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 Denver Broncos 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 Florida, 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 As the World Turns, for which she won combines “poetry and il- a daytime Emmy, and Lois Cerullo on General Hospi- lustration, found objects tal.