Commencement
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2021 SPRING METROPOLITAN STATE UNIVERSITY OF DENVER COMMENCEMENT FRIDAY, MAY 14, 2021 Dear Roadrunners Congratulations on earning your degree from Metropolitan State University of Denver. You set a goal, worked diligently in the face of unprecedented obstacles and made it to the finish line. It’s time to celebrate! Let me also extend my gratitude to your family and friends who have cheered you on. Without people to support us in life, we could never succeed. You are part of a remarkable graduating class: 2,185 students were eligible to receive their degrees this spring — an impressive number of Roadrunners who are on their way to great things. Your resilience in this challenging year is the epitome of Roadrunner tenacity and speaks to your unwavering desire to succeed. At MSU Denver, we are reimagining what’s possible in higher education through the power of innovation and transformational, real-world learning to build a better tomorrow. We know that higher education is the key factor in providing upward economic and social mobility. That’s why we PHOTO BY MARK WOOLCOTT offer rigorous, accessible and enriching education that prepares students for successful careers, postgraduate education and lifelong learning. Our students come from every background and experience, embodying the University’s unique spirit and inclusive environment. We have first- generation college students trying to do a little better than their parents, veterans looking to reestablish themselves in the workforce and plenty of people who want to change directions in their careers. Our mission is to meet students where they are in their lives. They may have taken a zigzaggy path to get to college, but they find their way to MSU Denver and graduate as proud Roadrunners. Today, you join an alumni community of more than 100,000 graduates in our 55 years as an institution. And not just any alumni — scientists working to cure cancer, legislators going to Congress, engineers building equipment to go to Mars, nurses working on the front line of the pandemic and many others who are at the very top of their fields. They are reimagining what is possible in their own lives and engaging our communities. Roadrunners also power the state’s economy, with more than 80% of alumni remaining in Colorado after graduation. In fact, the direct economic impact of their total average wage earned over a 35-year career totals $134.9 billion. When you leave here today, you’ll start on your next road. I am confident it will take you to places you never expected and, ultimately, to amazing achievements. Please let us know when you get there, so we can brag about your success. And don’t forget to tell everyone you know that you graduated from MSU Denver! Sincerely, Janine Davidson, Ph.D. President METROPOLITAN STATE UNIVERSITY OF DENVER 2021 SPRING COMMENCEMENT 2 Contents Spring Commencement Friday, May 14, 2021 2 Letter from the President 4 Commencement Planning Committee, Board of Trustees, Retirements, Emeritus, In Memoriam 5 Academic Regalia 6 Academic Colors 7 Reimagine Possible SPRING CEREMONY: College of Business College of Letters, Arts and Sciences College of Professional Studies School of Education School of Hospitality 9, 10, 11 Program 12 Commencement Speaker 13 President’s Award Recipient 14 Provost’s Award Recipient 15 Graduation Candidates METROPOLITAN STATE UNIVERSITY OF DENVER 2021 SPRING COMMENCEMENT 3 Commencement MSU Denver Retirements Planning Committee Board of Trustees Laura Love Cora Potter Barbara Barnes Grogan – Chair, B.A. - Professor of Costume and University Events Manager, Russell G. Noles – Vice Chair, MBA Scenic Design Committee Chair Albus Brooks, MBA 05/31/21 - Retirement Karen Becker Mario M. Carrera, B.A. Erick Erickson Nursing Program Specialist Emily Renwick Garnett, J.D. - Professor of Economics Mallory Brunel Kristin D. Hultquist, MPP 05/31/21 - Retirement Assistant Professor, Nursing Michael Johnston, J.D. Carlos Frésquez Department Michael Kopp, MPA - Professor of Art William Carnes Marissa Molina, B.A. 07/01/2021 - Transitional Professor, Management Department Bethany Fleck Dillen Retirement Raenea Gomez – Faculty Trustee, Ph.D. Bruce Rengers Graduation Supervisor Joe Rice - Professor of Nutrition Kylie Henson – Alumni Representative, B.A. 01/01/2021 - Transitional Retirement University Events Specialist Alaura Ward Michael Jacobs – Student Trustee Assistant Professor, Chemistry Emeritus Katie Joyce Rosemarie Walker Special Projects Manager/Assistant Gerard Morris to the AVP, Dean of Students Joseph Morrell Eunjoo Kang Stella Todd Assistant Professor, Kenneth Bisio Event & Meeting Management Sue Swigert Brandon Matthews Kenneth Prevot Associate Professor, Antonio Ledesma Director of Orchestras Brandi Rideout Director of Alumni Relations In Memoriam Connie Sanders Michelle Dupuis Registrar – Individualized-Systems Shaun Schafer Specialist (Staff) Associate Vice President, Laurence Washington Curriculum and Policy Development – Affiliate Faculty in the Department Roland Schendel of Journalism and Media Production Assistant Professor of Literacy Laszlo Pook Salina Siddique – Professor Emeritus, Computer Assistant Professor, Information Systems Accounting Department Nicole Thomas Alumni Relations Coordinator Rose Williams Admissions and Registration Coordinator Lorri Wray Fiscal Manager for the President’s Office Ed Zarate Graduation Evaluator METROPOLITAN STATE UNIVERSITY OF DENVER 2021 SPRING COMMENCEMENT 4 Academic Regalia Academic attire is modeled after The hood varies in length and shape monks’ clothing from the Middle Ages, according to the degree it represents: when college faculty and students the shortest and smallest signifies a were members of religious orders. In bachelor’s degree, and the longest and England, the faculty of many colleges widest signifies a doctoral degree. and universities still wear gowns, hoods and caps in the classroom. The velvet bordering the hood represents the graduate’s field of study. In the early 20th century, colleges and universities throughout the world The satin lining of the hood, each a adopted guidelines for the design specific design, represents the college and colors of academic regalia. An or university at which the individual institution may design and register earned his or her degree. special attire for its administrators and graduates, but it must conform to The Oxford cap, or mortarboard as it certain standards. Once registered, the is better known, completes the attire. design and color combination may not Those holding graduate degrees usually be duplicated by other institutions. wear black tassels on the Oxford cap, but those holding doctoral degrees may The bachelor’s gown is most often wear tassels of gold thread and may black and has long sleeves that taper also elect to wear a four-sided or eight- to a point in the back. It is always worn sided velvet tam instead of the Oxford closed. cap. Some universities have designated the Cambridge cap — a large, soft beret The gown signifying the master’s — for their administrators and those degree also is usually black but may who have earned a doctoral degree at be worn open or closed. It features that institution. oblong sleeves that hang below the wrist, tapering to a square cut with a At MSU Denver, bachelor’s candidates cutaway arc. wear colored tassels on the Oxford cap to represent the academic department Although usually black, the doctoral from which they earned their degrees. gown is sometimes seen in colors — Master’s candidates wear a hood with often gold, purple, blue or red. The the representative color. gown may be worn open or closed. The opening of the gown is faced with In addition to her academic regalia, velvet, and three velvet chevrons run President Janine Davidson, Ph.D. wears across its bell-shaped sleeves. the University’s medallion of office, a visible symbol of her authority as the The velvet facing and chevrons may institution’s leader. be black or the color representing the graduate’s field of study. METROPOLITAN STATE UNIVERSITY OF DENVER 2021 SPRING COMMENCEMENT 5 Academic Colors Master’s Degree Honor Societies Hood Colors Delta Gamma Xi Business (MBA, M.P.Acc.) – Drab (Alpha Phi Sigma National Criminal Justice Honor Society) Cybersecurity (M.S.) – Gold – Navy blue and gold cords Education (MAT) – Light blue Iota Iota Iota (Women’s Studies) Health (MHA) – Kelly green – Lavender cord; graduating officers Human Nutrition and Dietetics (M.S.) also wear a medallion with a gold – Gold ribbon Social Work (MSW) – Citron Lambda Pi Eta (Communications) – Red, white and gold cords Bachelor’s Degree National Society of Collegiate Scholars Tassel Colors – Golden and burgundy cords tied College of Business – Drab together. One of the cords has a College of Letters, Arts and Sciences circular gold medallion with a center – White torch that has a torch within it, a book underneath it, three stars College of Professional Studies above it and a laurel wreath facing – Peacock blue upward at its base. Surrounding School of Education – Light blue the wreath, torch and stars are the School of Hospitality – Cardinal words “The National Society of Collegiate Scholars.” Academic Distinction Phi Alpha Epsilon Lambda You will notice graduation candidates (Social Work) who are wearing one or more cords, – Blue and gold cords stoles or medallions of various colors Phi Alpha Theta (History) or designs around the neck of their – Red and blue cords gowns to represent high academic Psi Chi (Psychology) achievement. – Double gold cords with