University of Denver Spring 2024

Spring 2024

Featuring The Denver Difference Campaign (#20)

Goalie Matt Davis holds the NCAA National Championship trophy while his teammates celebrate after the DU hockey team shut out Boston College 2-0 to win a record-breaking 10th national title.

Contents Spring 2024

magazine.du.edu du-magazine@du.edu 303.871.2711 Volume 24, Issue 3

FEATURES 10 50 Reasons to Love DU

Co-Interim Vice Chancellor Shira Good Director of Communications Gretchen Pressley

As we look to the future, we celebrate the people, places and programs that make DU exceptional.

Director of Creative & Brand Management Amy Miller

18 Introducing the Denver Difference Campaign

Managing Editor Joy Hamilton

We took a good, long look at the future of higher education and thought: We can do better.

Senior Editor Heather Hein

Contributing Writers Emma Atkinson Janette Ballard Connor Mokrzycki Jordyn Reiland

DEPARTMENTS 4 Inbox

Contributing Designers Kelsey Evans Miles Woolen Production Designer Todd Fisher Photographer Wayne Armstrong Distribution Coordinator William Colner

6 Campus Update 9 Releases 35 Alumni Connections

DIGITAL EXCLUSIVES @ magazine.du.edu Don’t miss: Kings of College Hockey: Reliving DU’s Record-Breaking 10 National Championships Alumna Plays Essential Role for New York Giants as First Director of Wellness and Clinical Services Sounds of Hope: Lamont Partners with Children’s Hospital to Bring Live Music to Patients

The University of Denver Magazine is published four times a year (fall, winter, spring and summer) by the University of Denver, Division of Marketing and Communications, 2199 S. University Blvd., Denver, CO 80208-4816. The University of Denver (Colorado Seminary) is an Equal Opportunity Institution.

Printed on 10% PCW recycled paper

Photo: Tyler Schank/NCAA Photos

SPRING 2024 • UNIVERSITY of DENVER MAGAZINE | 1

For DU, the time is now LETTER FROM THE CHANCELLOR By Jeremy Haefner

Let’s be honest. Higher education is facing a defining moment. It’s time to rethink what universities can really promise students and society. We start by renewing trust and respect. That means self-critical reflection and reimagining our approach, our culture—and our value. We deliver a new kind of university experience that’s meaningful and relevant. And we herald a true renaissance, transforming and enriching people’s lives on campus, in our communities and around the globe. While no single institution can provide all the answers, one can lead in the right direction. That’s what DU can do. How? We’re already on a different track, pragmatically preparing young people to succeed in the urgent future they face. And doing all we can for the public good all along the way. We’re breaking from tradition—offering a path for others to follow. We’re emphatically optimistic about where we’re headed. And we’re enthusiastic about our prospects. From our perspective, the future of higher education is bright and full of potential. This is a call to action. It’s time for the Denver Difference, our campaign that will make and define DU’s future. Let’s get going. Let’s discover what DU, with you, can do.

Photo by Wayne Armstrong

2 | UNIVERSITY of DENVER MAGAZINE • SPRING 2024

Powered by Philanthropy: Things We Love About DU

In Action

The DU 4D Experience: Scaled to All and Tailored to Each A DU education—rooted in the 4D Experience— goes beyond a diploma. Setting a new standard across higher education, it grounds our graduates as well-rounded, resilient and resourceful adults capable of thriving in an ever-changing world. DU’s unique, personalized-at-scale 4D Experience equips every DU graduate for long-term transformative impact as dynamic leaders who cultivate purpose and meaning in whatever life and career paths they choose.

Creating the 4D Experience at James C. Kennedy Mountain Campus

Philanthropy fuels the Kennedy Mountain Campus (KMC). Together, DU’s urban and mountain campuses offer an academic and character-enriching university experience that’s unlike any other in the U.S. – and perhaps in the world. Made possible by a transformational gift from honorary life trustee James C. Kennedy (BSBA ’70), and with additional gifts from Andy (BSBA ’70) and Barbara Taylor (for programming and operations) and trustee John (BA ’78) and Jacolyn Bucksbaum (to create an activity hub) the KMC sparks creativity, reflection and character development in the great outdoors, an essential part of the 4D Experience.

Through your gifts to the 4D Experience, you empower all DU students to hone their character exploration at KMC, find meaningful mentorships that support their career goals and more. Learn how you can be The Denver Difference for 4D at denverdifference.org

Join us today as we create the future of DU. Be The Denver Difference. denverdifference.org

We met at DU INBOX

We invited readers to tell us how they met friends, colleagues and romantic partners at DU—and we got in return some wonderful stories that highlight life’s unexpected twists and turns. Below is a selection of submissions, which were edited for clarity.

Bart Marshall (BSBA ’65; Lambda Chi) and Robbie Harris (BA ’65; Alpha Gamma Delta) met at a Greek event in ’61.

Three generations My husband Jack (BSBA ’18; Theta Chi) and I are the third generation of couples in my family to meet at DU. While I was abroad in Ireland, Jack joined a mental health advocacy organization I started and when I got home, he went abroad to Nepal, so we missed each other for a year before meeting in 2016. We immediately hit it off! We’ve been married for five years and live in Denver, where Jack is a real estate

got married in ’93 and moved to northern Colorado to take over the family dairy farm, where I was raised. My

dad has now retired from farming, and my mom is an elementary school health tech. My grandparents, Bart Marshall (BSBA ’65; Lambda Chi) and Robbie Harris (BA ’65; Alpha Gamma Delta) , also met at a Greek event in ’61. Greek life was important to all of

developer, and I’m an adjunct faculty member at DU. My parents, J.R. Pennington (BSBA ’93; Chi Phi) and Dawn Marshall (BA ’92; Delta Gamma) , met outside of Chi Phi during Rush Week in ’91. They

Jack Rohr and Amanda (Pennington) Rohr.

us! They got married in Evans Chapel on campus in ’65 and moved to Colorado Springs, where my mom was raised. My grandparents are no longer with us, but I couldn’t be more grateful that they both decided to go to DU one fateful day in the ’60s. – Amanda (Pennington) Rohr (BS ’16 MS ’22; Chi Omega)

J.R. Pennington and Dawn Marshall met outside of Chi Phi during Rush Week in ’91.

A serendipitous snow drift My car was stuck in a snow drift, and a very cute guy in a DU letter jacket stopped to help push it out. In the following days, I kept running into him. His name was Ignacio Jimenez (BSE ’88) . He was from Venezuela, and he was on the swim team and was majoring in engineering. We started dating in ’87 and got married in ’90 at the Evans Chapel. We will celebrate our 34th anniversary this summer! DU will always have a special place in our hearts and lives. – Tina Rice-Jimenez (MA ’88)

4 | UNIVERSITY of DENVER MAGAZINE • SPRING 2024

Like sisters Molly Smith (BFA ’74), Sukie Hawks (BA ’74), Leslie Erb (BA ’74) and I were all residents of Centennial Halls. We’ve attended weddings, celebrated divorces and re-marriages and become godmothers and aunties to

40 years and still skiing strong Cathy and I met during a ski weekend in ’82, when Cathy was a guest of my brother, Glenn Springman (BS

’84) , at the family cabin in Vail. We reconnected at a fraternity party the following spring, discovering a mutual love of swing dancing. We married in ’85 with brother Glenn and bestie Lynne Roberts (BS ’85) in the wedding party. We moved to New York City, where I earned an MBA from NYU. Cathy began her career on Madison Avenue in sports marketing and worked

Molly Smith, Sukie Hawks, Leslie Erb and Sarah Taylor are like sisters.

closely with another DU grad, Mary Ellen Wolfe Brown (BA ’86) . In 2021, we moved to a 10-acre ranch outside of Bend, Oregon, named Silver Springs Ranch for our silver years, where we enjoy horseback riding, cycling and, of course, skiing. – Cathy England (BA ’85) and Kurt Springman (BS ’83)

each other’s kids. We kept in touch and managed to travel together at least once a year for over 50 years. At our 40th DU reunion, we reconnected with a bunch of hooligans we called “the Race Street Gang” and had a blast. I love these women like sisters. – Sarah Taylor (BFA ’74)

It started on the stage We were both involved in the theatre department. The last play we were in was a two-person play, so we got to know each other pretty well! We started dating in ’10 and got married in ’14. We had our first baby in ’22, and we’re expecting a second in ’24. We live in my home state of Texas, but we visit Billy’s family in Denver every year. We love coming to campus on each trip—now with little one(s) in tow! – Billy Reynolds (BA ’09) and Kelly (Diehl) Reynolds (BA ’11)

Finding meaning after loss My husband Ian (BSBA ’09 ) and I met in the JMAC dorms. It was love at first sight. After dating throughout college, we separated to pursue our careers—me at Carnegie Mellon for arts management, and Ian at the Raffles Hotel in Beijing for hotel management. Ian’s cancer

started my own company: moveTHRU. What started out as an intention-based workshop to cope with grief turned into a full-blow movement. This past March, I published “Love and Grief” to help others heal following loss. – Emily Bingham (BSBA ’08)

Love sets sail

Our love story began when we met on a sailing trip in the British Virgin Islands during a class

diagnosis brought us back together. He was only 23. When we found out he had cancer, we evaluated what mattered. It wasn’t about climbing the corporate ladder anymore; it was about surviving and making the most of the time that we had left. So, we got married and started a family. Unfortunately, his cancer metastasized in 2017 shortly after we found out that I was pregnant with our second child. We fought for about 15 months, then on March 26, 2019, Ian passed away. His death left me as a young widow at 32, with two kids and a blank slate of a future. Jaded by my loss, I took a risk and

called Leadership, Teams and Values in graduate school. Since meeting in BVI, my wife Jennifer (CRTG ’16) and I have traveled the world together and been pretty much inseparable. – Adam Bollinger (MBA ’12)

For the complete series, visit du.edu/WeMetatDU.

SPRING 2024 • UNIVERSITY of DENVER MAGAZINE | 5

Head Coach David Carle, donning a Gatorade soaked jacket, is interviewed after DU defeated Boston College 2-0 to win its 10th national championship.

6 | UNIVERSITY of DENVER MAGAZINE • SPRING 2024

#TENVER DU Hockey wins record-breaking 10th national title

Goalie Matt Davis and the University of Denver hockey team shut out Boston College 2-0 to win their 10th national title on April 13—becoming the first program to reach the milestone. Davis, who was named the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player, made his 26th consecutive start during the championship game and made 23 saves in the third period to earn his third shutout of the season. Davis finished the NCAA Tournament with 138 saves and just three goals allowed. Denver was previously tied with the University of Michigan for the most titles since winning their 9th national championship in 2022. North Dakota currently has eight, Wisconsin has six, and Boston College, Boston University and Minnesota are tied with five each.

DU ended the season on a nine-game win streak, dating back to the team’s 4-3 victory against Colorado College on March 9. “There’s a lot of great college hockey programs. It’s a really hard event to win. And obviously the nine title teams prior went through a huge lift to get us here,” Head Coach David Carle said during the postgame press conference. “We owe so much to the people who came before us, and we’re so proud to be Pioneers and carry that honor of being the first to 10.” Denver forward Kieran Cebrian faces off against Boston College forward Gabe Perreault during the national championship game at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

Forward Jared Wright shoots the puck during the national championship game against Boston College. Wright scored the first goal of the game with 10:18 left in the second period.

LEADERSHIP DU welcomes five new members to the Board of Trustees

tenant governor of Colorado who has extensive experience in health care leadership and public service. Taylor Kirkpatrick (IMBA ’04) serves as president and CEO of Babson Farms and has been involved in philanthropy and community partnerships that benefit underserved children and families in the Denver community. Stephen Sturm (BA ’13) , president and CEO of Alder Companies, has been involved in various Sturm family businesses and has vast experience in real estate, investing and philanthropy.

The University is pleased to announce the addition of five distinguished individuals to our Board of Trustees. Dedicated volunteers who play a crucial role in guiding DU’s strategic direction, the trustees ensure our continued excellence in education, research and community engagement. Jim Lentz (MBA ’77) , retired CEO of the North America region and president/COO of Toyota Motor North America, Inc., brings a wealth of executive experience to the Board. Wade Loo (BSAC ’80) , chair of the board of directors of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation and former audit partner at KPMG, has a strong commitment to community service and helping people find meaningful work. Donna Lynne , CEO of Denver Health, is a former lieu

Photos: Tyler Schank/NCAA Photos

Learn more at www.du.edu/about/leadership/trustees.

SPRING 2024 • UNIVERSITY of DENVER MAGAZINE | 7

DU announces new research institutes RESEARCH

“These new Research Institutes possess national and international reputations of significant stature, creating the peer reputation needed for their departments or divisions to become highly respected,” says Corinne Lengsfeld, senior vice provost for research and graduate education. “They serve the fundamental mission of the University by creating an accessible educational environment that attracts, retrains and retains top faculty and students.” The six new institutes are: • The Butler Institute for Families • The Frederick S. Pardee Center for International Futures: A Research Institute affiliated with the University of Denver • The Institute for Human-Animal Connection • The Marsico Institute for Early Learning • The Stress, Early Experience and Development Institute • The Institute for Relationship Science

Six standout research entities at DU have been desig nated as official DU Research Institutes, the University announced last November. To be considered for this designation, an entity must have a three- to five-year annual average of $1.5 million in research expenditures from external sources as well as a certain number of faculty involved and students taught and trained. Pam Hoberman, director of operations, views the International Futures (IFs) platform to analyze data at the Pardee Center.

Learn more at www.du.edu/research/overview.

Photos by Wayne Armstrong

Students Jordan Sinclair (left) and Joe Ontiveros (right) work on a robot in the Autonomous Robotics and Interactive Systems Experimental Laboratory. The ARISE Lab is directed by Christopher Reardon, a professor in the Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science.

8 | UNIVERSITY of DENVER MAGAZINE • SPRING 2024

An eclectic mix of new releases to inspire, guide and inform RELEASES

By Janette Ballard

Still Me: Accepting Alzheimer’s Without Losing Yourself Rebecca Chopp (DU Chancellor, 2014–2019) Former DU Chancellor Rebecca Chopp was devastated when a routine annual checkup revealed that she had early stage Alzheimer’s disease. After recovering from the shock and

the appropriation of Nazi art plunder by postwar governments and highlights the increasingly successful postwar art recovery and restitution process.

Evening Star Jonas Peterson (BM ’23) “Evening Star” is the debut EP by saxophonist, keyboard player and composer

grappling with the changes Alzheimer’s meant for her life plans, Chopp retired from her job, vowed to hold on to the core of herself for as long as possible and found ways each day to live well. “Still Me” is an honest and hope-filled book that chronicles Chopp’s efforts, with the help of her family, friends and medical team, to reshape her life for a healthy and vibrant approach to living with Alzheimer’s. She provides thoughtful questions, encouragement and suggestions for those living with the disease, their caregivers and those who fear the diagnosis.

Jonas Peterson. Blending his diverse musical inspirations into compositions inspired by personal memories, Peterson began writing “Evening Star” in 2021 with no intention of recording it. However, along the way, he became attached to the compositions and continued to refine them with lessons he had learned—resulting in six pieces written in the jazz tradition with hints of neo soul and funk. “Evening Star” was recorded with the help of fellow Lamont students and alums Ricky Jumper (BM ’22), Colin Holter (BM ’22), Eli Leppla (BM ’21), Chris Panish (BM ’21) and Elijah Stevens (BM ’23).

Museum Worthy: Nazi Art Plunder in Postwar

The Radiant Life Project: Awaken Your Purpose, Heal Your Past, Transform Your Future Kate Paparo King (BA ’07) Kate King has drawn on 15 years of experience as a licensed clinical psychotherapist and board-certified art therapist to offer a groundbreaking guide for self-healing enthusiasts that

Western Europe Elizabeth Campbell,

professor of history and director of the Center for Art Collection Ethics Elizabeth Campbell studies the history and legacy of Nazi art looting during World War II. While the men and women

of the Allies’ famed Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives team recovered several hundred thousand pieces of stolen art after the war, thousands of additional pieces were never returned to their rightful owners. In France, Belgium and the Netherlands, postwar governments appropriated the most coveted unclaimed works for display in museums, embassies and other public buildings. This appropriation endured without controversy until the mid-’90s, when activists and journalists began challenging the governments’ right to hold these items. “Museum Worthy” deftly examines

combines science, creativity, psychology and insightful personal growth tools. “Trauma, physical and mental illness, and disembodied value systems are at an all time high across our communities,” says King. “The Radiant Life Project” is a deep-dive personal growth book that teaches an accessible approach to self-healing and offers practical tools and unique exercises that may lead to improved mind-body-soul wellness.

SPRING 2024 • UNIVERSITY of DENVER MAGAZINE | 9

REASONS TO LOVE As we look to the future, we celebrate the people, places and programs that make DU exceptional. DU

50 Reasons to Love DU

2.

LEARNING FROM 0 TO 100

1 NO.

WE’VE GOT GOOD DNA This year marks DU’s 160th birthday. With that many years under our belt, DU’s got some good DNA—and we are so proud of the difference that the University and our alumni are making in Colorado and beyond. Check out these impressive stats:

40% of mental health

175,000+ DEGREES since 1864.

From infants and toddlers at Fisher Early Learning Center and middle schoolers at Ricks Center for Gifted Children to students from all walks of life working towards undergraduate and graduate degrees, the ages of our students range from zero to 94-year-old Steve Winber, who not only takes classes but also teaches them, including, rather ironically, “Gen Z: Super-Connected, Over-Protected, Socially and Morally Hypersensitive.”

3 of 7 current Colorado Supreme Court justices are Sturm College of Law grads.

professionals in Colorado received a DU education.

More than 68 %

SECOND LARGEST private, non-retail employer in Denver. We are the

545+ unique employers hire our undergraduates.

of undergraduates remain in Colorado post-graduation.

# 3

A HOLISTIC COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

When DU launched its Four Dimensional (4D) Experience in 2021, the goal was to “re-invent the college experience” by intentionally harnessing DU’s strengths—to focus not only on academics but on the whole student. Now, incoming students live 4D from the moment they step on campus, with the help of a constellation of mentors who guide them in choosing classes, activities and experiences that nurture their intellectual growth, career development, character and well-being. By the time they graduate, they’re ready to embark not only on fulfilling careers but also lives of purpose.

“

4D is about what students want to do and be. Do they want to study abroad? Do internships? Conduct research? Run marathons? We prompt them to map out how and when they can have these signature experiences—and provide ways for them to reflect on those experiences and see their progress. – Chancellor Jeremy Haefner ”

50 Reasons to Love DU

# 4

IT’S BEAUTIFUL HERE

A 125-acre haven in the middle of the buzzing Mile High City, DU’s main campus has it all: stately brick and stone buildings from the turn of the last century; sun-filled modern buildings with sweeping views and artistic touches; the historic urban forest that makes up the Chester M. Alter Arboretum; landmark spires and towers; and plenty of serene spots to sit and study or just relax, both inside and out. Consistently ranked as one of the country’s most beautiful campuses, we have no doubt this was a factor when Princeton Review ranked DU 13th in the nation last year for “these students love their college.”

“The DU campus is so beautiful! I love the campus in the fall as the leaves are changing and in early June when the campus is full of flowers and graduation excitement. These are my favorite times to host international delegations and show them the beauty of our urban campus.”

Our Community Loves...

THE OUTDOORS ARE OUR SPECIALTY Skiing, mountaineering, camping and other outdoor adventures generate $37 billion in consumer spending annually in Colorado and employ more than half a million people across the state. DU’s first-of-its-kind Leadership in Outdoor Recreation Industry (LORI) program combines public policy, law and business coursework to develop current and next-generation leaders and increase the diversity of the talent pipeline in the outdoor industry. 5 NO.

50 Reasons to Love DU

6 NO.

WE TAKE OUR SPORTS RIVALRIES SERIOUSLY

Before the Colorado College hockey rivalry began in 1950, there was the 1919 War of the Mines. When DU still had a football team, our archrival was the nearby Colorado School of Mines. In the early morning hours on Nov. 6, 1919, four bombs went off on campus that blew out 100 windows in University Hall, the Iliff School of Theology, Carnegie Library and Memorial Chapel. Mines students were blamed, but no one was criminally charged. Some DU students retaliated by trying to repaint the large “M” on Mount Zion in crimson, but they were caught by Mines students, who took them back to their campus, shaved their heads and painted an “M” on their bald heads with silver nitrate. All involved went free, though, after the Denver Police Department threatened to cancel the upcoming game between the two teams should any additional issues be reported.

# 7

AND THE EMMY GOES TO... Lights, camera, winning! Whether it’s directing or acting, set design or costuming, students in the Department of Media, Film and Journalism Studies are creating innovative, imaginative cinema day in and day out—and they’re being recognized for it. In 2022, a filmmaking team in a capstone class snagged the first-ever Student Production Award from the Heartland Emmy Chapter for their short film, “The Bird of Paradise.” But it’s not only students—alumna Stephanie Filo (BA ’06) has won three Primetime Emmy awards for film editing for “The Black Lady Sketch Show” and, in 2023, became the first female editor in history to be nominated for three different projects in one year.

8.

“The RED BRICKS ” Our Community Loves...

EMPOWERING WOMEN, THEN AND NOW

Incorporated in 1888, the groundbreaking Colorado Women’s College merged with DU in 1982 and, in 2004, the renamed Women’s College moved into the brand-new Merle Catherine Chambers Center for the Advancement of Women. Though disbanded in 2020, the college’s legacy lives on through the CWC Leadership Scholars program for incoming undergrads and the women-centered organizations housed in the Chambers Center today: the Women’s Foundation of Colorado, the Women in Engineering ProActive Network (WEPAN) and Higher Education Resource Services (HERS). The Chambers building itself is also a legacy—designed, funded and built by women, including University architect Jane Loefgren, it features a signature nautilus motif, symbolizing a lifetime of growth.

50 Reasons to Love DU

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WE LOVE ANIMALS Elevating the interrelationships of humans, animals and the environment is the work and passion of the Institute for Human-Animal Connection. Recently named one of six new DU Research Institutes, IHAC focuses on therapeutic human-animal interactions, animals in communities and conservation social work. Recent projects include studying how interacting with farm animals can improve student outcomes in the classroom; the effects of a dog training program on incarcerated individuals; and how to increase access to veterinary care in historically marginalized communities.

10.

NEWMAN CENTER PRESENTS

Over the last two decades, the Newman Center has become a staple in the Denver arts community, showcasing performances by unique artists, storied singers and talented dancers from all across the globe. Vocal powerhouses like John Legend and Idina Menzel have graced one of Newman’s four performance spaces, which boast not only world-class acoustic construction but also uniquely intimate theatre environments. Known for its traditional and contemporary jazz and dance performances, its mission is to add more global acts each year.

# 11

RECIPES THAT LIVE FOREVER Food trends like avocado toast or matcha may come and go—but not for the library archivists managing University Libraries’ Cookery and Foodways Collection of 15,000 cookbooks. Here, recipes live forever, including your mom’s questionable tuna casserole, a menu from one of Bill Clinton’s state dinners and boiled pigeon from a British cookbook dating back to 1695.

Credit: Anthony Camera

50 Reasons to Love DU

Credit: Tyler Schank/NCAA Photos via Getty Images

# 12

SO. MANY. CHAMPIONSHIPS. Our athletes know how to win. DU programs have won 35 NCAA national championships across 18 varsity sports. We’re all familiar with the continued success of our men’s hockey team—who now have the most national championships of any collegiate hockey program at 10—but what you may not know is that our ski team also sits atop the NCAA’s most titles list (24). Visit du.edu/kingsofhockey to relive hockey’s 10 championship titles.

13 NO.

TOP OF MIND As part of a nationwide initiative to protect student mental health called JED Campus, DU is committed to comprehensive, data-driven mental health care. Our Thrive Peer Educators are students who serve as health and well-being “ambassadors” on campus and facilitate Intervene: DU, a required active bystander training for all undergrads. Beyond campus, the Western Colorado MSW program in Glenwood Springs addresses the dire need for mental health providers in rural areas, bringing education and training to where future social workers already reside and making a lasting difference in their communities.

50 Reasons to Love DU

GOING, GOING, GONE # 14

15 NO.

PITCH PERFECT Since 2012, more than 400 first-year business students have taken the Madden Challenge, developing and pitching their best ideas in a Shark Tank-like environment to a panel of judges made up of successful entrepreneurs, business experts and investors. Funded by a donation from the late John Madden Jr., a local real estate developer, the Challenge rewards winning teams with prize money to fund their startups.

Seven out of 10 students study abroad during their time here. That’s thanks, in huge part, to the Cherrington Global Scholars Initiative, which financially supports students’ round trip international airfare and visa application fees. Undergrad and grad students alike have traveled to nearly every corner of the Earth, from Tokyo and Oxford to Costa Rica and Glasgow. What’s more, a litany of programs and partnerships across the globe provide faculty and staff the chance to further their careers abroad.

16. THE FIRST The University of Denver College of Law opened its legal aid dispensary in 1904, creating the first clinical program in the nation. A frontrunner in serving Denver’s indigent populations, the student law office trains students in the practice of law under the supervision of experienced faculty, while at the same time serving the underserved communities in criminal defense, civil practice, civil rights matters, immigration and environmental law. IN LEGAL AID

“How easy the process of studying abroad was because of DU!“

Our Community Loves...

50 Reasons to Love DU

18 NO.

MUSIC TO THEIR EARS At DU, music is a two-way street—drawing audiences from across Denver but also bringing music to the community. Musical Explorers, a collaboration of the Newman Center, Denver Public Schools (DPS) and Carnegie Hall, is a semester-long program that teaches second graders about diverse musical traditions like hip hop, Gullah and Chicano funk. The free program includes teacher professional development, curriculum, digital resources and in-class visits from local and international artists— culminating in an interactive concert at the Newman Center. “The kids know all about these artists and have learned all the songs, so they come so excited to sing and dance along. It’s just joy, personified,” says Executive Director Aisha Ahmad-Post. More than 3,000 students will participate in 2023-2024.

WE HAVE OUR OWN FLOWER # 17 Not every university can say they have their very own flower. The DU Rose, also known as “Rosa Denvera,” got its start when the University received a rose bush as a gift in 1912. DU botanist Ira Cutler discovered the blossoms were unlike any others, so he used the original specimens to develop a distinct crimson-and-gold variety— descendants of which are planted throughout campus.

“ There’s nothing like 900 second graders

screaming like they’re at the world’s greatest rock concert. Aisha Ahmad-Post, Newman Center executive director ”

39,500 LINEAR FEET OF BOOKS—AND SO MUCH MORE 19. Ranked No. 1 in the country for “Best College Library” by The Princeton Review in 2023, Anderson Academic Commons is a world-class library and student services center that packs in 2,000 seats (each with its own power outlet), 32 group student rooms, 39,500 linear feet of library collections onsite, two cozy fireplaces and 4,000 pieces of furniture refurbished and reused from the beloved Penrose Library—including the iconic egg chairs, where students have studied (or napped) for decades.

“ Our incredibly beautiful campus! And being a coffee lover, Beans and the campus Starbucks.”

Our Community Loves...

University of Denver Penrose Library, 1972. Credit: DU Special Collections.

50 Reasons to Love DU

#

At the University of Denver, we took a good, long look at the future of higher education and thought: We can do better. So, we’re challenging conventional thinking. We’re doing higher education our way. Holistically. We’re developing the whole student, focusing on intellectual growth, life purpose, character and well-being. We’re redefining the promise of higher education. Preparing a new kind of leader and world citizen for what’s ahead. Solving problems and creating new knowledge that directly improves the human condition. Because young people coming up deserve a better future. And what DU can do will help them to solve the toughest challenges they face.

True to our Rocky Mountain West can-do spirit, we’re rolling up our sleeves to do the hard work of making a difference now. With open hearts and minds, we’re actively solving complex societal problems through visionary leadership, research, scholarship and strong partnerships. We are grateful for your interest and support as we set the new standard for higher education in the 21st century. This campaign is the turning point that establishes our approach as the model to match. It makes transformation possible—and raises everyone’s hopes for the future. We’re The Denver Difference. Let’s show the world what DU can do.

Scan to listen to the Campaign Story read by Chancellor Jeremy Haefner

By the Numbers: Goals of The Denver Difference Campaign

7,500 Convene DU volunteers

$1B Raise

135,000 Engage difference-makers

50 Reasons to Love DU

Powered by Philanthropy: Things We Love About DU Gifts made during the quiet phase of The Denver Difference are transforming our University

Opening the Door for the Next Generation of Difference Makers Through Scholarships An anonymous, transformational gift greatly expands resources available to first-generation students through FIRST@ DU, which supports scholarships and programming so first-generation students can thrive at DU. The Saunders Leadership Academy, founded by Former DU trustee Joseph Saunders (BSBA ’67, MBA ’68, Hon. PhD ’09) and his wife, Sharon, supports promising students burdened by significant financial need. Since 2018, it has supported 15 students in their journey to becoming the next generation of leaders. The Tomé Scholars—funded by Carol (MBA ’81, Hon. PhD ’18) and Ramon Tomé, provides scholarships, mentoring and networking programs that ensure student success in the Daniels College of Business. Cohort-based scholarship support programs, funded by organizations like the Davis New Mexico Scholarship, the Daniels Fund and the Boettcher Foundation, connect and support students who share similar characteristics.

Preparing for Careers and Lives of Purpose The Burwell Center for Career Achievement, made possible through the generosity of Barbara Burwell, her late husband, Rod, and their three sons, Peter (BSBA ’11), Blake (BSME, MBA ’15) and Michael (BA ’16, MBA ’17), is DU’s home for career and professional development support and alumni programming. Outstanding career preparation at scale is a cornerstone of the 4D Experience. DU ranked #23 in the Princeton Review for Best Career Services, and more than 90% of graduates report having jobs or enrolling in an advanced degree six months post-graduation.

Join us today as we create the future of DU. Be The Denver Difference. denverdifference.org

50 Reasons to Love DU

WE REACH FOR THE STARS AND SKIES # 21 Built in 1894, the Chamberlain Observatory, with its 20-inch Clark Saegmuller refractor telescope, has permitted students, faculty and astronomers to gaze at celestial bodies for more than a century. Home to the Denver Astrological Society since 1945, biweekly public nights offer amateurs and experts alike a chance to peer into the night sky. Long before the James C. Kennedy Mountain Campus became a part of DU’s footprint, the Mount Blue Sky Field Station (formerly the Mount Evans Field Station) was the original campus in the mountains, dating as far back as 1937. Historical physics research and theories, including a better understanding of the universe and cosmic radiation, were developed there—not only by DU but also by visiting universities including the University of Chicago, Cornell, MIT, NYU, Princeton and the University of Michigan. In 2017, the field station was recognized as part of the American Physical Society Historic Sites Initiative. Still operated by DU, the facility is available year-round for use by academic groups and individual researchers interested in the geology or ecology of the Front Range.

50 Reasons to Love DU

22.

SONGS THAT HEAL Music helps us express and understand our emotions, thoughts and experiences—and it can also help restore us. Through the Lamont Voices Making Impact program, voice majors work on community service projects, including a partnership with Children’s Hospital of Colorado, in which they perform for hospitalized children and their families. Read more about the Lamont Voices Making an Impact program at du.edu/voicesmakinganimpact. And the Spirituals Project, a community choir open to all, is charged with revitalizing the sacred songs created and first sung by enslaved Africans in the U.S. in the 18th and 19th centuries.

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COMMITTED TO COMMUNITY Our faculty and students are committed to improving the lives of Colorado residents and communities, from the Ready for American Hospitality program for newly arrived refugees and University College’s Business Development certificates for immigrant entrepreneurs to mutual aid for migrant families organized by the Graduate School for Social Work and the partnership between the Center for Housing and Homelessness Research and the Denver Basic Income project to boost the financial stability of the unhoused.

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CELEBRATING 60 The world has changed a lot in the last 60 years, and the students, faculty and staff of the Josef Korbel School of International Studies have been there to witness it all. Korbel was founded in 1964 by Josef Korbel—father to the late Secretary of State Madeleine Albright—under whose leadership the field of international studies was changed forever. Notable alums include the first U.S. ambassador to the African Union, Cindy Courville, former Chief of Staff of the United States Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr., and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who has said that she and Albright shared the same “intellectual father” in

Josef Korbel, 1957. Credit: DU Special Collections.

Korbel, who mentored her during her time at DU. The Korbel School is home to 13 unique research institutes, centers and clinics, including the Frederick S. Pardee Center for International Futures: A Research Institute and the Scrivner Institute for Public Policy—two internationally renowned research and policy hubs.

50 Reasons to Love DU

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INNOVATIONS IN HEALTHY AGING The Knoebel Institute for Healthy Aging (KIHA) is exploring all aspects of aging to improve the odds of growing old in a healthy way.

Assistant Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biophysics Sunil Kumar and his lab are working with researchers in KIHA and across campus to develop and test potential treatments for Parkinson’s disease. KIHA’s Paul Freeman Financial Security Program is discovering new ways to combat financial fraud and abuse among aging populations.

55+ MILLION PEOPLE in the U.S. are 65 and older

65+ -65

That’s 1 in 6

Professor Mohammad Mahoor developed Ryan, an emotionally intelligent robot designed to assist people with Alzheimer’s and dementia. KIHA also partners with local institutions to spread Alzheimer’s awareness and connect community members with resources. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, KIHA researchers tested a novel antibody test, enabling its emergency use authorization by the FDA.

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OLYMPIC GLORY As more than 10,000 athletes compete in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, don’t be surprised if you see a familiar face on your television screen. More than 100 current and former Pioneers have competed in the Olympics since the 1948 Winter Games in St. Moritz, Switzerland—including Paul Stastny (men’s ice hockey), Kevin Dineen (men’s ice hockey and women’s ice hockey coach), Katie Hensien (alpine skiing), Jessica Lopez (gymnastics), Nick Shore (men’s ice hockey), Craig Patrick (men’s ice hockey coach), Simona Castro (gymnastics), William “Willy” Schaeffler (skiing coach) and so many others.

Alumna Michelle Kwan (BA ’09) performs during the Winter Olympics in 2002. Credit: Zuma Press, Inc. / Alamy Stock Photo

50 Reasons to Love DU

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WE’RE TURNING GREEN...

Unlike a famous frog once quipped, it is easy being green! At least, DU is making it look easy. Since 2006, we’ve reduced campus greenhouse gas emissions by 43%, and we’re on pace to cut our carbon footprint by more than 70% by 2026. The Center for Regenerative Futures educates students on how to live more sustainably while also contributing to a low-waste, regenerative campus community through the DU Thrift Store, the Food Pantry, the Green Garage and Move-Out/Move-In Day sales of gently used student items. Sustainability is everywhere you look, including the LEED-certified Burwell Center for Career Achievement and the Sturm College of Law building (the first law school in the nation to receive a LEED gold certification). And we can’t forget about an actual green feature on campus: The copper dome on the Buchtel Tower, which is more than a century old. The Kermit colored copper is 100% recycled and recyclable!

FEMALE LAWSTARS The first woman lawyer to be admitted to practice before Colorado’s United States District Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals is alumna Mary Lathrop, who graduated from the then-named DU College of Law in 1896. And in 1941, DU broke gender boundaries again when it hired Helen Thorp, the first full-time female faculty member in the nation. 28 NO.

Mary Lathrop by Rose & Hopkins, 1886-1901. Credit: Denver Public Library Special Collections H-6.

50 Reasons to Love DU

ART FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD # 29 “I have no tolerance for mediocrity or for the student who refuses to work.” That’s an infamous quote from a famous former director of the University of Denver School of Art, Vance Kirkland, whose paintings hang in more than 15 museums across the world. Kirkland isn’t the only hardworking artist with DU ties—have you seen the Big Blue Bear in downtown Denver? That signature piece is thanks to none other than former professor emeritus Lawrence Argent, who also designed “Whispers,” the concrete sculptures of lips near the Ritchie Center. Painter and muralist Allen Tupper True and sculptor Ed Dwight also once called DU home. “The outdoor sculpture on campus, as well as the wonderful art exhibitions at the Davis Gallery and Vicki Myhren Gallery in the Schwayder Art Building and the various shows at the DU Museum of Anthropology.”

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THE GHOSTS OF DU Night owls, beware: There may be more than just insomniac scholars frequenting the halls of campus buildings after dark. Phil Goodstein’s (MA ’75) book, “The Ghosts of University Park, Platt Park and Beyond,” digs into the eerie history of several buildings on campus—Mary Reed’s Renaissance Room and the historic Buchtel House among them. The list of haunted premises also includes Margery Reed Hall, former home of the DU Theatre Department. “[Hundreds of performers] over the years have all been convinced there’s a ghost,” Goodstein says. “They claim strange whispering and odd echoes during performances; things were always slightly going wrong.”

“I See What You Mean” by Lawrence Argent. Credit: VISIT DENVER

Portrait of Mary Reed

50 Reasons to Love DU

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“CRUSHING IT” FOR RURAL FAMILIES Since 2018, the Center for Rural School Health (CRSHE, pronounced “crush”) in the Morgridge School of Education has partnered with schools and communities across Colorado to improve health and education outcomes. In line with their vision that all children, youth and adults in rural communities should live healthy and meaningful lives, CRSHE takes on projects like WERCS (Wellbeing and Equity in Rural Colorado Schools), a five-year effort to help 31 rural school districts develop and implement strategies that promote well-being and mental health for youth and staff.

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MORE WINTER, PLEASE

To love DU is to love winter. At the first sign of snow—sometimes as early as October—you’ll see snowmen, igloos and snowball fights all over campus. DU First Snow rings in the new season with pop-up giveaways (often a cozy hat or a scarf) and chances to warm up with a cup of hot cocoa. Students take full advantage of the winter conditions any chance they can by skiing, snowboarding and sledding on the hill on the north side of the Ritchie Center and, during particularly heavy storms, thrill seekers have been known to try their luck at the dangerous (and illegal) “sport” of car skiing. Each winter, students also come together to enjoy Winter Carnival, a week of on-campus events capped off by a weekend of high-altitude fun. The first carnival took place at Winter Park in January 1961, just days after DU announced the end of its football program and coinciding with the NCAA skiing finals. Cancelled only three times in six decades, Winter Carnival has earned its spot as one of DU’s most beloved traditions, offering a much-appreciated mid-quarter break.

“I love how I can experience all four seasons.“

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50 Reasons to Love DU 33. Research With Reach

1880:

Herbert Alonzo Howe arrived in Denver by train to begin his work as one of six professors, teaching DU’s

1920:

first astronomy class in 1881. As the first director of the Chamberlin Observatory, Howe contributed significantly to research on Mars and other heavenly bodies.

Etienne B. Renaud was the first archeologist to complete a systematic study of Eastern Colorado. He was foundational in developing survey methods of the western High Plains and wrote approximately 125 articles for both American and European publications.

1936:

Fred D. D’Amour developed serum to neutralize the venom of black widow spiders.

1945:

Joyce C. Stearns was one of seven physicists who signed the Franck Report, recommending the nuclear bomb developed by the Manhattan Project at Los Alamos Laboratory not be dropped on Japan. Later, Stearns became faculty and chair of the physics department at DU and worked with Denver City Parks on building the paved road to the top of Mount Blue Sky.

1968: PhD student Es’kia Mphahlele, considered a founding writer of modern African literature, was awarded First Prize for the best African novel by African Arts magazine for “The Wanderers,” an autobiographical novel he wrote in in lieu of a thesis.

1987: Inventor and chemist Donald Hugh Stedman along with research engineer Gary Bishop developed the FEAT (fuel efficiency automobile testing) system. The automated system could test up to 10,000 vehicles per day, using a cost efficient method that surpassed traditional testing stations in identifying polluting automobiles.

1990s: Sarah M. Nelson’s studies of ancient art— specifically, the famous Venus figurines of Ice Age Europe—demonstrated how interpretation of the past reflected contemporary cultural and political biases. She was among the first to focus on the archaeology of gender and laid the foundation for feminist archaeology.

2019: Jennifer Greenfield studied and authored a report on the potential economic impacts of paid family leave in Colorado. She also testified at the state legislature numerous times in support of Colorado’s Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program (FAMLI), which voters approved in November 2020.

The Venus of Willendorf Credit: James Steakley, CC BY-SA 3.0.

2023: Galena Rhoades and Scott Stanley’s research indicates that, contrary to popular belief, living together before being engaged can decrease a couple’s odds of a successful marriage.

50 Reasons to Love DU

“The Jewish community of students!” Our Community Loves...

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34 NO.

THE BELLS TOLL FOR THEE

“HERE I AM” The Holocaust Memorial Social Action Site, designed under the guidance of DU architect Mark Rodgers, is an

The 65 bronze bells atop the 215 foot Williams Tower make DU’s carillon the fifth largest instrument in the country. The carillonneur, after trekking up 95 grueling and oftentimes windy steps, must possess graceful hands and nimble, strong legs to play the 20- to 12,000-pound bells. The resident carillonist, Joey Brink, is known to play a variety of tunes, even Taylor Swift songs.

outdoor gathering place to honor and remember those who lost their lives in the Holocaust. The memorial features a central stone bench shaped like the Hebrew word for life, “chai,” and an amphitheater of stone benches for a wide range of gatherings. The metal lattice partitions, located at the entry of the site, are intended to emulate shattered glass as a reference to Kristallnacht and spell out the Hebrew word “hineni,” which means “Here I am.” WE’RE IN CLASSROOMS NATIONWIDE From Phillip Strain’s LEAP preschool model, an inclusive classroom environment for children with autism, to Julie Sarama and Doug Clements’ decades of research on making math accessible to all young learners, the influence of the Morgridge College of Education extends across the nation, reaching hundreds of thousands of young students. In addition, the Volunteers in Partnership (VIP) program, coordinated by the Office of Student Affairs, connects DU students with local high school students to offer support and mentoring as they finish high school and transition to college or career.

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“I appreciate the close-knit nature of the campus and its many opportunities to thrive as an academic.”

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