Winter 2008 UNIVERSITY OF
MAGAZINE
UNIVERSITY OF MAGAZINEUNIVERSITY OF MAGAZINE UNIVERSITY OF MAGAZINE
Saving Seph Office of the Chancellor Contents
Features
Dear Readers: 24 Million Dollar Man Donald Sturm (LLB ’58) is an expert at making money—and These days, a conversation about college athletics is bound to conjure up a variety of images. Surely one of these is giving it away. associated with the purity of sport—the whole notion of young men and women of exceptional talent developing their By Richard Chapman gifts, working hard to be the best that they can be, competing solely for the love of it. That’s an image deeply rooted in our humanity, bound to our common drive for excellence and belief in possibility. It fits well with the whole notion of 28 Back to School personal growth as a core element of the college experience. Baby boomers have become the new ‘seniors’ on campus. By Doug McPherson There is another image, though, that arises all too often. This is an image in which big-time college athletics is inextri- cably linked to big money, big media, flexible integrity and glitz. Far too many Americans might say that these things 32 Saving Seph are simply the accoutrements, perhaps even the prerequisites, of success in college sports. Faith fuels alumna Lori Ware in her battle to save her son’s life. By Janalee Card Chmel Over the course of the last 10 years since DU returned to NCAA Division I athletics, our Pioneer athletes have shown that that assumption is completely false. Our teams compete, and win, at the highest levels of competition. This past year, they won the NCAA championship in skiing (our 19th), participated in 12 NCAA championship 38 Education Reimagined The Marsico Initiative has transformed DU’s undergraduate arts tournaments and won seven conference titles out of 17 varsity sports. One student-athlete won two individual NCAA and sciences curriculum. championships, 13 students-athletes were named All-Americans, one was an Olympian, and eight of our coaches By Tamara Chapman won conference coach of the year honors. Our Pioneers won the Directors Cup as the best division I–AAA athletics program in America and were ranked in the top 25 among all 331 Division I programs by Sports Illustrated. Departments At the same time, our student-athletes posted a cumulative grade point average of 3.29 and a graduation rate of 92 percent (if one takes into account those students who transferred to other institutions). Thirteen were named 44 Editor’s Note academic All-Americans, and more than 100 (about a third of the total) made the Dean’s List at DU, an achievement that requires a GPA of at least 3.75. As a group, Pioneer athletes participate in a host of outreach and service projects 45 Letters every year, including helping to move our new first-year students into the residence halls on Labor Day each fall. These young men and women serve as role models for their fellow students and for countless kids in the community 47 DU Update who follow Pioneer sports. 08 News Nagel Hall opening 11 Academics Community service Our athletics programs at DU have very high integrity, in keeping with our larger institutional culture. We’ve not had 14 Q&A Peg Bradley-Doppes a major NCAA rules infraction. That’s because our sports programs are focused on the development and well-being 16 Sports Water polo of the individual student, as an athlete and a person. 19 Research Death penalty All of this is what collegiate athletics is really supposed to be about—the purity of sport and the nobility of competi- 21 People Ultra runner tion, the discipline of the athletes a reflection of an overall inner strength that leads to success in academics and, 22 Views Buchtel Tower ultimately, to lives of purpose and significance. Here at DU, we’re proving that the fundamental idea is still valid, that it’s still possible to compete and win at the highest levels with high-integrity programs and athletes who are as serious 43 Alumni Connections about their studies as they are about competing on the field. I hope that you are as proud of our Pioneers as I am. Online only at www.du.edu/magazine: Arts Music recording curriculum History Town of South Denver news • events • sports • community Office of the Chancellor On the cover and this page: Seph Ware. By Wayne Armstrong. Story on page 32. Mary Reed Building | 2199 S. University Blvd. | Denver, CO 80208 | 303.871.2111 | Fax 303.871.4101 | www.du.edu/chancellor 2 University of Denver Magazine Winter 2008 University of Denver Magazine Update 3 UNIVERSITY OF
MAGAZINE www.du.edu/magazine Editor’s Note UNIVERSITY OF Letters Volume 9, Number 2 MAGAZINEUNIVERSITY OF MAGAZINE UNIVERSITY OF Working for the University of Denver Magazine, PublisherMAGAZINE I’m constantly reminded of how remarkable our DU Carol Farnsworth family is. Of course, the students, faculty and staff Managing Editor Connections Gender identity Dr. Cherrington, who headed on campus are tremendous, but it’s the alumni who Chelsey Baker-Hauck (BA ’96) What pleasure I receive from receiving and I was reading the the International Relations reading the University of Denver Magazine. letters written in Department and the Social most amaze me. Assistant Managing Editor Christine Cole (MPS ’07) I received my MBA in 1961; so much has response to the new Science Foundation hired In this job, I meet or hear from alumni Associate Editor happened to the University in the past 47 gender identity clause that was put into Dr. Korbel and laid the groundwork upon nearly every day. They send class notes and share Tamara Chapman years. It is great to be kept current on the effect on DU’s campus [Letters, fall 2008]. which the Graduate School of International growth of the University and all of the It’s interesting that students are con- Studies, now the Korbel School, was memories and bits of nostalgia. They forward news Editors accomplishments being acknowledged by sidered deviant when in fact they are trying constructed. One of the founders of the of family members and fellow Pioneers. I’ve formed Richard Chapman Brenda Gillen (MLS ’06) others. to make the world a more equal and just United Nations Economic and Social friendships with those who call or write regularly and Kathryn Mayer (BA ’07) The fall 2008 issue was very enjoyable, place for all individuals, regardless of sexual Council (UNESCO), Dr. Cherrington look forward to hearing their updates and feedback. Editorial Assistant particularly the story on Josef Korbel. The orientation or gender identity. It might be was a prominent internationalist of the Most of the news alumni share eventually winds up Samantha Stewart (’08) school he headed was still growing when I considered PC to say “transgendered,” but World War II era. He was an advocate Michael Richmond in the pages of the University of Denver Magazine or in Creative/Brand Strategist was a student, but it had already developed a to provide a safe place for individuals to use of collective security, the fostering of reputation for excellence. the restroom—or feel comfortable in their international organizations, the maximum our online news publication DU Today (www.du.edu/today). Jim Good C. Russell Nickel (BSBA ’59, MBA ’61) own skin—on a college campus is not devi- use of diplomacy in the settlement of The backgrounds of our alumni are as diverse as their life callings. Art Director Craig Korn, VeggieGraphics Lacey, Wash. ant, but actually humane and decent. disputes, and the building of international They are following their passions and living lives of meaning and purpose. Students today live in a world that is partnerships as a keystone of America’s Contributors Their stories recharge me. Jordan Ames (BA ’02) • Wayne Armstrong • changing, and with that change comes edu- world role. You’ll read about some of those remarkable, inspirational alumni in Jim Berscheidt • Dave Brendsel • I am very happy to be receiving the cation. Today’s modern movement is for In today’s terms, Dr. Cherrington Janalee Card Chmel (MLS ’97) • Kristal Griffith • DU magazine; it is a wonderful magazine equality for the GLBTIQ community, when would, I believe, be among the advocates this issue, including solar energy pioneer George Lof (page 57), 94-year-old Jeff Haessler • Linda McConnell • and reminds me of my youth and the won- back in the ’60s and ’70s the movement was of soft-power and collective arrangements dynamo Marion Downs (page 44), benefactor and trustee Donald Sturm Doug McPherson • Jeff Nishinaka • derful time we spent at DU. for race and gender equality. It’s admirable vis-à-vis the more unilateral use of military Marc Piscotty • Sarah Satterwhite • (page 24) and Ryan Greenawalt, national board director of the Log Cabin Chase Squires • Janna Widdifield • It has been about 60 years since I was a that DU is a campus where individuals can power that has characterized so much of Republicans (page 56). Carrie Wigglesworth DU student in the mechanical engineering be themselves and not have to worry about our recent foreign policy. As such, he would You’ll also read about alumna Lori Ware (page 32), whose son, Seph, is Editorial Board department’s temporary wood building. We hiding who they really are like so many most likely disagree quite strongly with Dr. were, at the time, about 50 Iraqi students individuals have had to do in the past. Condoleezza Rice, the school’s most promi- pictured on our cover. He has a fatal form of muscular dystrophy, and Lori Chelsey Baker-Hauck, publications director • Jim Berscheidt, associate vice chancellor for sent by our government. All of us had a I applaud DU for its effort to make its nent graduate whom Dr. Korbel mentored, is in the fight of her life to save him. I had the great pleasure of meeting university communications • Thomas Douglis wonderful academic and social education, campus a safe environment for all, regard- as to many of the policies she advocated Lori and Seph when they visited campus in August. Seph’s gigantic spirit (BA ’86) • Carol Farnsworth, vice chancellor for which helped us in working in Iraq at very less of race, gender, sexual orientation or or supported as national security adviser university communications • Sarah Satterwhite, and Lori’s love, faith and passion have moved all of us who have worked senior director of development/special assistant high levels. None of us (as I remember) gender expression. You might be joining and secretary of state. But Dr. Cherrington on that article. I find myself thinking of them often and praying for their to the vice chancellor • Amber Scott (MA ’02) • entered the Saddam Ba’ath Party, and none the “Eastern and California universities” in would honor her service, be proud of the Grace Stanton (PhD ’79), executive director of of us had criminal records (as was usual for their move for equality, but really you are recognition she and other graduates have family. creative/brand strategy • Laura Stevens (BA ’69), some others during the Saddam regime). All standing up for humanity and the decency, brought to DU, and be especially gratified I hope that the stories in this issue leave you feeling inspired, informed, director of parent relations of us believed in democracy, human rights concern and compassion that should be by the development of the international entertained and connected to your DU family. and social well-being. shown to all. studies program and the standing of the Please keep the stories coming. I am not a politician, but I can’t forget And by the way, I am a straight female Korbel School as one of the great interna- Printed on 10% PCW recycled paper (with the majority of the people of Iraq) who is proud of what my University has tional education programs in America. He the great help of the U.S.; without it, we done for the equality movement. was a gracious gentleman and devoted to the The University of Denver Magazine (USPS 022-177) is could not be rid of the worst dictator in the Lauren Johnston (MSW ’07) University. published quarterly—fall, winter, spring and summer—by the University of Denver, University Communications, history of the world. Saddam’s regime was Denver Allan Howerton (BA ’48, MA ’51) Chelsey Baker-Hauck 2199 S. University Blvd., Denver, CO 80208. The dangerous not only for Iraq but also for the Alexandria, Va. University of Denver (Colorado Seminary) is an Equal Managing Editor Opportunity Institution. Periodicals postage paid at Denver, rest of the world. CO. Postmaster: Send address changes to University of I hope and dream to visit our beauti- Ben Cherrington Denver Magazine, University of Denver, University As a 1948 graduate majoring in international Send letters to the editor to: Chelsey Baker- Advancement, 2190 E. Asbury Ave., Denver, CO 80208. ful DU and Denver again some day. My best regards to our dear teachers and fellow relations, I was pleased to note the recogni- Hauck, University of Denver Magazine, 2199 S. tion given to Ben Cherrington in the tribute University Blvd., Denver, CO 80208. Or, e-mail graduate friends. [email protected]. Please include your full Hamdi Touqmatchi (BS ’52) to Dr. Josef Korbel [“Remembering Joe”] in name and mailing address with all submissions. Amman, Jordan the fall 2008 issue of the magazine. Letters may be edited for clarity and length.
4 University of Denver Magazine Winter 2008 University of Denver Magazine Letters 5 9 Wind energy 1 0 Alumni symposium 13 Arts calendar 15 Athletics archive 17 Education dean 18 Library grant 20 Fall harvest 2 3 Investment course
Bring some Pioneer spirit to your holidays Feng Li, Feng Getty Images On Sept. 12, DU alumna Allison Jones (pictured) clinched a silver medal in the women’s cycling time trials at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games with a time of 44:42.88. Jones entered the race ranked third in the world. In addition to taking home a silver, Jones (BSME ’07) placed sixth in the 500K time trial in the velodrome, marking a personal best. Beijing was her fourth visit to the Paralympics, where she also competes as a skier.
6 University of Denver Magazine Winter 2008 University of Denver Magazine Update 7 Top News DU’s newest residence hall opens By Jordan Ames U.S.News & World Report ranks Volunteer Spotlight Harold Beier 19 months of construction and anticipation, Nagel Hall opened Aug. 21. The 150,000-square-foot, five-story, DU in nation’s top 100 WayneArmstrong Dressed in his ever- After 356-bed facility provides much-needed space and modernizes the University’s housing stock. U.S.News & World Report’s annual college rankings for undergraduate present crimson and gold Nagel Hall’s first three floors house sophomores in four-person suites with two bedrooms and a shared bathroom. The education, released in August, again placed the University of Denver among apparel, Harold Beier fourth and fifth floors have apartment units for juniors and seniors. Each fully furnished apartment includes a kitchen, living the nation’s top 100 universities. DU ranked 89th, tied with the University (BA liberal arts ’47) is the room and four single bedrooms. Upper floors feature expansive views of the mountains, Denver skyline and DU campus. of California-Riverside, the University of Kansas, the University of Nebraska- very picture of Pioneer The building was designed to encourage upperclassmen to remain on campus, says Mike Furno, associate director of Lincoln and the University of Vermont. pride. Members of the housing operations. “Having a mixture of sophomores, juniors and seniors together helps diversify the campus,” Furno says. DU’s ranking is based on its Carnegie Foundation category as a campus community also “Upperclassmen have experience and a maturity and academic focus that contributes a richness to the campus community.” doctoral/research university with high research activity. U.S.News & World know him as DU hockey’s Report collects data on as many as 15 indicators of academic quality within DU Trustee Ralph biggest fan. each category. DU ranked high for its freshman retention rate (88 percent), Nagel and his wife, Trish, Although he retired its acceptance rate (74 percent) and its percentage of full-time faculty (75 contributed $4 million to 21 years ago, Beier has percent). spearhead the nearly $40 spent his golden years Universities ranked by U.S.News & World Report include 262 national million project. Ralph, hard at work. Despite public and private universities that offer a wide range of undergraduate the endless hours he an accomplished artist, majors, as well as master’s and doctoral degrees. The magazine weighs spends on the computer contributed works from 75 percent of a school’s ranking by objective criteria and 25 percent on as the archivist for the his collection to be dis- a school’s academic reputation as determined by a survey of university DU Hockey Alumni Asso- played throughout the administrators. ciation, Beier will be the building. At his request, —Dave Brendsel first to tell you that the years have been better than gold. They’ve been a residential room with crimson and gold. studio space has been Since varsity hockey’s inaugural year in 1949, Beier has dedicated designed for an artist- himself to the program by hosting numerous breakfasts, luncheons in-residence program University purchases wind and post-tournament receptions and founding the Hockey Alumni being developed in coop- energy credits Association. eration with the School of Beier says necessity prompted him to create the association. He be- Art and Art History. In September, the University purchased wind credits from Florida lieved that in order to perpetuate the characteristic spirit of DU hockey, To lessen the Power & Light Energy, the nation’s top wind project developer. former coaches, players and staff had to stay involved. structure’s environmen- The “green power” purchase is like a carbon credit. By buying “It helps players to know alumni are involved and behind them and tal impact, architects Renewable Energy Certificates, DU can offset its total electricity usage and rooting for them,” Beier says. incorporated an energy- support the development and increased production of wind power. A sports fan through and through, Beier not only understands the The new commitment is for 15 million kilowatt hours of wind power importance of community for a sports program, he also understands efficient heating and during each of the next two years. DU uses about 48 million kilowatt hours the importance of camaraderie for an athlete’s development.
Wayne Armstrong Wayne cooling system, operable of electricity annually, so the wind credits will offset about 31 percent of the In 1967, when then head coach Murray Armstrong asked Beier if windows, a copper roof made of 90 percent recycled materials, low-water-use faucets, dual-flush toilets, and low-VOC paint University’s consumption. he would house a player, Beier responded, “No Murray. I won’t take just and carpet glues. A kilowatt hour is the amount of electricity ten 100-watt light bulbs use one, I’ll take two or three.” The University’s signature structural masonry, which is designed to last well beyond 100 years, was created from region- in one hour. Beier also understands the importance of preserving the program’s ally sourced bricks. The project’s general contractor, GH Phipps Construction, recycled the construction debris, diverting up to The purchase is a joint partnership between the University and its history. In 2001, Beier donated a roomful of hockey memorabilia to the 75 percent from landfills. students, who each contribute about $6 of their quarterly student fees to DU Archives. The University has submitted the project to the U.S. Green Building Council for Leadership in Energy and Environmental buy wind energy credits. The total annual cost of the purchase is about In 2005, Beier received DU’s Randolph P. McDonough Award for Design (LEED) Gold certification. $75,000. service to alumni. And in 2006, the athletic department recognized University Architect Mark Rodgers took care to design a building that not only fits into the surrounding landscape, but Prior to the expiration of the wind-energy contract on July 31, students Beier for his invaluable service to DU hockey by installing him as a also serves as an open, central point of activity on campus. decided to reduce their commitment to the program so they could support special inductee into the University’s Athletics Hall of Fame. Although “Nagel Hall is meant to be a building like Grand Central Station—a crossing point of campus,” he says. “It’s designed to be energy-efficient lighting. In response, Chancellor Robert Coombe agreed Beier no longer houses hockey players, he and his siblings provide sup- to make up the funding so DU could continue the wind program at the port to the program through the Beier Family Endowed Hockey Scholar- much more than a place where people sleep.” original level. ship. In addition to students, Nagel Hall also houses academic research space, offices and classrooms for the Department of The new green power purchase is being made through the Hockey’s biggest fan, however, has endowed far more than money. Psychology and classrooms for the Center for Teaching and Learning. Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership, which “sup- By working tirelessly to keep hockey alumni interested and involved in “So much learning happens in between class,” Rodgers says. “A university is built around the premise that better, more ports the development of new, renewable energy in the United States.” their alma mater, Beier has helped to create a legacy of camaraderie that effective learning happens when students, faculty and staff interact.” —Richard Chapman will continue to benefit the program for seasons to come. —Samantha Stewart 8 University of Denver Magazine Winter 2008 University of Denver Magazine Update 9 Academics Blending business and compassion By Doug McPherson Alumni reconnect with University at second DU by the Numbers annual symposium could stand for Executives Making Bold Achievements. 2007–08 That’s exactly what two students in DU’s Daniels College of Business Executive MBA (EMBA) “We like to think the WayneArmstrong EMBA program are doing: boldly sharing their business acumen with women in India who desperately need the help. success of the University is campus coffee The story starts in 1996 when Katie Kramer visited India and saw firsthand a Dalit village, home for women who are measured by the success of statistics our alumni,” Chancellor Rob- deemed outcasts from society. ert Coombe told the multi- 9,261 “I was so touched by what I saw—the profound poverty—that it changed my life and influenced my career choice generational capacity crowd Pounds of coffee beans used to enter the nonprofit sector, and it fed my deep desire to help other people,” says Kramer, an EMBA student and vice at DU’s second annual Alumni president and assistant executive director of the Boettcher Foundation, a Denver nonprofit. Symposium Oct. 3–4. “We Fast-forward 11 years. Kramer enters DU’s EMBA program and meets fellow student Flo Mostaccero, who had gotten really need to be an asset to 8 involved with Women with a Cause, a nonprofit that teaches sewing and business skills to Dalit women so they can sell you throughout your life.” Espresso machines what they make and earn a living. The symposium is one “Funny how life comes full circle sometimes,” Kramer says. way DU is trying to do that. Kramer and Mostaccero joined forces as part of the EMBA’s community service component and unleashed a flurry The free event provides an 333,396 of help for Women with a Cause. They developed a opportunity for alumni to 12-ounce cups of coffee sold marketing feasibility study, an inventory tracking exchange and explore ideas, system, clothing tags, statistical analyses on intellectually reconnecting with the University through The Alumni Symposium featured a session on the steel drum. From left: $516,763 merchandise pricing, consumer research, a sales plan keynote lectures and faculty- percussion major Michael Van Wirt, Diana Talamas (attd. 1988–89 Coffee sales revenue and a customer relationship management system. led courses. and 1995–96) and Arlene Sibrell (BA ’50, MA ’64). They also helped organize an event with EMBA Nearly 200 symposium volunteers from DU that raised nearly $100,000 to participants attended five class sessions, choosing from 33 lecture topics. “Hard Choices for America” 10 help build a sewing center in India. featured former Colorado Govs. Dick Lamm and Bill Owens—Lamm is a professor and Owens is a senior Campus coffee shops Now they’re recruiting other EMBA students fellow at DU—who shared their opinions on the difficulties facing the nation. Other topics included Mo- to improve the organization’s financial systems and town, trauma psychology, Chinese nationalism and privacy issues. Internet sales. “I used to feel disconnected from the University,” said Anita Khaldy (BA ’86), but this weekend “Katie and Flo have helped in more ways than I changed that.” Compiled by Nori Yamashita, general ever imagined,” says Susan Kiely, CEO and founder of —Samantha Stewart manager of Sodexo at DU Women with a Cause. “They’ve done so much.” Mostaccero—president of Pearl Development Co., an oil and gas engineering firm—says she got involved because of her “personal need to help other Latino Center presents report to Congress Linda McConnell Katie Kramer (left) and Flo Mostaccero women.” DU’s Latino Center presented a report on the state of Latinos in the United States to members of Congress on Sept. 23. The report calls for “I’m a chemical engineer by degree and have comprehensive immigration reform and the establishment of a presidential commission on Latino issues. always worked in male-dominated industries and professions … but have always felt a strong need to connect and give back The report, authored by the DU Latino Center for Community Engagement and Scholarship and sponsored by Fundación Azteca America, was released to women,” she says. “When I heard about Women with a Cause [and] … women helping women to help themselves, it just Sept. 15. It includes detailed policy recommendations for the incoming administration and members of Congress. seemed [to] fit exactly with my passions.” Maria Salazar, lead author of the report and a professor at DU’s Morgridge College of Education, says the most compelling recommendation is the need Mostaccero has never been to India but hopes to go with Kiely next year. for various Latino organizations nationwide to collaborate on important Latino issues, funneled through a presidential commission. A united effort, she says, Kramer says she’s been involved in nonprofits her entire career and that helping Women with a Cause was “the perfect would ensure a strong Latino voice in the new administration. intersection for my interests … partnering with a business to help women become economically self-sufficient. Additional recommendations include: increasing access to quality education, health care and economic services; investing in Latino community “I love the business model—it teaches the women in India a trade so they can support themselves and their families,” development as a means of promoting self sufficiency; increasing linguistically and culturally relevant practices in education, health care, economic access, Kramer says. “They’re taking their earnings and educating their children and providing loans to the men in the village to immigration reform and political engagement; enacting federal legislation to protect Latinos against discriminatory and predatory practices; and advancing help them become self-sufficient, too. Talk about a positive cycle.” comprehensive and humane immigration reform. The report found that Latino communities want to be self-sufficient and contribute to U.S. society. However, Latinos face major challenges in accessing Kramer credits Mostaccero for “the perfect tagline” that captures the spirit of Women with a Cause: “Teach a Woman education, health care and economic services. The lack of immigration reform widens disparities and limits progress. to Sew and a Village Blossoms.” DU’s Latino Center completed exhaustive research on Latino issues through community forums and consultation with several local, state and national “Being a part of something that’s creating positive change is so fun and empowering,” Kramer says. “Flo and I are both Latino groups. thankful for this opportunity.” >> Read more and download the report at www.du.edu/today. >>www.womenwithacause.com —Dave Brendsel >>www.daniels.du.edu 10 University of Denver Magazine Winter 2008 University of Denver Magazine Update 11 Jeff Haessler Jeff Winter Arts Calendar DU installs natural gas pump Planting project December 12 Lamont Symphony Orchestra. 7:30 p.m. on campus 4 The Nutcracker, International Youth Ballet. Hamilton Recital Hall. adds trees to 7:30 p.m. Additional performances Dec. 5 13 The Playground, Lamont artist in residence. DU’s facilities management department is living up to the University’s “Pio- at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 6 at 12:30 p.m. Noon. Hamilton Recital Hall. campus neer” spirit by installing what’s believed to be the first compressed natural gas Gates Concert Hall. 14 Either/Orchestra with Ethiopian guests. The University of Denver campus (CNG) vehicle refueling station on a Colorado university campus. Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum, Cleo 7:30 p.m. Gates Concert Hall. 5 is getting a little greener in celebration The natural gas “pump,” a fueling station for a growing fleet of maintenance Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble. 7:30 p.m. 19 Post-News Pen & Podium Series: Carl of the 100th anniversary of the Daniels and other vehicles that run on natural gas, offers DU a cleaner and less-expen- Additional performances Dec. 6, 12, 13, 19 Hiassen. 7:30 p.m. Gates Concert Hall. College of Business. sive way of powering vehicles. Unlike building a gasoline station, which requires and 20 at 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and String and wind chamber ensembles. a storage tank, the natural gas station draws from the underground pipes that 21 at 2 p.m. Byron Theatre. 7:30 p.m. Hamilton Recital Hall. The Daniels Centennial Trees project aims to plant 100 different trees crisscross the city already. 6 Solstice Celebration, Turtle Island Quartet. 21 Bourbon Street Brass, Denver Brass. According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s list of CNG fueling stations 7:30 p.m. Gates Concert Hall. 7:30 p.m. Additional performance Feb. 22 at across campus by April 2009. The col- lege is soliciting donations to cover the nationwide, DU is the first university campus in Colorado to build a station. 13 Midwinter Song—Christmas Around the 2:30 p.m. Gates Concert Hall. Allan Wilson, DU’s director of building services, introduced drivers to the station in September. World, Sound of the Rockies. 2 p.m. and 22 Organist Gerhard Weinberger. 3 p.m. cost of the trees and to endow a Dan- Building on a $180,000 grant from the Denver-based Strategic Environmental Project Pipeline Foundation—a nonprofit dedicated to a cleaner environment 7:30 p.m. Gates Concert Hall. Hamilton Recital Hall. iels Centennial Scholarship. and clean energy—DU converted a dozen campus vehicles to natural gas, although the vehicles can still run on gasoline when needed. 14 Holiday carillon concert. 3 p.m. Williams String and wind chamber ensembles. The project grew out of a desire The University has gone on to convert three more vehicles on its own—at a cost of about $12,000 each—and is planning to convert at least two more. Carillon. 7:30 p.m. Hamilton Recital Hall. to celebrate the college’s history, create a fund to help students in the future Since 2007, burning natural gas instead of gasoline has kept more than 9.5 tons of carbon out of the atmosphere and cut fuel costs by at least $12,000, Wilson 16 Christmas Around the World, Lori Line and 23 Carl Roth and Mark Patterson, bassoon says. her pop chamber orchestra. 7:30 p.m. Gates and trombone. 7:30 p.m. Hamilton Recital and to support Denver Mayor John With the new pump station, which draws gas off existing lines and compresses it in a holding tank for rapid dispensing, DU departments can run vehicles at Concert Hall. Hall. Hickenlooper’s Tree by Tree initiative. the equivalent of paying $1.05 a gallon for gasoline. 21 O Holy Night, Denver Brass. 2:30 p.m., Gates 24 Lamont guitar ensembles. 7:30 p.m. Hickenlooper’s plan aims to plant one Concert Hall. million trees in the Denver metropoli- —Chase Squires Hamilton Recital Hall. 31 Countdown with the Denver Brass. 4 p.m. 25 The Climb, Lamont faculty jazz combo. tan area in the next 20 years. and 9 p.m. Gates Concert Hall. 7:30 p.m. Hamilton Recital Hall. The first campus 26 The Three Penny Opera. DU theater and tree—a “baby blue- January music school production. 7 p.m. Additional eyes” spruce—was planted in June in 8 Paul Soldner exhibition. Through Feb. 22. performances Feb. 27 and 28 and March 5, 6 honor of Daniels Myhren Gallery. and 7 at 7 p.m; Feb. 28 and March 7 at 2 p.m. Byron Theatre. Dean Emeritus 9 “Flo’s Underground” jazz combos. 5 p.m. Bruce Hutton. every Friday through March 6. 28 David Dorfman Dance, underground. 7:30 p.m. Gates Concert Hall. Sixty- The University of Denver Presents The Iznaola Transcriptions. Ricardo Iznaola three other Jubilee Concert. 7:30 p.m. Hamilton Recital Denver Public Schools Superintendent Michael Bennet and a panel of Hall. March trees have since been education experts discussing K–12 reform from their points of view 18 Flutist Leone Buyse. 3 p.m. Hamilton Recital 2 “Jazz Night,” Lamont jazz ensembles. Hall. 7:30 p.m. Gates Concert Hall. planted. Each tree is Feb. 9, 2009, 7 p.m. 28 Cellist Richard Slavich and friends. 3 The Playground, Lamont artist in residence. 7:30 p.m. Hamilton Recital Hall. Noon. Hamilton Recital Hall. being marked June Swaner Gates Concert Hall with an arbore- 29 The Playground, Lamont artist in residence. Lamont percussion ensemble. 7:30 p.m. iStock tum inventory Newman Center for the Performing Arts, 2344 E. Iliff Ave. 7:30 p.m. Hamilton Recital Hall. Gates Concert Hall. tag designating it as a gift of the Daniels America’s education system faces many challenges. Some critics contend that 30 Lamont wind ensemble. 7:30 p.m. Gates 4 Men’s and women’s choirs. 7:30 p.m. Gates College of Business. our public school system needs a radical overhaul, while others recommend Concert Hall. Concert Hall. The scholarship will be awarded incremental reform. Virtually everyone agrees that there are more questions than 31 Los Angeles Guitar Quartet. 7:30 p.m. 5 Transforming Traditions: Contemporary on April 25, 2009, at an event capping answers in this important policy arena. Join the discussion as the University of Gates Concert Hall. Chinese Art from the Logan Collection. Denver’s 2008–2009 Bridges to the Future series, which is free and open to the Through April 26. Myhren Gallery. the yearlong anniversary celebration. Planned activities include a five-mile public, looks at the future of education in our complex society. February 6 Bach: The Four Lute Suites. Ricardo Iznaola Jubilee Concert. 7:30 p.m. Hamilton Recital run/3K walk, an alumni barbecue and “Jazz Night,” Lamont jazz ensembles. 4 Hall. the planting of the 100th tree. 7:30 p.m. Gates Concert Hall. Lamont chorale and wind ensemble. For more information or to Violinist Linda Wang with pianist Alice 8 RSVP at www.du.edu/bridges after 1/5/09. 6 4 p.m. Gates Concert Hall. donate to the Daniels Centennial Fund, For those without Internet access, please call Rybak. 7:30 p.m. Hamilton Recital Hall. e-mail [email protected]. 303.871.2357. Free parking is available in the 11 Guitarist Leonardo Lozano. 7:30 p.m. For ticketing and other information, including a full Newman Center garage. —Jordan Ames Hamilton Recital Hall. listing of campus events, visit www.du.edu/calendar.
12 University of Denver Magazine Winter 2008 University of Denver Magazine Update 13 Q&A Athletics Vice Chancellor Peg Bradley-Doppes on athletic success Program gives parents a night off Resort partnership creates Interview by Doug McPherson learning laboratory A free child care program at DU allows The Outrigger Hotel and Resort family expanded with a new What does it mean to We also embraced a “One DU” approach. All of our programs parents of children with partnership between the Hawaiian hotel chain and the School of Hotel, Q the University to have are valuable; athletics is very much a part of the academic special needs to enjoy a Restaurant and Tourism Management (HRTM) at DU’s Daniels College such a successful athletics pro- mission here. Our student-athletes graduate faster than non- night out without the kids. of Business. gram? student-athletes. We are very proud of the fact that we are part “Night Owls” is held at Richard “Doc” Kelley, Outrigger Enterprises Group’s board chair of the DU community. We’ve made a very conscientious effort the University’s Fisher Early and a DU trustee, dedicated the Richard Kelley/Outrigger Reservations I would be the first one to connect with our alumni, our faculty and staff, and most Learning Center on the Laboratory on the DU campus in June. to say that athletics is first Friday of each month. The laboratory in the HRTM building will allow up to six student A importantly our students as we build this. not the most important thing The program is staffed by interns at a time to work paid part-time shifts. They’ll take phone, Web We are blessed with a beautiful campus, great faculty, about a university at any level. trained volunteers, who are and fax inquiries from Outrigger customers and group booking agents. incredible alumni. This is a place where we have been able to However, it’s the most visible. matched one-on-one with The students will be paid for their time, and their work hours will attract some of the best young coaches, retain the best seasoned I would look at the national a child. Nine events have count toward HRTM’s 1,000-hour work requirement. coaches and have created an esprit de corps that there is a sense exposure from this past year’s Carrie Wigglesworth been held since the service The partnership is one of two agreements between Outrigger of energy and commitment. There is a universal feeling of, “It’s began in April, and more than 100 children from 52 families have participated. and university hospitality programs, and the only such arrangement on success in a very positive light. great to be a Pioneer.” Children with moderate to severe special needs—from infants to 12-year-olds— the U.S. mainland. We have 17 programs, and 12 and their siblings are eligible to participate. Outrigger’s customer contact center fields 3,000 inbound phone of those programs went to the For more information on participating or volunteering, e-mail nightowls@ calls, 1,000 faxes and several hundred Internet customer chats each NCAA tournaments. We have What do you expect the coming year to bring in terms du.edu. day through a Web-based system. eight coaches of the year, six of athletics? —Jim Berscheidt —Jordan Ames conference championships. We Q
Wayne Armstrong Wayne have been able to demonstrate I envision the same type of success and even greater. I leadership at the conference A think there is such a momentum here—such an incredible level, at the regional level and, certainly, at the NCAA level. I sense of energy and passion—that there was no sense or feeling Pioneers Top 10 Athletics teams up with library to preserve think as ambassadors for the University, as educators and lead- of, “Oh, we’ve reached it.” It was “This is incredible.” And if this Most common historic photos ers, we have a responsibility to show the rest of the world that is incredible, can you imagine how truly great we can be when we the University of Denver is a very special place. have everything hitting on all cylinders? I think we are just get- cars on campus DU’s library and athletics department are teaming up to tackle a huge archival project: digitizing We hope to be able to prove over the years to come that this ting started. We are a work in progress. We are much harsher on thousands of sports-related photos, videos, electronic media broadcasts, press releases, statistics, rosters
and other documents. Archives DU was not just a “flash in the pan”—that we have the right values, ourselves than anyone else has to be so that, for us, it’s wonder- 1. Subaru the right work ethic, talented staff, outstanding student-athletes ful to see the hard work of the coaches and of the staff and the The goal is to organ- ize, archive and preserve who have a shared vision of having greatness here at DU. This student-athletes be realized. 2. Toyota the items, some of which is an incredible university with top-notch faculty and incredible We strive to become the No. 1 basketball program in the 3. Honda go back to the late 19th alumni who aspire to be the very best they can be. Rocky Mountain region, to maintain our national success in century. One photo is hockey and to overall have an extremely successful broad-based 4. BMW of the 1891 DU sailing program. But as we go forward, we continue not to worry about club. 5. Audi What factors have contributed to DU’s athletic the outcome. We worry about the process—recruiting and Some 150,000 ath- Q success? retaining the top talented students and staff, making sure we are 6. Volvo letics and recreation pho- doing things the right way, making sure we graduate our student- tos, along with hundreds We have implemented a pretty significant strategic plan athletes. It is important to remember that this is the seventh 7. Jeep of historical documents that started three years ago. We have worked at fully fund- A consecutive year that we’ve won the Sun Belt academics trophy. and electronic media ele- ing all 17 of our programs. The philosophy of that was if we can 8. Mercedes Many of our programs are ranked nationally in their team GPAs, ments in various formats, will be vetted over the coming months. All digitized items will go into a single fund our programs to the NCAA limit—that is where all of our so they are national All-American teams. We’re doing it the right system searchable by team, sport, year or individual. The project will be ongoing. competition is—we would become more successful and therefore, 9. Ford way, not just winning, but winning and graduating very bright The effort also will include displaying historical photographs in the Ritchie Center concourse and more visible and have the ability to raise more money. We’ve offices, on electronic scoreboards and in DU print publications. young men and women. 10. Chevy been able to do that. Those with historical athletic material or those who may be able to help identify and date items can Compiled by DU parking enforcement officers contact University Archivist Steve Fisher at 303-871-2328 or [email protected]. Chris Meyer, Josh Mason, Kleo Pomeroy and Jeff Jeffers —Doug McPherson
14 University of Denver Magazine Winter 2008 University of Denver Magazine Update 15 Sports
Polo, pool-style WayneArmstrong By Doug McPherson Wartgow named interim dean at DU installs locks, introduces Morgridge College video to maximize campus safety going on under the water Something’s in the pool at the El Pomar Former Denver Public Schools (DPS) Superintendent Jerry Wartgow As students returned to some buildings on campus this fall, they noticed a Natatorium. Above the water, it all looks rather fun—competitive, will serve as interim dean of DU’s Morgridge College of Education while new safety feature on virtually every door. During the summer, thumb latches yes—but definitely fun. the search continues for a new dean, Chancellor Robert Coombe and were installed on classroom doors so they can be locked from the inside with Provost Gregg Kvistad announced in August. Wartgow started on Sept. 3. one action. Beneath the surface, though, is a lot of kicking, scratching, hold- Former Dean Ginger Maloney left the position this summer after The locks are another in a series of initiatives designed to keep faculty, stu- ing, poking and even pulling on swimsuits. Above the water a whistle seven years. She will remain with the college as director of the Marsico dents and staff as safe as possible in the event of a shooting on campus. pierces the humid air. No doubt, a referee has spotted one of those Institute for Early Learning and Literacy, which began this fall. The University also has purchased rights to use a new training video that infractions. The offender is sent off to the penalty box for a 20- “The Morgridge College is one of the few named education schools will show the campus community what to do if there is a gunman on campus. All second stretch. in the country, and soon we will break ground on its new building,” says DU students and employees are encouraged to view the video, which is avail- Welcome to water polo—University of Denver style. Kvistad. “It’s important we have strong leadership during this crucial time able through the Campus Safety Web site. It’s only available to individuals with a One thing that’s not going on under the water: feet touching the and that we do not rush the national search currently under way. We are DU identification number, which needs to be entered prior to viewing. bottom. For much of an hour, players swim the length of the “field” grateful that Jerry has agreed to lead the college while we search for a new University officials also hope that incoming students and new employees back and forth. dean.” will register for the Critical Incident Notification System (CINS). Text, e-mail and “It’s a workout,” says Ben Kincses, an international business The college recently completed a $35 million fundraising campaign, voice messages are sent through CINS for emergency situations that include major from Hungary who played the sport as a kid. “On average, a which includes construction costs associated with the new building, shootings, tornado warnings and a fire on campus, or for snow closures. player swims about 1.5 miles in a game.” three endowed faculty positions, and the creation of new institutes and Students, faculty and staff can register by logging in to their account through scholarships. MyWeb. After logging in, select “personal information” and “notification prefer- Players describe water polo as a mix of soccer, basketball, ice Wartgow was an educator for 40 years, including four years as head ences” to enter contact numbers. hockey, wrestling and rugby. of DPS. He left that position in 2005. Wartgow graduated from DU in —Jim Berscheidt Ouch. It does get rough. 1972 with a PhD in education. “Players get poked in the eye, take hits to the face, and there’s —Jim Berscheidt bleeding sometimes,” Kincses says. Plus, there’s plenty of yelling. When the word weak echoes off Religion the walls, it means somebody on the “weak side” of the defense is American Music open and possibly able to score. The words we’re up or we’re down Disaster psychology students mean they’re up or down a player because of a penalty. put what they learn into practice Climate Change The sport pits two teams of seven players each (six “field” play- Opera ers and one goalie) against each other. The aim is simple: Score more On her birthday, Linda Baker arrived in Belize City, Belize—not to cel- goals than the other team. The playing area is 30 meters by 20 meters; the floating goals are one meter high and three meters ebrate but to volunteer for the Pan American Health Organization. It was a wide. part of her summer internship for the DU International Disaster Psychology The ball can only be caught and thrown by one hand. When a team gains control of the ball, it has just 35 seconds to Program. The circumstances were difficult; two weeks prior to her arrival, tropi- & shoot. Kincses started the DU water polo club in 2005. By the start of the 2006–07 school year, he had a team of 25 sanctioned cal storm Arthur had flooded much of the country’s eastern coast. Baker, a second-year graduate student, says there were numerous injuries and seven by the Collegiate Water Polo Association. fatalities due to flooding. In that first year, DU hosted the Rocky Mountain Conference Championship and placed a respectable third of seven Baker and fellow student Alyson Welch worked with the World Health teams from Colorado, Utah and Wyoming. Organization, helping train psychiatric nurse practitioners about how patients Today about 25 students, both men and women, play water polo throughout the school year; 14 play competitively would normally react in a disaster and helping develop a national mental in eight games during the fall against other schools such as the University of Utah, University of Colorado, Utah State health disaster plan. University, University of Wyoming, the Colorado School of Mines, U.S. Air Force Academy and Colorado State University. The International Disaster Psychology Program at the Graduate School Maura Shandley, a junior from Illinois who played in high school, says she “fell in love with the sport immediately” of Professional Psychology develops partnerships with governmental and because of the team aspect. nongovernmental agencies, working with communities affected by disaster Film “It was such a great change from swimming. It’s absolutely challenging,” Shandley says. “We’ve had several people come to create the internship possibilities for students. out who’ve never played, and they all loved it. Many even stuck with it the entire season and became key players.” Currently, international disaster psychology students have opportuni- Katie Bernell, a sophomore from Texas, says a friend urged her to try it. ties to work with the Pan American Health Organization, a division of the Politics “More or less I tried it to see if I could tread water for more than five minutes,” Bernell says. “I kept afloat … gained some World Health Organization, in Belize and Jamaica or with a variety of non- governmental agencies in Bosnia. skills and made some great friends.” —Kristal Griffith
16 University of Denver Magazine Winter 2008 ArtUniversity of Denver Magazine Update 17 Research Crime and punishment Bologna program to address Bridges to the Future series By Kristal Griffith
concerns over urban life focuses on education’s future research by Scott Phillips, DU associate WayneArmstrong professor of sociology and criminology, In 2008—and for the first time in human history—most people on the planet will A crowd of nearly 1,400 heard author, educator and activist New delves into racial disparities in death penalty cases in live in cities. Given this monumental transition, societal concerns about the long-term Parker Palmer discuss challenges facing America’s education Harris County, Texas. The research suggests that the sustainability of urban settlements, and urban life in general, are at an all-time high. system as the seventh year of Bridges to the Future kicked off in The University of Denver-Bologna International Center for Civic Engagement September. district attorney was more likely to pursue the death (ICCE), an international venue for research and study, has received a multi-institution, The theme of this year’s Bridges lecture series is “A Nation Still penalty against black defendants and on behalf of white $180,000 grant from the European Union-United States Atlantis Program to develop At Risk: The Future of Education.” victims. and implement an international “Excellence in Mobility” project to address problems Palmer, founder of the Center for Courage and Renewal, told The study, “Racial Disparities in the Capital of Capital confronting contemporary cities. the crowd that trust needs to be put back in the education system Punishment,” was published in the Houston Law Review The project will create a curriculum shared among four partner institutions— and all educators need to explore self-knowledge, no matter their this fall. the University of Denver, Portland State University, University of Bologna and the spiritual beliefs, in order to be better practitioners. “Conventional wisdom holds that the race of the University of Nottingham—focused on the study of social and natural transformations DU invited teachers and administrators from 13 Front Range victim is pivotal,” Phillips says. “But current research of urban areas in Europe and in the United States. school districts to attend the event and other activities before and after suggests that the race of the defendant and victim are The program will include an exchange of 48 undergraduate students and some Palmer’s address in order to engage them in the conversation. both pivotal.” teaching faculty equally divided among the partner institutions. The project brings Denver Public Schools Superintendent Michael Bennet is Phillips studied whether race influenced the district together students and scholars from across the social sciences, natural sciences and scheduled to appear with a panel of educators Feb. 9 to continue attorney’s decision to pursue a death trial or the jury’s humanities to develop interdisciplinary perspectives on urban problems and to work the discussion surrounding K-12 reform. Reservations for the free toward sustainable urban futures. event will be taken after Jan. 5. decision to impose a death sentence against defendants Teresa Conley, a marketing professor at the Daniels College of Business, will lead DU also is producing a series of one-hour television specials on indicted for capital murder in Harris County, which is a course in the spring. Students attending the grant-funded program will take classes education in partnership with Rocky Mountain PBS. The series will in the Houston area. He spent several years looking at on the Italian language, The Role of Business in Civic Engagement, and Democracy feature Bridges speakers. The first segment will air in December. more than 500 capital murder cases that occurred from and the City: Moving Towards an Engaged Citizenship. They also will participate in Visit the Bridges to the Future Web site at www.du.edu/bridges 1992–99. a civic engagement practicum to apply classroom learning into real-world situations for additional information. “Harris County is the capital of capital punishment,” utilizing the civic backdrop of Bologna. —Kristal Griffith Phillips says. “If Harris County were a state, it would rank —Jordan Ames second in executions after Texas.” While Phillips’ research shows a clear racial disparity in the district attorney’s decision to seek the death penalty, the professor is not accusing the district attorney Library program gets federal grant of nearly $1 million at the time, John Holmes Jr., of being racist. Scott Phillips The University of Denver Morgridge College of Education Library and iStock The office has a long-standing practice of removing Information Science Program and its partners—DU’s Westminster Law Library and the race of parties from the memo that the district attorney uses to decide whether to seek death. the Sturm College of Law—will recruit and educate 10 new law librarians, known as “Discrimination implies purposeful action,” Phillips says. “I am certain that the Harris County D.A. does the Law Librarian Fellows, thanks to a grant of $999,360 from the Federal Institute not intend for race to influence the process. Nonetheless, it appears that it does.” of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). In fact, the percentage distribution suggests that the district attorney sought the death penalty against The grant was one of 31 awards given to institutions nationwide as part of a black and Caucasian defendants at the same rate. However, the racial disparity is found when looking at the $20.3 million initiative of the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program. nature of the crime because black defendants committed murders that were less serious, according to objective Partnering with law librarians on outreach initiatives from the State of Colorado measures. After controlling for the nature of the crime, the findings demonstrate that the odds of the district Supreme Court Library, the law librarianship students will participate actively as attorney pursuing a death penalty trial were 1.75 times higher against black defendants than Caucasian members of the Rural and Small Practice Attorney Library Support Center at DU. defendants. They will be assigned a list of clients and provide legal reference, document retrieval and other services under the guidance of Westminster law librarians. Clients “To impose equal punishment against unequal crimes is to impose unequal punishment,” Phillips says. will include rural attorneys, academic and public libraries with legal collections, rural Phillip’s work was highlighted in April by reporter Adam Liptak in The New York Times. The American government agencies, and nongovernmental legal organizations serving low-income Constitution Society (ACS) distributed a brief on his work to its members in October. individuals and families. Emily Chatterjee, the national program law fellow for ACS, says Phillips’ work ties into their mission to IMLS is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 122,000 ensure human dignity, individual liberties, genuine equality and access to justice in American law. libraries and 17,500 museums. The institute’s mission is to create strong libraries “Phillips’ work investigating racial disparities in capital punishment and his proposals for how to help limit and museums that connect people to information and ideas. such disparities very much falls under our mission,” Chatterjee says. “It is important that research like this is —Jim Berscheidt highlighted for ACS members and shared as widely as possible.”
18 University of Denver Magazine Winter 2008 University of Denver Magazine Update 19 People The master of faster Students harvest produce to help local food banks By Doug McPherson WayneArmstrong More than 70,000 people across Colorado enjoyed fresh produce in judge Chase Squires until you walk a mile—no, scratch that—until you run 100 miles in his shoes. September thanks in part to volunteers from the University of Denver. Don’t Squires, a DU senior public affairs specialist and University of Denver Magazine writer, is what you call an Seven undergraduate and graduate students, led by University ultradistance runner—the folks who use a marathon to get warmed up and often run 100 miles. Chaplain Gary Brower, spent a day at Petrocco Farms in Brighton, Colo., For those counting, that’s just a little jaunt from DU’s campus to CU-Boulder’s campus, back to DU, and, uh, back to CU. cutting and boxing cabbage in a gleaning project for COMPA Ministries. “I think a lot of folks think we’re nuts,” Squires says. The cabbage was distributed to 170 shelters and food pantries in the You might not pick Squires out of a crowd as someone who could run 100 miles, or even one mile for that matter. He’s Denver metro area and across Colorado. 5-foot, 4-inches tall, thinning on top and weighs in at about 150. He’s a self-described 42-year-old “desk jockey, nothing During harvest season (September and October), COMPA works
special.” WayneArmstrong with volunteers from local churches, civic agencies and community groups to harvest fresh produce donated by area farms. The organization “I’m not an athlete, just some slug who’s supports the acquisition, production and distribution of healthy food too dumb to quit when his whole body hurts to the “working poor” to help promote self-sufficiency and prevent and his mind tells him to call it a day.” homelessness. But that gets at the message Squires The DU group joined nearly 100 other volunteers. In just two and a wants most to impart: “You can do this.” half hours, the volunteers had cut and packed enough cabbage to fill three He’s kind of an evangelist for the sport flat-bed trailers and a 24-foot van. of ultrarunning, the father of farther, the Brower organized the DU contingent as a way to unite students pastor of faster. “I really believe that people from across campus to work toward a common cause. cheat themselves if they say, ‘I could never —Jordan Ames do that.’ Heck, did you try? I’ll bet you never tried!” The key, he says, is to get three miles under your belt “until you think that’s nothing.” From there, you just build on the miles. Elsbeth Williams Maybe five at first, then seven, then 10. found a world of opportunity at DU. “Before you know it, 18 miles isn’t that far,” he says. Squires himself entered the sport slowly. As a double major in music and international studies, In 2001, he weighed 205, ate a lot of pizza, Elsbeth Williams was able to mix and cultivate her burgers and fried chicken and nursed a passions. Her DU experience included study in France, Vienna and a service-learning trip to India. cholesterol level north of 300. His wife signed him up for a YMCA class. “I went in, walked 20 minutes on a treadmill and thought I was going to die.” “ My global perspective was enhanced at DU But he kept at it. From 20 minutes to 30 minutes, then jogging. First two miles, then three. About 18 months later he thanks to the opportunities I received and bagged his first marathon in 4 hours, 30 minutes. He was hooked. Four months later he broke four hours. “That’s when I got a scholarship funded by Gwen VanDerbur serious,” he says. Mitchell (Law ’54).” And today he’s completed several 100-mile races. The most recent was in February 2008: the Rocky Raccoon 100 in Texas. – Elsbeth Williams, BM, BA, MA, 2007 He’ll race in Hawaii’s HURT 100 in January. What’s it like to run 100 miles (which takes Squires 28 hours, on average)? Find out more about Elsbeth and how you can “From about midnight on … you see some weird things. I start hallucinating from sleep deprivation.” help students like her. One time he says he looked down at a puddle at 3 a.m. and saw a duck sitting in it next to a miniature statue of the Stanley Cup. “Weird. By the time the sun comes up, I’ve got 10 or 20 miles to go and I just want to finish. My body hurts and Visit us at www.giftplanning.du.edu it’s slow going.” Nevertheless, he likes it. “You know what? It’s fun.” And he adds that ultras are typically in “wild and fantastic” settings. Office of Gift Planning Innovative. Dynamic. On the move. 800.448.3238 or 303.871.2739 “There’s a saying in the sport: ‘Thanks to ultrarunning, I’ve thrown up in some of the world’s most beautiful places.’” www.giftplanning.du.edu E-mail: [email protected]
DUMag_Fall08GiftPlngAd_FINAL.indd 1 10/14/08 11:11:03 AM 20 University of Denver Magazine Winter 2008 University of Denver Magazine Update 21 Views All that remains Photograph by Wayne Armstrong Class of 2012 sets high Students get lessons from academic standard topsy-turvy market
This fall DU welcomed 1,145 new first-year, first-time students On Monday, Sept. 29, DU students in the Marsico Investment Fund hailing from 44 states and 26 nations. course watched $21,000 disappear from their investment portfolio in the More than 42 percent of the new students were in the top tenth wake of the stock market’s historic plunge of 777 points. That was real money, of their high school class, and more than 75 percent were in the top not play money as in stock market simulations. quarter. SAT and ACT scores were higher than ever, and the mean high Before Monday, the fund was at $524,000. But on Monday, it plummeted school GPA was 3.66. Ninety-seven freshmen are enrolled in DU’s to $503,000. Then on Tuesday, it rose to $514,000. Honors Program, up from 61 last year. Course instructor Mac Clouse says the class is a “great teaching The Class of 2012 is “the most capable new class we have ever experience.” His students are having to look at “defensive stocks” that can do had,” Chancellor Robert Coombe said in his September Convocation well in a down economy. address. Some of those picks include Proctor & Gamble and Johnson & Johnson Admission criteria for the class also were tougher than ever. More because the students anticipate that consumers will still buy products such as than 7,144 students applied for DU’s freshman class; just 64.4 percent soap, shampoo, toothpaste and Band-Aids. of those were accepted. Another stock is CXW, a private corrections facility builder. “The idea is Female students comprise 55.8 percent of the class, and 15.5 per- that when times get tough, people turn to crime,” Clouse says. cent of the new students are domestic minorities. More than 52 percent As bad as losing $21,000 sounds, it’s not the worst students have seen. In are from out of state, and 6 percent are international students. the two years after the dot-com bust, the portfolio lost $290,000. —Media Relations Staff —Doug McPherson
Nanotech conference offers up big plans for tiny things
Some of the world’s top innovators in nanotechnology descended on the Cable Center in July for the first annual Nano Renewable Energy Summit. The event focused on the nexus where research on a molecular level—nanotechnology—meets the quest for renewable energy. Potential uses for nanotech breakthroughs in renewable energy include: new methods of producing biofuels; new materials to help produce and transmit power through wind turbines; lighter and stronger materials to make autos more fuel efficient; glass for office buildings and cars that dissipates heat from the sun; and new ways to gather solar energy that would make solar power a viable, cost-effective alternative. The only common thread is the minute nature of the work, crafting these breakthroughs from the smallest of particles. Rahmat Shoureshi, dean of DU’s School of Engineering and Computer Science, told the assembly of educators, researchers, government leaders and business professionals that the University has added 22 faculty members interested in research and development of nanotechnologies in computer science and engineering fields. DU plans to offer a graduate program focusing on nanotech issues within three years, he said. Not a bad field to consider, if former U.S. Secretary of Transportation cornerstone of the Memorial Chapel was laid in 1910, but it wasn’t until December 1917 that the building was Rodney Slater’s numbers are right. At the conference, Slater said commercial applications and other investments in the broad field are dedicated in honor of those who died in World War I. Only one of the chapel’s original four towers remains; The expected to make nanotechnology a $2 trillion industry by 2015. the rest of the building was destroyed by fire in 1983. Today, the Buchtel Memorial Tower houses DU’s Victory Bell—moved —Chase Squires from Old Main—which tolls for Commencement.
22 University of Denver Magazine Winter 2008 University of Denver Magazine Update 23 DU_Alumni_Du_Today_1/4page.indd 1 7/1/08 1:26:11 PM By Richard Chapman Photography by Marc Piscotty
Million Dollar
Donald Sturm (LLB ’58) is an expert at making money—and giving it away.
hen the man whose name sits atop diplomas at the $2.2 billion in assets, employs more than 850 people and has Sturm College of Law showed up at DU in 1955 to loans out totaling $1.7 billion. He’s been on and off the Forbes list Wbegin classes, the law school dean looked at him and of the 400 richest Americans and has involved himself in so many blustered: “What are you doing here?” businesses he can’t remember the number. Don Sturm was four months late for class. He earned a master of laws degree in taxation from NYU, Sturm may have said he was there so he could get out of litigated for the IRS across a nine-state region and earned his way the Army three months early. to the vice chairmanship of Peter Kiewit Sons, one of the largest Or that he chose law because he didn’t want to be a doctor, employee-owned companies in the nation. (Kiewit’s Colorado dentist or accountant. credits include the Eisenhower Tunnel, Glenwood Canyon and Or because of nifty murder trials he’d stopped off to watch the T-Rex project in Denver.) on the way home to Brooklyn after cruising through liberal arts Sturm helped pull Continental Airlines out of bankruptcy, courses at City College of New York. came an eyelash from owning the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Sturm doesn’t remember what he actually replied, only that Avalanche and Pepsi Center, and was instrumental in helping it was the right answer. He had a letter of admittance to DU, Colorado and other western states rebound from the savings and military benefits, a 1947 Mercury he’d bought for $200 and loan crisis of the 1980s and ’90s. driven from an Army base in Alabama, and an intellectual engine He runs a $60 million philanthropic foundation whose “revving” for the law. gifts, when combined with the charitable endeavors of his “I was a class of one,” recalls Sturm, now a 76-year-old DU companies, provide about $4 million a year to communities trustee. “But it worked out. I caught up. I went through in two across five states. years and two months. Sturm has given nearly $30 million to the University of “The GI Bill paid for tuition, fees, books, but you couldn’t Denver, where his name graces Sturm Hall, a major academic live off it. So I worked. I took the bar exam in December 1957, building that houses social sciences and humanities programs. His found out I passed on Valentine’s Day 1958, finished course other DU namesake, the Sturm College of Law, enrolls more work a few weeks after that. I was sworn in and I left.” than 1,200 aspiring lawyers. He has served on the DU Board of Sturm was debt free but dollarless. Fifty years later, he Trustees for 16 years and in spring 2008 received the prestigious sits at the head of a financial group that owns 42 banks with Evans Award for professional achievement and service to DU.
24 University of Denver Magazine Winter 2008 University of Denver Magazine Winter 2008 25 ot bad for someone who calls himself “just a kid couples like the Sturms and to Jews who don’t wish to affiliate The bank was failing, its shareholders wanted out and several from Brooklyn.” For someone who grew up in a one- with area synagogues. Events the group ran for High Holy Days people involved previously had gone to jail. They offered the Nbathroom, ground-floor duplex that the family lived in last year attracted 1,700 people. shares to Sturm for $1. He took the offer, pumped in $5 million to get a break on rent. For someone whose family cooked meals “We talk a lot at the family dinner table about gifts we’re to keep things afloat and turned the bank around in two years. on the coal furnace in the basement, never took a vacation and making and what the purpose of them is,” says Susan, a former Today, the bank makes $4 million to $5 million annually and couldn’t afford a car. For someone who grew corn in the backyard Foreign Service brat who as a child lived in Peru and West operates as Premier. during World War II and didn’t learn to drive until he was 23. Germany for a time and who spent three years with the Central “Colorado was really flat on its rear end,” recalls Susan, But someone with a drive to excel, who plotted, sacrificed and Intelligence Agency after graduating with honors from Princeton. who worked hand-in-glove with her husband. “There wasn’t a pushed himself to do well, then went out and did it. A savvy businesswoman, she serves as CFO of the holding solvent bank in the state when we came in and started buying “Get good education from good schools,” Sturm urges. “Get company that controls the couple’s 42 banks. financial institutions … There were situations where we were good experience. Get into some professional activity. Invest your “Our kids work every single summer,” she says, adding that the only bidder. They had a lot more to sell than there were time, hard work and money. Work in something that doesn’t seem they’ve exposed their children to poor villages in Kenya and people to buy.” to be work, [something] that’s fun.” hospitals in Costa Rica. They’ve even taken a field trip to the But like phoenixes rising from the ashes, the banks returned And give back to society in ways where you can see the Brooklyn neighborhood where Don Sturm grew up. to health and began reinvesting in their communities, which results. “[Don] wanted his kids to see the circumstances that he grew Susan says has made the couple “pleased and proud.” “I think anybody could do what I did,” he says. “I really up in, that [those circumstances] were much more hard-scrabble, Along the way were some missteps. Sturm lost a lot of believe that.” much more hand-to-mouth than the way they’ve grown up.” money in the WorldCom collapse, where at one time he owned If only Sturm’s father, Mark, had been born under a luckier Susan and Donald Sturm 5 percent of the company, and in Level 3 stock, where his stake star. was nearly $600 million, according to Forbes. He’s had to fend off “My father worked his heart out for his family,” Sturm says he turning point in Sturm’s humble past may have been in “We had a cleaning lady who asked if it was against my lawsuits aimed at his deep pockets, deflect untold schemes and reverently. He was a “self-taught guy” who had emigrated from 1964 on a nondescript Midwestern morning in Nebraska. religion to buy furniture,” he laughs. “I sacrificed quality of life to solicitations, and settle a 1988 insider-trading dispute with the Austria to the U.S. as an 8-year-old raised by an aunt. He saved, TThat was the day he found the answer to a $35 million build a nest egg.” SEC from which he had never traded or profited. invested and rose to prominence as a restaurant manager, then lost problem and his career took off. The strategy paid handsomely. But none of that deterred him from pursuing his three everything in the crash of 1929. While working as an IRS attorney in Omaha, Sturm had Sturm’s ownership share eventually amounted to 11 percent principal priorities: family, work and charity. Plus Nebraska “I remember once he took me to Sheepshead Bay when I caught the eye of Peter Kiewit, the highway construction mogul of the company, which at the time he left in 1991 was making $400 football, Yankees baseball, Final Four basketball, fashionable ties was 10 years old to show me property he once owned,” Sturm once dubbed by Forbes magazine “the Colossus of Roads.” Kiewit million in his unit alone. and 20 laps in the pool nearly every day. says. “He wound up working as a waiter. Until he died, that’s hired Sturm as a tax attorney and asked him to get the company Eight years previous, Sturm had invested in his first bank, a Among things nearest his heart is DU, which Sturm has what he did. He hated what he did, but he did it to provide for out from under a $35 million tax deficiency the IRS said the small family owned operation in Macomb, Ill. It wasn’t lucrative, served vigorously since former Chancellor Dan Ritchie recruited his family.” company owed. but it taught Sturm banking. Four years later, he bought a bigger him for the Board of Trustees in 1992. The elder Sturm also scraped together $50 a month to help Sturm was 32. bank in Cheyenne, Wyo. Today, Sturm’s drive is to raise money for DU scholarships, his son through law school at DU. Decades later, dad’s sacrifice is “I woke up [that morning] and said, ‘Wow, is that right?’ I When Kiewit decided to sell off Continental Group, a Fortune expand the number of donors, and improve the law school’s a cobalt blue memory that can still redden Sturm’s no-nonsense ran to the office to see if I was right, and I was. I thought about 500 company Sturm had acquired and managed and believed in, ranking and bar passage rate. He chairs the trustees’ Bar Passage eyes. The rich, stentorian voice with which he hammers together something that nobody else thought about.” Sturm saw the profitable sale through, then cashed his chips. Committee and has expressed strong feelings about the issue that multimillion-dollar business deals quavers. The tough-guy image Sturm’s epiphany turned a $35 million obligation into a $5 He walked away with a lot of money—about $160 million, haven’t always been well-received. that people presume about him falls away. million refund. according to Forbes. Unafraid to mince words, Sturm is pressuring the law school “Don is completely devoted to his family and extended The IRS answered by retroactively revoking the ruling the At the time, the nation’s banking system was a mess. Banks to accept stronger students, offer more financial aid, toughen family,” says Susan Sturm, 25 years his junior and married to young attorney had used as the basis for the reversal. and savings and loans, also known as thrifts, were losing money or standards, help students who struggle, emphasize excellence over Sturm since 1987. The couple has two teenagers, and Sturm has Sturm pushed back. failing, investor confidence was teetering, government supervision opportunity, and tweak the curriculum to achieve greater business two older children from a previous marriage. “It took a year to get them to revoke the revocation,” he was poor, and in some cases managers ended up in handcuffs. and international exposure. “He gets that [devotion] from his father, who grew up with says proudly. “Then they made the payment. I was king of the The collapse of Silverado Savings and Loan by itself cost “I’m sure people at the University, particularly at the law nothing and yet used so much of what little he had to take care of road.” taxpayers $1.3 billion of the estimated $124.6 billion taxpayer school, think I’m a pain in the ass,” he says with a laugh. other family members,” Susan adds. “That’s a very deep, important Being king brought greater responsibility at Kiewit and the bailout the federal government spent to resolve the crisis. Susan Sturm contends that it’s just Don following his part of Don: loving his family and helping them in all ways.” freedom to go beyond taxes. It led to the chance to negotiate Sturm found himself in the middle of all this armed with a managerial instinct to walk inside the factory, roll up his sleeves The Sturms have helped more families than just their own. lucrative coal contracts and acquire and manage Fortune 500 level banking background, business experience, a reputation for honesty and make things better. Some 100 families own homes today because of funding the companies. Each became a real-world business experience that got and a wad of cash. “Don doesn’t see any point in warming a chair,” she says, couple provided. The Sturms have given money to fund 14 charter Sturm’s feet wetter and better. The efforts also helped push Kiewit “The deals were so wonderful you couldn’t pass them up,” emphasizing how proud of DU he is when he’s on campus and schools and helped libraries, the Children’s Hospital, Denver Art down the road to immense success. Sturm recalls. “All the crappy loans I gave back to the government watching things hum. Museum, Boy Scouts of America and myriad charities in the states The company didn’t forget. Kiewit had a long tradition of and they gave me cash—100 cents on the dollar. “My concern in addition to rebuilding the campus is quality where they do business: Kansas, Missouri, Colorado, Wyoming rewarding key employees by letting them buy shares of company “I bought two failing banks, four failed thrifts and one failed of education,” Sturm says. “The product is not a building, not a and Arizona. stock. Sturm bought as much as he could. He borrowed money to bank in eight months.” football field or a basketball court. The product is the education They’ve even created a religious support group called Judaism buy stock. He bought a house fully financed so he could spend his Sturm later bought one bank in Kansas City for $1—“and I that you provide the student. At the end of the day, that’s the Your Way, which provides services and assistance to interfaith money on stock. overpaid!” key.”
26 University of Denver Magazine Winter 2008 University of Denver Magazine Winter 2008 27 Baby boomers have become the new ‘seniors’ on campus
By Doug McPherson BacktoSchoolBacktoSchoolPhotography by Wayne Armstrong
Jackie Brown is 54. She has a part-time job. She has a mortgage. And tonight, she has home- work: a case study paper on how to help a teenage girl who was physically abused by her father and who is now fighting depression and anxiety because she’s about to leave a foster home she’s known since puberty. Brown wears a University of Denver sweatshirt and a smile. She’s happy. Very happy. “When I’m in class and I’m asked to share my experiences, that makes me feel really good,” Brown says. “It makes me feel accomplished. I feel like my life and my dreams have collided; I’m Jjust really happy.” She has plenty to be happy about. Her dream and life are wrapped tight as a rope. Brown, who grew up in Indiana, says she always wanted to live in Colorado, have a full-time, on-campus college experience and learn how to help the elderly. Today she has all three. A couple of years ago, Brown began some soul-searching about a more fulfilling career. For most of her life she worked in management information systems technology in the steel and bank- ing industries. Then, last year, Brown heard from a friend about DU’s PROGRESS program (Providing Real Opportunities for Gero-Rich Experience in Social Work Services) for students interested in geriatric social work. She applied to the Graduate School of Social Work, was accepted, packed her bags, left her banking job and is now a full-time college student working on her master’s degree. “A lot of the professors are around my age, which is nice. And the students have taken me in, too,” she says. “I just blend in with the rest of them.”
28 University of Denver Magazine Winter 2008 University of Denver Magazine Winter 2008 29 What boomers really want is meaningful work, and more than DU is on the case. In fact, the Rose Community Foundation has two-thirds want to take part in lifelong learning, according to a 2007 given DU’s University College—which offers continuing profes- study sponsored by the Rose Community Foundation, which gives sional studies for older students—a $5,000 grant to study what such a grants for health, education, aging and other causes. clearinghouse might look like and how it might work, according to Jim And another study from the Met Life Foundation and Civic Davis, the dean of University College. Ventures, a nonprofit organization that focuses on issues of aging University College offers master’s degrees, certificates and an un- WAmericans, found that half of adults between ages 50 and 70 said they dergraduate degree completion program. But it also supports the Osher are interested in taking jobs now or in the future that help improve the Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)—a 600-member program that quality of life in their communities. offers non-credit, eight-week classes for those ages 55 and “better”— Brown herself is an example of this growing network. She and the Enrichment Program, which features short, non-credit courses explains that a trip to the hospital kindled her need for more meaning- on topics including literature, art, history, contemporary issues and ful work. science. Each session attracts about 900 students, many of whom are A few years ago, she says, she took her mother to the hospital for boomers. a checkup and noticed an elderly lady there alone. “That just kind of The Rose grant, Davis says, is helping University College create a stuck with me,” she says. “It was so sad; somebody needed to be with center for life transition that will match people’s civic advocacy inter- her. It’s just not right. We treat the elderly like all of the sudden they ests with community resources and needs. Other center services will just appeared here, but they’re people. They have histories.” include skill courses so visitors can make an easier transition from an Brown says her goal is to help the elderly through policy and industry to the nonprofit sector. “They might learn about fundraising advocacy. “I think that’s the way I can make a bigger impact,” she says. or project management,” Davis says. “We’ll design a series of courses to “Policy is the forum where the rules are made and where attitudes are help these transitions.” changed.” The college has applied for a second Rose grant to develop a busi- Lynn Gangone, dean of DU’s Women’s College, says she’s seeing ness plan for the program, and Davis says he expects the center will more and more older students who are “truly interested” in changing open by September 2009. the world through advocacy and are earning master’s and doctoral The Women’s College continues to stretch its welcome mat for degrees in fields such as social work, law and education—“fields older students by introducing academic certificates, including one in where they believe they can make a difference.” leadership that emphasizes social change and advocacy. The school is The typical Women’s College student is a late-boomer born in also developing leadership skills in students by placing them in area Brown’s not alone. Baby boomers—those age 44 through 62—are Karen Newman, a Daniels professor who has researched genera- the early 1960s, Gangone says. “They’ve grown up as women deeply nonprofits. blending in with their colleagues on college campuses throughout the tional trends, says boomers aren’t the only generation to return to col- engaged in their communities as volunteers. They understand that the “I believe that as we widen our certificate offerings and our scope country. lege after their teen years. “Previous generations often did it because, achievement of the baccalaureate degree is not just for career purposes, of non-degree programs, we’ll see a lot more boomers at the college,” The U.S. Department of Education reports that in the last decade for one reason or another, they did not get a chance to go to college but for life.” Gangone says. the number of baby boomers heading back to school has jumped by or get all the way through college when they were younger,” she says. And even though the bachelor’s of business administration 20 percent to nearly 2 million. And officials predict those numbers will Now, because of increased access to higher education, Generation Xers remains the most popular degree at the Women’s College, Gangone keep rising as boomers opt for books over bingo. [those born from 1965 to about 1980] are more likely to return to col- says, the school is seeing more interest in the law and society major, To Davis, older students seeking to do good has a lot to do with BThe trend is palpable at DU, which hosts 800-plus boomers lege or go to college for the two reasons above rather than just to say which is tailored specifically for students interested in understanding the way they see retirement. today, according to the school’s Office of Institutional Research. they did it.” how law matters in people’s lives, how people’s lives matter in law, and “I think boomers are thinking differently about retirement today; That’s not surprising to U.S. Census folks, who say Denver has a Another phenomenon causing the return of boomers to the class- how law empowers and constrains individuals, groups, organizations they aren’t going to settle for the old definitions of retirement,” burgeoning baby boom population that will reach 300,000 people ages room, Kreisman says, is telecommuting—people who feel isolated and communities. Davis says. “They want something more—continue their employ- 55–64 in fewer than two years. Some have even dubbed Denver the working from their homes. “We have more and more students enroll- Tiffani Lennon (JD ’04), who teaches law and society, says many ment, make lateral moves or move from work into volunteering. It’s boomer capital of the United States. ing who say they not only need new skills, but they want to be a part of her boomer students are passionate about affecting change and plan Ta generation not content with stuffing envelopes. They want to make That may explain why over the last year the Executive MBA pro- of something—they want collaboration and stimulation they can’t get to use their degrees to do just that. a true difference.” gram at the Daniels College of Business witnessed the largest enroll- working alone.” “Our students walk into the classroom with substantial skills, That makes sense to Brown, who plans to graduate in June 2009. ment jump in its history. She adds that for many boomers, college played an important role truly diverse perspectives and the passion to ignite change,” Lennon “I could have stayed in my banking job and kept making money,” The obvious question: Why are boomers going back to class? in their lives during the 1960s. “As a result, there is data that shows says. she says. “I was making good money, and I knew I was going to take a Some want a promotion, a bigger paycheck or some kind of career many boomers are returning to the campuses to engage in more dia- big pay cut in social work. And I like golf, and I have a retirement fund. change or advancement. logue and learning,” she says. But there’s more out there for me.” “Education is a lifelong process now,” says Daniels Assistant Dean But increasingly, boomers themselves are reporting that they want Back to that Rose Foundation study, which also found that boom- Brown, whose course work involves several internships, worked Barbara Kreisman, Executive MBA program director. “It’s very appar- more than just more money or a spacious corner office. They want ers actively seek many sources—friends, the Internet, churches, non- with the local Alzheimer’s Association last spring. “I loved talking with ent via research and reality that people need to garner new skills every to make a difference. They want to tackle the big problems: illiteracy, profits and colleges—where they can learn how and where to put their senior citizens; there’s a lot of living history there. few years nowadays to stay current in their profession or to be able to poverty, race relations, child abuse and education. efforts to work for good. “The way our society is today, it makes the world smaller. I think I change careers as theirs may become outdated and irrelevant.” Kreisman has seen the trend in her MBA students. “Absolutely, And therein lies an opportunity, the study suggests, for organiza- can make a difference.” Kreisman says Executive MBA students range in age from 30 to there are folks here who want to find value in what they do,” she says. tions to develop a clearinghouse of resources. Perhaps a college could She gives a short laugh. 65. “Even some of the older students have been seeking skills which “They’re seeking purpose because many have lived lives in a corporate offer a series of courses to give individuals information they need to “I was thinking, you know, it’s not going to be too long before I’ll could be applied in their next careers,” she says. environment focused on profits, and that left some of them unfulfilled.” Bmake informed decisions about options in community service. be getting old—I guess it’s an investment in my own future, too. ”
30 University of Denver Magazine Winter 2008 University of Denver Magazine Winter 2008 31 By Janalee Card Chmel SavingPhotographs by Wayne Armstrong
SephFaith fuels alumna Lori Ware in her battle to save her son’s life.
“He will be dead by the time he’s 18. Take him home and love him.” With those words, a doctor threw Lori (Watkins) Ware (MBA ’89) into the fight of her life: The fight for her son’s life. Just weeks after Hurricane Katrina struck the Louisiana coast, Lori’s H3-year-old son, Joseph, was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), an incurable genetic disease that destroys a body’s muscles. It is fatal; children with Duchenne typically die in their late teens. At the very moment Lori received what she calls “the death sentence on my baby,” she had the instinctive reaction that would guide the rest of her life. She fought back. She challenged. She told doctors, “That’s not good enough.” Today, Lori believes she can help her son to “avoid the wheelchair,” that he “will grow to be a man.” But her battle is one that entails buying time for her son, staying on top of worldwide research efforts, and, at the heart of it all, massive amounts of prayer and faith. She frequently tells people in her friendly Southern accent, “You know as well as I do that God’s gonna take care of this.”
So far, God seems to be fulfilling Lori’s expectations. Lori and Seph Ware
32 University of Denver Magazine Winter 2008 many parents face when they learn that their son has DMD. One mother told Lori that their doctor said their son would be “short and fat and he will die.” “And then doctors get mad when they have a crying mama in their office,” Lori says. Although muscular dystrophy is the most common lethal genetic childhood disease, there is so little awareness of it that even doctors who should be experts in the field lead families to believe there is no hope. But Lori believes there is hope.
he primary source of that hope is faith in God. Raised in a Bap- tist church—her great-grandmother was a charter member— TLori frequently discusses God’s power to deliver a miracle for Seph. Barring a miracle, Lori says she can accept that Seph will be in heaven if he dies before her, though she cries every time she consid- ers it. “It’s a God thing,” she says. “Without my faith, I would have nothing. No hope.” Joe also relies on his strong faith and says he tries to enjoy every day without worrying about what the future may hold. “That boy gives me such joy today, and he does every day,” says Joe, tearing up. “He makes me so happy now. I don’t want to be sad. I want to be happy … There will be plenty of time to be sad.” Lori also found hope through the Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy Web site—parentprojectmd.org—and its founder, Pat Seph and physical therapist Melanie Massey Seph and members of First Baptist Church of West Monroe in prayer Furlong. After learning of Seph’s “death sentence,” Lori e-mailed the ori was raised in West Monroe, La., a town of approximately toward his head, Seph would grimace. Joe couldn’t get his son’s legs oys with Duchenne or Becker’s muscular dystrophy—very organization. Within an hour, Furlong herself called Lori. 150,000 people about 300 miles northwest of New Orleans. farther than a 90-degree angle without causing Seph pain. few girls get these types of MD—have a problem with their Furlong lost her two sons to Duchenne within six months of L She’s married to Joe Ware, whom she’s known since high Lori thought that was odd, so a few days later, she mentioned it Bbody’s production of dystrophin, the ‘glue’ that holds muscle each other in the 1990s. She, too, had faced a doctor who told her school, and she has two daughters—Hannah, 13, and Mallori, 12—in to the doctor. cells together. Boys with Becker’s muscular dystrophy produce there was no hope for her sons and, she says, at that moment, “I addition to son Joseph (they call him ‘Seph’ because there are already “He said to me: ‘You don’t normally see that in a child unless he small amounts of dystrophin, so their bodies can typically maintain turned into a terrorist.” so many Joes, Joeys and Josephs in the family). has muscular dystrophy, which he doesn’t, but you might want to ask functionality for much longer. Boys with Duchenne, however, pro- “I’m usually a very reserved, consistent person,” says Furlong. Monroe is a small town built around the Ouachita River. The your physical therapist about it.’” duce no dystrophin, which causes such rapid muscle deterioration “But I lost that side of myself that very day. I pulled that doctor by his humid climate supports enormous trees and plants with leaves the Two days later, Lori saw Massey, who confirmed that she saw that they are usually in wheelchairs by the time they turn 9. As the tie up to my nose and I said, ‘If I have to choose today who lives and size of car tires. Lori’s home rests on eight acres of a 20-acre plot signs of the disease in Seph. Lori learned that there was a simple disease progresses, they lose the use of their arms, and then their dies, you are on the top of my list.’” that’s been in the Watkins family for generations. Her parents live blood test for the disease, so on Oct. 5, 2005, she and Joe took Seph respiratory and cardiac muscles deteriorate, typically causing death The doctor told Furlong she was “overreacting,” to which she next door on the same plot of land. in for the test. They believed the results would take several days. before age 20. responded, “I will overreact about my children until the day I die.” When Seph passed his first birthday and months kept ticking Two hours later, the Wares learned that their son had muscular During those painful weeks of waiting for DNA results, Lori She’s held to that promise. by with no sign of him walking, Lori became concerned. Everyone dystrophy. recalls a co-worker repeatedly saying, “Lori, let’s just pray it’s not the Today, Furlong is the executive director of the Parent Project, around her kept saying he was fine and that she should relax. But, By this time, Lori had done enough research on the Internet to ‘D’ one. You’ll be OK if it’s not the ‘D’ one.” an organization she established when she realized that research into exhibiting a trait that would later guide some of the biggest decisions know the disease has no cure and can be fatal. She knew that Seph On Oct. 24, Lori and Joe went to the clinic to hear the news: her sons’ disease was sparse at best, that researchers weren’t com- of her life, Lori ignored the people who “thought I was crazy” and could have one of two main types of muscular dystrophy: Becker’s, Seph had Duchenne. municating with one another and that there was no standard of care took Seph to physical therapy when he was 15 months old. a slow-progressing version of the disease in which boys grow to “I was set up for Becker’s because the doctor kept saying it had for boys with DMD. In her quest, she traveled the globe on her own Physical therapist Melanie Massey agreed that Seph was become men and even into old men; and Duchenne, a fast-moving, to be Becker’s, so when he told me Duchenne, I crumbled,” recalls money, lied to get into doctors’ offices, tricked renowned scientists developmentally delayed and began strength training. The highly lethal form of the disease in which boys typically die in their Lori, who still cries at the memory. “I said, ‘What does that mean?’ into chairing research panels, and demanded that experts come up therapy seemed to work and, by the time Seph was 17 months teens. and he said, ‘He will be dead by the time he’s 18.’” with options for “these lost boys.” old, he was walking. He could not run, but Lori believed that Seph’s blood test only revealed that he had muscular dystrophy, The Wares asked what they could do for Seph. “He said, ‘Take Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy now is a multimillion-dollar would come. not which kind. For the rest of the story, Seph needed a DNA test. him home and love him.’ He gave us no options, no standard of fundraising, awareness-building, advocacy and research-generating Then one day Joe was wrestling with Seph and noticed some- The next day, Joe and Lori took Seph in for that test, but those results care.” organization with its finger on the pulse of the field’s hottest research thing: When Seph was on his back and Joe would push his legs up would take weeks. Lori looks back on that moment as a common snapshot of what and best doctors.
34 University of Denver Magazine Winter 2008 University of Denver Magazine Winter 2008 35 “Part of getting Seph the best medical treatment that I can is through building awareness,” she says. “The reason 70 percent of pediatric cancers are curable today is because people raised awareness.” “I cannot be passive,” she adds. Lori attends annual Parent Project conferences, where she makes it a mission to meet the doctors who are working on treatments for DMD. She has made business cards with Seph’s picture on them and hands them out to the doctors. “This is my son, Seph,” she tells them. “He is the reason you must keep working for a cure.” Lori also goes to Washington, D.C., to work with Parent Project lobby- ists and to speak with representatives from every state. She has helped raise money for other families facing the disease. She once approached a nonprofit in her hometown to raise money for a Roma- nian family who wanted to take their son to Wong. She raised $11,000 from one meeting and two radio broadcasts. “That was God,” she says, brushing off any credit for herself. “You don’t raise $11,000 from 30 minutes of effort without God’s help.” While Lori’s journey with DMD is extraordinary and, by her own measure, “a nightmare,” she also lives the life of a typical mom. She teaches Seph and his dog, Max special education at West Monroe High School. Hannah and Mallori have diverse interests and, of course, no driver’s licenses, so Lori is their chauffeur. But when Furlong called Lori, it was one mom to another. Both Wong and Furlong believe that there will be a treatment Seph attends weekly physical therapy, and Lori helps care for her ailing dad. “The first words out of her mouth were, ‘How are you?’” Lori for DMD patients, but they differ in how soon they think it will Twice a year, Lori takes Seph to Cincinnati. During her most recent recalls. “Well, my baby had just received a death sentence. I dis- come. Wong points to several drugs that are in or near clinical trial visit, she received news that cemented her faith in a miracle. solved.” phases, and she believes there may be a useful treatment—but not a Seph surprised Wong. He is actually improving. In that initial conversation, Furlong quizzed Lori about Seph’s cure—within four to five years. Lori maintains a Web site about Seph—www.caringbridge.org/visit/ DNA, his genetic codes and her plans for treatment. She also gave Furlong, however, seems to believe a treatment is further away. seph—and, from Cincinnati, she wrote that Wong was “very impressed Lori hope. “I believe that, within the next three to four years, doctors will Duchenne muscular dystrophy: The facts with how well Seph is doing. His time getting off the floor with no hands “Pat said, ‘You need to know that your son will grow to be a be able to rule some things out and rule some things in.” DECREASED by one second ... to most of you that may not be a big deal, Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the man,’” Lori says. “She told me that there was a lot of research com- Ruling in and ruling out is not a cure, and to Lori, that’s just not but for us it is HUGE!!!” most common fatal genetic disorder diagnosed ing down the pike. It was the first time I had heard that.” fast enough for Seph. She went on to explain that Seph would begin taking human growth in childhood, affecting approximately 1 in every Furlong asked Lori where she was taking Seph for treatment. hormone (HGH) and that “Dr. Wong really believes that as good as Seph is 3,500 live male births (about 20,000 new Lori simply said, “You tell me to go anywhere in the world and I doing now, with the addition of the HGH, it will be YEARS before we see will go. Where do I take my baby?” eph, who is 6, is about the size of a 4-year-old, but what he lacks cases each year). Duchenne can be passed from any significant DMD signs. YEAH, YEAH, YEAH, THANK YOU LORD!” Furlong recommended Dr. Brenda Wong at Cincinnati in height, he makes up for in a hyper-speed imagination. Com- parent to child, but approximately 35 percent of Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Lori immediately booked an Sing home from an errand with Mom, he races inside, dons his cases occur because of a random spontaneous appointment and made travel plans. But again, she had to ignore Superman cape, races back outside in his socks, climbs into his kid- mutation. Because the Duchenne gene is found ori admits that all of her efforts amount to one goal: Buying time for people around her. Just as when she first took Seph for physical size, battery-powered, Caterpillar-brand truck and does laps around Seph. The longer she can keep him walking, the more of a chance he on the X-chromosome, it primarily affects boys. It therapy, Lori continued to face doctors and acquaintances in Monroe the driveway. will have when the cure is discovered. occurs across all races and cultures. who thought she was grasping at straws. If Seph sees a pen and paper, he is physically unable to stop him- L Until then, Lori believes Seph should get to be a normal 6-year-old boy, DMD results in progressive loss of strength “People kept looking at me like I was crazy,” Lori remembers. self from drawing space aliens. as much as his body allows. He recently played on a T-ball team that took and is caused by a mutation in the gene that “One doctor told me that Cincinnati would just waste my money His gigantic brown eyes seek attention from everyone in a room the league championship. As her little boy shuffle-ran into home plate and encodes for dystrophin. Because dystrophin is and use my son as a guinea pig.” as he explains the role that each person will play while he “saves the turned to give her two thumbs up, Lori’s blue eyes welled up and she said, absent, the muscle cells are easily damaged. The But Lori was undaunted and in December 2005, she and Joe village from the evil bad guy space monster aliens.” simply, “Isn’t that beautiful?” took Seph to see Wong. It’s unbearable, Lori says, to think of him in a wheelchair, progressive muscle weakness leads to serious Then, she sighed, believing each moment was proof of her favorite Wong is credited with establishing and running one of the coun- to think of him unable to feed himself, to think of him unable to medical problems, particularly issues relating to scripture—Jeremiah 29:11. try’s most progressive DMD medical centers. She has gathered ex- breathe. the heart and lungs. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to pros- perts from 17 specialties—ranging from cardiology and neurology to “Most days, it’s easy to just go along in a routine and forget the Although there are medical treatments that per you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” endocrinology—to comprehensively treat each of her now 500-plus bigger picture,” Lori says. “But then reality slaps me in the face and may help slow its progression, there is currently patients. washes over me like a bad smell.” For more information on DMD, visit Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy at no cure for Duchenne. “It’s the most amazing place of hope,” says Lori. “When I’m So, in addition to her duties as mom, public school teacher and www.parentprojectmd.org. To follow Lori and Seph’s story, visit www.caringbridge.org/ —Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy there, I feel like it’s going to be OK.” lifesaver, Lori is an awareness-builder. visit/seph. See a slideshow of Seph and his family at www.du.edu/magazine.
36 University of Denver Magazine Winter 2008 University of Denver Magazine Winter 2008 37 “Broad and deep learning, especially at By Tamara Chapman the undergraduate level, is fundamentally important for a well-lived life.” —Gregg Kvistad, provost Education Reimagined
The Marsico Initiative has transformed DU’s undergraduate arts and sciences curriculum.
In 2002, DU alumni Tom and Cydney Marsico presented the University of Denver with a $10 million gift to be spent over five years and directed toward the intensification of the undergraduate arts and sciences programs. Made with no strings and few provisos, that gift launched an experiment—dubbed the Marsico Initiative—in which DU faculty devised an undergraduate experience reflecting their highest ideals and best ideas. It resulted in a host of new programs and significant curricular change, all while expanding educational opportunities for students across the disciplines. It added 24 new tenure-track faculty positions and 20 lecturers to key programs and created a number of new centers designed to reinforce academic priorities. “It was a bold act of philanthropy,” says Provost Gregg Kvistad, one that resulted in a “renovated and renewed” undergraduate program. Just as important, he adds, it conveyed a powerful message to students, faculty and alumni: “that broad and deep learning, especially at the undergraduate level, is fundamentally important for a well-
DU’s Old Main, paper sculpture by Jeff Nishinaka lived life.”
38 University of Denver Magazine Winter 2008 University of Denver Magazine Winter 2008 39 Just seven years ago, the Marsico Initiative was little of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences—believed priorities and creating a “cell”—or subcommittee— first-year seminar, gains steam with required writing that the faculty should play the lead role in shap- for each. The cells focused on enriching the first-year and rhetoric classes, develops quantitative reasoning “We really more than a dream deferred, a half-formed notion that great things could be accomplished, if and when, ing the initiative. After all, Kvistad says, “Curricular experience; fostering intellectual depth; expanding skills through an emphasis on numeracy and reinforces wanted to Jwhen and if. change, programmatic change, has to fundamentally opportunities for experiential learning; enhancing new knowledge through experiential learning opportu- generate “When I was appointed provost by Chancellor involve the faculty, who do the conceptualization, writing and rhetorical skills across the four undergrad- nities. And that’s just the Reader’s Digest version. who do the tinkering, who are responsible for the uate years; and developing quantitative reasoning skills. Much of the initiative’s focus centered on the excitement Dan Ritchie in 2001,” Chancellor Robert Coombe recalls, “he and I began a long dialogue, which extends curriculum.” A sixth cell was created to assess the effectiveness of all first-year experience. That’s because the first year is so about the arts to this day, about moving the academic enterprise Faculty leadership took the form of a steering programs introduced under the initiative. important in terms of establishing expectations and set- and sciences. at DU forward. In those early days … we talked committee made up of 12 members elected by their The cells were charged with developing pro- ting tone, Potts says. “If you are going to transform the peers from the three divisions at the center of the grams related to their topics. “We went with the pilot culture, you have to start from the beginning.” It really was frequently about where the greatest challenges and opportunities were to be found among the many units initiative—arts and humanities, social sciences, and approach,” Keables says, noting that the committee At the Discoveries orientation program, students a cultural and programs of the University.” natural sciences and mathematics. The committee asked the arts and sciences faculty to submit proposals. begin interacting with faculty, enjoying presentations transformation Ritchie shared these conversations with Tom also included a handful of administrators appointed by In keeping with the freedom given the steering about academic topics and meeting with the instruc- Coombe. committee itself, Keables says, “we issued a call to tor who will lead their first-year seminar. Where the that we had in Marsico, founder and CEO of Marsico Capital Management, who had expressed interest in Psychology Professor George Potts chaired that faculty with minimal guidelines.” That way, the previous orientation program emphasized social and mind.” supporting an academic initiative. “Dan asked steering committee for the first three years of its committee could encourage experimentation and risk- extracurricular activities, Discoveries reminds students —George Potts, which unit I thought we should propose for such an existence. The first summer, committee members met taking. To ensure the proposals supported initiative- they are embarking on an academic journey. initiative, and I responded that … it should be for a frequently to define what they wanted to accomplish. related objectives, the steering committee required that That message is reinforced in a new first-year psychology professor major advance in the arts and sciences disciplines,” “We really wanted to generate excitement about the each include a mechanism for assessment. seminar, capped at 15 students. This seminar replaced Coombe explains. “My reasoning was that if we were arts and sciences. We wanted to stimulate this intellec- Proposals were submitted by the dozens, some the required Campus Connection class, originally going to be a great university, we had to have top-of- tual community. … It really was a cultural transforma- from individual faculty members, others from individ- offered for one hour per week during the student’s the-line programs in these disciplines. These were tion that we had in mind,” he recalls. ual departments and still others from interdisciplinary first quarter. Under the Marsico Initiative, the seminar the disciplines in which we had an extraordinary Given the amorphous nature of transformation groups eager to collaborate. Throughout the proposal was expanded to a four-hour course focusing on opportunity to blend a learning environment and the problematic dynamics of committees, the evaluation and pilot phase, the steering committee a topic to be examined thoroughly. According to characterized by small classes and close student- Marsico group could have floundered indefinitely try- sought input from the entire faculty. “One of the Keables, this move alone made a huge difference in faculty interactions, like those found at the very best ing to reach agreement on goals and strategies. Com- things that we decided very early on was that we had to the quality of the student’s introductory year. liberal arts colleges, with great faculty and nationally mittee member Michael Keables, currently acting dean keep faculty involved through every stage,” Potts says. He should know. Having taught Campus Con- competitive scholarship of the sort found at the best of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, feared just that. To foster transparency, the committee launched a Uni- nection classes and the new first-year seminars (his research universities. Our students could have the “Large committees tend to be fairly dysfunctional,” versity intranet presence, where all relevant materials focus is on environmental issues), he finds vast dif- best of both worlds.” he says. “They take a long time to reach consensus. were posted for review. ferences between the two. Real depth simply wasn’t Before the Marsicos would commit to funding, Sometimes they never reach consensus. But there was Once the programs were piloted and evaluated, possible with the Campus Connection courses, where they wanted reassurance that their money would be a commitment from this group to make this work.” the steering committee recommended several for the 60 minutes per week were too often spent helping spent on significant changes. Coombe was charged Potts attributes that commitment to faculty permanent funding. Recommendations were based students acclimate to University life. The four-hour with fleshing out DU’s game plan. “To start this pro- enthusiasm. “Faculty have been saying for a long time on program effectiveness and on the scope of their seminar, on the other hand, allows instructors to guide cess, I appointed an ad hoc ‘idea group’ of about 20 that it is wonderful that we are getting donations for impact. As Keables notes, “A lot of it came down to students through challenging topics, showing them faculty members from the arts and sciences disciplines buildings, but we really need money for programs,” he bang for the buck: Put your money where it will have how to approach college-level work. to think through some initial ideas. We met for several explains. “I felt from the start a real responsibility to the biggest impact.” “One thing it has done is it hits the students, from “It hits the weeks, bouncing ideas off one another. There were show that when you do that, good things happen.” As Kvistad sees it, the bang has exceeded expec- the time they walk in the door, with the message that students, from some really good thoughts, but the whole thing just The committee was also encouraged by the tations. “This is, I believe, a textbook case for how academics are important,” Keables explains. As proof, the time they wasn’t congealing,” he recalls. institution’s promise to develop permanent funding academic, especially curricular, change needs to Keables points to the change in attendance during his “At the next meeting, I told the group that I for the initiative’s best ideas. That meant the com- occur,” he says. “It happened at the University of office hours. Today, he sees many more of his first-year walk in the thought we were being insufficiently bold, and asked mittee could contemplate long-term proposals, even Denver only because the faculty embraced the chal- students more often. They arrive with fewer questions door, with the that each person put forward a single big idea, no matter those that involved hiring additional faculty and staff. lenge of transforming the undergraduate experience about how to drop a class or change a grade and more message that how off the wall, right then and there. We went around According to Kvistad, “The message from central and believed that the University would find the questions related to academics. Not only that, they the table, and each person spoke. There were some administration was, you produce a good program, resources to make that happen if they actually did it. often continue their relationship with him long after academics are pretty wild thoughts, or at least they seemed so at the and we will find ways to fund it.” Keeping that Boy, did they do it.” the seminar has ended. important.” time. I remember in particular that Gregg Kvistad’s idea promise meant scrupulous review of expenses and According to Kvistad, that kind of relationship —Michael Keables, acting was that classes be limited to 15 students, and everyone revenue. To fully fund the Marsico Initiative, the makes the DU experience transformational. The new laughed. How could such a thing be possible?” University added $4.4 million to the base annual Thanks to the Marsico Initiative, today’s undergradu- seminar puts a caring professor in a central role at a dean of Natural Sciences Once sights were set sufficiently high, and budgets of the divisions involved. ate students plunge into learning even before classes critical time, when they can serve as teacher, mentor, and Mathematics once the Marsicos issued a green light, the Thanks to faculty engagement and the promise start. advocate and adviser. The professor can also demon- University plotted its strategy for maximizing of continued funding, consensus came early, with TTheir education kicks off with an academically strate the pleasures of discovery fueled by intellectual the opportunity. Coombe and Kvistad—then dean steering committee members settling on a handful of rich orientation period, continues with a topic-focused passion and curiosity. “This relationship is intended to
40 University of Denver Magazine Winter 2008 University of Denver Magazine Winter 2008 41 48 Class notes challenge 49 Book bin last the entire year,” he says. “As it happens, because we the math behind the topic while helping students be- are human, it goes on longer than that.” come “numerically wise.” A quantitative reasoning lab- 53 Reunion recap The Marsico Initiative also replaced first-year oratory, installed in Sturm Hall, offers state-of-the-art 54 Pioneer pics English classes with a two-quarter writing and rhetoric software to help students develop their analytic skills. sequence. To develop and administer that sequence, Outside the classroom and the laboratory, a Visit- 55 Alumni director the University launched a comprehensive Writing ing Scholars Program helps create what Chancellor Program, directed by Doug Hesse, a nationally Coombe calls a campus culture “bubbling and perco- 58 Announcements recognized expert on writing pedagogy and author lating” with ideas. The program brings experts from of the Simon and Schuster Handbook for Writers. all over the world to campus to share their insights “The curricular Recruited from Illinois State University, Hesse was with students. Stays range from two days to a couple changes wrought charged with creating a program that treats writing of quarters. Long-term visitors generally teach or by the initiative both as a discipline and as a foundation of serious work co-teach at least one course. All visitors are asked to in other disciplines. engage undergraduates in lectures, special programs demonstrate the Hesse began by building a team of 19 full-time and activities. seriousness of lecturers—all experts in writing and rhetoric, all versed The Visiting Scholars Program provides opportu- the University’s in DU’s ambitious goals for student achievement. nities, Keables notes, for undergraduate and graduate Members of the writing faculty collaborate with one students to interact with some of the thinkers who are commitment to another and the rest of the faculty about the best prac- shaping their fields. In fall quarter, the program (in liberal learning.” tices for developing writing skills. They deploy those conjunction with the Department of Mass Communi- practices in more than 70 first-year classes offered each cations and Journalism Studies, the Center for Multi- —Gregg Kvistad, provost quarter and capped at 15 students. This approach dif- cultural Excellence and Partners in Learning) brought fers dramatically from traditional writing programs, filmmaker Beverly Seckinger to campus for a panel which typically enlist adjunct instructors who often discussion on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender have little sense of institutional priorities. By contrast, issues and a screening of her documentary Laramie all of DU’s writing lecturers are full-time faculty, and Inside Out—a chronicle of how her hometown reacted their chief priority is working with students. to the murder of gay University of Wyoming student Writing efforts at all levels and in all majors are Matthew Shepard. supported by a new Writing Center directed by Eliana To foster experiential learning, an Arts and Sci- Schonberg. In addition to tutoring students, the center ences Internship Program develops opportunities for lends support to professors teaching writing-intensive students to test their knowledge and develop their skills classes for juniors and seniors. These classes—another in a work setting, while an Undergraduate Research component of the Writing Program—are offered in the Center, currently under development, will promote core curriculum and throughout the majors. Tutoring hands-on research opportunities with faculty members. also is available to graduate students. Among its many responsibilities, it will coordinate Finally, says Hesse, the Writing Center aims to funding for undergraduate research projects and sup- create a writing-appreciative culture on campus, not port students working on capstone and Honors thesis just through rigorous instruction but also through pro- projects. gramming that showcases different kinds of writing. Complementing the University’s emphasis on “Our goal is to get people to see the whole breadth of internationalization and study abroad, a Language writing,” he explains, adding that today, DU students Center, also under development, will make it easier for of every major are writing far more than they were just students to prepare for a future in the global market- five years ago. place. By 2009, the center is expected to host a Summer The Writing Program is attracting national recog- Intensive Language Institute.
nition for its thorough approach. In 2008, it became Reviewing the initiative’s accomplishments, DU Archives one of only 23 programs internationally to have earned Kvistad takes pride in their sweep and ambition. “The In the 1950s, students who lived on campus paid $249 for room and board each quarter. Today, room and a Certificate of Excellence from the Conference on curricular changes wrought by the initiative,” he board starts at $1,960 per term. What did you pay for student housing during your DU days? Please share your College Composition and Communication. explains, “demonstrate the seriousness of the Univer- Other programs implemented under the Marsico sity’s commitment to liberal learning—not to one memories of living on campus. Initiative are equally ambitious. For example, a series discipline, to one profession, or to one body of of math foundations courses, proposed by the math knowledge, but rather to developing the capacity of faculty for non-science majors, aims to develop quanti- each student to think broadly and deeply, to write with tative reasoning skills. Focusing on topics like cryptog- skill, to understand quantitative data, to view the world raphy, these courses are designed, Potts says, to explore as a classroom, and never to stop learning.”
42 University of Denver Magazine Winter 2008 University of Denver Magazine Connections 43 The classes 1945 1949 1950 Connoisseur Sandy Sardella Virginia (Collins) Bill Smyth (BFA ’49) of Littleton, Colo., Robert Larson (BA ’50, MA ’53) received Stanley Wonderley WayneArmstrong Putnam (BFA ’45) began exploring photography in the eighth the Western Writers of America’s Spur Award (BA ’50) of Lakeview, When Sandy Sardella got her of Lakewood, Colo., grade. In 1946 Bill established his first for the best Western biography of 2008 for Ore., is the author business degree from DU, she expected received the Legend commercial photo studio in Englewood, his book Gall: Lakota War Chief (University of six books and to spend her work hours helping cli- of Dance in Colorado Colo. In addition to his career as a Realtor, of Oklahoma Press, 2007). Robert graduated wrote a syndicated ents with their finances. A tax degree award from the Bill also worked as a freelance photographer from DU Phi Beta Kappa and received his column, “Kids Are nearly two decades later further deep- Carson-Brierly Dance for the Rocky Mountain News, the Denver PhD in Western history from the University My Business,” which ened her ties to the world of numbers. Library. Virginia was Post, the Englewood Herald and the Littleton of New Mexico. Robert worked as a teacher appeared in 40 But life has a funny way of turn- newspapers from 1974 both an organizer and Independent. He continues to display and sell and administrator for Denver Public Schools ing out. Back in 1989, Sardella (BSBA the first president of the Denver Civic Ballet his photographs. and taught at the University of Northern to 2004. Stanley, who also worked as a third- statistics ’68, MT accounting ’83) and and one of three founders of the Colorado Colorado for 30 years. Although retired, grade teacher and curriculum coordinator, her husband were tired of his odd work Concert Ballet. She also directed and taught Robert continues to research, write and currently teaches at the Portland State in her own ballet school for many years. lecture about the American West. He lives in University Graduate School of Education. hours and her business trips getting Denver with his wife, Peggy. He has been married to his wife, Ellen, for 59 in the way of their life together. She years and has three grown daughters and five started looking for a business to buy grown grandchildren. and ended up opening an art gallery. “I had no experience in retail, and I had no idea what I was doing,” 1954 Sardella says. “I rented a small place for Trailblazer Marion Downs Philip Fox (LLB ’54) of Beverly Hills, a year to see if I’d like it. Eighteen years Calif., bought an insurance company that later, here I am.” For her upcoming birthday, 94-year-old Marion Downs (MA concentrates on seniors. Philip is having a Sardella may have tentatively audiology ’51) says she plans on going skydiving—again. great time traveling for clients and visiting stepped into the art world, but today Even as she approaches the century mark, Downs—who went his 11 grandchildren, who all live outside she’s firmly grounded as owner of skydiving for the first time to celebrate her 90th birthday—rarely California—some in New Zealand. He says he has no plans to retire soon. Pismo Fine Art Glass with galleries allows her age to interfere with her desire for adventure. She in Denver’s Cherry Creek shopping admits, however, that in her younger years she almost let negative district, Beaver Creek, Vail and Aspen. thoughts and habits prevent her from enjoying life. The four galleries feature jewelry, Twenty-two years ago, Downs believed she was going to die. 1956 Richard Berry (BSBA ’56) logged more than beads, furniture, paintings and sculp- Both of her parents died at age 72, and so Downs had prepared 10,000 railway miles on a recent six-week trip ture created by some of the glass herself to follow suit. Her physician pointed out, however, that around the world, including a journey from world’s biggest names. advances in modern medicine unavailable to her parents could now London to Vladivostok, Russia, via the Trans- Local artists had warned Sardella against focusing on glass when she first opened her prolong her life well past the age of 100. Siberian route. Between trips Richard enjoys mixed media gallery, but she noticed that the more glass she offered, the more she sold. Ironically, Downs says, at the time, the information his retirement in Diamond Head Beach, Since glass was the art form she loved best, in 1995 she made it her primary focus. frightened her because she had no idea how to navigate the next Hawaii, with his wife, Bette. One of Sardella’s business strategies is to offer a wide range of works, from small, Courtesy of Marion Downs phase of her life. affordable pieces to expensive, museum-quality works. “In the 80s you get ambushed by all sorts of physical problems that you aren’t prepared to deal with,” Downs says. “If you don’t enjoy “People can enjoy Dale Chihuly and not be intimidated by the gallery because they life you don’t want to live to be 100.” 1958 John Manesis (BA ’58) know there’s something they can afford,” Sardella says. “I think it makes us more accessible. Like so many other times in her life, Downs dealt with uncertainty by striding forward, one day at a time. practiced medicine We’ve tried really hard to keep the quality high regardless of the price range.” “You can always tell the pioneers,” Downs says, “because they’re the ones with arrows in their backs.” in Fargo, N.D., for The gallery has carried works by renowned artist Dale Chihuly for 16 years. The Without a road map to aging gracefully, Downs invested herself in a common-sense philosophy: “If you are fit physically then you are 22 years. Since his relationship was critical when a fire in one of the gallery’s previous Cherry Creek locations fit mentally.” retirement in 1996, forced the business to relocate the week before Christmas 2004. The new location had a Despite high-blood pressure, arthritis and other physical ailments, Downs religiously engaged in daily exercise—including skiing and John has concentrated one-man show featuring Chihuly in April 2005, which helped reestablish the business. tennis—and relied on reading and crossword puzzles to keep her mind sharp. on his poetry. His Sardella says a show with an artist of Chihuly’s stature usually takes a couple of years to set Not only has this regimen carried her through to her 94th birthday, it has enabled her to maintain a high quality of life—something second poetry book, up. Downs says she could never sacrifice. Other Candle Lights As a former financial consultant, Sardella hasn’t forgotten her business background, Downs, who believes she’s learned enough about life to pass that knowledge on, published a book—Shut Up and Live! (Avery, (Seaburn Publishers Group, 2008), was published in June. John’s but credits it with helping her succeed. 2007)—expanding upon her recipe for longevity. Downs hopes that her advice will benefit readers by inspiring them to take responsibility poems explore memory and themes related “I enjoy this a lot more,” she says. And when she describes what she sees in glass, you for their lives. to his medical career and Greek-American begin to understand. Downs is looking forward to taking another 17,000-foot plunge because for her, life simply isn’t fulfilling if she doesn’t have yet heritage. John and his wife, Bess, live in Fargo “It’s amazing to see what can be done with glass,” Sardella says. “It’s the beauty, the another challenge to overcome. and spend summers in Sun City, Calif. color, the reflective nature of it, the fluidity. It’s kind of magical.” —Samantha Stewart —Brenda Gillen
44 University of Denver Magazine Winter 2008 University of Denver Magazine Connections 45 1960 1962 1966 1970 Anita West (BA ’60, MA ’62, PhD ’69) emerita in 1989. Anita now is a board Diana Etheridge (BA ’62) of Merritt Island, David Erickson (JD ’66) of Denver is the Jerold Waltman (MA ’70) of Hewitt, Texas, for 16 years as a K–12 library coordinator. worked at the University’s Denver Research member for the DU Retiree Association and Fla., has self-published Cook-n-Rhyme With principal at the law firm David L. Erickson published a book, Minimum Wage Policy in Alma has held numerous professional Institute for 25 years; she published volunteers as a math tutor for Denver Public Kids, a cookbook full of healthy recipes LLC. He also is the official historian for Great Britain and the United States (Algora, offices, including president of the Arizona extensively on mathematical solutions to Schools. She also has returned to her love of that tell a story. Diana’s daughter, Juliana the Colorado Bar Association (CBA). In his 2008). Jerold is a political science professor at Chapter of the Special Libraries Association engineering problems and educational music and piano. She still lives close to the (Etheridge) Sasson (BFA ’92), illustrated capacity as historian, David wrote the book Baylor University. and editor of Learning and Media, the official technologies. In 1984, Anita became director DU campus. the book. Diana began writing the cookbook Early Justice and the Formation of the Colorado magazine of the Pennsylvania School of the institute, retiring as senior scientist when her daughters were young and, at the Bar, which the CBA published this year. Law Librarians Association. urging of her husband, decided to publish Week Colorado featured David and his book in 1971 it for the benefit of her granddaughters and its May 26 issue. Tamie (Walker) Bulow (BA ’71) of all parents and kids who love to cook. Colorado Springs, Colo., was named best 1973 >>www.cook-n-rhymewithkids.com up-and-coming meeting professional by Christopher Dunn (BA ’73) of Atlanta Shopkeeper Harvey Miller 1967 Colorado Meetings and Events magazine. Tamie was appointed to general manager of NSF Ted Kleisner (BSBA ’67) of Hershey, worked for 25 years as a sales representative International’s Beverage Quality Program.
Harvey Miller (JD ’72) iStock 1963 Pa., president and CEO of Hershey for Riedell Skates and managed ice arenas for For the past four years Christopher served has never been much of a Howard Kellough (BS ’63) of Scottsdale, Entertainment & Resorts Co., participated 13 years before becoming an event planner as president of his company DunnWorks tea drinker. So what makes a Ariz., joined Davis LLP as a partner and in the 54th Annual National Security for the American Birding Association. Her LLC, a consulting firm that provides services longtime lawyer who doesn’t member of the firm’s national tax group. Seminar, held at the U.S. Army War College new career has allowed her to add numerous to beverage and consumer package goods Howard received his law degree from the in Carlisle, Pa. One of the purposes of the entries to her bird-sighting list. industries. drink tea open a tea shop? The University of Saskatchewan Law School in seminar is to give War College students desire to brew a balanced life. 1966. Prior to joining Davis LLP, Howard the opportunity to hear various citizens’ Thomas Jasin “The stress of practicing law was chair of the Canadian Tax Foundation viewpoints on defense and security matters. 1972 (MS ’73) can be pretty overwhelming,” says and the National Tax Section of the Canadian As a participant, Ted attended seminars and Alma Howell (MA ’72) of Phoenix retired (pictured on left) Miller, who’s been practicing law for Bar Association, and co-chair of the Joint discussed national security issues. from Intel in January after more than 17 received NASA’s more than 25 years. “I didn’t want to burn Committee on Taxation. years as a senior information specialist and Outstanding out.” research manager. Prior, Alma worked at Leadership For two years, Miller and his wife, Nenita, ran Arizona State University for three years and Medal on June 9 a small tea shop on the weekends in July and August out of their vacation home—a 1964 at Bensalem School District in Pennsylvania in recognition re-purposed old general store—in Eagles Mere, Penn. When they saw an open storefront Cynthia (Facer) Clark (MA ’64) of McLean, during a walk in their Lancaster, Penn., neighborhood, he thought, “Let’s take this a little Va., is the administrator of the national agricultural statistics service for the United more seriously.” States Department of Agriculture. Previously, In 2004 they opened the Pemberley Tea Shop just two blocks from their home. Cynthia lived in London where she worked as ChanCellor’s Miller works full time at the tea shop and practices law part time after the shop closes in the executive director of methodology for the InnovatIon Fu n d the late afternoon. Office of National Statistics. Funding innovation • Funding ExcEllEncE • Funding du Although the shop is named for the Pemberley estate in Pride and Prejudice (one of Nenita’s favorite books), the shop’s décor is not the typical Victorian high-tea style. Glory (Muskat) “People have described it as ‘fusion,’” Miller says of the blended modern and classic Weisberg (BA ’64) food and surroundings. of Englewood, Colo., The remodeled warehouse space has exposed beams and pipes, lots of natural was one of five light, and while it’s decorated with some tea-themed items, it has a mix of local art and women who received the tradItIon unconventional furnishings. the Triumphant Women award from “We don’t do frou-frou,” Miller laughs. “But it’s very homey and comfortable.” ContInues WIth You the Excelsior Youth The 1,500-square-foot shop serves 50–60 varieties of loose tea, plus baked goods invest in the future, invest in our students Center at their annual gala on May 30. Glory (prepared by Miller), sandwiches, soups and other café fare. received the award for overcoming obstacles The Chancellor’s innovation Fund, supported by “I never drank tea before opening the shop because I never really liked it,” Miller and succeeding in her chosen field. She has your annual gift, strengthens scholarships and confesses. “Like most people, I was forced to drink plain Lipton tea when I was sick. But worked for The Villager of Greenwood Village, priority programs for our students. there are 2,000–3,000 types of tea, so there is so much variety.” Colo., for 23 years, currently as the society Running the shop also has given the Millers some “deeply enjoyed” time together. editor. She writes a weekly column called “For 30 years, she went off to teach and I went off to do law, and we never got in a “GloryUs Goings On” in addition to writing To contribute to du, please visit situation where we got to work together,” says Miller, who recently celebrated his 35th and photographing for the publication. wedding anniversary. She and her husband, David, have five www.giving.du.edu Miller says his favorite time of day is at 4 p.m. when the shop closes and the couple grandchildren. enjoys a pot of tea together. They’ve even made a game of it. “The person who makes it tries to surprise the other, and you get three guesses to name the tea. It really sharpens your skills,” he says. University Advancement —Janna Widdifield 2190 E. Asbury Ave., Denver, CO 80208 303.871.4677 800.448.3238
46 University of Denver Magazine Winter 2008 ChancellorsFund2_DUMagAd_FINAL.indd 1 University of Denver Magazine10/14/08 Connections 10:58:56 AM 47 of his service as director of the Robotic Class notes challenge Book bin Lunar Exploration Program and chair of the NASA Project Review Standards Panel. Class of 1979: You’re up! A lot has Financial trouble nearly destroyed the University in the 1980s, Which Pioneer enjoys He also provided oversight management happened in the last 30 years, and we want but just a decade later DU began the most dramatic physical trans- on deep space missions, served as a review skydiving? to catch up with as many of you we can. Your formation in its history. board member and provided support to the classmates want to hear from you, too! A new book, Built for Learning (University of Denver, 2008), agency’s earth science mission. Thomas lives The answer can be found What have you been up to? Share photos traces DU’s architectural renaissance and tells the story of in Lancaster, Pa. somewhere on pages 43–58 of and family news, discuss your travels and Chancellor Dan Ritchie, architect Cab Childress and the other this issue. Send your answer hobbies, or reminisce about your time at DU. people who made it possible. to [email protected] or 1974 You can post your note online at www. The substantial hardback includes hundreds of photos of Stephen Holden (BA ’74, MSBA ’76) University of Denver Magazine, alumni.du.edu, e-mail [email protected] or University of Denver campus landscapes and architecture, begin- has been named president of Davis Vision 2199 S. University Blvd, Denver, mail in the form on page 57. Class of ’79 notes ning with DU’s first buildings constructed more than a century ago Inc., one of the nation’s largest vision care CO 80208. Be sure to include will appear in the summer issue. We’ll randomly and continuing through to the campus of today. Its 200-plus color- companies. Stephen has past experience as a your full name and mailing president and a founding board member of drenched pages explore Ritchie and Childress’ quest “to build a
Kynewisbok select a prize winner from all entries received address. We’ll select a winner the National Association of Vision Care Plans. by Feb. 1. sustainable and future-focused environment that will serve students and the community for generations to 1979 ?from the correct entries; the Prior to his appointment at Davis Vision, come.” winning entry will win a prize headquartered in Plainview, N.Y., Stephen The book describes not just architectural features, but the ways that those features enhance student lived in Edwards, Colo., and served on the courtesy of the DU Bookstore. learning and benefit the community—how and why the University looks the way it does today. board of Small Champions, a charitable foundation that provides programs for young The limited-edition book, dedicated in memory of Childress, is peppered with the late architect’s 1980 Congratulations to Cheryl children with diverse disabilities. Rod Jahner (MBA ’80) of Wake Forest, Mary (Chihoski) Sparks (BSBA ’84) of notes and drawings and provides unique insight into his vision and collaboration with Ritchie. Nygaard (BS ’82) for winning the N.C., recently returned to the U.S. after Dolores, Colo., graduated from Fort Lewis “Our job is to bring light into dim places,” Childress said. “It’s not a matter of tearing things down.” spending 10 years in Singapore, where he College in April with a bachelor’s degree fall issue’s pop quiz. Condoleezza Rice (BA ’74, PhD ’81) and This book is available at the DU Bookstore and www.dubookstore.com. Michelle Kwan, a junior international studies served as commissioner of the Singapore in accounting and finance. Mary is now an —Chelsey Baker-Hauck major at DU, represented the United States American Football League. Rod now works accountant. at the closing ceremony of the Olympic as an executive recruiter for Sports Group Games in Beijing on Aug. 24. Condoleezza International, placing middle and senior and Michelle were part of a seven-member managers in the sporting goods industry. 1990 delegation. Michelle is the State Department’s Sharon White (PhD ’90) wrote the book American public diplomacy envoy. Sharyl Peterson (MA ’80, PhD ’83) of Vanished Gardens (University of Georgia Press, Fruita, Colo., wrote a book, The Indispensable 2008), which takes readers on a journey Guide to Pastoral Care (Pilgrim Press, 2008). through some of the past and present gardens 1978 Christian Century listed Sharyl’s book as one of Philadelphia. Vanished Gardens received the cOOrs Susan Carr-Templeton (BSBA ’78) of of Pilgrim Press’ top-five best-sellers in its Association of Writers and Writing Programs Oak Brook, Ill., launched Stafford Wells May 6 issue. Award for Creative Nonfiction. Sharon also Advisors, a wealth management firm catering is the author of a collection of poetry, Bone to investors with $1 million to $10 million House, and a memoir, Field Notes: A Geography Fitness in assets. Susan also worked as a senior vice 1984 of Mourning. She lives in Philadelphia and president with William Blair & CO and CEO Deirdre McKay (BA ’84) works as a museum teaches writing at Temple University. of Templeton Associates Ltd. educator at Stepping Stones Museum for Children in Norwalk, Conn. Deirdre Craig Moodie previously worked as a journalist and art 1991 center (BA ’78) of teacher in Manhattan. She now lives in Rye, Jennifer (Newberry) Hogan (BFA ’91) Franklin, Mass., N.Y., with her teenage children, Wiley and celebrated the first anniversary of her art FinD yOUr Fit with excLUsive published the Isabel. business, Seahorse Designs. Jennifer also has du alumni aLUmni rates FOr FamiLy anD young-adult novel worked as an artist for various companies, inDiviDUaL memBerships. Seaborn (Roaring John Shugrue (BA ’84) joined Reed Smith most notably as a graphic design project discounts Brook Press, LLP as a partner in its Insurance Recovery manager for North Face and a consultant TAKE ADVANTAGE OF GREAT MEMBER BENEFITS LIKE: 2008). Craig is the author of five other novels, Group in the firm’s Chicago office. John to the Arts Council of Northwest Florida • DISCOUNTED PRICING ON DU RECREATION ACTIVITIES including The Sea Singer and Salt Luck. After graduated from the University of North in Pensacola. Jennifer lives and works in • 10 FREE VISITS TO THE COORS FITNESS CENTER college Craig worked on a commercial fishing Carolina School of Law with honors in 1987. Alexandria, Va. boat, an experience that has inspired many of He started his career at Jenner & Block and • 10% DISCOUNT ON DENVER APPAREL & MERCHANDISE his books. became a partner with the firm in 1995. Prior, • FREE PARKING IN DESIGNATED LOTS John was the managing partner for Morgan Lewis’ Chicago office. visit the coors fitness center and find your fit today! 303.871.3845 • recreation.du.edu ATHLETICS i-25 & University BLvD. • University OF Denver • ritchie center &RECREATION
48 University of Denver Magazine Winter 2008 University of Denver Magazine Connections 49 DUMagazineAd_Fall08_FINAL.indd 1 10/9/08 9:58:49 AM 1993 1996 1997 Angela (Rubel) Boots Rodney Broome (MTEL ’96) recently Tania (Gabriel) Garcia (BA ’97) of William Lee (JD ’99) moved back to Denver (BSBA ’93) has been returned to Kabul, Afghanistan, after Camarillo, Calif., was promoted to director to work as an expert witness for real estate working in various recovering from back surgery at his home in of development and alumni relations at Entrepreneur transaction and mortgage finance lawsuits. capacities of real estate Lone Tree, Colo. Rodney is a mentor to the California State University, Channel Islands. For the past three years William worked as for the past nine years, Minister of Defense Installation Management Renee Pepys Lowe an executive for a Clearwater, Fla., real estate most recently leas- Division of the Afghan army. developer and ran the company’s mortgage ing retail space for 1999 Renee Pepys Lowe, Photography Hager Stephanie lending subsidiary. Highwoods Properties Bonnie Clark (MA ’96) of Denver is a Lori Asher (JD ’99) of Shelbyville, Ind., had founder, president and CEO in Kansas and Missouri. Angela lives in Kansas historical archaeologist at DU. Bonnie’s a baby girl, Sophia. Lori and her husband, of CoCaLo Inc., has been in Chad Rogers (BSBA ’99) of Malibu, Calif., City, Mo., and spends her spare time travel- current research into the history of the Brian, are also the proud parents of three the juvenile retail business is on the Bravo cable channel show “Million ing, writing, running marathons and working American West has garnered the attention of boys—Bryce, Luke and Aidan. since she was a kid. Her Dollar Listing,” which gives viewers an inside toward her real estate broker’s license and several publications nationwide, including the mother was a pioneer in the look at three prominent Los Angeles Realtors. certified commercial investment member des- San Francisco Chronicle. Geoffrey Deweese (JD ’99) of Fayetteville, concept of coordinated baby Chad received his real estate license at the age ignation. Angela and her husband, Brian, wel- N.C., was appointed group judge advocate for of 18 before graduating from DU. bedding in the early ’70s comed a baby boy, Finley, on April 24. Josh Stone (BA ’96) is a meteorologist at the only active duty psychological operations and included Pepys Lowe WMBD 31 in Peoria, Ill. After graduating group in the Army. Geoffrey earned an from DU, Josh got a master’s of science LLM in military law from the Army Judge and her three siblings in the 2001 1995 degree in broadcast meteorology from Advocate General’s Legal Center and School entrepreneurial endeavors. Bharat Chowrira (JD ’01) of San Francisco Angel Cortes (MA ’95) earned a doctorate in Mississippi State University. He began his at the University of Virginia. As a group judge But while her mother joined Nektar Therapeutics as chief operating history from the University of Notre Dame. broadcasting career in Grand Junction, Colo., advocate, Geoffrey oversees a staff of 14 and may have paved the way in officer and head of the PEGylation business He is an assistant professor of history at Holy where he was named “Best Weathercaster” by provides legal advice on all areas of military children’s room decor, Pepys unit. Previously, Bharat worked for Merck & Cross College and lives with his wife, Marcy, the Colorado Broadcaster’s Association; he law. Geoffrey also is on “jump status,” which Lowe (BSBA ’87) is blazing Co. as the executive director of worldwide and sons, Bernal and Tobias, in South Bend, later worked in Sioux Falls, S.D. Josh also is means he occasionally parachutes from her own trail today. licensing and external research. Ind. working toward a private pilot’s license. helicopters and airplanes. Pepys Lowe started Khalid Rosa CoCaLo from scratch in (BS ’01, MAS ’08) of Denver graduated from DU with a master’s 1998, and it quickly became of applied science degree in computer one of the most prominent Class Notes Challenge:1998 information systems. Khalid plans on WINNER! infant bedding designers completing additional graduate work in Mulyadi Alamsjah (BSBA ’98) is the Gary Compton (MM ’98) is the chair of Joshua Holmberg (MBA ’98) and manufacturers in the database administration and information founder of PT Asian Pak Chem, a self- the fine arts department at an independent of Littleton, Colo., wrote the book The Teen’s industry, with products sold systems security. adhesive tape manufacturer; PT Goldfox school in the Tampa Bay, Fla., area. Gary Guide to Personal Finance (iUniverse, 2008). at more than 400 retailers, including JC Penney, Babies ‘R’ Us, Kohl’s and the Burlington Group International, a trading company; received his PhD in music education from Joshua hopes that the book will help teens Coat Factory. Katherine Schaff (BA ’01) of San Francisco and PT Embrio Graha Makmur, an interior the University of Southern Florida in 2006. and adults avoid financial pitfalls and take “Our job at CoCaLo is to make life easier for moms and to give them the tools received a master’s degree in public health design company. Mulyadi lives in Tangerang, In addition to his teaching and administra- advantage of the time they have to build to create the most beautiful nursery possible for their baby,” says Pepys Lowe, who from the University of California, Berkeley, Indonesia, with his wife, Caroline, and sons, tive duties, Gary also maintains an active wealth through goal-setting, saving, investing works closely with her mom-led team (24 of her 27 employees are mothers) to create in spring 2008. Katherine is employed by the Vincent and Ryan. performing career as a trumpet player. He and maximizing tax advantages. fashionable room collections. Alameda County Public Health Department, lives in Wesley Chapel, Fla., with his wife where she focuses on eliminating public “It’s all about the way that we apply color, pattern and theme ... that’s what sets us Tara Beiter-Fluhr (MA ’98) was appointed and two daughters. Matthew Neal (BA ’98) of Hutchinson, health inequities. to Colorado’s Sheridan City Council in Kan., is chief of police for the Halstead apart,” she continues. “When we take 11 different fabrications and textures and prints January 2008. Tara also works as a staff tax Allison (Noblett) Police Department in Kansas. Matthew and colors, our designs become very eclectic, and many buyers would never think of analyst for Qwest Communications, focus- Coyne (BA ’98) and served for seven years with the Hutchinson putting that all together.” 2002 ing on the correct billing of taxes for cus- her husband, George, Police Department as a patrol officer, school After majoring in retail and marketing at DU, Pepys Lowe spent a few years Joseph Labrecque (MA ’02) of Thornton, tomers. She lives in Englewood, Colo., with celebrated their fifth resource officer, gang enforcement officer working for Robinsons-May department stores before joining her mother’s business, Colo., and his wife, Leslie, are proud to her son, Nicholas. wedding anniversary and hostage and crisis negotiator. Matthew NoJo. When the company sold in 1996, she received offers from Martix and OshKosh announce the birth of their baby girl, Paige, this year with a 12-day also serves as a consultant and trainer for a to design and produce children’s bedding lines under their brands. born on Aug. 19. Matt Branaugh (BA ’98) relocated to trip to Ireland. Allison Dallas-based law enforcement and leadership But, it wasn’t long before she had created her own licensed brand, CoCaLo Baby— Wheaton, Ill., with his wife, Sarah, and two received a master’s training company. named for her two daughters, Courtenay and Catherine. Lauren (Hachmeister) Metz (BSBA ’02) children, James and Mattea, in 2006 to take degree in early childhood special education Pepys Lowe’s entrepreneurial spirit isn’t the only family value she’s continued. opened a boutique, Delish Demure, in a job with the Christian magazine publisher from George Mason University in 2003 Anita Wesley (MA ’98) of Denver has been Greenwood Village, Colo., in August after Near her home in Southern California, she is involved with Orangewood Children’s Christian Today International. In January and works as a special education teacher for appointed philanthropy adviser to the Rose two years of preparation. Lauren opened the Foundation for abused and neglected children. On a national level, she sits on the board Matt became the editor of Your Church Arlington Public Schools. George works as Community Foundation, where she will store hoping to put Denver on the fashion magazine. Prior, Matt worked as a business a psychotherapist. Allison and George live assist donor families with their philanthropic and executive committee of K.I.D.S. (Kids In Distressed Situations)—meeting needs of map. Lauren’s love of fashion began when she reporter and editor for the Daily Camera in in Alexandria, Va., with their 2-year-old son, work. Prior, Anita was a project coordinator the 13 million children in the U.S. living below the poverty level. lived in London while studying abroad and Boulder, Colo. Despite the geographic relo- Jackson. for the Colorado Blue Ribbon Commission “I have grown up in a family where it was important to give back,” she says. working for Burberry. cation, Matt says he has remained a fan of for Health Care Reform and director of >>www.cocalo.com Colorado athletics, especially DU hockey. annual giving and major gifts for the Denver —Janna Widdifield Health Foundation.
50 University of Denver Magazine Winter 2008 University of Denver Magazine Connections 51 2003 Gayle Herde (PhD ’03) and her husband, the communication gap between adults and school science in Flandreau, S.D., and Reunion recap Bryan, celebrated their 30th wedding adolescents. Joy plans to continue working Ryan works as a project engineer at Verasun anniversary in July. In addition to her with teens and media in an effort to expand Energy in Aurora, S.D., where the couple Last March, Arthur Saunders (BA ’73) of Wayzata, Minn., participated in a reunion of 20 Beta Theta Pi fraternity brothers (pictured below left). practice as a litigation consultant, Gayle the project globally. resides. Participants traveled from seven states—Florida, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Wyoming, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Virginia—and from across Colorado joined her husband’s company, Integrity to attend the annual home hockey series against DU archrival Colorado College. The group also participated in the 2008 Beta Theta Pi initiation cer- Services Group, to do communication Abrian Suazo (BA ’04) has lived in Madrid, emony, spent time reminiscing over old pictures and videos and gathered at the Retreat Bar, owned by fellow reveler David Lowe (BSBA ’75). Randle research. They live in Centennial, Colo. 2004 Spain, for the past two years. She teaches at Katherine Johnson the American School of Madrid, where she Loveland (BSBA ’72) of Vancouver, Wash., organized the weekend. Lauren Kisser (MBA ’03, MS ’03) of (BS ’04) of Littleton, co-directs the high school drama program Seattle reached the summit of Mt. Rainier Colo., graduated in May and teaches singing lessons. She also is a on July 8. The climb took Lauren three from the University member of the British Theater Madrid days, which she describes as both exhausting of Southern California Players. Living in Spain has given Abrian and exhilarating. Lauren also raised $5,334 with a doctor of dental ample opportunity to travel throughout to support the Fred Hutchinson Cancer surgery degree. Katie Europe, Asia and Africa. Research Center for the Climb for Breast lives in Pocatello, Idaho, Cancer. where she is completing Bryan Villano (BSBA ’04) of Deerfield, Ill., a one-year advanced education residency in returned from Israel after six months abroad. Joy Zarra (MA ’03) of Wheat Ridge, Colo., general dentistry. While in Israel, Bryan worked for Arava won a regional Emmy award July 20 for Power Co., a solar power utility company. best community/public service campaign. Elizabeth (Johnston) McMillan (BS ’04) The company hopes that its first power Joy, who has worked as a juvenile diversion and Ryan McMillan (BSME ’05) are happy field, to be completed this year, will provide counselor for the past five years, created to announce their marriage on June 7 in 10 percent of Israel’s total power using the campaign, “Uninterrupted,” to address Brookings, S.D. Elizabeth teaches middle photovoltaics.
In June several members of the University of Denver Chicago alumni chapter participated in “Chicago Cares,” an annual philanthropic event to support Chicago’s public schools. DU’s Chicago group spent the day repainting a portion of an elementary school. Pictured above right (back row, from left): Nicholas Sauer (BA ’05) of North Barrington, Ill.; Adam Sauer, junior business major; Adam Gunzberg (BSBA ’93) of Chicago; Tim Heath (BA ’98, MTEL ’03) of Chicago; Julia Brennan; Kevin Friduss (BA ’05) of Chicago. Front row (from left): Jonathan Brosk (BSBA ’05) of Chicago; Aimee Marx Chancellor’s (BA ’07) of Northbrook, Ill. Innovation Fund Funding Innovation • Funding Excellence • Funding DU Career corner Q: I’d like to work abroad. How do I go about finding a job in another country? If you’ve set your sights upon finding a job overseas, there are some things to consider before you A: send a résumé to lands unknown: • Employment rates are not the same in every country. Research the country’s embassy Web site to find The Tradition statistics. Continues With You • In some countries a basic knowledge of the language is important, while in others, the fact that English is i n v e s t in t h e f u t u r e , i n v e s t in o u r s t u d e n t s your first language is a bonus. • Living standards, and therefore pay levels, are not the same in every country. Your travel costs could exceed a The Chancellor’s Innovation Fund, supported by your annual gift, local person’s annual salary. strengthens scholarships and priority programs for our students. • Your cultural competency about the country you’ll be living in may not match your new supervisor’s, or vice versa. It may be difficult to adjust to social mores. Work-abroad programs are only available during certain times of the year and within a specified time of your To contribute to DU, please visit • graduation. www.giving.du.edu • Personal safety in the country you’ll be working in varies; research reports on illnesses, traffic accidents and theft.
iStock • Check with alumni who are from the country you want to work in for networking opportunities. University Advancement 2190 E. Asbury Ave., Denver, CO 80208 The Daniels College of Business Suitts Center for Career Services can assist graduate alumni with international job searches; call 303-871-2154. Undergraduate 303.871.4677 800.448.3238 alumni should contact the DU Career Center at 303-871-2150.
Tips reprinted from the March 2007 NACE Journal with permission of the National Association of Colleges and Employers, copyright holder. 52 University of Denver Magazine Winter 2008 University of Denver Magazine Connections 53 Pioneer pics Alumni Director Jeffrey Howard Gerald Cortinez (BFA ’84) and husband David Chase of New York City pose with a copy of the University of Denver Magazine at Uluru (Ayers Jeffrey Howard has been named executive director of alumni relations at the University Rock) while on vacation in Australia in March 2008. While there, they of Denver. He joined DU in the fall from the U.S. Olympic Committee, where he worked as the attended the 30th celebration of the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in Sydney director of education and outreach programs in corporate communications. and spent a week in Melbourne. Howard returns to DU after nearly a decade; he previously was assistant athletics director for Nancy (Schniedwind) Duffy public relations, coordinating media relations during DU’s transition to Division I athletics and (BA ’70) of Hillsborough, N.J., stands the construction of the Ritchie Center. “Returning to DU in a capacity to help further engage the University’s alumni and advocate with her son, Pat Duffy (BSBA ’06) of for the many great programs and initiatives under way on and off campus is a great personal and Vernon, Conn., in front of the Roman professional opportunity,” Howard says. “I am a believer in lifelong learning, and the chance to Colosseum while on a family vacation. return to an environment that fosters that philosophy at such a high level is exciting. I am truly As you pioneer lands far and proud to join a staff and campus community that inspires excellence in so many different areas of wide, be sure to pack your DU gear and strike a pose in front of a national monument, focus.” the fourth wonder of the world or your hometown hot spot. If we print your submission, Howard brings extensive experience in project management, marketing and public relations you’ll receive some new DU paraphernalia courtesy of the DU Bookstore. to his new role at DU. During his time with the U.S. Olympic Committee, Howard oversaw Send your print or high-resolution digital image and a description of the location to: significant programming in alumni relations, education and athlete career transition services. His Pioneer Pics, University of Denver Magazine, 2199 S. University Blvd., Denver, CO 80208, experience also includes coordinating programming and publicity both internally and externally. or e-mail [email protected]. Be sure to include your full name, address, degree(s) and Howard graduated from Metropolitan State College in Denver with a bachelor of science in sports information and reporting. He year(s) of graduation. holds a master’s degree in sports organization management from Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 in France. Howard is married to DU alumna Gerri Gomez-Howard (MA ’93), and the couple has three children. —Sarah Satterwhite
1970s Deaths Katharine Dodge (MA ’70), Denver, 5-27-08 Stephen Schuyler (JD ’71), Denver, 7-16-08 1930s Doug Phillips (JD ’73), Denver, 7-15-08 Gerald Lovins (BS ’31), Santa Fe, N.M., 7-7-08 Carolyn Crain (MA ’74), Arcadia, Calif., 5-8-08 Burton Smead (BA ’34, JD ’50), Hope, Maine, 1-13-08 Randall Bruns (MBA ’77), Beaverton, Ore., 5-24-08 Dorothy Wilcox (MA ’77), Longmont, Colo., 8-14-08 wonderDo youwhat your ever alma 1940s mater has been doing Dorothee (Comnillo) Peterson (BA ’46, MA ’72), Aurora, Colo., 1980s since you left? 5-22-08 Mary Murray (MT ’85), Greeley, Colo., 7-10-08 William Hockett (MBA ’49), Mount Dora, Fla., 2-1-08 Rick Hall (JD ’87), Omaha, Neb., 6-15-08 Come to a DU on the Road event and Wayne Roush (BA ’49, MA ’51), Little River, S.C., 2-5-08 J. Daniel Smith (BS ’49), Fairfax, Va., 6-26-08 1990s find out. University representatives Jonathan Kindred (BA ’93, MS ’97, MSF ’97, JD ’97), Leawood, Kan., will travel to cities this winter and 1950s 5-19-08 spring to provide an update on campus William Pryich (BS ’50), Rock Springs, Wyo., 6-20-08 W. Lynn Smith (MA ’52, PhD ’54), Denver, 6-11-08 2000s developments and the vision and goals Natley Breningstall (BSBA ’53), Denver, 5-19-08 Narendar Barry (JD ’04), Albuquerque, N.M., 7-19-08 behind them. All DU alumni are invited Stan Miles (BS ’53), Centennial, Colo., 6-23-08 to enjoy an evening of food and drinks Randell Ericson (BSBA ’55), Roswell, N.M., 3-21-08 Students with fellow classmates, faculty and staff. John Grow Jr. (BS ’55), Denver, 5-30-08 Devany Carroll, senior psychology major, Cape Elizabeth, Maine, 8-18-08
Look for us this winter and spring 1960s Faculty and Staff as we travel to the following cities: Tom Richardson (BA ’61, MA ’63), Grand Junction, Colo., 6-5-08 Ann “Lee” Albi (BA ’48), admissions office (retired 1986), Denver, 6-25-08 Atlanta, GA Jay Spangler (BSBA ’61), North Highlands, Calif., 5-22-08 Eric Arnold, history professor emeritus, Denver, 8-6-08 Las Vegas, NV William Sparks (MA ’62), Lubbock, Texas, 6-15-08 George Boyd, associate vice provost of internationalization, Denver, 9-2-08 San Diego, CA Esau Ali (BFA ’63), Ingleside, Wash., 5-13-08 Marie Younkerman (BA ’07), assistant to the director in the Daniels Seattle, WA Thayer Rudd Jr. (BSBA ’69, MBA ’70), Hinsdale, Ill., 7-16-08 College of Business statistics department, Lakewood, Colo., 7-8-08 For more information, please visit Friends www.alumni.du.edu/DUontheroad Johnston Livingston, husband of longtime DU Trustee Pat Livingston, or call 1.800.871.3822. Denver, 9-29-08
54 University of Denver Magazine Winter 2008 WinterOTRad_FINAL.indd 1 University of Denver Magazine11/10/08 Connections 2:16:30 PM 55 2005 Brent Brackle Pioneer (MBA ’05) recently Inventor George Lof won the annual FTI generations Denver Office Golf Republican Ryan Greenawalt On Parkway Drive in the Englewood, Colo., neighbor- Tournament. Brent Proud. This word describes Julianne hood of Cherry Hills, a piece of history is for sale. Years ago,
works at FTI Consulting Moran Joseph Ryan Greenawalt (BSBA ’02) is (Rose) Hennings’ (BSBA ’82) feelings about her however, the technology which makes this item distinct was as a senior consultant family’s Pioneer legacy. of little interest or value to anyone other than its owner. and lives with his wife, Lindsay, and dog, senior vice president at Jefferies & Bailey, in Arvada, Colo. Co., a publicly traded bond firm on A Colorado native, Julianne’s family ties to That’s because the heating system employed in the Wall Street, where he works in the the state go back more than 100 years when her house on Parkway Drive—although powered by clean, Christine Fuhrman (MSW ’05) moved Fixed Income Group serving the needs great-grandparents chose to homestead at the renewable energy—was too expensive compared to other to Gardner, Kan., to work as the director of public entities. foot of the Rockies. sources of fuel. Courtesy of George Lof of transitional living programs at TLC for He also is a founding member The first member of Julianne’s family Completed in 1957, George Lof’s home at 6 Parkway Children & Families. Prior, she worked at of DU’s Young Alumni Endowed to graduate from the University was her Drive has the distinction of being the oldest known solar home. Third Way Center in Denver. Scholarship Fund and one of its grandmother, Bertha (Boyd) Reed (BA ’49, Lof (BSCHE ’35) designed and constructed the house’s solar-energy heating system, which pro- biggest donors. He was raised vides between one-half to two-thirds of the total heat, after building a similar residence in Boulder, Cash Parker (BA ’05) of Boulder, Colo., MA ’50), who was 50 years old at the time and Catholic, loves sports and is a Colo. received a juris doctorate in May from the working full-time as a teacher. One year later passionate member of the Republican Lof first became involved with solar energy while earning a master’s degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Cash was Bertha’s daughter Alice (Reed) Siddeek (BA Party. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He later pursued solar-energy research at the University of elected to the Order of the Coif and also ’50) obtained her degree from the University. And he is gay. Colorado, directed the Industrial Research Institute at DU and worked for Colorado State University was a member of the CU team that won Julianne’s pride for the accomplishments Greenawalt says he spent until 1999 as a professor and director of the university’s Solar Energy Application Laboratory. the national championship at the American of her mother and grandmother stems from the Constitution Society’s Constance Baker several years learning how to “be Lof also designed, manufactured and installed home solar-heating systems for the Solaron fact that they both earned degrees during a time Motley National Moot Court Competition. Republican and be gay.” His path led Corp. The efficiency of solar energy, however, could not offset its considerable expense in the minds him to the Log Cabin Republicans, a when relatively few women did. She concedes of government, researchers and the public. Consequently, interest and progress in the field of solar- political organization that champions that she’d be nothing but proud should her energy dwindled for several decades. 2006 Republican fiscal values as well as 16-year-old daughter choose to attend DU. Today, however, “we are now at a point where solar is going to move ahead,” Lof says. “Instead Matt Carle (attd. 2003–06) of Anchorage, equality. Although Alice lives in Casper, Wyo., and of having to make solar cheaper, what needed to happen was for other fuel sources to become more Alaska, has been traded from the National “I am socially liberal and fiscally Julianne lives in Littleton, Colo., mother and expensive.” Hockey League’s San Jose Sharks to the conservative,” says Greenawalt. daughter enjoy discussing what they read in the Now, with green energy all the rage, the rows of solar panels on Lof’s roof could make the oldest Tampa Bay Lightning. “I believe in controlling your own University of Denver Magazine. known solar residence more valuable in the eyes of potential buyers. Carolyn Munoz (BA ’06) of Englewood, destiny, limited government, free —Samantha Stewart —Samantha Stewart Colo., is in charge of public relations and markets. That being said, I believe marketing for the Colorado Run for Congo the party is headed down the wrong Women. The run/walk/hike benefit aims path because it is focusing on social issues, things that the government shouldn’t be to raise money to provide physical and involved in.” emotional aid for Congolese women who Greenawalt is now the organization’s national board director and chairs its New Contact us have survived sexual violence. Carolyn and York state political action committee. her fellow volunteers are part of a global Of course, he frequently must respond to people who wonder how he supports a Tell us about your Name (include maiden name) movement that has partners in 10 states and party that seems hostile to his lifestyle, but again, this incongruous piece fits once he four countries. career and personal DU degree(s) and graduation year(s) explains his perspective. accomplishments, awards, “Ninety percent of the gay community is focused on supporting the liberal Address births, life events or agenda,” he says. “We need people on both sides of the aisle to support equal rights.” City 2007 whatever else is keeping Yvonne Guzman (BBA ’07) of Thornton, Greenawalt is equally passionate about serving and supporting his alma mater. He State ZIP code Country Colo., is working toward her MBA with has given nearly $25,000 to the Young Alumni Endowed Scholarship Fund and serves you busy. Do you support Phone Fax a specialization in international business on its board. a cause? Do you have at Regis University. Yvonne works for a E-mail “I want to help people in need, whether those people are students or people who any hobbies? Did you just global investment company and hopes that have no rights.” return from a vacation? Let Employer Occupation many more career paths open up after her —Janalee Card Chmel graduation in March 2009. us know! Don’t forget to What have you been up to? (Use a separate sheet if necessary.) send a photo. (Include a 2008 self-addressed, postage-paid Peter Mannino (BSBA ’08) of Farmington is expected to make his professional debut envelope if you would like Post your class note online at www.alumni.du.edu, Question of the hour: What do you think is the biggest issue facing higher education today? Hills, Mich., has signed a one-year, two- next season with the Bridgeport Sound e-mail [email protected] or mail in the form on your photo returned.) way, free agent contract with the National Tigers of the American Hockey League. page 57. Hockey League’s New York Islanders. Peter Post your class note online at www.alumni.du.edu, e-mail [email protected] or mail your note to: Class Notes, University of Denver Magazine, 2199 S. University Blvd., Denver, CO 80208. 56 University of Denver Magazine Winter 2008 University of Denver Magazine Connections 57 ANNOUNCEMENTS
Lifelong Learning Nostalgia Needed OLLI DU’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute If you have ideas for nostalgic topics we could is a membership program designed for men and cover in the magazine, please send them our way. women age 55 and “better” who wish to pursue We’d love to see your old DU photos as well. lifelong learning in the company of like-minded peers. Members select the topics to be explored Pioneer Generations and share their expertise and interests while How many generations of your family have serving as teachers and learners. attended DU? If you have stories and photos to >>universitycollege.du.edu/learning/viva/ share about your family’s history with DU, please send them our way! Enrichment Program Noncredit short courses, lectures, seminars and weekend Calling All Experts intensives explore a wide range of subjects without exams, grades or admission We’re trying to get to know our alumni better requirements. while developing possibilities for future articles. >>universitycollege.du.edu/learning/ep/ Please send us your ideas. We would especially like to hear about readers who: Get Involved • are farmers or ranchers • were DU Centennial scholars The Denver Scholarship Foundation, which • are members of the Class of 1979 helps students overcome obstacles to education • are involved in hospice/palliative care by offering tools and flexible scholarships to • served in the Peace Corps participating Colorado post-secondary schools, • are experts in early childhood education including DU, is looking for volunteers for a variety of projects. Contact Alan Jimenez (BA ’84, Career Connections JD’ 87) at [email protected] for more Pioneer Alumni Network information. Join other Denver area alumni for free networking events Mark Your Calendar each month. >>www.alumni.du.edu Founders Day The March 5 gala will honor alumni award winners and raise funds for Essayists Wanted scholarships. >>www.alumni.du.edu/Participate/Founders The University of Denver Magazine is accepting proposals for reflective, first-person essays on any subject (600 words in length) for DU on the Road Find out what your alma possible publication. Opinion pieces will not mater has been doing since you left. See if DU is be considered. Materials submitted will not be coming to a city near you. returned. >>www.alumni.du.edu/DUontheRoad Stay in Touch Volunteer Days Provide assistance to the homeless community April 24 at Project Online Alumni Directory Update your Homeless Connect, held on the DU campus. contact information, find other alumni and “bookmark” your alumni friends and classmates.
DU Photography Department For more information, contact Katie Symons at 303-871-3332. You also can read class notes and death notices. Online class note submissions will automatically be included in the University of Denver Magazine. Contact us >>www.alumni.du.edu University of Denver Magazine 2199 S. University Blvd. Denver, CO 80208 [email protected] 303-871-2776
58 University of Denver Magazine Winter 2008 University of Denver Magazine Connections 59 Miscellanea Centenary celebration Wayne Armstrong Wayne
This Colorado license plate was procured for Chancellor Chester Alter in 1963 as a Christmas present to celebrate the University’s impending 100th anniversary in 1964. Gov. John Love (BA ’39, LLB ’41) authorized the Department of Motor Vehicles to change Alter’s vehicle registration slip to “DU-1964” after the department had denied an earlier request. The 45-year-old license plate is part of the University Archives.
60 University of Denver Magazine Winter 2008