University of Denver Spring 2026

CLASS NOTES

Melissa Haapala (JD ’02) has been promoted to director of the Electronic Practice Group at Sterne Kessler, an intellectual property specialty law firm in Washington, D.C. 2005 Christina Papantonakis (BS ’05) has been appointed the Southern Colorado faculty executive associate director for the University of Colorado School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics. She will serve as a key liaison between Colorado Springs faculty and Department of Pediatrics leadership. 2002 Christy Belz (MSW ’02) was named a 2025 Girl Scouts of Colorado Denver Woman of Distinction. Christy is a leadership and empowerment coach, author of the book, “Oh God of Second Chances, Here I Am Again,” and a TEDx speaker. She serves on various community boards and helps others navigate transformation with purpose.

1998 Adam Agron (JD ’98) has been appointed to the University of Denver’s Board of Trustees. He is a shareholder in Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck’s Corporate & Business Department. Adam is a founding member of the Dean’s Advisory Board for the Sturm College of Law. He has served on the Law Alumni Council and taught business and corporate law as an adjunct professor at DU.

Donna M. Stewart (JD ’01) has been appointed by Gov. Jared Polis to the 23rd Judicial District Court. Previously, she was a magistrate in the 18th Judicial District. Jennifer Viehman (JD ’01) has been appointed by Gov. Jared Polis to the 4th Judicial District Court. Previously, she

was the chief deputy district attorney in the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. 2002 Amy Dissmeyer (MA ’02) has been named director of the Great Falls Public Library in Great Falls, Montana.

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UNIVERSITY OF DENVER MAGAZINE | SPRING 2026