University of Denver Spring 2026

The Colorado Water Fellows Program Seeing the Past Through Maps

DU Joins the West Coast Conference

SPRING 2026

CONTENTS

Features 18 DU’s hockey team clinched its 11th national championship.

Champions Once More

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The Currents of Progress

The Colorado Water Fellows Program is shaping the future of water law in the West.

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Seeing the Past Through Maps

As the U.S. celebrates its 250th birthday, a DU professor takes us on a visual tour of American history.

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DU’s move to the West Coast Conference is a major step forward for athletics and academics. Onward and Upward

CONTENTS

Departments From the Chancellor ______ Inbox _ __________________ Newsroom _ _____________ Arts & Culture _ __________ Academics ______________ Public Good _ ____________ Releases ________________ Giving Back Odds & Ends

2 4 5 8

10 12 14 16 60

Class Notes ________________ In Memoriam _ _____________ Alumni Stories _ ____________ Forever Crimson & Gold 46 52 56

Digital Exclusive du.edu/magazine

A BETTER FUTURE FOR HOUSING The new Center for Housing Research and Innovative Solutions aims to tackle Colorado’s most pressing housing challenges.

FROM THE CHANCELLOR

Character and Grit You can’t spell “champion” without PIO! With our latest NCAA hockey title, the Pioneers are now the owners of a record 11 national championships. The pride we feel, as DU community members, as alumni, and as Denverites, is unmatched. What made this win special wasn’t only seeing our team out on the ice hoisting the trophy—it was the character and grit that made it all possible. Character development

Senior Vice Chancellor of University Relations Brad Bohlander Associate Vice Chancellor of Communications & Issues Management Shira Good Associate Vice Chancellor of Marketing & Brand Strategy Matthew Gann Director of External Communications Gretchen Pressley Director of Creative & Brand Management Amy Miller Managing Editor Kristin Hoerth Art Director Nicole Waldrip Spring 2026 | Volume 26 | Issue 2 University of Denver Magazine

is a major component of our DU 4D Experience, and this year’s hockey team demonstrated grit and determination in big ways. Throughout the season, they dug deep, stayed connected to one another, and remained focused on their goal. And when the final two games tightened, they trusted their training, trusted each other, and delivered. Another way the team showed character was in what they chose to say after the final buzzer. Our coaches and student-athletes turned outward, thanking those who supported them throughout the season. They spoke about how the energy in the arena mattered, how support behind the scenes made the difference during games that went into double overtime, and how the championship belonged to more than the players on the ice. At DU, “team sports” means everyone. It includes the faculty and staff who support our student-athletes in visible and invisible ways, the students who show up and bring the noise, and the alumni who travel, cheer, and give back year after year. This championship belongs to all of us in Denver. From neighborhood watch parties to packed bars and living rooms, the city rallied behind DU. When fans and leaders call this region “Hockey Town,” they’re recognizing that DU is Denver’s home for championship winning college sports. That’s the Pioneer standard. It’s reflected in how they played and won, how they represented DU and Denver on a national stage, and how, even while performing at elite athletic levels, they can also boast a 3.74 team GPA. Eleven national championships is record breaking and galvanizing. We have something special here at DU. Congratulations again to our entire hockey program, and to every alum and fan who helped fuel this incredible season. Go Pios!

Senior Visual Designer Taylor Capek (MS ’15) Senior Editor Heather Hein Contributing Writers

Nika Anschuetz Janette Ballard Anna Filippova

Joy Hamilton Matt Meyer Nicole Militello Connor Mokrzycki (BA ’22, MS ’25) Contributing Designer Kristin Weber Photographer Dave Pavlina Contributing Photographer Olivia Sinnett Multimedia Producer Carri Wilbanks Associate Multimedia Producer Katie Polson Distribution Coordinator William Colner

Printed on 100% PCW recycled paper

The University of Denver Magazine is published three times a year (fall, spring, and summer) by the University of Denver Division of University Relations, 2199 S. University Blvd., Denver, CO 80208-4816. The University of Denver (Colorado Seminary) is an equal opportunity institution. magazine.du.edu • dumag@du.edu • 303.871.7003

Jeremy Haefner Chancellor

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INBOX

The Record Spins ’Round

Great Performances on Campus “I am not an alumnus, but my father, William Sanderson, taught at DU for 26 years. My parents once took me to a concert on campus that featured a solo appearance by Pete Seeger. I believe it was around 1960. As a young boy, I was very taken by this man who stood on stage by himself, singing and playing the banjo. Also, I think the Doors played there around 1970. There may be other notable musicians who have performed at DU, too, and I would be interested in reading about them.” – Michael Sanderson DU Is a Dream School! The University of Denver was recently named a “Dream School” by higher education journalist Jeffrey Selingo (see p. 15). That got us wondering: What does a “Dream School” look like in real life? So we asked alumni how DU helped turn their dreams into reality. A launchpad for what’s next. For many, DU provided the foundation to excel in their chosen careers, through a high-quality education and comprehensive academic programs designed to prepare them for what came next. Learning that felt personal. Alumni also noted the quality of their professors and the personalized attention they got because of the small class sizes—an experience that one alum said was “a game changer.” Making it possible. A dream also has to be within reach. Scholarships, work-study positions, and teaching assistantships helped many students turn a DU education into reality. Friends for life. Again and again, alumni described relationships that have lasted well beyond graduation—proof that the true heartbeat of DU isn’t just what you learn but who you meet along the way.

Readers respond to this image from page 41 of the Autumn 2025 issue.

The student spinning the record is me! This was taken at the KAOS studios in Centennial Towers. Thanks for the photo shoutout! – David Rosenberg (BA ’78) I’m pretty sure that photo is of one of the Rosenberg twins, either David or Paul, and the picture was taken at KAOS. I spent time spinning records there, too. Eventually that led to my first job at KBTV (now KUSA) in Denver. – Julie Roberts (BA ’81)

We want to hear from you! Email us at dumag@du.edu to share your DU memories, send a letter to the editor, give us feedback, or share a picture you would like to see in the magazine.

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UNIVERSITY OF DENVER MAGAZINE | SPRING 2026

Endowed Professorship Advances Holocaust and Antisemitism Studies Newsroom University of Denver

The University of Denver and its Center for Judaic Studies (CJS) have embarked on a campaign to permanently endow a professorship in Holocaust and antisemitism studies. Announced on the 81st anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, this first of-its-kind position will advance Holocaust education and research and the study of antisemitism. Holocaust survivors Barbara Steinmetz and Osi Sladek joined CJS Director Adam Rovner, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, and Provost Elizabeth Loboa (pictured above) at the Colorado State Capitol in late January to commemorate the anniversary and announce the new position to the community. “This professorship represents a permanent commitment—not only to remembrance, but to making Denver a global hub for thoughtful Holocaust education and applied scholarship that helps future generations foster social change,” said Loboa.

The CJS is the fourth oldest Judaic studies center in the United States and this year is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The creation of this endowed professorship builds on the center’s leadership and commitment to fostering global Jewish culture in Denver and throughout Colorado. “This professorship connects across generations to build the future,” said Rovner. “It will enable DU students and communities across the Front Range to learn from the history of the Holocaust, and to become leaders by confronting antisemitism with courage and real understanding.” To learn how to make a philanthropic investment to establish the professorship, please email cahss@du.edu or call 303.871.7467.

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NEWSROOM

Integrative Life Sciences Complex Takes Shape

The University of Denver has reached an important milestone in its pursuit of carbon neutrality, completing Colorado’s first off-site net metering solar energy project in partnership with Denver-based renewable energy provider Pivot Energy. The 3.28-megawatt project, located in Johnstown, Colorado, began producing 100% local renewable energy earlier this year—a first-of-its-kind achievement made possible by Senate Bill 21-261, a state law passed in 2021 that expanded access to off-site solar generation for organizations with multiple meters or space constraints. The law allows universities, businesses, and hospitals to receive bill credits for electricity generated at off Construction continues on the newest addition to the DU campus, the Integrative Life Sciences Complex. Formerly called the STEM Horizons project, the space has been renamed to better reflect the wide-ranging work that will happen inside its striking glass exterior. Slated to open in fall 2027, the five-story, 87,000-square-foot building will be a hub of scientific discovery and collaboration. The top four floors will house research laboratories for faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates, while the first floor will include five new undergraduate learning laboratories— spaces every DU undergraduate will have the opportunity to experience. “The Integrative Life Sciences Complex will be a game changer for us,” says Chancellor Jeremy Haefner. “The faculty who will be working in the building and in the labs are answering questions at the very heart of scientific advances. But the best part is our students

will have the opportunity to work on these important questions alongside faculty, sparking the next generation of scientific curiosity and progress.” The complex will open alongside upgraded life science labs in the Boettcher West and Seeley G. Mudd buildings, supporting DU’s R1 designation by meeting the needs of today’s scientists while preparing future generations of researchers. Open-concept spaces will put students and faculty in closer contact, enabling richer mentorship—and housing both biology and chemistry under one roof will foster greater exchange between lab groups, says Corinne Lengsfeld, senior vice provost for research and graduate education. “It’s going to give students a mixture of different skill sets, and that is going to create a lot of new ideas,” Lengsfeld says. “It will be fabulous for the students, and it’s going to be fabulous for the science.”

A Solar Milestone for DU—and Colorado

site locations, removing barriers that have historically limited on site solar development. The Johnstown site comprises approximately 7,000 solar panels— enough to power the equivalent of 760 average sized homes—and is

the first of six planned off-site projects across Adams, Mesa, and Weld counties. Together with on-campus installations, DU’s full portfolio with Pivot Energy will

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NEWSROOM

lowering operating costs, and meeting city and state building performance standards. “This is an exciting first step as we work towards achieving carbon neutrality at the University of Denver,” says Chancellor Jeremy Haefner. “Our partnership with Pivot Energy has allowed us to expand the number of rooftop solar installations we have on campus as well as develop the off-site net metering projects across Colorado. This is our commitment to building a better world and a better future for our students.” DU and Pivot Energy view the project as both a local achievement and a replicable model for policy-enabled renewable energy solutions across Colorado and beyond.

total more than 27 megawatts of renewable energy capacity, with remaining sites expected to be completed by 2027. The project serves three central goals: fully eliminating electricity emissions on the DU campus,

New Sculptures Come to DU’s Campus

For nearly 100 years, the University of Denver and the Denver Art Museum have partnered to create educational, experiential, and community-building opportunities that enrich both institutions and the broader Denver community. Building on that long standing collaboration, DU and DAM have announced the Denver Art Museum Sculpture Collection at the University of Denver. The collection features seven major outdoor sculptures that will be installed across the DU campus over the next 18 months (including “Lao Tzu” by Mark di Suvero, shown here). Some of the sculptures will be on display in Colorado for the first time, while others are returning to public view in a new community-centered setting. The artworks will be installed in phases; the first phase will begin with works installed during the spring of 2026, and all phases will end with a community celebration in summer 2027. The University is working with interested donors to fund the transportation and installation of the sculptures, as well as the continued maintenance and conservation of the art. The Denver Art Museum Sculpture Collection will be prominently featured in a new DU Art Walk, which will weave together existing sculptures located across the DU campus and the new sculptures contributed by DAM. This DU Art Walk is the first step in the creation of a holistic art experience that will encompass the new DAM Sculpture Collection, existing art collections and galleries, and performing art opportunities. “We are excited to expand access to art that both the DU and Denver communities will be able to enjoy,” says Chancellor Jeremy Haefner. “The University of Denver

and the Denver Art Museum share a long-standing vision and commitment toward access to culture and education. These new installations will allow everyone to enjoy the sculptures as they move through their daily lives.” “This project is truly transformative for the University of Denver,” says Geoffrey Shamos, director of DU’s Vicki Myhren Gallery and curator of the University Art Collections. “It turns the campus into a living museum, integrating major works of contemporary sculpture into the fabric of everyday life.”

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ARTS & CULTURE

Hitting the Right Notes Lamont’s signature opera production showcases teamwork, skill, and the magic that happens when preparation meets performance.

By Anna Filippova

The props are in place. The costumes are glimmering. The instruments have been tuned. Months of planning and practice have culminated in opening night of the Lamont School of Music’s full-scale production of the Johann Strauss II operetta, “Die Fledermaus.” The opera theatre program is the largest of Lamont’s many ensembles, bringing together the entire vocal program and orchestra every spring for its signature event. More than 100 undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, staff, and recent alumni are involved in each production. “Putting on an opera is a monumental task. It’s not just a musical performance; it’s a theatrical performance, and it requires so many different people with varying skills to be involved,” says Sahar Nouri, music director of Lamont Opera Theatre. Nouri came to DU in 2019 and has led several productions, ranging from classic operas like “The Magic Flute,” written in 1791, to more modern ones like Rachel Portman’s “The Little Prince,” which was first performed in 2003. Originally from Iran, she previously worked at opera houses across the U.S. from San Francisco to Boston.

She eventually landed at Opera Colorado, where she continues to serve as chorus master, assistant conductor, and pianist coach in addition to her role at DU. Nouri played violin and piano growing up and also loved poetry, which translated into a love for opera and, eventually, conducting. “It’s so inspiring to work with a huge group of artists and create a production that is exciting musically but also based on the wonder of poetry, language, and storytelling,” she says. Setting the stage Nouri and Artistic Director Matthew Plenk start the process of selecting an opera in June of the previous year, basing their decision partly on the strengths of their vocal students. “We choose pieces that fit both our returning and incoming students and their vocal ranges well but that will also challenge them,” Nouri says. They decided on “Die Fledermaus,” a comic operetta, in honor of the composer’s 200th birthday. “It’s a crowd pleaser, with very tuneful melodies and, more importantly, it has many roles for our students to showcase their talents,” says Nouri. Set in Vienna, the operetta centers on an elaborate revenge plot involving a

masquerade ball, where a group of friends and servants use disguises and champagne to humiliate

Sahar Nouri has been music director of Lamont Opera Theater since 2019.

This spring’s production, “Die Fledermaus,” was last performed in 2017.

a philandering aristocrat—while satirizing the social pretensions of the elite.

As Mackenzie Laun, a second-year master’s student studying vocal performance who played Adele, says, “We did dialogue in English and then sang in German, which can get wordy, but preparation helps.” Students got diction and pronunciation help from Heidi Melton, assistant professor of voice, who studied in Germany. Often, Lamont brings in coaches who are native speakers of the language of the opera being performed. Students must also adapt their mannerisms to match their roles. First-year master’s student Alma Sejmenović, a vocal performance major, was cast as Orlofsky, a traditional “pants role”—a young male character typically sung by a mezzo-soprano. “I needed to think more about posture, walking, carrying myself, and even learning how to perform in dress shoes instead of character shoes or heels,” she says. Students say all the hard work pays off when the production finally comes together. Regan Lewis, a recent alumna earning a performance certificate and playing the role of Rosalinde, says one of the most

Once the opera was selected, Nouri and Plenk spent the summer on logistics: choosing the sets; lining up supporting staff like choreographers, set designers, and coaches; creating budgets and schedules; and deciding what direction the opera will take—does it need to be modified? How many rehearsals are needed? What language materials do the students need? When the students arrived in the fall, auditions took place and rehearsals began. Finding their voices For students, being part of “Die Fledermaus” was an intense but rewarding experience, with at least nine hours of rehearsals a week as well as individualized coaching in voice and acting. The production featured 10 lead singing roles and more than 20 students in the chorus, with songs performed entirely in German— making learning the language an essential first step.

Continued on page 54

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ACADEMICS

Worlds of Impact DU faculty are crossing borders to ask big questions, build partnerships, and bring a global perspective back to classrooms and the community.

By Heather Hein

Studying abroad is a defining part of the DU experience—a chance to see the world and return with fresh perspectives. But that global curiosity doesn’t stop with students. Each year, hundreds of faculty members travel abroad to collaborate with partners, conducting research, teaching, and strengthening DU’s connections to the wider world. “DU is very globally engaged,” says Leasa Weimer, director of global partnerships in the Office of Internationalization. “Our study abroad program is one of the strongest in the country, and many of our faculty members are similarly eager to collaborate with colleagues around the world—and bring global perspectives back to DU.” From the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program to Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) courses, the Office of Internationalization connects faculty with opportunities and international

Chemistry professor Keith Miller spent last fall teaching in Florence, Italy.

College of Education, going abroad to India this academic year was a full-circle experience. Originally from Calcutta, Banerjee began her career as a special education teacher before earning her master’s and doctoral degrees in Kansas and then coming to Colorado as an academic. “I was like a child in a toy shop when I came to the U.S., soaking it all in,” she says. “Once you’ve crossed a few thousand miles, you gain a global perspective that stays with you.” On sabbatical in her home country, Banerjee made new connections as a scholar in residence at the India Institute of Management Indore. Her work there centered on two main areas—special education and education systems—as she delivered workshops on topics such as social-emotional learning, inclusive pedagogy, and the research process to various audiences, including those focused on business. That experience sharpened her interest in collaboration. “Coming back to DU, I want to focus more actively on interdisciplinary work,” she says, including partnerships with units such as the Daniels College of Business and the Graduate School

partners, and supports them at every stage, helping them develop ideas, apply, and carry out projects. In addition, some colleges and schools maintain their own partnerships and programs, creating additional pathways for engagement. Getting a 30,000-foot view For Rashida Banerjee, professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning Sciences in the Morgridge Morgridge professor Rashida Banerjee (right), with colleague Kajari Mukherjee, PhD, served as a scholar in residence in India.

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ACADEMICS

“

Once you’ve crossed a few thousand miles, you gain a global perspective that stays with you.

”

Rashida Banerjee

of Professional Psychology. “How can we be more impactful by moving out of our discipline silos?” Banerjee plans to build on the connections she’s made through COIL sessions, joint research projects, and student-faculty exchanges—while acknowledging that the environment for global activity in higher education has become more challenging. “Understanding that from a 30,000 foot view helps me look at it more objectively,” she says. “Instead of complaining about it, we can become better problem solvers.” Same question, different country While Banerjee returned to familiar ground abroad, Kim Bender stepped into a new cultural context when she traveled to Taipei, Taiwan, in 2023 as a Fulbright scholar.

Bender, the Philip D. and Eleanor G. Winn Professor for Children and Youth at Risk in the Graduate School of Social Work, specializes in participatory research methods such as photovoice, in which participants—often from marginalized communities—use photography and storytelling to document their experiences and advocate for change. In Taiwan, Bender collaborated with scholars to explore how youth participation is understood During her six-month stay, Bender also partnered with a community-based organization to conduct research with youth in an after-school program. Eager to keep the collaboration going, she applied for a COIL grant when she returned, enabling her to co-teach a research course last fall with a Taiwanese colleague. They explored social issues that vary across cultural contexts, including wellness, substance use, and aging. “It was a beautiful way to learn through teaching—which is part of our teacher-scholar model,” says Bender. The experience continues to shape her work. “Learning about completely different ways of thinking about our responsibilities to one another and about social change has been incredibly refreshing,” she reflects. “It felt like expanding what’s possible.” Learning by living it Expanding possibilities was also central to Keith Miller’s time in Italy last fall. A chemistry professor in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Miller has also held a range of student-facing leadership in a more collectivist culture and delivered workshops on photovoice to researchers and practitioners across disciplines.

GSSW professor Kim Bender (left, with daughter Poppy) was a Fulbright scholar in Taiwan.

Continued on page 54

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PUBLIC GOOD

Hope in Every Molecule Sunil Kumar and his team are developing synthetic protein mimetics that may slow or halt neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, offering patients and families a glimpse of a brighter future. By 2050, as many as 13

By Nika Anschuetz

They can provide some relief, improving memory and daily function, yet they do not halt or slow the progression of the disease. One type is based on small molecules, and the other uses antibodies. Developing any drug for the brain is especially challenging because it needs to cross the blood-brain barrier. Small molecules can easily cross that barrier, but they need to be able to target specific proteins. Antibodies, on the other hand, can be more targeted, but they often can’t cross the blood-brain barrier. For example, if a drug is administered at 1 milligram per day but only ~0.1-1% of it reaches the brain, it requires a much higher dose to be effective—and that would likely cause more side effects.

million Americans could be living with Alzheimer’s disease—nearly twice the number who cope with it today. The projection looms over researchers, clinicians, and families as neurodegenerative diseases tighten their grip on society. For many, 2050 feels like a lifetime away,

but for Sunil Kumar, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, it feels much closer—and therefore much more urgent. In 2019, he launched the Kumar Lab at DU with an ambitious goal: to develop druglike molecules to treat neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Huntington’s disease. Six years later, with funding from the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, the Parkinson’s Foundation, the American Parkinson Disease Association, and others, Kumar and his team are closing in on a potential disease-modifying treatment. The current treatments Proteins regulate every function in our body. We rely on protein-protein interactions—proteins binding together to do a job. For people with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, these interactions go awry. Instead of functioning properly, certain proteins misfold and begin to clump together. “They function in two toxic ways,” Kumar says. “They build physical barriers between neurons. They can no longer talk to each other. Over time, they start killing neurons.” As brain cells start to die in large quantities, the brain begins to shrink. Memory loss—the primary symptom of Alzheimer’s disease—occurs because those protein clumps block key pathways. Currently, there are two types of drugs on the market to treat Alzheimer’s disease, but their effects are limited.

Ryan Dohoney, a PhD candidate in organic chemistry, is one of the students working in the Kumar Lab.

The Kumar Lab discovery Kumar and his team have developed and tested a new technology that they say is the best of both worlds. “We developed a platform based on synthetic protein mimetics,” Kumar says. “These molecules are small enough to reach the brain, but they can achieve the kind of specificity we typically associate with antibodies.” By mimicking the surface features of proteins, these artificial molecules are designed to target and

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“

I have a social and moral responsibility to help. Sunil Kumar ”

disrupt harmful protein clumping while sparing the normal function of proteins. This approach specifically targets impaired protein behavior and toxic pathways, leading to potentially fewer side effects. The lab’s latest findings demonstrate the effectiveness of these molecules across multiple models, suggesting their potential to modify disease progression by slowing or even halting key pathological processes in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. Discoveries from the Kumar Lab have grown exponentially in recent years, thanks in part to the contributions of undergraduate and graduate students like Ryan Dohoney and Charles Baysah, PhD candidates in organic chemistry. Together, the team developed a high-throughput platform—capable of processing large numbers of tasks and data points quickly and efficiently—to create these synthetic protein mimetics. At first, producing just 10 molecules

Sunil Kumar works with one of the researchers on his team at the Kumar Lab.

Considering those statistics can be sobering. “I have a social and moral responsibility to help,” Kumar says. “We get samples from these patients, and I feel terrible that we don’t have an effective drug to help them.” Dohoney knows that feeling all too well. He spent years watching his grandmother live with Alzheimer’s disease, so the longing for a treatment feels deeply familiar and drives him even further. Even with one of the greatest breakthroughs in neurodegenerative diseases at their fingertips, the researchers still have a mountain to climb, and the Kumar Lab needs significant funding to continue its research. They will continue to test the drug in mouse models, with the goal of ultimately placing effective treatments into the hands of those who need them. For them, 2050 isn’t a deadline but a glimmer of hope.

required 200 steps—like building something brick by brick. Now, they can generate many more molecules with far fewer steps, more like an automated robotic construction system. “We’ve become a full one-stop shop,” Dohoney says. “Once we make [these mimetics], we’re able to test them, see the results, and take them into the live models. Our platform has been very effective at identifying lead compounds for various diseases and not just neurodegenerative disorders.” Looking to the future As people age, the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease rapidly increases. At age 70 and older, there’s a 10% chance of getting the disease; at age 80 and older, that chance doubles.

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RELEASES

Books for Your Summer Reading List Check out these new titles by DU alumni and faculty.

By Janette Ballard

Legacy of the Skies Doug Hall (BA ’81)

Transformed by India: A Life Stephen Huyler (BA ’73)

Step into the world of decorated World War I and World War II pilot and aviation pioneer Col. James Goodwin Hall (1896-1952) in this biography written by his grandson, Doug Hall. It’s a tribute to a man of great talent, curiosity, and drive. “From flying dangerous missions during World War I to earning accolades from President Roosevelt during World War II, Hall’s life and military service is the stuff of legend,” says the author. After the wars, Hall made his mark as a Wall Street broker and an auto

and airplane industry executive; he was also instrumental in the establishment of the American Quarter Horse as a racing breed. Whether racing his bay gelding, piloting cutting-edge seaplanes, or exploring the far reaches of the world, Hall lived life on his own terms—always chasing new horizons and pushing boundaries.

For over half a century, cultural anthropologist and art historian Stephen Huyler has grown to know and love the people and culture of India. He attributes his initial understanding and empathy for Indian culture to his DU courses on South Asian history and art history. In 1971, on his 20th birthday, Huyler arrived in India by bicycle rickshaw. Since then, he has conducted a lifelong survey of its art and people. His innate adaptability enables him to be quiet, observant, accepting, and accepted by a range of individuals— from maharaja to musician and from politician to potter. In this memoir, Huyler evokes an India rarely seen by outsiders, including portraits of people, places, and customs. He drew on over 12 years’ worth of field research; he has also served as a consultant and guest curator for more than 25 major museum exhibitions of Indian art. The book features a foreword by the Dalai Lama.

Under the Current Jared Siler (EdS ’14) In this novel by Jared Siler, Tristen Rhodes is a polished executive and successful entrepreneur who seems to have the perfect life. Beneath the surface, though, Rhodes is fighting a quiet war between who he is and who he believes he needs to be. His brilliance, wealth, and Silicon Valley prestige mask a truth he has never faced: the silent, unhealed wounds left by his father’s absence. When his carefully constructed life begins to crumble, he flees to California’s wild,

unyielding coast, where the ocean’s power forces him to confront the fractures in his identity and the pain he has kept buried for decades. “Under the Current” is a work of psychological fiction that dives deep into the unseen struggles men face, challenging outdated ideas of masculinity and exploring the journey from emotional numbness to authentic feeling.

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RELEASES

Taylor Swift by the Book Rachel Feder (associate professor of English and literary arts) Taylor Swift’s album “The Tortured Poets Department” inspired English professor Rachel Feder to write “Taylor Swift by the Book: The Literature Behind the Lyrics, From Fairy Tales to Tortured Poets.” Feder teaches courses on 18th- and 19th-century British literature with emphases on Romanticism, women writers, and the Gothic. After Swift announced her album at the 2024 Grammys,

DU NAMED DREAM SCHOOL in National College Guide

The University of Denver has earned a coveted spot among 75 institutions highlighted in “Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right for You,” a college guide by higher education journalist Jeffrey Selingo. Based on Selingo’s in-depth research— including a survey of more than 3,000 parents—“Dream School” reveals what matters most in a college: strong job prospects after graduation, hands-on learning experiences, and a sense of belonging. Hidden gem schools with incredible value and rich opportunities fill the pages of this guide. “We are thrilled to be recognized among the nation’s ‘Dream Schools,’” says Chancellor Jeremy Haefner. “This reflects our commitment to providing a high-quality education and helping our students reach their full potential. At DU, students gain the knowledge, skills, and

Feder joined forces with her sister-in-law, Tiffany Tatreau, a “Swiftie” and musical theater artist, to write the book. Swift divided her 11 studio albums into 10 distinct eras during The Eras Tour in 2023-2024. Feder and Tatreau used that as a structure for the book, assigning each of Swift’s eras to a literary era before combing through every song to highlight the songwriter’s literary references and tricks. Feder says she was impressed by the depth of the literary allusions she found across Swift’s discography.

Justice for All Michael J. Hightower (MA ’82)

“Justice for All: Dick T. Morgan, Frontier Lawyer and Common Man’s Congressman,” written by Michael Hightower, chronicles the career of Morgan, an Oklahoma founding father whose public service reflects a passion for fairness that was often lacking in Gilded Age America. After arriving in the Unassigned Lands in central Oklahoma with the first

wave of non-Indian settlers on April 22, 1889, Morgan developed a reputation as the go-to lawyer for land disputes, built a substantial real estate business, and promoted church-building across the Oklahoma

support needed to thrive— both on campus and in their professional lives ahead.” This recognition

Territory. During his tenure in Congress from 1909 until his death in 1920, he helped create institutions that were central to progressivism in the post-frontier period and have shaped modern America, including the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Federal Farm Credit System. Hightower collaborated on the book with Morgan’s great-grandsons, David Morgan (JD ’81) and Kenyon Morgan, who resolved to rescue their ancestor from a century of obscurity.

joins a growing list of accolades for the University of Denver. In the Princeton Review’s latest Best Colleges rankings, DU earned high marks across nine categories, including top-10 placements in “Students Love These Colleges” and “Best College Library.”

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GIVING BACK

A Tribute to Generosity

At the annual Founders Celebration in March, DU honored supporters whose decades-long commitments have advanced the University in profound ways.

The Founders Medal is the highest honor the University of Denver bestows, reserved for individuals and organizations whose vision, commitment, and generosity have forever shaped the DU community. This past spring, in a ceremony held at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Chancellor Jeremy Haefner presented Founders Medals to Trygve and Victoria Myhren, Margot Gilbert Frank and the late M Allan Frank, and El Pomar Foundation. In addition, the event celebrated DU Loyal donors who have supported the University for 35 years. These donors were recognized by DU faculty members Sandra Eaton, PhD, and Gareth Eaton, PhD, who are themselves The Myhren family has been an enthusiastic supporter of DU for more than three decades. Trygve Myhren joined the Board of Trustees in 1996, serving as chair for five years and as chair emeritus for an additional 10 years. During his tenure, the University launched the ASCEND campaign, which raised almost $500 million, far more than any previous campaign. DU also hosted a 2012 presidential debate between Mitt Romney and Barack Obama, which brought significant national recognition. Victoria “Vicki” Myhren, a lifelong arts advocate, earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from DU in 2000. The following year, she and Trygve established an endowment to create the Vicki Myhren Gallery, DU’s premier exhibition venue. Since opening in members of that generous group. This recognition underscored the enduring impact of consistent generosity on the University’s continued success. Trygve and Victoria Myhren

2001, the gallery has presented over 100 exhibitions and welcomed more than 100,000 visitors. “For more than 30 years, we have been personally enriched through our affiliation with the University of Denver and the meaningful and lasting impact it makes on countless lives,” says Trygve. “As we look to the future and the incredible new programs taking shape around DU, Vicki and I are even more committed to our role as champions and supporters of this special and distinctive university.” Margot Gilbert Frank and the late M Allan Frank As an Honorary Life Trustee and a proud alumna, Margot Gilbert Frank has been dedicated to DU for many years. Margot earned a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1971; she went on to teach American history for 24 years. Her late husband, M Allan Frank, attended the Sturm College of Law and practiced for many years, after which he had a long career with the Small Business Administration. Margot joined the Board of Trustees in 2001 and served for 25 years. She played an important role in the campaign that led to the development of the Newman Center for the Performing Arts, which opened in 2003; today, the M Allan Frank Box Office stands as testament to the Franks’ dedication to the arts. The Franks gave generously to DU in many other ways as well, supporting capital projects, programs, and scholarships in the Daniels College of Business, the Sturm College of Law, the Morgridge College of Education, and more. “Every major gift Allan and I have made has been guided by our belief in measurability, accountability, and sustainability,” says Margot. “Our support has centered

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GIVING BACK

Chancellor Jeremy Haefner (far left) and DU Board of Trustees Chair John Miller (BSBA ’75, MBA ’76, far right) presented Founders Medals to Margot Gilbert Frank (BA ’71, Honorary Life Trustee); Kyle Hybl, president and CEO, El Pomar Foundation; and Trygve Myhren (Trustee, Chair Emeritus) and Victoria Myhren (BFA ’00).

on spaces that generate revenue or create meaningful gathering places for students. The scholarships we’ve established help DU attract exceptional, deserving students. We have enjoyed seeing the difference our contributions make each year.” El Pomar Foundation One of the largest and oldest foundations in the Rocky Mountain West, El Pomar Foundation was founded by Spencer and Julie Penrose in 1937. Ten years later, in 1947, the foundation began working with the University, and that philanthropic support has continued for nearly 80 years. At DU, the foundation has made over 100 grants totaling more than $9 million. These grants supported the Penrose Library (now the Penrose

Collection, housed in the Anderson Academic Commons); El Pomar Natatorium, which has hosted everything from community swim programs to NCAA All-American athletes; and leadership initiatives such as the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System and the National Academy for Free Expression and Pluralism. “We’re deeply honored to celebrate the legacy of our founders, Spencer and Julie Penrose, through this award and recognize a long history with DU, beginning with scholarship funding in 1947,” says Kyle H. Hybl, president and CEO of the foundation. “Programs like IAALS and the National Academy for Free Expression and Pluralism continue to build on DU’s mission to cultivate critical thought and contribute to a sustainable common good.”

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A late-season surge helped DU’s hockey team clinch its record-setting 11th national championship.

Text by Matt Meyer | Photos courtesy of NCAA Photos/Clarkson Creative

I n the final seconds of the DU hockey team’s 6-2 win over Western Michigan to clinch a Frozen Four berth, ESPN’s John Buccigross summed it up best: “The standard is the standard, and the standard is Denver.” The standards are indeed high for the Pioneers, who have repeatedly reached college hockey’s mountaintop with a record 11 national championships. But the 2025-26 campaign didn’t always seem destined for the same greatness. Across December and January, Denver had a seven-game winless stretch that David Carle (BA ’12), the Richard and Kitzia Goodman Hockey Head Coach, called “a precarious situation.” It was a tale of two seasons: Ten of the Pioneers’ first 14 games were on the road, including long trips to Boston and Kalamazoo, Michigan. But starting in January, DU made just three short road trips over the final 16 games of the regular season. Consistent time on home ice, a healthy lineup, and NCAA regional matchups held close to home all helped the Pioneers prosper, and they rode a 14-game winning streak into the NCAA championships—the Frozen Four—in Las Vegas. There, they prevailed in a thrilling semifinal showdown with Michigan. They went on to defeat Wisconsin to claim the championship in a come-from-behind victory that showcased DU’s trademark patience and determination. A goalie made for the moment A big part of the Pioneers’ unbeaten streak was Johnny Hicks, the freshman goalie who was named the Most Outstanding Player in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference’s end-of-season tournament, the Frozen Faceoff. Hicks took the reins at a pivotal point for the

team, when Quentin Miller had just snapped the seven game losing streak in a win over North Dakota. The following weekend, though, Miller exited the game early with an injury, and Hicks came on to stop 22 shots in a victory over St. Cloud State on Jan. 24. “To come in when he did, to be unfazed, to be the calmest person in the room—I think that speaks to his preparation, his focus, and his attention to detail,” Carle said. “Certainly, he’s been excellent for us on the stretch run.” The Pioneers didn’t lose the rest of the way, and Hicks posted a .958 save percentage with 1.12 goals against average, both the best in the NCAA by large margins. He was one of four freshmen goalies between the pipes during the Frozen Four. Rookies make their mark Hicks wasn’t the only freshman making waves for the Pioneers. Miller was also a freshman, as were Clarke Caswell, Kristian Epperson, Brady Milburn, Eric Jamieson, Kyle Chyzowski, Payton Nelson, Brendan McMorrow, and Reid Varkonyi. Miller and Hicks were steady in net, while the other eight first-year players contributed 120 of the team’s 395 points going into the Frozen Four. While some of those players come from traditional recruiting pipelines like the amateur United States Hockey League (USHL), others were recruited from the Canadian Hockey League (CHL)—whose players just became eligible to play in the NCAA. The CHL is the umbrella organization that governs what are widely considered the three best junior hockey leagues in the world: the Western Hockey League, the Ontario Hockey League, and the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey

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League. Because players in those leagues receive stipends and can sign entry-level contracts with the NHL, the NCAA long considered them professionals and barred them from playing college hockey. The emergence of name, image, and likeness (NIL) rules in college athletics changed the landscape, however, and gave NCAA eligibility to players in the CHL this past offseason. The result was an influx of freshmen from a new recruiting frontier. Most of the CHL players who joined the Pioneers came from the Western Hockey League, which includes teams from western Canada and the Pacific Northwest. For Carle, this new pipeline is a throwback to the days of legendary coach Murray Armstrong, who led DU from 1956 to 1977 and won national championships in 1958, 1960, 1961, 1968, and 1969. “[With] Murray Armstrong coming down from Regina [Saskatchewan] and bringing many great players and families … for us, it’s kind of a reversion back to how it was pre-1973,” Carle said. The lead-up in Loveland On the road to the Frozen Four, DU hosted an NCAA regional at Blue Arena in Loveland, Colorado, for the third time in program history. The Pioneers opened play with a 5-0 beatdown of Cornell behind goals from Jake Fisher, Kieran Cebrian, Sam Harris, Caswell, and Rieger Lorenz. Two nights later, they followed that up with the 6-2 victory over Western Michigan. It was the sixth matchup of the season between the two squads and the fourth postseason meeting in the past two years. The win avenged a semifinal loss for the Pioneers in last year’s Frozen Four, when Western Michigan went on to win the national championship. “I want to commend the fans who came out and made this the best regional we’ve been part of, from an atmosphere perspective,” Carle said after the win. A blue-blood battle In Las Vegas, DU faced perhaps its toughest test of the season during the semifinal battle against Michigan. The Pioneers and Wolverines are ranked first and second, respectively, for the most NCAA Division I college hockey national championships. DU broke the tie when they won the 2024 title—their 10th—and further cemented their status as a hockey powerhouse with this year’s win, while Michigan has been in a championship drought since 1998. In addition to being the most storied programs in college hockey, the teams also included two of this year’s three Hobey Baker Hat Trick award finalists. DU junior Eric Pohlkamp led the Pioneers and all defensemen nationally in scoring with 39 points, while his 18 goals set an NCHC record for defensemen. Meanwhile, Michigan senior forward T.J. Hughes, who had 21 goals and 35 assists, led national scoring with 56 points. The award ultimately went to Max Plante from University of Minnesota Duluth, a forward with 25 goals and 52 points. As it turned out, DU was more than up to the test. The Pioneers got goals from Chyzowski and Cale Ashcroft during the first and second periods, but they trailed 3-2 in

the third until Caswell tied the game with less than three minutes remaining in regulation. Neither team scored in the first overtime, but DU senior captain Kent Anderson put the game winner in the net a little over halfway through the second overtime. At just over 92 minutes, it was the longest game in program history. A comeback for the crown When it came time for the championship game against Wisconsin, the ice was firmly tilted against the Pioneers for the first two periods and into the third. Denver entered the game bruised from the double-overtime win two days earlier, and with Wisconsin leading 1-0, the Pioneers trailed in shots— 26-6 on goal and 58-22 overall. For the second straight game, Hicks had been peppered by a flurry of shots with little relief. None of that mattered, though, when Lorenz got perhaps the grittiest—and certainly the most meaningful—goal of his career. The senior was in front of the net when

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