2016 Fall CommenCement Metropolitan State UniverSity of Denver friDay, DeceMber 16, 2016 Fall CommenCement Friday, deCember 16, 2016 Letter from the President .......................... 2 MSU Denver: Transforming Lives, Communities and Higher Education .... 3 Marshals, Commencement Planning Committee, Emeritus Awards, Retirees .................. 4 In Memoriam, Board of Trustees ............. 5 Academic Regalia ....................................... 6 Academic Colors ......................................... 7 MORNING CEREMONY: School of Education and College of Letters, Arts and Sciences President’s Award Recipient ................ 8 Program ................................................ 9 Fall Graduation Candidates .............. 10 Summer Graduates ............................ 15 Seating Diagram ................................ 17 AFTERNOON CEREMONY: College of Business and College of Professional Studies Provost’s Award Recipient .................. 18 Program .............................................. 19 Fall Graduation Candidates ............... 20 Summer Graduates ............................ 25 Seating Diagram ................................ 27 1 dear 2016 Fall Graduation Candidates: Congratulations to you, our newest graduates! You did it. I’d also like to congratulate and thank your families and friends who have anticipated this day — this triumph — with immense pride, as well as the faculty and staff members who have supported you along the way. I look forward to commencement every year. It is a day to recognize your hard work and perseverance, and also the day I feel most proud to be a member of the MSU Denver family. This year, I am particularly grateful to be a part of the celebration because yours will be one of the last graduations I preside over as president. As you may have heard, I’ll be retiring in June 2017. It has been a special honor to serve as president of this University for the past 11 years. When I first arrived on campus in 2005, I had this big vision – to transform MSU Denver into the preeminent urban university in the nation. With the support and trust of students like you, we have made great progress toward this goal. We went from a college to a university, designed and launched five master’s programs, constructed buildings to enhance student learning and became a sought-after partner in the community. We also increased opportunities for nontraditional students and students of color. This year, students of color make up almost 40 percent of MSU Denver’s overall student population, and nearly 32 percent of our students are the first in their families to go to college. Our first-time freshman retention rate has risen from 56 percent 10 years ago to 72 percent this fall for our students who participated in the First Year Success Program. And we’re working hard to reach our goal of achieving Hispanic Serving Institution status by 2018, meaning that our Latino undergraduate, full-time equivalent enrollment would be 25 percent or higher. And these are just a few of the many things we’ve accomplished together. Today, you become an ambassador of these achievements and our University. When you succeed in your careers and lives, people understand the quality of an MSU Denver education. I am confident that you will make us proud. So, here’s to you. The road may have been long and difficult. There may have been some stumbles and falls or some serious roadblocks that stood in your way. There may have been times you felt like giving up. But you didn’t. Take a moment to let that sink in, to understand what you have achieved, and let it motivate you on your journey forward. Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on joining the more than 87,000 Roadrunner alumni who are transforming their communities and our world! Sincerely, Stephen M. Jordan, Ph.D. President, Metropolitan State University of Denver 2 msu denver: transForminG lives, Communities and HiGHer eduCation Metropolitan State University of Denver continues to make a significant impact on the lives of its students and in the Colorado community. In 2016, MSU Denver made tremendous progress toward its goal of becoming the preeminent public urban university in the nation. The College of Business earned accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Only 755 business schools in 51 countries and territories – fewer than 5 percent of the world’s business programs – have earned AACSB accreditation, the hallmark of excellence in business education. The year also saw the approval of new master’s programs in business administration and health administration as well as the launch of an innovative public-private partnership with the Detroit Institute of Music Education that offers students classes in performance, songwriting and music entrepreneurship. The program will bring new talent to an already booming Denver music scene. MSU Denver prides itself on offering programs that prepare students for good careers while also supporting the high-growth areas of the Colorado economy. The Institute for Advanced Manufacturing Sciences at MSU Denver is a recent development example. The institute will facilitate an undergraduate degree that integrates science, technology, engineering and math disciplines, and will be housed in a new, state-of-the-art Aerospace and Engineering Sciences Building. While the workforce needs of Colorado’s aerospace and advanced manufacturing industry will be met through this new institute, MSU Denver’s Hospitality, Tourism and Events Program continues to collaborate with the growing sectors of the state’s hospitality industry. A new degree in Event and Meeting Management launched during 2016 and is set to train professionals in a high-demand field. The Regency Athletic Complex is another way that MSU Denver impacts the community. This past May, the University hosted the NCAA Division II Spring Sports Festival. More than 1,000 student-athletes and their families, representing 76 universities, gathered on campus to compete in softball, tennis, golf and lacrosse. The complex is a boon to the neighborhood as well, providing a walking trail to community members and athletic programs for local children. For its impact on the community, the Regency Athletic Complex at MSU Denver received the prestigious Downtown Denver Award from the Downtown Denver Partnership and a Mayor’s Design Award in 2016. MSU Denver remains committed to being an inclusive community for students from every background and experience. This year, MSU Denver was recognized as one of 10 Diversity Champion colleges and universities in the nation by INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. The University was also ranked as the best college for veterans in the Denver metro area by Military Times. These achievements reflect MSU Denver’s commitment to being an agent for change and transformation, creating boundless possibilities for students, graduates and Colorado. 3 MARSHALS Hyon Namgung, Ph.D. EMERITUS AWARDS Lisa Nelson, J.D. Bruce Degi, Ph.D. Faculty Marshal Jooeun Pak, Ph.D. Professor of English Amanda Paudel, Ph.D. Sheila Rucki, Ph.D. George Donovan, Ph.D. Jan Perry Evenstad, Ph.D. Professor of Math Andrea Peterson, M.T.A. Elsie Haley, Ph.D. Faculty and Staff Catherine Reddy Professor of English Assistant Marshals Elizabeth Ribble, Ph.D. Aaron Richmond, Ph.D. Lynn Kaersvang, Ph.D. Robert Amend, M.A. Professor of Social Work Courtney Rocheleau, Ph.D. Desiré Anastasia-Cartwright, Ph.D. Shelley Rohde, Ph.D. James Loates, Ph.D. Tyler Bachelder, M.S. Professor of Math Jean Rother, M.S., R.N. Brian Bagwell, Psy.D. Richard Russell, J.D., M.P.H., R.D. Sheldon Steinhauser, B.A. Shelby Balik, Ph.D. Roland Schendel, Ph.D. Associate Professor Karen Becker, M.A. Arlene Sgoutas, Ph.D. of Sociology Andrea Borrego, Ph.D. Rachel Sinley, Ph.D. Leslie Swetnam, Ph.D. Henriucs Bouwmeester, Ph.D. Helle Sorensen, M.A. Professor of Jennifer Bradford, Ph.D. Ellen Spitler, Ph.D. Elementary Education Angela Busila, Ph.D., C.P.A. Rebecca Trammell, Ph.D. Mary Ann Watson, Ph.D. Bill Carnes, Ph.D. Helene Ver Eecke, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology Ingrid Carter, Ph.D. Darcy Vigneault Beery, M.A. Michael Caston, M.I.D., I.D.S.A. Milton Wieder, Ph.D. Nicole Vowles, Ph.D. Professor of Chemistry Cristopher Cooley, M.S. Kathryn Williams, M.S. Maria Creavin, R.D., S.M., M.S.A. Kip Wotkyns, M.S.J. Clark Dollard, Ph.D. Darrin Duber-Smith, M.S., M.B.A. Qiongqi Xiao, Ph.D. RETIREES Maureen Flynn, Ph.D. Scott DeMuro, Ph.D. Danielle Forrest, M.A. Associate Professor of Human Lauren Fox COMMENCEMENT Performance and Sport Meg Frisbee, Ph.D. PLANNING COMMITTEE George Donovan, Ph.D. Joice Gibson, Ph.D. Tiffany Snell, B.A. Professor of Math Steve Haigh, B.A. University Events Specialist Margaret (Peggy) Jones, Ph.D. Travis Heath, Ph.D. Paige Olivier, B.A. (2016) Professor of Technical Megan Hughes, Ph.D. Assistant, Special Events and Communication David Jackson III, Ph.D. Commencement Activities Marilyn Starrett, M.A. Michael Jacobs, Ph.D. Cora Potter B.A. (2017) Assistant Professor Samuel Jay, Ph.D. Assistant, Special Events and of Journalism Kathleen Jewby, B.F.A. Commencement Activities Ms. Dianna Blea-Hernandez Malinda Jones, Ed.D. Sally Baalbaki, Ph.D. Administrative Assistant Wossen Kassaye, Ph.D. Tyler Bachelder, M.S. in Computer Information Amy Kern, M.I.A. Systems David Klein, M.F.A. Ingrid Carter, Ph.D. Raenea Gomez, M.A. Dr. Mary Ann Watson Barbara Koehler, J.D. Professor of Psychology Michael Kolb, Ph.D. Cookie Hetzel Ph.D. Lauren Koppel, M.A. Paul Hitchcock, B.A. Dr. Bernice Harris Administrator/AVP, Steve Krizman, M.A. Brandi Rideout Curriculum & Academic Cynthia Lindquist, Ed.D. Jean Rother, M.S., R.N. Effectiveness Janet Ludwig, M.A. Connie Sanders Andrea Maestrejuan, Ph.D. Ms. Mary Ann Baca Roland Schendel, Ph.D. Administrative Assistant Edgar Maldonado, Ph.D. Bradley Thompson, Ph.D. in Finance Vida Melvin, Ph.D. Gretta Mincer, Ed.M. Lorri Wray, B.S. Ms. Bridget Collins-Sullivan Ned Muhovich, Ph.D. Ed Zarate Director, Student Teaching Odon Musimbi, Ph.D.