WINTER 2012 VOLUME 1.1 The Evolution of an Institution WINTER 2012 VOLUME 1.1 COVER STORY From the President Dear Fellow Mavericks, 2011 was a year of transformation at our institution. With so much happening, we knew the time was right to fire up the presses and re-launch our magazine — The Maverick. As we engaged our campus community about the prospect of changing the name of Mesa State College to Colorado Mesa University, we reconnected with so many of you who helped us weigh the issue and its impact on our future. To everyone who took time to Grand Junction, Colorado participate in a tele-townhall meeting, an online survey or even one Tim Foster of our campus forums, I’d like to thank you. Our name change has President been overwhelmingly positive, and it will position the institution for Rick Taggart continued success. Executive Director of Marketing, Student Recruitment and Development In this edition of The Maverick, you’ll find updates about what’s making Rick Adleman CMU the fastest-growing institution of higher learning in Colorado. Director of Alumni Relations With nearly 9,000 students enrolled, we’re excited to tell our story and Michael Mansheim keep you engaged with your alma mater. Director of Marketing and Publications It’s no secret in Colorado that funding for colleges and universities Dana Nunn will continue being squeezed by other budget priorities well into the Director of Media Relations future. Rather than sitting back and hoping someone else will solve our Jeremy Smith Graphic Designer and Creative problems, we will continue embracing our identity as Mavericks. Our Projects Coordinator institution will continue proposing bold reform ideas that help families and our economy. Stay engaged. Swing by campus and see what’s Krystyn Hartman happening with your own eyes. For our success to continue, we need Kitty Nicholason Margaret Allyson your help and support. Grand Valley Custom Publishing Team Enjoy this edition of The Maverick and come by my office any Monday at 2 pm to share your thoughts on how we’re doing. Copyright © 2012 The Maverick The magazine for Colorado Mesa University. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without express written permission Tim Foster, President is strictly prohibited. Colorado Mesa University Colorado Mesa University 1100 North Avenue Grand Junction, CO 81501-3122 970.248.1525 coloradomesa.edu/maverick [email protected] 2 The Evolution of an Institution The Maverick spirit has been the catalyst for change over the course of this institution’s 87 year history. This spirit carries on as Colorado Mesa University continues to grow. page 18 Denali, page 10 Contents 4 University Journal 6 Faculty Profiles John Redifer Jennifer Zadrozny Gigi Richard 9 In the Footsteps of the Walkers CMU Hockey, page 12 14 Student Profiles Maran Parry Austin Detra 16 Remembering Mesa’s Incredible Grobnicks 20 Houston Hall and its History 24 Distinguished Alumni Michael Burke Greg Walcher 26 Hall of Honor Stephen Kirkham 1982 Football Team Rockestra, page 17 28 Letter from Alumni Association President 29 Alumni Class Notes 34 The Evolution of a Logo COLORADO MESA UNIVERSITY 3 WINTER 2012 • VOLUME 1.1 University JoUrnal New Programs of Study RN, PhD, and head of the Department Michael Wells, director of campus New era, new name, new of Health Sciences. “With healthcare recreation and facilities said, “If we pro grams of study – from reform and increased access to care, were going to host events to service me chanical engineering to healthcare we’re going to need more trained athletics, intramural sports, various leadership, new programs at CMU professionals in the region.” student groups, and the community, are raising the bar. we had to have a place for them to Changes on Campus check in, an office so someone can You may have heard that CMU recently Throughout the evolution of the monitor the facility, bathrooms, and added an AAS and a BAS in hospitality campus, the focus on the students even some bleachers.” management, and an AAS and a BS in remains at the heart of every move mechanical engineering technology. Colorado Mesa University makes. Although the Mav Pav can be Did you know that CMU is now one of The new Maverick Pavilion (or Mav configured to create two tennis courts, the few universities in the nation that Pav) is a prime example. The building that’s not the only tennis option on the provides such a complete program in is complementary to the Maverick campus of Colorado Mesa University. the field of nursing education? Center. This new general recreation pavilion features a state-of-the-art Over the past two summers, the The Master of Science in Nursing and rubberized surface, which allows former Elliott Tennis Center, originally Doctor of Nursing Practice are integral the flooring to be configured into a constructed in 1993, was demolished to Mesa County’s healthcare system multitude of athletic surfaces. and replaced in its entirety. The newly being recognized at the national level. rebuilt Elliott Tennis Center consists The programs will enable a nurse to With reconfiguring the flooring, of nine courts, new fixed seating, progress through all levels of nursing this facility can house two full-size lighting, shade structures, a small education, from a practical nursing basketball courts, three volleyball building for team and club storage certificate all the way to a doctorate courts or two tennis courts. By and meeting space, and a new parking in nursing. adjusting partitions, spaces for an facility. The upgrade was funded in indoor soccer field, lacrosse field, or part by grants from the United States “These programs will help us prepare batting cages can also be created. Tennis Association and the Parks advanced practice nurses for all of Improvement Association Board. western Colorado,” said Kristy Reuss, 4 In addition to being used for percent this year. The campus is being be added. Administration spaces are the University’s tennis programs, updated to better serve the needs of being combined and reconfigured the Center is used by the Grand its students. to allow for two new faculty offices, Junction Tennis Club, local school lighting and acoustics are being districts, USTA leagues, and About 350 students attend the upgraded while maintaining its individual players. It’s the host site Montrose branch of CMU. “There historical significance. for the Taco Bell Tennis Tournament, was a sense in the community that we state and intermountain USTA were bursting at the seams and ought “The dual mission of CMU is to serve sectional tournaments, various local to build a new, stand-alone campus,” both the baccalaureate track and the tournaments, and high school said Joey Montoya Boese, director community college track,” Boese regional tournaments. of the Montrose Campus. That may explained. “We are really fortunate to happen further down the road, but have a branch here in Montrose.” WCCC Green when the renovation is complete, the More than 450 high school students building will be able to serve up to Funding has been secured. The and some 800 college students, many 700 students. renovation is expected to commence of them skilled professionals who next summer and is to be finished are in career transition, are gaining The most significant upgrades include before the fall semester begins. • new skills and exploring new subjects state-of-the-art science and nursing at Western Colorado Community labs, and a second computer lab will College. Last September, the college began an ambitious project to submit an all-inclusive proposal to Vail Resorts, Inc. for a greenhouse — not just any ordinary greenhouse, rather it’s a sustainable, eco-friendly addition that means restaurant goers can enjoy fresh vegetables at 11,000 feet. If all goes as planned, the greenhouse will provide a significant amount of produce for the restaurants in the Eagle’s Nest restaurant complex at the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola. This project will also involve CMU students who are in the engineering, business and environmental sciences programs as well as the WCCC students in the process technology program. WCCC’s continuing mission to teach students the applied side of business and technology made it “a suitable candidate for a sustainability project like the greenhouse,” said John Sluder, WCCC Department Head of Business, Applied Science, and Information Services. The college continues to move to a curriculum of integrated learning systems, as exemplified by the greenhouse project. Montrose Renovation The building on the Montrose campus was originally an elementary school, built in 1935 and designed by architect Temple Buell. Montrose enrollment has grown consistently for the last few years and jumped by 10 COLORADO MESA UNIVERSITY 5 WINTER 2012 • VOLUME 1.1 F aculty p rofile uished F ing acu st lt i y D john Award Redifer the gospel of citizen photo courtesy involvement this award ohn Redifer has been teaching — and the Colorado National Monument should be recognizes jliving — political science and public converted into a national park. As executive administration at Colorado Mesa director of the Redifer Research Institute at University since 1994. Credit the U.S. Army CMU, he and his colleagues have involved for bringing him here. A Baltimore native, students in social, economic, political, and individUal facUlty he enlisted after earning an undergraduate public lands management studies for federal degree in philosophy in 1977 at the agencies, local governments, and the University of Maryland. Several years later, private sector. for oUtstanding he was assigned to serve as an infantry officer at Fort Carson near Colorado Springs. “Colorado Mesa University has given me the opportunity to study the things After six years of active duty, Redifer that I love and share with students and contribUtions, returned to civilian life and joined the help them pursue career goals and Army Reserves for another eight years make research contributions to their before health reasons forced him to resign.