We Rock COMMENCEMENT October 20, 2018 COMMENCEMENT – OCTOBER 20, 2018 2 President’s Message “EDUCATION IS THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPON, WHICH YOU CAN USE TO CHANGE THE WORLD.” – NELSON MANDELA AS YOU CROSS THE FINISH LINE … Education has always been a passion for me. What is most rewarding is helping others to realize their dreams by setting and reaching goals. Earning an advanced degree takes a tremendous amount of dedication, discipline, and sacrifice. On this day, it is my pleasure to participate in this celebration of incredible accomplishments. When we reflect on our lives, we realize there are so few days we can really look back on and remember with excitement. This day is certainly one that will never be forgotten. I realize how far away that finish line seemed over the duration of your program, but you made it. Celebrate with exuberance! It is important to remember all of the friends, colleagues, and family members who supported our graduates throughout this journey. It is also an honor to recognize DAWN IWAMOTO, EdD our talented faculty and staff who helped our graduates realize their potential. President & CEO I am proud to represent University of the Rockies as the President, and I wish all of you the very best. YOU MADE IT! DAWN IWAMOTO, EdD 4 5 Provost’s Message “EVERYDAY HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE THE GREATEST DAY OF YOUR LIFE.” – LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA Congratulations, University of the Rockies Class of 2018! Your commencement marks an important point in each of your personal journeys: the successful completion of the graduate degree you each have been pursuing! As we gather to celebrate your achievement, I wish to acknowledge your hard work, perseverance, and insight. You made remarkable academic strides while also contributing to the community that comprises University of the Rockies. Please join me in reflecting appreciatively upon the support you have received from friends, colleagues, family, and faculty. In turn, you are creating high expectations for others with your academic achievement. Also, I proudly welcome you to the ranks of University of the Rockies Alumni. You Rock! Together with so many others across the nation, you will be making a positive difference in the communities you serve. Accordingly, I look forward to JEREMY MORELAND, PhD learning about your continued success. Provost & Chief Academic Officer Enjoy your commencement! Go forward proudly. Celebrate. You have earned it. And, know that it is your hard work and success which allows us to exclaim boldly, “University of the Rockies, We Rock!” JEREMY MORELAND, PhD 6 7 “LOGIC WILL GET YOU FROM A TO Z; IMAGINATION WILL GET YOU EVERYWHERE.” – ALBERT EINSTEIN A LASTING LEGACY In 1999, with 13 original students, the Colorado School of Professional In 2011, the University experienced meaningful expansion. The University Psychology (COSPP) was born. also added three new programs to its School of Organizational Leadership, In 1918 a train station was built to help move people … from point A to where students are trained to apply the principles of psychology in business point B … from one stage of their lives to another. For 54 years, it was an Dr. Emory Cowan leased a building on Pikes Peak Avenue to house the fields. Also in 2011, the University celebrated students with military active passenger depot for travelers on the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa school and its three original classrooms. Faculty members continued to experience during the first SALUTE National Honor Society induction Fe railway. teach – and to do everything else required to run the school. “We did everything. Even the cleaning,” says Dr. Lorri White, former Director of ceremony. The University also inducted its first Golden Key International That railway station became the first home to University of the Rockies and Clinical Training and professor emerita. Honour Society members that year. to Rockies Counseling Center. Faculty members served dual roles as deans and administrators. In addition In 2012, University of the Rockies relocated to Denver, CO followed Much has changed, including where University of the Rockies calls home. to teaching, they established the class schedule, wrote handbooks and the by successful reaffirmation of accreditation from HLC in 2014. Today, But, you might say that it’s still a station of movement. catalog, and pursued accreditation. Initial accreditation was granted by the University of the Rockies offers graduate degrees that prepare people Our students are gaining the strength and education they need to advance Higher Learning Commission in 2003. to be leaders and collaborators in their communities, businesses, their lives. and relationships. Resources became tight, and it was unclear as to whether the school could MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN continue. The financial strain led to an opportunity. In 2007, Bridgepoint In 2015, the University revised the In-Residence Workshops, decoupling the curriculum from the program coursework. The learning outcomes THE WORLD CAN BE DONE, IF HOW DID WE ARRIVE HERE? Education purchased COSPP and the name was changed to University of the Rockies. “The acquisition was pivotal for us to be able to continue. It were revised to align with the research learning outcomes that support the In 1998 Chapman University closed its doors in Colorado Springs. Its AND WHEN YOU DECIDE TO also made us bigger and better than we could have imagined,” said White. development of the dissertation. In 2016, the University launched its first faculty members found a window of opportunity. Virtual In-Residence Workshop. This allowed students from all over the With support from Bridgepoint, University of the Rockies began offering MAKE IT YOUR LIFE’S WORK. A handful of professors formed a new school so students could complete world to connect on a virtual platform. In 2017, the University launched courses online in 2008. Select programs and specializations were made their graduate education. the Applied Doctoral Project (ADP) as an applied alternative to research – Dr. Bob Edelbrock, Vice President Emeritus available online to help serve even more individuals seeking higher Dissertations for practitioner students. This ADP enables students to “We weren’t done teaching,” recalls Dr. Sue Cooper, one of the founding education. The first online students to graduate walked in the 2010 approach their final project from a practitioner’s perspective. By the members and senior vice president emeriti. “We met at a little Italian commencement exercises. end of 2018, University of the Rockies is planning to merge with sister restaurant, and we decided that we were willing to do the work and to put institution, Ashford University. our money and our time into this venture. It was for our students. They were too important, so we couldn’t fail.” 8 9 History TIMELINE 2004 – COSPP celebrated its first commencement ceremonies, graduating three of its doctorate students. 2013 – The first classes were held 2011 –University of the at the Denver Campus. 2008 – Select programs and Rockies inducted its inaugural 1998 – Chapman University 2000 – The first students specializations were made members to the Golden Key 2012 – Rockies Research 2014 – HLC granted 2016 – The University 2018 – The University suddenly ceased operations in of the Colorado School of available online to help serve a International Honour Society Center launched as an online the University successful combined its three schools celebrates 20 years. By the Colorado Springs. Professional Psychology community and resource end of 2018, University of the wider audience of individuals and to SALUTE National reaffirmation of into one to streamline the began in January. center designed to support accreditation. student experience and Rockies plans to complete a seeking higher education. Honor Society. quality, scholarly research. enhance academic quality. merger with its sister institution, Ashford University. 2003 – HLC Accreditation 2010 – The first online students 2011– The University 2013 – The University 2015 – First students from 2017 – The University launched the graduated, earning master’s degrees expanded its educational added 3 new programs, the Denver Campus graduate, Applied Doctoral Project (ADP) as in Psychology. offerings by adding three including 2 additional earning master’s degrees. an applied alternative to research new degree programs; PhD offerings. Dissertations for practitioner students. Masters of Arts in Human This ADP enables students to Services, Master of Arts in approach their final project from a Organizational Development practitioner’s perspective. 1999 – Colorado School of 2007 – Bridgepoint Education and Leadership, and its 2012 – University of the Rockies Professional Psychology (COSPP) acquired COSPP and changed the first PhD in Organizational relocated to Denver, Colorado. was founded by faculty members name to University of the Rockies. Development and Leadership. who were committed to training Colorado Springs’ next mental health care providers. 10 11 “PEOPLE SOMETIMES ATTRIBUTE MY SUCCESS TO MY GENIUS; ALL THE GENIUS I KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IS HARD WORK.” – ALEXANDER HAMILTON FROM FOUNDERS For me, this wasn’t just a degree. It was a stepping stone to bigger and better things. My journey did not stop at earning my degree. For me, that I imagined that we’d build a small, quality PsyD program. I wanted it is where it began. to be accessible. We created the weekend classes to make the program available to those who might drive here for weekend in-residence classes. – April Matteson, 2017, Master of Arts in Psychology, Mediation and Conflict Resolution Specialization – Dr. Sue Cooper, founding faculty member, first Dean of Faculty, and senior vice president emeriti There are few doctorate-level, licensed psychologists near my home in Guatemala. I received a great education and so now people look for me We can do things that other clinics and other programs dream about. and seek my expertise. I have the opportunity to help influence and train We’re able to train better psychologists. It’s over the edge of what I could students and to bring the supportive culture that I found at University of have imagined.