2020 SPRING COMMENCEMENT FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2020 Dear Roadrunners Let me be the first to congratulate you on graduating from Metropolitan State University of Denver. You set a goal, worked diligently in the face of 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: 2,327 students were eligible to receive their degrees this past 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 PHOTO BY MARK WOOLCOTT 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 offer high-quality, 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 zigzagging 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, journalists winning awards for their storytelling, engineers building satellites, 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 2 2020 SPRING COMMENCEMENT CONTENTS Spring Commencement Friday, December 11, 2020 2 Letter from the President 4 Commencement Planning Committee 5 Retirements, Emeritus, In Memoriam, Board of Trustees 6 Academic Regalia 7 Academic Colors 8 Reimagine Possible SPRING CERemonY: School of Education College of Letters, Arts and Sciences College of Business College of Professional Studies School of Hospitality 9, 10, 11 Program 13 Commencement Speaker 14 President’s Award Recipient 15 Provost’s Award Recipient 16 Graduation Candidates Metropolitan State University of Denver 3 Commencement Planning Committee Cora Potter, B.A. Manager of University Events and Protocol Kylie Henson, B.A. Special Events and Protocol Coordinator Keysha Macias, B.S. (2021) Assistant, Special Events and Commencement Activities Karen Becker, M.A. Randi Brazeau, Ph.D., P.E. Mallory Brunel, M.S., R.N. Bill Carnes, D.M. Raenea Gomez, M.A. Eunjoo (EJ) Kang, Ph.D. Brandon Matthews, D.M.A. Brandi Rideout, M.Ed. Shaun T. Schafer, Ph.D. Roland Schendel, Ph.D. Salina Siddique, M.P.A., Ph.D. Nicole Thomas, B.A. (2020) Karen Wenzel, M.A. Emalie Whan-Traylor, M.A. Rose Williams, B.A. Lorri Wray, B.S. Ed Zarate 4 2020 SPRING COMMENCEMENT Retirements Emeritus MSU Denver Aaron Gordon Wilton Flemon Board of Trustees - Professor of Mathematical & - Professor of Chemistry Barbara Barnes Grogan – Chair, B.A. Computer Sciences Aaron Gordon Russell G. Noles – Vice Chair, M.B.A. May 31, 2020 - Professor of Mathematical & Albus Brooks, M.B.A. Malinda Jones Computer Sciences Mario M. Carrera, B.A. - Associate Professor of Early Robert Hazan Emily Renwick Garnet, J.D. Childhood Education - Professor of Kristin D. Hultquist, MPP May 31, 2020 Political Science Michael Johnston, J.D. David Kottenstette David Kottenstette Marissa Molina, B.A. - Professor of - Professor of James M. Mulligan, J.D. Communication Studies Communication Studies Christopher Harder May 31, 2020 Linda Lang-Peralta – Faculty Trustee, Ph.D. Richard Krantz - Professor of English Joe Rice - Professor of Physics Linda Marangia – Alumni Representative, B.A. May 31, 2020 - Professor of Sociology Adetilewa Awosanya Antonio Ledesma and Anthropology – Student Trustee - Associate Professor of Thomas McInerney Human Services - Professor of History May 31, 2020 Carol Quinn Rosemarie Walker - Professor of Philosophy - Associate Professor of Vicki L. Golich Chemistry - Provost May 31, 2020 Vicky Seehusen In Memoriam - Assistant Professor of Mark Campbell Computer information Systems - Human Services Affiliate June 30, 2020 January 10, 2020. Peggy Anderson Kelly Campbell - Professor of Special Education - Engineering and Engineering July 31, 2020 Technology Affiliate Judson Faurer February 22, 2020. - Professor of Management July 31, 2020 James Harris - Department Head, Senior Lecturer of Geology July 31, 2020 Kathy Heyl - Chair, Associate Professor of Nutrition July 31, 2020 Metropolitan State University of Denver 5 Academic Regalia Academic attire is modeled after The hood varies in length and monks’ clothing from the Middle shape according to the degree Ages, when college faculty it represents: the shortest and and students were members of smallest signifies a bachelor’s religious orders. In England, the degree, and the longest and faculty of many colleges and widest signifies a doctoral degree. universities still wear gowns, hoods and caps in the classroom. The velvet bordering the hood represents the graduate’s field In the early 20th century, colleges of study. and universities throughout the world adopted guidelines for the The satin lining of the hood, each design and colors of academic a specific design, represents the regalia. An institution may design college or university at which and register special attire for its the individual earned his or administrators and graduates, her degree. but it must conform to certain standards. Once registered, the The Oxford cap, or mortarboard design and color combination as it is better known, completes may not be duplicated by the attire. Those holding graduate other institutions. degrees usually wear black tassels on the Oxford cap, but those The bachelor’s gown is most holding doctoral degrees may often black and has long sleeves wear tassels of gold thread and that taper to a point in the back. may also elect to wear a four- It is always worn closed. sided or eight-sided velvet tam instead of the Oxford cap. Some The gown signifying the master’s universities have designated the degree also is usually black but Cambridge cap – a large, soft may be worn open or closed. It beret – for their administrators features oblong sleeves that hang and those who have earned a below the wrist, tapering to a doctoral degree at that institution. square cut with a cutaway arc. At MSU Denver, bachelor’s Although usually black, the candidates wear colored tassels doctoral gown is sometimes seen on the Oxford cap to represent in colors – often gold, purple, blue the academic department from or red. The gown may be worn which they earned their degrees. open or closed. The opening of Master’s candidates wear a hood the gown is faced with velvet, and with the representative color. three velvet chevrons run across its bell-shaped sleeves. In addition to her academic regalia, President Janine The velvet facing and chevrons Davidson, Ph.D. wears the may be black or the color University’s medallion of office, a representing the graduate’s visible symbol of her authority as field of study. the institution’s leader. 6 2020 SPRING COMMENCEMENT Academic Colors Master’s Degree Honor Societies Hood Colors Delta Gamma Xi (Alpha Phi Business (M.B.A., M.P.Acc.) – Drab Sigma National Criminal Justice Honor Society) Cybersecurity (M.S.) – Gold – Navy blue and gold cords Education (M.A.T.) – Light blue Iota Iota Iota (Women’s Studies) Health (M.H.A.) – Kelly green – Lavender cord; graduating Social Work (M.S.W.) – Citron officers also wear a medallion with a gold ribbon Bachelor’s Degree Lambda Pi Eta (Communications) Tassel Colors – Red, white and gold cords College of Business – Drab National Society of College of Letters, Arts Collegiate Scholars and Sciences – White – Golden and burgundy cords tied together. One of the College of Professional cords has a circular gold Studies – Peacock blue medallion with a center torch School of Education – Light blue that has a torch within it, School of Hospitality – Cardinal a book underneath it, three stars above it and a laurel Academic Distinction wreath facing upward at its You will notice graduation base. Surrounding the wreath, candidates who are wearing torch and stars are the words one or more cords, stoles or “The National Society medallions of various colors of Collegiate Scholars.” or designs around the neck of Phi Alpha Epsilon Lambda their