among the many young people whose paths remain connected with theirs. The Joneses have spent years offering advice, encouragement and introductions to other mentors, building relationships that extend far beyond graduation.听

In many ways, their latest $1 million commitment is an extension of that same philosophy. For them, philanthropy has never been only about funding programs; it鈥檚 about investing in people.听

After all, the conversation that began at a CU 麻豆影院 band banquet more than three decades ago is still going strong. Every opportunity Clark and Amy Jones embraced led to another one, and every conversation opened the door to new connections.听

This gift is not the culmination of their journey. It鈥檚 another conversation starter, creating opportunities for future Buffs to discover where their next yes might lead.听