Reckoning with Racism

Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Alumni Association 459 UCB PPCO Boulder, CO 80309-0459 with Racism with Reckoning to CU’santi-racistfuture ofhopeiskey Lifting voices Alumni Magazine Fall2020 NOWAUGUST 25, 2020 When fall semester classes began in late August at CU Boul- der, many were online. For the courses that did meet in person, wide-open building spaces and campus lawns became makeshift classrooms to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Here, professor Honor Sachs teaches “Historical Thinking & Writing” to undergrad- uates in the Norlin Library’s sec- ond-floor research wing. Casey A. Cass FEATURES EDITOR’S NOTE When global events happen, CU Boulder often gets involved. The university’s breadth of research and experts makes it an information hub for the world. In mid-August, for instance, we used our own saliva-based COVID-19 test with quick results to monitor on-campus Buffs before a similar test was widely available. Re- searchers hope to expand the test beyond CU. These massive events require the university to reflect inward. National protests and the Black Lives Matter movement have highlighted the sometimes painful experience of Black students and other students of color on this campus. As you’ll read from the personal essays on racial injustice and anti-racism, a clear theme emerges: CU must chart a new course. There are COVER Paris Ferribee 05 31 (Comm, Mktg’17) wrote Catalyzing Change CU Boulder Changed students, faculty, alumni New plans and actions are being taken to catalyze Faculty, staff and student Buffs are working hard to that her CU experience and staff willing to lead the was both “a blessing and a change and anti-racism at CU Boulder. innovate and protect our Herd from COVID-19. way, and it’s going to take curse.” Photo by Matt Tyrie. all of us to make it happen. Maria Kuntz, the Betty Fitzgerald 17 33 ABOVE Beyond a Moment, a Movement Stronger Together Coloradan’s newest Hoover (A&S’46), one of the CU Buffs share experience with racial injustice on and Marco (Soc’12) and Whitney Uribe (Jour’12) met editor-in-chief, oversaw famous “CU Twins,” died around campus and illuminate paths toward anti-racism. at CU in 2008. During Marco’s New York City the collection of these poi- Aug. 5, 2020. The Buffs medical residency, they fought COVID-19 head-on. gnant essays. We welcome superfan (pictured right) her in a time of change — became a CU football sea- 25 Living Buildings one we need and we want son ticket holder in 1958. 37 Photo by Glenn Asakawa. CU Boulder’s Wil Srubar found the bacteria to create The Upside of Yard Signs the world to see. buildings that grow, fix themselves and clean the air. New research suggests these simple, centuries-old campaign tools matter — often in a good way. Christie Sounart (Jour’12) 27 Empty Campus CONTACT THE EDITORS AT An RA recounts life at CU during a global pandemic. 39 Fake News [email protected] Those on the ideological fringes spread most of it, but in the end it hurts us all. DEPARTMENTS 1 NOW 9 Campus News 29 Infographic Silver & Gold 47 Chancellor’s Essay 61 Feedback A New Start 13 LOOK Campus Colors 45 Alumni News 49 Sports 65 THEN 7 INQUIRY Poplar Trees Richard Wobbekind 15 ORIGINS CU Patents 46 Boulder Beat 55 Class Notes Paul Danish 3 COLORADAN FALL 2020 4 Catalyzing Change This edition of the Coloradan calls out I, along with campus leadership and unrelenting injustice, and a new chapter stakeholders, am implementing the in our university’s long history of am- multiple priorities of our Inclusion, plifying student and alumni voices to Diversity and Excellence in Academics catalyze change. (IDEA) Plan, which will continue to serve Six essayists have shared their personal as our campus blueprint to strengthen experiences with racism on and around climate, culture and leadership. This fall, the CU Boulder campus and throughout we announced the search for a new chief their lives, as well as insight on anti-racist diversity o cer who will report directly actions, to commence a united e ort to to me as we make fi nancial investments create the equitable and just community in recruitment and retention. Moreover, we are capable of becoming. we will fi nd and initiate ways to honor al- We cannot look away from the ums, students, faculty and sta who have genuine and harrowing experiences contributed to CU’s rich history. and perspectives of our students and We must swing the pendulum of CU’s alumni. Their stories serve to illuminate history in a new direction. We are building our fault lines and failures as we strive the foundation of cooperation, compassion to be a better and more inclusive insti- and talent to make meaningful change. tution. The essayists also provide vision At this moment in time, it is critical and tangible steps to move forward as a Bu s join the movement and take action community. to create positive impact. Read and We listen to these voices. We see our listen to the essays, both in print and the fellow Bu s. And we acknowledge that expanded collection online, familiarize anything short of participating in holistic yourself with the diversity plan and fi nd change isn’t enough. an area to engage in and further this As civil rights legend and longtime con- conversation while we build community, gressman John Lewis said, “If you come understanding and change. together with a mission, and it’s grounded with love and a sense of community, you When we work together, progress will can make the impossible possible.” carry the day. We have to take decisive, immediate action. As a university defi ned by diversity, equity and inclusion, it is incumbent upon all of us to act together, swiftly, meaningfully, in unison. Now. Chancellor Philip P. DiStefano Essayists, clockwise from top left: Obinna Onyeali, Paris Ferribee, Shamika Goddard, Philip S. Hart, Olivia Pearman, Ruth Woldemichael 5 COLORADAN Matt Tyrie; Ruth Woldemichael; Arnold Turner (Philip S. Hart) FALL 2020 6 INQUIRY Richard Wobbekind economy who can least levels of consumption and likely obvious, are the The COVID Economy afford it. We knew before investment, will rule the day. replacement activities this happened that there That said, vaccines such as e-commerce for Senior economist Richard Wobbekind (PhDEcon’84), were income inequality are not 100% effective conventional retail and associate dean for business and government relations, issues, but the nation had so we will have to show commercial groceries for has worked for the Leeds School of Business since a 3.5% unemployment that those infected can restaurants. In addition, 1985. Here he discusses our nation’s economy in a rate so most people need- be treated successfully. those companies that pro- pandemic world. ing a job could fi nd one. Those changes will enable vide or support internet Richard The issue was whether Wobbekind that job paid a living IT WOULD BE A CATASTROPHE wage. Now people once How do you best February that supply we have seen some parts concerned about earning TO SUFFER THROUGH THIS describe your job? I chain disruptions were of the economy with a a living wage have the think of myself fi rst and likely to occur due to the V-shaped recovery but oth- highest unemployment EPISODE AND NOT HAVE HUGE foremost as an educator. severe impact on the er parts on a much slower rates. The jobs lost have I describe the work we do Chinese economy. The path. The resurgence of disproportionately impact- POSITIVE IMPROVEMENTS in the research division as severity of the impact on cases wasn’t a surprise ed women and minorities, a way to provide informa- the U.S. economy didn’t for us since we have been who have higher concen- AS THE OUTCOME. tion for businesses and really strike me until the following the medical side trations of employment government that assists in middle of March when the closely. One can argue in the most impacted their decision-making pro- closures (including live whether we should have industrial sectors. more travel, less distanc- technologies are thriving. cesses. My teaching role CU classes) began. kept the economy closed ing and basically return us Biological research is follows the same theme, longer, but the economic Are there positive to economic effi ciency lev- booming. Beyond those providing a framework for Have things unfolded devastation was so vast outcomes you foresee els seen before the virus or more obvious areas, decision-making and de- as you expected since that we anticipated states arising from this time? potentially even higher. however, there are others scribing the best sources March? Early on I was ex- would reopen. Unfortu- We will know the actual in high tech and defense of information dependent pecting a more V-shaped nately that led to rollbacks answer to this sometime in How many years of that are doing quite well. on the industry sector a recovery. By the middle of in a number of states. the future, but I believe so. recovery could it take student might pursue. April, it became obvious Some of the most impact- for the economy to How has Boulder fared that there was so much What is the most con- ed individuals will develop rebuild? This is of course compared to similar When did the econom- uncertainty with the virus cerning aspect of this new skill sets which will the great unknown. My cities during this time? ic reality of COVID-19 that a longer and slower pandemic for you? The hopefully raise their wages.

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