Fall 2007

“So, what can you do with a liberal arts degree?”

e are asked this question frequently by Star for his service in Vietnam, where he served as a Professional Rock freshmen trying to choose a major. Per- correspondent and managing editor of the Southern Climber. Acknowl- W haps you heard it from an uninformed Cross. edged as one of relative at your commencement party. Our answer the best all-round to the question is, “With a liberal arts degree from CEO for Power Companies. In a career featur- climbers in the world, Colorado State University, you can do anything you ing a number of “firsts,”Judi Johansen (political Steph Davis (English want to do. You can be ... ” science 1980) went from M.A. 1995) was the law school to a power first female to climb Governor of Colorado. The Honorable Bill Ritter industry career in the the Salathé Wall (political science Pacific Northwest. She on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park without 1978) was elected was the first female equipment. She has many other “firsts” on high governor of Colo- president and CEO of mountain rock faces around the world. A profile in rado in 2006. Prior PacifiCorp, a subsid- Outside Online described the upside and downside to his election, he iary of ScottishPower, of Steph’s climbing career. The downside? “Having served as district as well as the first your mom suggest (frequently) that you are out of attorney for the female CEO/adminis- your mind.” The upside? “Yosemite. The Andes. And city and county of trator of the Bonn- a life in which every day is a thrilling vertical grab.” Denver. Like many of our alumni, Governor Rit- eville Power Cor- Steph recently published a book of her essays and ter is a Colorado native who worked to put himself poration. Judi’s pioneering activity actually started poetry, High Infatuation: A Climber’s Guide to Love through school. Also like many of our alumni, he is much earlier. While at CSU, she was the first female and Gravity. committed to service to the larger community. In president of ASCSU. the late 1980s, he and wife Jeannie managed and ex- Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist. Rocky Moun- panded a nutrition center in Zambia, and he created Offensive Lineman. Among tain News reporter Jim Sheeler (technical journalism the nation’s first Victim’s Services Network. alumni embarked on dream-come-true careers is 1990) recently won a Pulitzer for feature writing. The Erik Pears (liberal arts 2005). He has played football award was for “Final Salute,” which chronicled a year Pulitzer Prize-Winning Poet. New York Univer- since he was 4 years in the life of a casualty notification officer and the sity recently named Yusef Komunyakaa (English old, when he only pre- families impacted by his knock M.F.A. 1981) to the prestigious position of distin- tended to be a Denver at the door. Jim prepared guished senior poet in its creative writing program. Bronco. A standout for the story by writing Among the long list of awards for his offensive lineman for innovative narrative obitu- published prose and the Rams, he signed aries, many of which are poetry are a Pulit- a free agent contract collected in his recently zer Prize (for Neon with the Broncos in published book, Obit: In- Vernacular: New and 2005 and was named spiring Stories of Ordinary Selected Poems), the to the all-NFL Europe Team in spring 2006. When People Who Led Extraordi- William Faulkner Prize Matt Lepsis suffered a season-ending injury early in nary Lives. Another book, from the Université de the 2006 NFL season, Erik started 10 games at left based on his experiences Rennes, the Thomas tackle for the Broncos. He is starting on the offensive covering the impact of Forcade Award, and the line this season. (If the notoriously taciturn Bron- the war at home, is scheduled for publication by The Hanes Poetry Prize. Yusef cos offensive linemen still fine each other for media Penguin Press in 2008. was awarded the Bronze mentions, this paragraph may cost Erik some cash.) Continued on Page 2 continued from Page 1 Inventor of Baby Carrots. After completing Golf Channel Reporter/Anchor. Most people Novelist. A somewhat circuitous path that in- bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Colorado State, have to retire before they get to follow the profes- cluded both law school and Dave Yurosek (political science 1967, M.A. 1970) re- sional golf tour. Not Steve Sands (technical journal- a master’s degree brought turned to the family farming business in Bakersfield, ism 1991); he gets paid to travel the tour. Nicole Burnham (political Calif. In the early 1980s, Dave and his father invented After sports positions science 1991), also writing as baby carrots, which actually was a new processing at stations in Nebraska, Niki Burnham, to a career as method. This innovation is credited with chang- West Virginia, New York, an award-winning author ing the entire carrot industry as well as increasing Virginia, and , he of six romance novels and carrot sales by 35 percent. Although Dave remains a joined the Golf Channel in six novels for adolescents. partner in the company (Mike Yurosek and Son), his 2001 as anchor/reporter. A After practicing law for a career has developed in the direction of agribusiness Washington Post sports col- year, she decided her love consulting, where his advice is highly regarded and umnist calls Steve the Golf of writing and travel could frequently sought. Channel’s lead interviewer be put to better use. Her travels and credits him with el- have been all over the world, as her website indicates: Grammy-Winning Music Director. The New evating its broadcasts. “How many people can say they’ve skied the Swiss Yorker magazine calls San Francisco-based Chanti- Alps, snorkeled in the Grenadines, and successfully cleer “America’s favorite Washingtonpost.com Editor. Liz Spayd (techni- haggled their way through Cairo’s Khan al Khalili choral ensemble” and cal journalism 1981) began her journalism career marketplace?” “the world’s reigning at an early age when she wrote and delivered the male chorus.” Direct- Spayd Sentinel in her Denver neighborhood. After California Speedway VP. His love of racing ing this “orchestra of a prestigious career in print journalism, Liz is now started as a child on the competitive go kart circuit voices” for the last 25 the editor of Washingtonpost.com, an online news and led Dave Allen (speech communication 1997, years is Joseph Jennings publishing subsidiary of The Washington Post. Liz pictured at right) (music M.M. 1979), a joined The Post in 1988 as national business editor in to talk the presi- prolific composer and the financial news section. She moved to the national dent of Monterey’s arranger. Chanticleer per- news desk as deputy national editor and later became Laguna Seca Race- forms music ranging from the top editor for national news. way into creating jazz to gospel to “venture- an internship for some new music” throughout the United States and University Rector. The newest public academic him. During the in Europe. Under Joseph’s direction, Chanticleer has institution in the Republic of Albania is headed by internship, he met released 25 critically acclaimed recordings and won Agim Kukeli (economics Ph.D. 2004). The university Roger Penske, which resulted in a job offer at Pen- Grammys for Colors of Love and Lamentations and was inaugurated in ske’s California Speedway. Dave started as market- Praises. 2006 and had more ing manager and now is VP for corporate sales and than 1,300 students marketing. The long hours he spends at racetracks Commander of the U.S.S. Peleliu. Captain enrolled in its first are balanced by the opportunity to hang out with the Ed Rhoades (sociology 1982) has served in the U.S. year. Unlike other biggest names in racing. Navy since graduating from Colorado State. Among public universities in many career distinctions, Ed has been awarded the Albania, it is based on Independent Filmmaker. Armed mostly with Legion of Merit with gold star, Defense Meritorious the American system talent and determination, Shannan Keenan (speech Service Medal, Meritori- of education. Prior to communication and theatre 1993) moved to Los ous Service Medal with studying at Colorado State, Agim worked in the Food Angeles after graduation to make films. Her first film, two gold stars, and Navy and Agricultural Ministry of Albania. Loaves, won several awards, including Best Feature Commendation Medal at the Kansas International Film Festival. Her most with gold star. The ship Community Arts Activist. Director and co- recent film,Trail End, stars Barry Corbin. It was he currently commands creator of Bridge Progressive Arts Initiative in accepted for the Crested Butte Reel Fest, the Moon- is a helicopter carrier Charlottesville, Va., Greg Antrim Kelly (art 1999) dance International Film Fes- commissioned in 1980 works to build community through the arts. The tival, the L.A. Shorts under its original name, Bridge hosts experimental film, music, and art events Fest, and numerous Khe Sahn. and, through collaboration of the arts, aims to enrich other film festivals. the local community. Her company, Just Daytime TV Actor. She started modeling at age 15, Greg is an artist himself. Hank Productions, is and now Lesli Kay (Pushkin) (performing arts 1987) Among recent creations named after Shannan’s plays Felicia Forrester on The Bold and the Beautiful. is a large work in prog- national champion Ap- Other roles have included Molly Peterson Conlan ress called PIGEON that paloosa cutting horse. McKinnon on , for which she won combines “poetry and il- a daytime Emmy, and Lois Cerullo on General Hospi- lustration, found objects tal. She also has appeared on a long list of television and found conversation, series and in films, the most recent of which is the stolen portraits, and 2007 release, Shadow People. fictional characters.”

 COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS So You Think You Can Dance Contestant. Nepal NGO Founder. Following Peace Corps ser- A dance instructor, Sara Von Gillern (technical vice in Nepal, Rob Buckley (liberal arts 1997) settled The Next Generation journalism 2006) was chosen as a finalist on Fox in Katmandu, Television’s So You Think You Can Dance. She also has where he created of Alumni performed as a Denver two organizations. Nuggets Mob Squad Nepal Direct Effects he College continues to recruit wonder- dancer and Colorado is a web-based fully talented students with the potential for Crush City dancer. organization that T outstanding achievements in their careers In addition, Sara was advocates on behalf and personal lives, and their numbers are growing. chosen for the Red of and raises funds Also growing, however, is the cost of their college Bull Beat Riders Ur- for small-scale education. In response, we are working hard to ban Dance experience, community projects in Nepal. Himalayan Healers grow our scholarship endowments. all of which proves she is an organization that works to effect social and In social sciences and humanities disciplines, really can dance. individual change for members of the untouchable most scholarships are either merit-based or need- castes. Sponsored individuals train in indigenous based. In the arts and some other disciplines, Retired in Alaska. When Sally Ausman (history massage techniques, and then the organization scholarships also are awarded to attract the talent- 1958) went to Alaska to teach for a year, she did not provides guaranteed employment in one of their spa ed students necessary to, for example, complete the dream it would turn into a lifetime of adventure. She boutiques in Nepal while working to place them in string section of the orchestra or raise the quality followed two years of teaching with marriage and quality and supportive resorts and spas throughout of the ballet studio. five children, then went on to a 27-year career with the world. Last year, we added nine new endowed schol- Alaska Children’s Services in Anchorage, including a arships with donations of over $185,000. This year stint as associate executive director. In retirement, she Award-Winning Salsa Dancer. A woman who we are aiming to more than double that progress. facilitates workshops for a not-for-profit organiza- never seems to slow down, Eulanda Shead (speech We hope you can help, either by contributing to an tion that works with individuals on public assistance. communication 2001) already existing fund or by creating a new endow- She also finds time for the spectacular Alaskan out- and her partner A.J. ment. of-doors. Washington won third Every unit of the College has existing scholar- place at the 2006 In- ship funds. Some are named in honor of profes- Senior VP CitiFinancial. After graduating from ternational Hustle and sors who have retired or are deceased. A list of all Colorado State, Joe Bohling (history and speech Salsa Pro Champion- the existing scholarship funds in the College is communication 1990) com- ship, and she won first available at http://www.libarts.colostate.edu/schol- pleted a law degree place at the Hawaiian arshipsList. and worked at a 16th International Dance Please consider a gift that will help the next Street firm in Denver. Festival. Eulanda twice generation of liberal arts alumni complete their Eventually, he received has been a featured education. To discuss contributing to an existing the “offer you cannot dancer at the Hotlanta Salsa Congress in Atlanta. scholarship fund or setting up a new endowment, refuse” and began a She owns a photography studio and teaches dance in contact Kim Tobin, director of development, at career in human rela- Denver. [email protected]. tions/training positions with companies includ- ing PepsiCO, Cardinal As these examples illustrate, Health, i2 Technologies, and Comcast Cable. Currently, he is in the you can do anything you want corporate headquarters of CitiFinancial, where he is responsible for corporate training and personnel and to do with your liberal arts is part of the senior management team. degree. You are an inspiration to the next generation of PHOTO CREDITS Erik Pears, Page 1: Reprinted with permission from the Fort graduates from this college. Collins Coloradoan. Yusef Komunyakaa, Page 1: Photo by C.T. Adams. Joseph Jennings, Page 2: Photo by Lisa Kohler. Scholarship donor and retired professor Jack Sara Von Gillern, Page 3: Photo by Kelsey McNeal. Reprinted Curfman with scholarship recipients at our annual with permission from the Fort Collins Coloradoan. donor reception.

FALL 2007  Spotlight on Research in Liberal Arts Research by College of Liberal Arts faculty addresses fundamental problems in diverse areas of human experience.

The economics of rock ‘n’ roll collaboratively with Native communities to increase Like most baby boomers growing up in the effective HIV/AIDS prevention and encourage and 1950s and 1960s, Ron Phillips’ future was heavily support early detection through testing. influenced by the music he played and heard. Now The group wants to strengthen community- the professor of economics is using rock ‘n’ roll as a based organizations serving Native people in order microcosm of entrepreneurship. to examine their service methods and improve access Thanks to a grant from the Kauffman Founda- to HIV/AIDS services. They also want to increase the tion, Phillips will write a book about the economics proportion of HIV-infected individuals who know of rock ‘n’ roll and the entrepreneurial spirit that they are infected through enhancing early detection. keeps it alive. “The programs help Native communities build “One of the most important industries eco- infrastructure to initiate HIV programs, and they nomically and culturally is the music industry,” adapt evidenced-based materials for a Native focus,” Phillips said. “People in the business have to be pretty Thurman said, adding that CASAE, along with na- entrepreneurial.” tional Capacity Building Assistance partners, Inter- Students in Phillips’ senior seminar for econom- tribal Council of Arizona, National Native American ics majors, Entrepreneurship in the Music Industry, AIDS Prevention Center, and the Centers for Disease will help with the research and economic analysis of Control and Prevention, initiated the first-ever such things as whether rap artists sell more records if Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. they’ve gone to jail, where the best place is to release Helping Katrina survivors tell their a song, and how technology and the Internet have stories changed the music industry. Hundreds of thousands of New Orleans-area “In order for music to continue, it has to have Pamela Thurman entrepreneurship,” Phillips said. “Record sales are residents were forced to evacuate their homes be- down, and the industry is in trouble in terms of its cause of the damage wrought by , Advancing HIV/AIDS prevention in and two years later, many still find themselves sepa- business model. Something has to change. The way Native American communities they earned their income in the past is not the way rated from that culturally unique city. they will earn it in the future.” It is a sad secret that HIV/AIDS has grown Supported by grants from the National Science among Native American populations over the past Foundation and the College, two liberal arts faculty decade. Prevention can be boosted, and the spread of members have focused their research on the lives of the disease can be controlled among these groups of those who have evacuated and the obstacles they face people, said Pamela Jumper Thurman of the Center in returning home. for Applied Studies in American Ethnicity (CASAE) A new documentary tells the story of three in the College of Liberal Arts. women who anchor a family of 150 people dis- Thurman is heading up a program in the HIV/ placed from St. Bernard Parish, La., illustrating the AIDS Prevention Project (HAPP) called Advanc- devastation to bonds of love and African-American ing HIV/AIDS Prevention in Native Communities, Southern culture within a family and a community. which seeks first to mobilize Native communities to The film is a collaborative work of Ginny Martin, initiate HIV/AIDS prevention efforts and, second, two-time Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, and to encourage HIV testing and early detection. The Kate Browne, an expert in Afro-Creole populations target audience is Native populations throughout the and professor of anthropology. United States – Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Still Waiting: Life After Katrina chronicles how and Native Hawaiians. the emotional ecosystem of Connie, Katie, and Janie’s “HIV/AIDS is a sensitive topic that unfortu- family shows stress under the strain of betrayal first nately has a lot of stigma attached, so getting people by Mother Nature and then by their ensuing struggle to talk about it is essential in prevention,” Thurman with the system to rebuild their community after said. “With methamphetamine use rising so quickly Katrina. Filmed between October 2005 and March in rural and reservation areas – yes, even in – 2007, the documentary chronicles the family’s jour- HIV rates are rising as well.” ney following their evacuation to Dallas and their HAPP’s directive is to assist communities that eventual return home – an event both hopeful and are providing HIV/AIDS-related services in order to heartbreaking – to the New Orleans area. increase capacity for HIV/AIDS prevention. The ul- “To me, the heartbreaking irony is that the self- Ron Phillips timate goal, Thurman said, is for the project to work sufficiency practiced by this family for generations

 COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS Hurricane Katrina and Rebuilding the Gulf Coast, a major research effort funded by the Ford, Rockefeller, New Research Centers and MacArthur Foundations. The University recognizes two new Studying the many faces of TV liberal arts research programs. scientists Center for Public History and The typical scientist on CBS’s CSI: Crime Scene Archaeology Investigation series is an attractive, fashionably dressed professional who works in a state-of-the- The Center for Public History and Archaeol- art lab solving who-done-it crimes. The portrait of ogy crosses disciplinary boundaries in a collabora- a scientist takes on a different flavor on Discovery tion of research and scholarship that goes to the Channel’s Myth Busters program, where T-shirt-and- heart of the American West. jean-clad special effects experts test urban myths by This center has received funding from the running experiments in an industrial park ware- Department of Interior and other state and local house. agencies. Center faculty members are involved in This variety in scientist portrayals is particularly writing the history of public space in the West, interesting to one scientist at Colorado State Univer- including national parks and forests. They also are sity. Marilee Long, a professor in the Department of working with liberal arts students at archaeological Journalism and Technical Communication, studies digs in Colorado to learn more about our past. how the media affect support for science and, in par- No other land-grant university combines the ticular, how media may influence children to pursue disciplines of public history and archaeology in scientific careers. this manner. As a result of their unique and excel- “Among other sources, media representations of lent work, the faculty and researchers who work scientists provide children and adolescents with ideas with the center anticipate receiving funding for about what it’s like to be a scientist,” Long said. “This even more projects in the future. study will help us understand more about why they Center for Public Deliberation like certain scientist characters and dislike others, Lori Peek, left, and Kate Browne which, in turn, will help us predict potential effects.” The Center for Public Deliberation promotes Long is currently collaborating on a National the development of vibrant deliberative democracy positioned them poorly to seek help from the imper- Science Foundation-funded study of the presentation through civic engagement and research. sonal institutions that are now controlling so much of scientists in 14 television programs. Trained faculty and undergraduate students of their lives,” Browne said. “They have no knowledge support democratic processes in the community or experience in dealing with bureaucratic language by moderating public forums and traditional de- or mazes. So for the first time in their lives, they are bates on state and local issues, hosting workshops dependent and powerless and becoming seriously to train future moderators, and working on special worn down.” projects connected to public deliberation and col- For more on the documentary, visit laborative decision making. www.stillwaiting.colostate.edu. Located in the Department of Speech Com- Lori Peek, an assistant professor in the College’s munication, the Center for Public Deliberation Department of Sociology, has been working on two has received grants from the Council on Public research projects related to the experiences of those Policy Education, the Kettering Foundation, and affected by the Gulf Coast hurricanes in 2005. One the Pharos Fund. For more information about the study is tracking the long-term recovery of children Center for Public Deliberation, visit the website at in Louisiana, with a specific emphasis on children’s www.cpd.colostate.edu. vulnerability, things that adults are doing to reduce children’s vulnerability, and things that children are doing for themselves to aid in their own recovery. College of Liberal Arts Research The other study is focused on families who were and Creativity Centers displaced to the state of Colorado in the aftermath Center for Biomedical Research in Music of the storm. More than 14,000 individuals relocated Center for Literary Publishing to Colorado in the weeks and months following Center for Public Deliberation ­Katrina, and over 11,000 still remain in the state. Center for Public History and Archeology Peek is working with a sample of families to under- stand how children and adults have adjusted to this Center for Research on Communication and Technologies drastically different social, geographic, and cultural environment. Center for Research on the Colorado Economy Peek was recently named associate chair for Center for Studies in Beckett and Contemporary research projects for the Social Science Task Force on Marilee Long Theatre Practice

FALL 2007  College Retirements College Highlights Faculty or years, emeritus history Professor James Boyd, Philosophy – 38 years of service James Hansen has been researching and Fred Enssle, History – 42 years of service documenting Colorado State’s past, and now Robert Hoffert, Dean, Associate Dean; F a second volume of his invaluable work has been Philosophy, Political Science – 31 years of published. service Democracy’s University: A History of Colorado Terumoto Ozawa, Economics – 39 years of State University, 1970-2003 is available by calling service David Vancil, Speech Communication – (970) 491-6198 or by e-mailing 32 years of service [email protected]. Research Associate John Wilkins-Wells, Sociology – 25 years of service “For more than 135 years, intelligent, creative, hardworking people have produced Lecturer something special. Together they have Leslie Noone, English – 30 years of service fashioned and preserved eternal truths and new Staff knowledge of a high order in ways that serve Stephanie Besser, English; Music, Theatre, humankind’s needs. Few institutions can claim and Dance – 10 years of service Vickie Marlatt, Foreign Languages and as much.” Literatures – 20 years of service – James Hansen, from Democracy’s University: Mary Kay Pixley, Anthropology – 6 years of A History of Colorado State University, 1970-2003 service

In Memory James Garvey, 1944 – 2006 Professor Emeritus James Garvey passed away December 20, 2006, in Fort Collins. Dr. Garvey was a professor of English and linguistics until his retirement in 2006. “Jim was interested in a great many things – language, literature, music, cooking, and gardening, especially cacti,” wrote friend and colleague Gerry Delahunty. “His interests cross- pollinated. He used his interests in cooking to feed, so to speak, his linguistics and his teaching. I will always be grateful to him for his collegiality, his generosity, and his friendship.” Carolyn Duff, (English M.A. 1987) 1941 – 2007 Carolyn Duff, adjunct faculty member in the Department of English, passed away July 4, 2007, in Fort Collins. Ms. Duff taught composition and literature and founded Better Communications ongratulations to Wes Kenney, associate professor of music Associates and Women Works. She published three and music director of the Fort Collins Symphony. books and was a nationally recognized speaker on Kenney won the first annual Varna International Conductors issues of gender communication in the workplace. C Competition held in Vidin, Bulgaria. The competition featured conductors Ms. Duff was also an excellent cook and enjoyed from two continents and works by Bartok, Shostakovich, Brahms, sharing her culinary creations with family and Beethoven, and Strauss. As part of the prize, Kenney will return to Bulgaria friends. According to her family, “She worked hard in the next season for concerts in Vidin. to ensure the comfortable and loving upbringing of her three children. As a friend, she was support- ive, loyal, and involved.”  COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS Liberal Arts Associate Deans

hat do an Asian scholar who grew up meetings observe with great interest on a Wyoming ranch, an Australian that John takes notes using Chinese W feminist economist, a Native American characters. AIDS prevention researcher, and a trilingual regional Irene Vernon serves both as the economist have in common? They are the delight- associate dean for evaluation and fully diverse group who currently serve as associate diversity and as director of the Center deans for the College. These four high-energy and for Applied Studies in American Ethnic- exceptional individuals represent not only the schol- ity. This enormously energetic Mes- arly and teaching excellence of the College but also calero-Apache/Yaqui/Mexicana is a full its international focus and diversity. professor in the Department of English. Alexandra Bernasek serves as associate dean Currently, she is working on a five-year for undergraduate studies. She grew up in Austra- research project funded by the Center lia and speaks with an absolutely charming dialect for Disease Control on AIDS prevention of Australian English. She is a full professor in the among Native populations. Department of Economics, and her research focuses Associate dean for research, on gender and the economy. She has played a Stephan Weiler, recently returned to central role in the recent revision of the University’s Colorado State following a stint at the Federal Re- From left, John Didier, Stephan Weiler, Irene Vernon, core curriculum. serve Bank’s Center for the Study of Rural America, and Alexandra Bernasek. Associate dean for faculty and graduate studies where he worked on various research projects fo- John Didier is an associate professor in the De- cused on regional economic development. Stephan, partment of History. Raised on a remote ranch in whose parents are from Central Europe, speaks Ger- Wyoming, he competed in rodeos and served as a man and French in addition to English and is a full pack-trip guide for a dude ranch during his youth. professor in the Department of Economics. One of John now is an Asian historian who reads both his continuing research projects involves microbrew- Geography Returns Chinese and Japanese. Those seated next to him at eries and their role in local and regional economies. to Liberal Arts

Excellence he College of Liberal Arts is offer- Faculty ing two geography courses to our Liberal arts faculty are recognized as distinguished scholars, teachers, T students this fall, Introduction to and mentors through College and University awards. Geography and Cultural Geography. Liberal arts ceded the geography area to the College of Natural Resources a number of years ago, he College’s Excellence in Teaching Awards were presented to Pamela Coke, English, for a tenure- but at our request, they returned these two track faculty member; Marie-Jo Hofmann, foreign languages and literatures, for temporary faculty; courses to us. T and Tammy Dowling, English, for a graduate teaching assistant. Prabha Unnithan, sociology, Our plan is to make geography a central received the College’s Award for Distinction in Advancement, which honors outstanding contributions to the piece in our internationalization of the liberal advancement efforts of the College. arts curriculum: Best Teacher Awards are presented by the Colorado State Alumni Association and the Student Alumni Connection to recognize outstanding educators. This year, four of the six University awards were given to College of Liberal Arts faculty: Pamela Coke, English; Lori Peek, sociology; Edouard Thai, foreign languages The west half of the island of New Guinea and literatures; and Dexter Yarbrough, sociology also has been known as: and chief of CSU Police Department. a) Irian Jaya

Blane Harding, liberal arts director of advising, b) West Papua received the prestigious Oliver P. Pennock c) Netherlands Newabove Guineathe of all d) Answer: Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes d) all of the above meritorious and outstanding achievement over a five- year period by full-time members of the academic faculty. Sue Ellen Charlton (political science) received the Margaret Hazaleus Award for her work to en- hance opportunities for women on campus.

FALL 2007  The New Face – and Faces – of the Clark Building

very student who attended Colorado State in the last half-century likely had at least one class in the Clark Building. It also is home to more than half the College of E Liberal Arts departments as well as the dean’s office. This aging University landmark has undergone marked improvements in the last two years, including a new exterior color scheme. In addition, the Liberal Arts Commons in Clark A-Wing has new furnishings, and tables and chairs added to exterior space beneath B-Wing create places conducive to studying or hanging out with friends between classes. These photographs capture the various new faces of Clark. Some were taken at the Ram Welcome Street Fair, held on the Friday before classes started.

 COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS Student Spotlight Jake Blumberg makes a difference with his liberal arts education – and his hair.

wild halo of black curls is his trademark. Communication is his special gift. Colorado A State University is one of his passions, and success is his certain future. Jake Blumberg, a senior with a double major in technical journalism and political science, is a consummate University citizen. The Green and Gold runs deep in Jake’s family. His mother, Sue Skiffington Blumberg(1977), and sister, Beth Blumberg Sauer (1996), are graduates of the Department of Speech Communication, and his aunt also is an alumna. Apparently if you grow up singing the Colorado State fight song, even an acceptance to Northwestern University cannot keep a fellow like Jake from becoming a Ram. His record of service and academic success were evident during high school in Colorado Springs where, among many other honors, Jake was named by the Colorado Springs mayor as one of the city’s “100 teens who embody community spirit.” At Colo- rado State, Jake not only embodies community spirit, he kindles it. Jake is the director of public relations and mar- keting at the CSU Office of Service Learning and Vol- unteer Programs. Cans Around the Oval, Northern Colorado’s largest food drive, is organized by Colo- Among the many other service activities in undergraduate to teach in that program. Both the rado State student volunteers. Jake has been a leader which Jake played a leadership role is Cookies for College and the University have tapped this young in that project. This drive generated 140,000 pounds Kids, which benefited underprivileged youth in man’s extraordinary public speaking skills. Jake was of food for the Food Bank of Larimer County last Larimer County, and Trash Your Tree, a domestic the featured speaker at the College of Liberal Arts year. Jake cites Cans Around the Oval as one of his violence protection project that raised funds for a annual scholarship awards reception in 2006 as well two favorite Colorado State traditions. local shelter. as at the Alumni Association’s Green and Gold Gala And about that helmet of curly hair ... when it is in Denver in spring 2007. sufficiently long, Jake cuts it all off and donates it to You may be wondering about Jake’s other favor- Locks of Love, an organization that provides hair- ite Colorado State tradition. It is the annual Rocky pieces to financially disadvantaged children suffering Mountain Showdown, featuring the-Rams-versus- from long-term medical hair loss. the-Buffs rivalry on the football field as well as in the Jake excels at both writing and public speaking. stands. This event, to the delight of Jake and Rams He has been a columnist and a staff writer for the fans everywhere, returned to INVESCO Field in Den- Rocky Mountain Collegian, and he was named one ver again this fall, where Jake could be seen shouting of the top 10 college editorialists in the nation in encouragement to the Rams and offering a bit of 2006 by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation spirited commentary to students from Boulder. Journalism Awards Program. Jake also writes for his Jake’s passion for the institution, for the larger hometown newspaper. Included on a relatively long community, and for making a difference is infectious. list of career goals is his plan to write novels. The University’s spirit burns a little brighter when Both Jake’s oral communication and leadership Jake Blumberg is involved. skills were honed by participation in the President’s Leadership Program. He went on to become the first

FALL 2007  The College of Liberal Arts Newsletter is published annually by the College of Liberal Arts at Colorado Distinguished Alumni State University for alumni, faculty, and friends. We welcome your comments and suggestions. The Colorado State University Alumni Association recently awarded three Written and edited by Ann Gill and Catherine College of Liberal Arts alumni with Distinguished Alumni Awards. Coleman Kane with contributions from Pat Ferrier of the Fort Collins Coloradoan, Nik Olsen, and Kim Tobin. Michael Nosler (history 1969) was named College of Liberal Arts Honor College Administration Alumnus. For the majority of his 30-year legal career, Mike has practiced College of Liberal Arts law at Rothgerber, Johnson, & Lyons in Denver, where he is the leader of the C138 Clark Building 1701 Campus Delivery Employment Law Division and served as managing partner for the firm. Colorado State University Under his leadership, the Denver Business Journal voted Rothgerber, Johnson, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1701 & Lyons one of the “Best Places to Work” in Denver. (970) 491-5421 www.colostate.edu/Colleges/LibArts Throughout his career, Mike has been committed to promoting diversity Ann M. Gill, Dean; [email protected] in the law profession. In 2001, he created the Diversity in Law Scholarship, Alex Bernasek, Associate Dean; Alexandra. whereby Rothgerber, Johnson, & Lyons provide scholarship funds for up to [email protected] eight Colorado State students who are considering careers in law or criminal John Didier, Associate Dean; John.Didier@ justice. colostate.edu Irene Vernon, Associate Dean; Irene.Vernon@ Kathleen Henry (social science 1970) received the Jim and Nadine Henry colostate.edu Award, which is given in recognition of exemplary service to Colorado State Stephan Weiler, Associate Dean; Stephan.Weiler@ colostate.edu University. Kim Tobin, Director of Development; Kim.Tobin@ A third-generation Colorado native, Kathleen returned to her alma mater colostate.edu in 1982 to become vice president of the Colorado State University Research Ginny Fanning, Assistant Director of Development; Foundation (CSURF). Kathleen later became president of CSURF and also [email protected] Catherine Coleman Kane, Director of Research was appointed president of Colorado State University Foundation. Support; [email protected] In addition to serving on numerous community boards and organiza- Betty Burk, Assistant to the Dean for Budgets and tions, Kathleen is an avid supporter of CSU athletics. She is a founding mem- Planning; [email protected] ber of the Touchdown Club and is a member of the Ram Club and Ram’s Blane Harding, Director of Advising; Blane. Horn Club. She served on the Colorado State University Alumni Association [email protected] JoAnn Cornell, Academic Advisor; Joann.Cornell@ Board of Directors and is a Life Member of the Alumni Association. colostate.edu Holly Gates, Academic Advisor; Holly.Gates@ Joel Cantalamessa (technical journalism 1995) is the recipient of the colostate.edu Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award, which recognizes a recent Elizabeth Terry, Academic Advisor; Elizabeth. graduate for outstanding career and service accomplishments. [email protected] Never venturing far from the “Ram family,” Joel’s vision was to create a Kathy Galvin, Chair, Department of Anthropology; [email protected] way for alumni and friends of the University to keep in touch with each other Patrick Fahey, Chair, Department of Art, and and share their Ram pride. In 2000, he founded RamNation.com, a website Co-Director, School of the Arts; Patrick.Fahey@ dedicated to news coverage of Colorado State University athletics. colostate.edu Joel also has been a volunteer for the annual Ram Club membership Steven Shulman, Chair, Department of Economics; drive and served on the Ram Club Board of Directors, where he has been [email protected] Bruce Ronda, Chair, Department of English; Bruce. instrumental in reintroducing the Colorado State University Denver Athletic [email protected] Leadership Committee. Paola Malpezzi-Price, Chair, Department of He currently serves as quality control manager for Startz Entertainment Foreign Languages and Literatures; Paola. Group and also as president of The Black Diamond Group, a marketing and [email protected] Doug Yarrington, Chair, Department of History; advertising company in Parker, Colorado. [email protected] Greg Luft, Chair, Department of Journalism and The Colorado State University Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Technical Communication; Greg.Luft@colostate. Awards program recognizes Colorado State University alumni and friends who edu have distinguished themselves professionally, brought honor to the University, Michael Thaut, Chair, Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance, and Co-Director, School of and made significant contributions of time and/or philanthropy to the University the Arts; [email protected] or their community. Jane Kneller, Chair, Department of Philosophy; [email protected] Bob Duffy, Chair, Department of Political Science; [email protected] Jack Brouillette, Chair, Department of Sociology; [email protected] David Vest, Chair, Department of Speech Communication; [email protected]

10 COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS Advancing the Liberal Arts Two Ways to t is truly amazing what our alumni have done with their liberal arts degrees. The article “So, What Can You Do with a Liberal Arts Degree?” Make a Difference I highlights some of the interesting and unique careers that a liberal arts Create an endowment. You can do this now education prepares you for. As the director of development for the College, with cash or stock, or later with an estate gift. I have the privilege of meeting many of our alumni and hearing fascinating Your fund will make a lasting difference by stories about their varied careers. It is especially meaningful to hear about the producing income every year for the purpose faculty members who had an impact on them while they were at Colorado you choose. State. Leave a bequest. Designate an amount or Over the past year, Dean Gill and I reconnected with some of our 32,000 percentage of your estate for a specific purpose alumni not only in Colorado, but also throughout the western United States. or for unrestricted use. Your gift will provide These gatherings are always lively, and participants enjoy exchanging stories encouragement and always make a difference. and networking with fellow Rams. For those of you who joined us, thank you For more information on ways you can make for attending our events; for those of you have not done so yet, please watch a difference at Colorado State, call toll-free your mailbox for invitations to events in your area. 1-866-CSU-GIVE (1-866-278-4483) or e-mail A highlight of the year was working with one of our graduating seniors to facilitate the [email protected] largest gift ever from a student to this University. Sami Bedell (liberal arts 2006) Visit www.plannedgiving.colostate.edu wanted to make a difference for future students, so she established the Bedell World Citizenship Scholarship as well as contributed to the existing Ethnic Stud- ies Scholarship. Her generosity and philanthropic spirit are truly an inspiration. We also have many wonderful supporters in the community who value the liberal arts and are engaged with the College in a variety of ways. One of these ways is through a program called Great Conversations. Great Conversations mem- bers gather in a local home to hear a liberal arts faculty member talk about their research. It has become one of the flagship programs in the College of Liberal Arts, as it draws academia and the community closer together. Our scholarship program continues to grow as a result of many generous con- tributors. The College of Liberal Arts is home to 25 percent of the University’s undergraduate majors, which creates significant competition for financial aid. This demand, combined with rising tuition costs, has prompt- ed us to prioritize fundraising for scholarships and other aid for students. Thank you for your interest in and support of the College of Liberal Arts and its programs.

Kim Tobin Director of Development College of Liberal Arts [email protected]

The College has a new look! Visit our new website at: www.colostate.edu/Colleges/LibArts

Make sure to check out the College Events page for up-to-date listings of performances, exhibitions, and lectures.

FALL 2007 11 Message from the Dean

“Insight, I believe, refers to the depth of summer they leave campus and travel the globe. As sations with alumni from Anchorage to Dallas and understanding that comes by setting just a few examples, members of the faculty went to from Duke’s Malibu Restaurant in Santa Monica to experiences, yours and mine, familiar and Israel to study the Palestinian conflict and to Japan Mattie’s House of Mirrors in Denver demonstrated to and South Korea to research colonialism in East me not only the diversity of our alumni but also the exotic, new and old, side by side, learning Asia. Faculty members performed opera in Italy and characteristics they share. Without exception, the by letting them speak to one another.” on the organ in Austria. They studied the episte- individuals I have met are talented, interesting, civic- – Mary Catherine Bateson mology of the Nahua in Mexico and ethnomedical minded, and engaging. You are cause for celebra- practices in Vietnam. They led tion. iversity not only is a fact study abroad programs in Granada I extend sincere appreciation to all alumni who of contemporary life but and Germany and a faculty study remain an active part of the Colorado State liberal also a goal in Colorado tour of India. They looked for arts community and express particular gratitude to D early human remains in Uzbeki- those who have contributed their time or money to State’s strategic plan. In recogni- tion of the central role played stan, researched the role of the support our programs and current students. by the College of Liberal Arts in bicycle on women’s emancipa- Although most of our lives fall somewhere on a reaching that goal, this edition tion in France, and participated continuum from scattered to frantic, I hope we can of the Newsletter celebrates the in a conference on sustainable find time to communicate during this academic year. wonderful array of careers, lives, agriculture in Bolivia. experiences, and backgrounds The feature article in this of our alumni, students, faculty, issue concerns the diversity and staff. of alumni careers. We hope As part of our diversity ef- the article will inspire you to forts, we are internationalizing contact us with an update the curriculum. Our faculty is on your own career and life Ann M. Gill, Dean well equipped for that task. Each since graduation. Conver- College of Liberal Arts

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