Fall Commencement Sunday, December 18th, 2005 Two O’clock Colorado Convention Center METROPOLITAN STATE COLLEGE of DENVER Class of 2005 contents Letter from the President ................. 2 Program ......................................... 4 Metro State: A New Vision................. 5 Commencement Staff ....................... 6 Retirees and In Memoriam .................. 7 Board of Trustees ............................ 7 Academic Attire............................... 8 Honor Societies............................... 9 Academic Colors.............................. 9 Fall Graduation Candidates ..............10 Summer Graduates .........................20 Seating Diagram .............................24 Metro State FALL commencement 2005 Sunday, December 18, 2005 Two O’clock Colorado Convention Center Dear member of the Fall 2005 graduating class: After completing my first semester as president, I can say with confidence that Metropolitan State College of Denver is as dynamic, spirited and vital to the Colorado community as I believed it to be when I first arrived. I am honored to have become a part of the proud tradition of academic excellence and accessibility that Metro State has established. It is significant that as you complete your education at Metro State, the College is in the midst of its 40th anniversary, a cause for reflection on where we began and optimism for what we can become. Starting from very humble beginnings in 1965, Metro State now boasts more than 56,300 graduates and 22,000 current students, all of whom, through their tenacity, energy and intelligence, are helping put Metro State on the map. Here are but a few examples of their achievements: • Bill Pickle, who graduated in 1975, is the U.S. Senate Sergeant-at-Arms. As such, he oversees the operation of the Senate and 900 employees. • Lori Beckman, class of 1985, is director of security for Denver International Airport and is responsible for the access and security of the terminal, airfield and surrounding 34,000 acres. • Brad Livingston, who graduated in 1989, is the executive director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, where he oversees 38,000 employees and all state correctional facilities. • Deborah Johnston, class of 1990, was the 2001 Colorado Teacher of the Year. • Nadia Barela, who graduated last spring, entered Metro State as an 18-year-old single mother on a PaceSetter scholarship and now is earning her master’s degree in social work at the University of Denver. • Alexander Brancard, who is graduating summa cum laude today in aviation and aerospace science, has taken Top Pilot honors at the National Intercollegiate Flying Association Region I competition, beating out pilots from the Air Force Academy for the title. A truly well-rounded scholar, Alex has been the newscast director for The Met Report, which received the National Mark of Excellence for Best All-Around Online Student Broadcast Station from the Society of Professional Journalists. Your degree from Metro State symbolizes the knowledge, experiences and skills you have attained that make you ready and qualified to accept the challenge of engaging as citizens in a culturally diverse society, much as the people highlighted above have done. We eagerly anticipate your stream of accomplishments, both large and small, and your continuing attachment to the Metro State community, which promises you a very warm welcome whenever you return. And, as we embark on Metro State’s fifth decade, I look forward to your help in leading your alma mater to fulfillment of our vision to become the preeminent public urban baccalaureate college in the nation. Sincerely, Stephen M. Jordan, Ph.D. President, Metropolitan State College of Denver Commencement Program Processional Pomp and Circumstance, Op. 9. No. ................................................................Sir Edgar Elgar Performed by ................................................................................Metro State Brass Quintet (Please stand for the Procession) National Anthem ........................................ Francis Scott Key, Composer; W. Barr, Arranger Performed by .................................................................................................. Ms. Anna High ......................................................................................... Graduating Music Performance Major Amazing Grace ..................................................................................John Newton, Composer Performed by .......................................................................Greg Warren, Tenor Saxophone ................................................................................................ Junior Music Performance Major Call to Order .........................................................................................................Dr. Hal Nees .............................................................................................................President, Faculty Senate Presidential Greetings .........................................................................Dr. Stephen M. Jordan ...........................................................................President, Metropolitan State College of Denver Remarks from the Trustees ...........................................................................Mr. Bruce Benson ...............................................................................................................Chair, Board of Trustees Welcome and Induction into the Alumni Association ........................................... Mr. Ed Lucero ................................................................................... President, Metro State Alumni Association Introduction of the President’s Award Recipient ..........................................Dr. Sandra Haynes ................................................................................... Dean of the School of Professional Studies Remarks from the Fall Class of 2005 .....................................................................Brent Combs .......................................................................................................... Graduating Leisure Studies Major Address ...............................................................................................Dr. Stephen M. Jordan Commencement Ceremony ......................................................................Professor Kathy Heyl .................................................................Interim Associate Dean, School of Professional Studies .................................................................................................and Director, Commencement Activities Presentation of Candidates ............................................................................. Dr. Joan Foster ...........................................................................................Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs Bachelor of Arts • Bachelor of Fine Arts • Bachelor of Music Bachelor of Music Education • Bachelor of Science Conferring of Degrees .........................................................................Dr. Stephen M. Jordan Introduction of Candidates ..................................................................... Dr. Marilyn A. Hetzel ...............................................................Chair, Department of Communication Arts and Sciences ............................................................................................................................... and Director, Theatre .....................................................Dr. Carl Johnson, Coordinator, Public Address and Rhetoric .........................................................................Department of Communication Arts and Sciences Presentation of Diplomas School of Professional Studies .....................................................Dr. Sandra Haynes, Dean School of Business ............................................................Dr. John Cochran, Interim Dean School of Letters, Arts and Sciences ..................................... Dr. Ken Keller, Interim Dean Tassel Ceremony ..................................................................................Dr. Stephen M. Jordan Closing Ceremony ........................................................................................... Dr. Joan Foster Recessional Interpreters for the Deaf ......................................................................... Deanna Basile and Wendy Lind Inte Metro State: A New Vision stablished in 1965, Metropolitan State to live and work as our teachers, nurses, ECollege of Denver celebrates it 40th accountants, pilots, law enforcement anniversary in 2005-06 as Colorado’s officials, social workers and high-tech “College of Opportunity.” In a short 40 employees. They are in the hospitality years, Metro State has grown to become industry, run businesses, labor in the not- one of the largest, public, baccalaureate for-profit world and are elected officials colleges in the United States and this at the local and state levels. In a recent year attained the rank of second-largest survey of Metro State graduates, 95 undergraduate student population percent said they were satisfied or very in Colorado. satisfied with their college experience. Nine out of 10 employers who have hired Metro State enters its fifth decade with a Metro State graduates say they would do goal of becoming the preeminent public so again. urban baccalaureate college in the nation. Its mission is to provide