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THE LAND OF LAKES AND VOLCANOES PG. 10
ON EQUAL FOOTING PG. 20
IT’S ALL IN THEMETrO STATE FAMILyPG. 14
FOR ALUMNI & FRIENDS OF METROPOLITAN STATE COLLEGE OF DENVER
VOL.FaLL 2011
27
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Metro Magazine llllllllllllllll FALL 2011 1
///Contents
DEPARTMENTS
2 Letter from the President
3 Metrozoic Era
4 Newsworthy
24 Alumni Times
30 The Rowdy Report
32 Don’t Blink
Fall 2011 / Volume XXVII / Issue I
FAll 2011
20oN EquAl FooTiNg TheAccessCenterempowersstudentswithdisabilitieswithincredibletechnologyandalotofheart.
89 ANSwERS FormerNuggetBillHanzliktalksabouthislifeasaprofessionalathleteandhisroleasaMetroStatetrustee.
10ThE lAND oF lAkES AND volcANoESAnthropologistJulieReyessharestheexperienceshehadwithherstudentsandherdadinhisnativeNicaragua.
14iT’S All iN ThE METRo STATE FAMilyLegacyenrollments—parents,kids,siblingsandmore—areontheriseatMetroState.
2 Metro Magazine llllllllllllllll FALL 2010
ExEcUTivE EDiToR Cathy Lucas
EDiToR Donna Fowler (’80)
ART DiREcToR/DEsigNERJulie Strasheim
gRAPhic DEsigNERRuth M’Gonigle
PhoTogRAPhERsDave NelighChris SchneiderJulie Strasheim
METRo MAgAZiNE EDiToRiAL BoARD Bridgette coble, Director of Career Services clay Daughtrey, Interim Assistant Dean of the School of BusinessJeffrey Forrest (’90), Professor and Chair of Aviation and Aerospace ScienceDonna Fowler (’80), Director of Internal CommunicationsMark Jastoroff Executive Director of the Alumni Associationcathy lucas, Associate Vice President of Communications and Advancementlunden MacDonald, Assistant Professor of Spanish carmen Sanjurjo, Assistant Professor of Teacher Education Julie Strasheim, Art Director, Creative Services
©2011MetropolitanStateCollegeofDenver.MetroMagazineispublishedthreetimesayearbytheMetropolitanStateCollegeofDenverOfficeofCommunicationsandCommunityAffairsforalumniandfriendsoftheCollege.Allrightsreserved.
Address correspondence to:MetropolitanStateCollegeofDenverMetroMagazineOfficeofCommunicationsandCommunityAffairsCampusBox86,POBox173362Denver,CO80217-3362
Please send letters to the editor, editorials and inquiries to:DonnaFowler,editor,[email protected].
E-mailalumniaddresschangesandClassActssubmissionsto:[email protected].
The opinions expressed in Metro Magazine do not necessarily reflect the policies and opinions of Metropolitan State College of Denver nor imply endorsement by its officers or by the College’s alumni association.
Nondiscrimination PolicyMetropolitanStateCollegeofDenverdoesnotdiscriminateonthebasisofrace,color,creed,nationalorigin,sex,age,sexualorientationordisabilityinadmissionsoraccessto,ortreatmentoremploymentin,itseducationalprogramsoractivities.
Metro Magazine is printed on recycled paper.
Jessica Taves Mark Woolcott
MetroVision///Letter from the President
2 Metro Magazine llllllllllllllll FALL 2011
Dear Alumni and Friends,
The2011fallsemestergotofftoagreatstart,with115studentsenrolledinthefirstyearofourMaster’sinSocialWorkProgram.Thisbringsthetotalnumberofgraduatestudentsto250—afivefoldincreaseoverlastfallwhenourmaster’sinprofessionalaccountancyandteachereducationwerelaunched. Thegrowingsuccess
ofourgraduateprograms—whicharegeneratingrevenuefortheCollegeratherthanaddingtoourcosts—isoneindicatorthat,despiteagrimoutlookforstatefundingofhighereducation,ourinstitutionisthriving.AnotheristheincredibleaccomplishmentoftheMetroStatePrecisionFlightTeamandtheAviationandAerospaceScienceDepartment.TheyhavewontheprestigiousLoeningTrophy,thehighestnationalhonoraccordedtoacollegiateaviationprogram. Withthesupportofa$1milliongiftfromalocalphilanthropist—thelargestprivategiftinourhistory—wewillestablishtheOneWorld,OneWaterCenterforUrbanWaterEducationandStewardshipatMetroState.Settoopennextfall,thecenterwillofferaninterdisciplinarywaterstudiesminor,aswellasrelatedco-curricularactivitiesonurbanwaterissues. We’llalsobeestablishingaregionalEquityAssistanceCenter(EAC),thankstoatwo-yeargrantofmorethan$2million
fromtheU.S.DepartmentofEducation.TheMetroStateEACwillfocusonhelpingpublicschooldistrictswithissuessuchasschoolsafety,racialandsexualharassment,bullyingandthepromotionofscience,technology,engineeringandmathematics(STEM)education. Whileweareprogressingonnewinitiatives,weareretainingourfocusonmanyofourcoreofferingsandservingourevolvingstudentbody,32percentofwhomarenowstudentsofcolor,upfrom28percentlastyear.WearerevampingandreinvigoratingourHonorsProgram,growingourTeachingwithPrimarySourcesprogram,andseeingrecordenrollmentinourservice-learningAmericorpsprograms,tonamejustafewsuccesses. Meanwhile,theconstructionofourStudentSuccessBuilding(SSB)andHotelandHospitalityLearningCenter(HLC)continuesontimeandonbudget.IfyouhaveachancetoheadintodowntownalongAurariaParkway,youcan’tmissthetwo,bothopeningnextyearandfundedentirelywithouttaxpayerdollars Ilookforwardtoreportingtoyoumanymoremilestonesofprogressonourpathtopreeminence.Meanwhile,pleasekeepintouch.
Sincerely,
StephenM.Jordan,Ph.D.President,MetroState
Voices///Letters to the Editor
Editor:
Myson,Patrick,isthefifthperson,acrossthreegenerations,ofhisfamilytohaveenrolledinMetroState.Hecompletedhisfirstsemester,spring2011,withallfourA’s!Hefoundtheclassroomworkinterestingandeasy,butsomewhatrigorous.Sohegothelpwheneverheneededit. Atage28,Patrickisolderthanmanyofhisclassmates.Thatisbecausehegotalatestart.HegotaGEDat16.Thenheledasomewhatvagabondexistenceforabout10years,hitchhikingalloverthewesternU.S.Then,inthefallof2010,hecalledandsaidhewasreadytocomehometoColoradoandenrollinschool.Hewasreadytomakesomepositivechanges!Idon’tthinkthathehasdeclaredamajoryet,butIknowheisveryinterestedingoingintosocialworkto
becomeayouthcounselor.HeenrolledinMetroStatewiththatthoughtinmind.
We’reallveryproudofhim!
CherylMurphy(‘96)
Editor’s Note: Read about more Metro State families on p. 14.
Editor:
ThankyouforprintingtheexcellentletterfromBarbaraFox(Summer2011,p.2,regardingillegalimmigration).Sheissoright.
RichardHoos(’72)
Metro Magazine llllllllllllllll FALL 2011 3
MetroState’spast,presentandfuture///MetrozoicEra
It was one of those rare rainy, overcast days in Colorado—a perfect day for decluttering. As I sat sorting through a dusty box of memorabilia, up popped a dog-eared script of “The Shadow Box” by Michael Cristofer.
Leafing through those worn and highlighted pages transported me back 24 years to my freshman year at Metro State. I remember reading an audition notice for the MSC Players’ production of Cristofer’s Tony award-winning play. With almost no acting background to speak of, it was a crazy idea to audition. Yet I did, and somehow I ended up with my first-ever lead role.
Before 1987, although a few theatre classes existed under the Department of Speech Communication, there was no theatre major or department. The scrappy and determined MSC Players, a student club, represented Metro State theatre as an extracurricular activity, along with various instructors
and others from the outside community who volunteered their time to produce, direct and oversee the process. We held club meetings in a Lilliputian-sized room in the Arts Building and performed in Arts 271, the black box theatre still used today for classes and student productions.
The same year I landed my first stage major role, Marilyn “Cookie” Hetzel, landed her role as theatre faculty member. With Hetzel at the helm, Metro State theatre began its arduous, yet grand evolution from student club to full-fledged Theatre Department, with Hetzel as its chair. Since 2003, the department has offered a bachelor of arts in theatre and a bachelor of fine arts with two concentrations—one in music theatre and one in applied theatre technology and design, as well as a minor in theatre.
With my degree in English and journalism, I went on to become a professional writer and editor, yet I never lost my love of theatre. As a local community actress, director and
producer, I simply can’t imagine my life without it. •
The grand evolution of Metro State theatre
BY VoNALDA UTTERBACk (’92)
Metro State Theatre Through the yearsn late 1960s -2010 – close to 200 plays produced, including student directing projects.
n April 1967 – “Viet Rock: A Folk War Movie” is performed.
n April 1989 – Professor Marilyn Hetzel directs her first musical, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” The play’s writer/composer Clark Gesner attends, deeming it, says Hetzel, “one of the best performances he’s ever seen.”
n 2000 – The kenneth kendall king Academic and Performing Arts Center opens, giving Metro State theatre access to a technologically advanced black box theater, production studio and a 300-seat shared courtyard theatre.
n 2003 – Three theatre majors debut under the Department of Communication Arts and Sciences.
n 2009 – The Theatre Program becomes a full-fledged academic department and joins in a partnership with kaiser Permanente that offers a highly prized paid internship in which students perform in a professional educational theatre touring company.
n 2011 – Audiences can look forward to seeing “Tartuffe,” “Working,” “Rhinoceros” and “Sweeney Todd.”
(l to r) Vonalda Utterback (’92) performs for the Theatre Company of Lafayette (Colo). Marilyn Hetzel has shepherded the Theatre Program
since 1987. Students in the coveted Kaiser Permanente touring company. 2008 musicals: “A Chorus Line” and “The Wizard of Oz” (Dorothy and
the poppies).
Enrollment up among master’s candidates and students of color
EnrollmentinMetroState’s
master’sprogramsisupfivefoldthis
fall,from50studentslastyearto
250now.
Partoftheincreasecomesfrom
thelaunchthisAugustoftheMasterof
SocialWorkProgram,whichadded
115graduatestudentstothetotal.
Enrollmentintheprofessional
accountancyprogramtripled(from
16to57)andtheteachereducation
programmorethandoubled(from
34to78).
Alsoontheincreaseisthe
enrollmentofundergraduatestudents
ofcolor,whichnowstandsat31.6
percentofthestudentbody,upfrom
28.4percentlastfall.AndtheCollege
continuestoserveoneofitscore
constituencies,withalmostone-third
ofthestudentbodybeingfirst-
generation-to-collegestudents.
Meanwhile,theslightdropof0.7
percentinoverallenrollmentto23,828
studentsalignswiththeCollege’s
strategytoholditsnumberssteady
untilmoreclassroomspacebecomes
availablewhentheStudentSuccess
BuildingandtheHotelandHospitality
LearningCenteropennextyear.(Visit
www.mscd.edu/metrostaterising
forconstructionupdates). •
Newsworthy/// CollegeNews
wow! $1 million donation funds center for urban water education Metro state has secured a $1 million donation—the largest private donation in the college’s history—to establish the one World, one Water center for Urban Water Education and stewardship (oWoW center). “in Denver’s urban environment, water stewardship and sustainability are especially important and relevant topics,” says President stephen Jordan. “our donor’s generosity is a testament to the college’s ability to address these issues from its unique vantage point as an urban land-grant institution.” starting next fall, the oWoW center will offer an interdisciplinary minor in water studies that addresses the growing demand for water and the need for greater public education about this vital resource. The center will also hold public education seminars and water stewardship activities on campus and in the community. The center will work with a high-level community advisory group to ensure direct relevance of the program to statewide water needs and interests. The $1 million donation, which came from a local donor who wishes to remain anonymous, will seed the five-year pilot project. The college will also contribute funds to the oWoW center to lay the foundation for its long-term sustainability. •4 Metro Magazine llllllllllllllll FALL 2011
Metro Magazine llllllllllllllll FALL 2011 5
Flight team wins national trophy MetroState’sDepartmentofAviationandAerospaceScience
hasbeenawardedtheLoeningTrophy,whichrecognizesthemost
outstandingall-aroundcollegiateaviationprograminthecountry.Itis
theoldestandmostprestigiouscollegiateaviationawardinthenation,
presentedannuallybytheNationalIntercollegiateFlyingAssociation
(NIFA)Foundation.
TheCollege’sPrecisionFlightTeamwonthetrophyatthe2011
SAFECON(SafetyandFlightEvaluationConference)competition
hostedbyOhioStateUniversityinMay.Theawardrepresents
excellenceinaeronauticalskillsandsetsthecurrentbenchmarkfor
anoveralloutstandingcollegiateaviationprogram.Keygrading
elementsoftheawardincludeacademics,communityinvolvement,
aviationskills,safetyandanabilitytoadvancetheprofession.
“Ourstudentshaveconsistentlybeenraisingthebarat
competitionsinrecentyears,bothregionallyandnationally,”says
JeffForrest,MetroStateprofessorandchairofaviationandaerospace
science.“I’msoproudofthemandourfacultywhoinspirethemto
performatsuchahighlevelofprofessionalism.”
Theperpetualtrophyismadeofpuresilver,designedby
Tiffany&Co.anddatesbackto1929.Itisnamedafteraviation
pioneerandinventorGroverLoening.•
New Equity Assistance center to help school districts throughout region MetroStateissettoestablisha
centerthathelpspublicschooldistricts
dealwithequityandcivilrightsissues,
thankstoamultiyear,multimilliondollar
U.S.DepartmentofEducationgrant.
AwardedbytheDOE’sEquity
AssistanceCentersProgram,thegrant
isanticipatedtototalmorethan$2
millionoverthreeyears.TheCollege
hasreceivedaninitialamountof
$681,931forthefirstyear.
“Meetingtheevolvingneeds
ofourschoolpopulationsrequires
specializedtrainingaroundissuesof
diversity,racial,sexandnationalorigin
discrimination,”saysPercyA.MorehouseJr.,
executivedirectorofequalopportunity/
assistanttothepresidentandthe
principalinvestigatoronthegrant.
ThenewMetroStateEquity
AssistanceCenter(EAC)willoffer
technicalassistanceandtrainingtopublic
schooldistricts,attherequestofschool
boards,indesegregationandequity
issues.Thecenterwillfocusonimproving
schoolsafety;decreasingtheincidence
ofracialandsexualharassmentand
bullying;andpromotingscience,
technology,engineeringand
mathematics(STEM)educationto
underrepresentedpopulations.
TheMetroStateEAC,one
ofonly10inthecountry,willserve
DOE’sRegion8,whichincludes
Colorado,Montana,North
Dakota,SouthDakota,
UtahandWyoming.•
Newsworthy/// CollegeNews
6 Metro Magazine llllllllllllllll FALL 2011
METRo STATE NEighBoRhooD coNTiNuES To gRow The land south of West colfax Avenue and west of Rio court near the Auraria campus is vacant now, with little more than chest-high weeds and aging utility poles. But by next year, Metro state will begin a makeover of the site, eventually turning this overgrown patch into a multimillion-dollar athletic facility, with tennis courts and fields for baseball, soccer and more. Metro state, the Auraria higher Education center, community college of Denver and the University of colorado Denver bought the 13.5 acres in 2008 for $16.5 million. in september, the Metro state Board of Trustees approved a deal that gives the college a greater stake in the land and paves the way for phased development of the property. Metro state will take over ccD’s and UcD’s obligations and gain 50 percent ownership. in return, the college will get
first priority use of the land, naming rights to facilities it builds there, and right of first refusal if Auraria wants to bow out. six tennis courts will be built by fall 2012. A timeline for two additional courts, baseball and soccer/recreation is being developed. softball will take over the current baseball field when it moves to the new property and there will be room for club and intramural sports. The college will be seeking private donations to help fund its plans for the land. The acquisition continues the building of the Metro state Neighborhood on the Auraria campus, which has begun with the construction of the student success Building, scheduled to open in spring 2012, followed by the hotel and hospitality center in fall 2012.•
The soccer and baseball fields, along with the tennis courts, that now flank Auraria Parkway will be moved to the land atthe southwestern edge of the Auraria Campus.
#5.
METRo STATE NEighBoRhooD coNTiNuES To gRow
Metro Magazine llllllllllllllll FALL 2011 7
Trips to Ethiopia yield more partnership opportunities
TwoMetroStatedelegationstraveledtoEthiopiathissummer,underthe
MetroState-AksumUniversity(AkU)partnership.
TheCollegereceiveda$272,425U.S.
DepartmentofStategrantlastsummer
tosolidifythepartnership.Since
thepartnershipwasestablishedin2009,
theCollegehascollectedseventons
ofbooksforAkU,hostedtheMayor
ofAxumandparticipatedinfundraising
activitiestohelpbuildanewelementary
schoolinAdowa,Ethiopia.
InJune,InternationalStudiesDirector
AliThobaniledagroupoffivefacultyandstaff,
wholaidthegroundworkforastudy-abroad
opportunityfor15MetroStatestudentsatAkU
nextsummer.PresidentStephenJordanleda
seconddelegationinJuly,whichparticipatedin
theribbon-cuttingceremonyforthenewelementary
schoolandexploredadditionalopportunitiesunder
thepartnership.JordanalsodeliveredAkU’s
commencementaddress.•
Metro State students are “stars” to neighborhood kids
FourMetroStatestudentshelped
brightenthesummerforkidsintheLa
Alma/LincolnParkneighborhood,as
partofMetroState’sJourneyThrough
OurHeritage(JTOH)program.The
studentsdevelopedandimplemented
asix-weeksummerprogramatLaAlma
RecreationCenterfor25children,
ages5-11.
JTOHisaMetroStateprogramthat
partnersMetroStatestudentswithlocal
highschoolstudentsandengagesthem
inayear-longprogramthat
enhancestheircurrentpublicschool
curriculum.Itissponsoredbythe
Chicana/oStudiesDepartmentand
supportedbytheAfrican/African
AmericanStudiesDepartment.
“Ifitwerenotforprogramslike
these,thesekidswouldn’thave
achance,”saidMarineSgt.Dean
Sanchez(‘07,criminaljustice
andcriminology),whohas
beenvisitingthecenterregularly
sincehewasachild.“Iwouldn’t
havehadachance.”
MarketingmajorJay
Jaramillo,oneoftheMetro
Stateparticipants,saidthe
childrenwould“seestarsin
theireyeswhenwe(college
students)visited.Welet
themknowthatwegoto
collegejustdownthestreet
andthattheycandothe
same”whentheygraduate
fromhighschool.•
President Stephen Jordan delivered the address at Aksum University’s commencement in July and participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new elementary school in Adowa.
8 Metro Magazine llllllllllllllll FALL 2011
Anyone who has lived in Colorado for awhile—
particularly those who are basketball fans—
recognizes the name Bill Hanzlik. After the
Seattle Supersonics traded him in 1982,
he played for the Denver Nuggets
for 11 years. The 6-foot
7-inch forward helped the
Nuggets reach the NBA
Playoffs eight times, and was
the Nuggets head coach in 1997-98.
In recognition of his athletic achievements,
Hanzlik was inducted into the Colorado
Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.
But Hanzlik did much more for Denver than
play professional basketball. In 1986, the
Notre Dame graduate founded the Gold
Crown Foundation, dedicated to improving
the lives of Colorado’s children through
athletics and education. He also served on
the governing boards of several colleges
in Colorado. In January 2009, Hanzlik
was appointed to Metro State’s Board
of Trustees by then-Gov. Bill Ritter.
9 Answers [By Joan McDermott]
Metro Magazine llllllllllllllll FALL 2011 9
“I consider undocumented students secular saints. I consider them the ultimate middle finger to all those bigots and no nothings who say, ‘Why can’t immigrants assimilate? Why can’t they go to college?’”
what do you think is the solution to the higher
education funding crisis in colorado, particularly in regards to its effect on Metro State?
I’mnotsureIhaveananswerforthatone.ThethingIseeisthevalueoftheinstitutiontothestate.You’reeducatingmorepeopleforlessrevenuethanjustaboutanyinstitutioninColorado.Thereisnomoreroomtocut.HigheredhasneverbeenfundedverywellbythestateofColorado.We’verankedanywherefrom45thto50thnationally,dependingonwhichsurvey,overtheyears.Thetuitionincreaseshavealreadycome,andIthinkthey’reheretostay.It’sgoingtogofrommorestatefundingtoindividualfunding.
you were a member of the Board of State colleges, which
governed Metro State along with three rural institutions, before you were appointed to our board. So you’ve been involved with the college for years. what do you see as the biggest change over the last decade?
Substantialgrowth.AtMetroStatemorethananywhere.Imean,theoldruleofthumbbackthenwaswe’llfundyoumore,togetkidsgoingtocollege.Sothat’swhathappened.Thecollegesworkedhardonit,andmorekidswenttocollege.Butnowyou’reeducatingmorewithlessrevenuebecauseofthebudgetcuts.Youknow,MetroStatedoeshavesomeuniqueadvantagesbeinginalargecity,analumnibasethatstaysinColorado,andthefoundationisthebestfoundationI’vebeenaround.
you’re the liaison right, with Metro State’s
foundation board? Yes,betweenthetrusteesandthefoundationboard.Theabilityofthefoundationtodomorethingsisreallygood.Anditshowsinsomeoftheuniquethingsthefoundationisdoing—theHotelandHospitalityLearning
how many years were you a professional athlete?
Elevenundercontract.TenIactuallyplayed.(The11thyearIgothurtthefirstdayoftrainingcamp.)
what do you consider your greatest moment as a
professional athlete?
Ihadonegame-winningshot.Thatwasinaplayoffgame,withtheNuggetsvs.theDallasMavericksinDallas.
how do you use your experience as a coach
to help guide the college as a trustee? I’mbigonteamwork.What’sneataboutthetrustees,theyallhaveareasofexpertise,andusethemtostrengthentheteam.Soyoulistentodifferenttrusteeswhenitcomestodifferentassessmentsofsituations,whetherit’slegislative,bondfinancing,academicaffairs,budgets,finance…Theteamworkisreallyfuntowatchinteract.
what have you learned about Metro State and its students
that you didn’t know before joining the board of trustees?
ThequalityofeducationatMetroStateissogood.I’mastoundedathowgoodtheprofessorsareandhowthewholeorganizationrunswithsuchalimitedbudget.
As a trustee you’re in support of changing our name to
include the word university. can you tell me why?
Ialwayslookatwhatisbestforthestudent.Having“university”inthenametakesawayanythoughtthatsometimescompaniesorindividualshavethatMetroisacommunitycollege.
Center,forexample,ishuge(www.mscd.edu/metrostaterising).It’sawaytobuildabuildingwithnostatedollars,nofederaldollars.We’vegotthechancetogeneraterevenue.Alittledropinthebucket,butstill,it’simpactful.Andthelocationisawesome.
Tell me about your gold crown Foundation, and
why you started it?
Wewerelookingtofillavoid.Therewasn’tareallygoodbasketballcampforgirls.We—mypartnerRayBakerandI—startedasaone-weeknonprofitgirlscampatMetroState.Ithinkthefirstyearwehadabout150girlsandwegavescholarshipstoabout50ofthem.Thatwasin1986.Wepaidthecoachesandthendonatedtheresttocharity.Sowedidthatforacoupleofyears,andthenwekindofthought,youknowratherthangivethismoneyaway,wethinkifwerollitbackin,wecandomorethings.Andthat’swhathappened.Wehadothercamps,leagues,programsandsoGoldCrowngrew.Nowweoperatebasketball,volleyball,golf—andthenationalwheelchairbasketballchampionshipsfortheSpecialOlympics.Weprovideabout35,000opportunities,meaningonekidinoneprogram,probably15,000to18,000uniqueindividuals.We’rebigbelieversthatyoucanteachalotoflifeskillsthroughsport:teamwork,character,commitment,responsibility—allthosethingsthatcanhelpkids.•
Joan McDermott has been director of athletics
at Metro State for 13 years. Under her tenure,
the Roadrunners have garnered six national
Division II championships.
[By Joan McDermott]
10Metro Magazine llllllllllllllll FALL 2011
The land of lakes andvolcanoes
[By Julie A. Reyes, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Anthropology]
Clockwise: Vendors line the streets of Sebaco, a crossroads between Matagalpa and Managua. (l to r) Students Anne Latimer, Savannah Yapuncich and Natalya Hoff, Julie Reyes and her father Eddy at Casa Materna with a young mother who had just arrived from the hospital. Lake Nicaragua and the Mombacho volcano.
Julie A. Reyes led a study-abroad course this summer to Nicaragua, the country of her father’s birth and a region in which she had conducted countless hours of field work. Accompanying the group was the assistant professor of anthropology’s father, a 1997 Metro State teacher licensure graduate.
IfellinlovewithNicaragua,myfather’shomeland,onmyfirstvisitwithmyfamilyin1972,justmonthsbeforeamassiveearthquakedecimatedthecapitalcity,Managua.Manydecadeslater,myfirststudy-abroadexperienceasanundergraduatestudenttookplacethere,wheremydreamofbecomingananthropologistbegantogerminate,muchliketherichfoliagethatcontributestothedensecloudforestscoveringthecountry’snumerousvolcanoes.
AfterconductingresearchinNicaraguathroughthe1990s,Ihadanotherdream:toonedaytravelwithmyfatherbacktothecountryofhisbirth,toremindhimthateventhroughrevolutions,economicembargosandthefactthatitisthesecond-poorestnationintheWestern
Hemisphere,Nicaraguawillalwaysbeapartofwhoweare.In2007,thatdreambecamearealitywhenItraveledwithmyfathertoNicaragua.IwatchedinaweasDadtouchedthegroundonwhichhehadplayedasayoungboyforthefirsttimein35years.
Thissummer,anotherdream—21yearsinthemaking—cametrue.Itooksevenenthusiasticstudentsonaservice-learning,
study-abroadcoursetoNicaragua.Mydad,EddyReyes,accompaniedmystudentsandmeonthe14-daycoursecalledNicaragua:LandofLakesandVolcanoes,afittingtitleforacountry
Metro Magazine llllllllllllllll FALL 201111
continuedonpage12
“It was a breathtaking, life-changing experience and I will remember it
for my entire life.” –student Allison Clark
The land of lakes andvolcanoes
[By Julie A. Reyes, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Anthropology]
12 Metro Magazine llllllllllllllll FALL 2011
knownforitsnumerouslakes,lagoonsandvolcanoes,whichnumbermorethan50.
Myobjectiveforthiscoursewastoprovidestudentsanopportunitytoapplyanthropologicalprinciplespreviouslylearnedintheclassroomtoacross-culturalunderstandingofNicaragua.Studentsexploredtheconnectionsbetweenhistory,politics,economics,foreignaid,tourismandecologytofurtherenrichtheirhistoricalandculturalperspectives.Additionally,Idesignedthecoursetoexpandthelearningprocessthroughservicelearningandexperientialeducation.
Mombacho, las isletas and the guardabarrancoThemajorityofthecoursetookplaceinGranadaandMatagalpa.Weekone,inGranada,comprisedseveralexcursionsdesignedtochallengethestudentsphysically,mentallyandsocially.ItwasinGranadathatthestudentsexperiencedthelandoflakesandvolcanoesfirsthand,wherewehikedthenearbyMombachovolcano.
Wefollowedthatexcursionwithanexhilaratingziplineridethroughthecanopyon2,000feetofcablestretchingbetween17platformssituatedfrom10feetto100feetabovetheforestfloor.
EveryonemarveledatthebreathtakingviewsofMombachoandthecoastofLakeNicaragua.Laterintheweek,wekayakedthroughthelittleislands(LasIsletas)inLakeNicaraguacreatedbyMombacho,whilethestudentsobservedtheirfirstcolorfulguardabarranco,thenationalbird.
Lectures,readingsandjournalwritingroundedouteachday.Oneafternoon,IinstructedthestudentstoconductfieldworkbyheadingoutinthestreetsofGranada,observingapublicculturalphenomenonandlatersharingtheirwrittenreflectionsabouthowthatexperienceprovidedadifferentperspectiveofNicaraguathanfromtherequiredreadingsalone.
Sevendayslater,weheadedtoMatagalpa,locatedinthecentralmountainsofNicaragua.There,thestudentsworkedandinteractedwithapproximately20youngmothersfromCasaMaterna,anongovernmentalorganizationthatseekstoreducematernalandinfantdeathratesintheMatagalparegionbyprovidingpre-natalandpost-natalcareandeducationformotherswithhigh-riskpregnaciesfromruralareas.
“Every day of the trip was filled to the brim with experiences and discussions
the challenged my mind and heart.”
–student Anne Latimer
Four generations at Selva NegraThemostmeaningfulservicelearning,however,tookplaceatSelvaNegra,acoffeeplantationnestledamongmountainousvirgincloudforests,wheretroopsofhowlermonkeys,bellowingtheirdeepcallsaboveourheads,liveamongmorethan200speciesofbirds,manyendemictoNicaragua.SelvaNegraisanorganiccoffeefarmthatemploys250fulltimeworkersandprovideshousing,threemealsaday,ahealthclinicandaschoolforchildrengradesK-6.Manyoftheworkersandtheirfamiliesstayonatthefarmlongaftertheirschooling,asisevidencedbyfourgenerationslivingandworkingtheretoday.
IfirstvisitedSelvaNegraintheearly1990s,whereImettheownersofthefarm,EddyandMausyKuhl,withwhomIhavemaintainedacloserelationshipeversince.TheKuhlshadtoldmethattheworkersinthevegetablegardenswantedtoknowmoreabouturbanfarmingtechniqueslikeshallowpoolgardening,basicwickgardeningandwadingpoolgardening.Eachofthesemethodsareinexpensive,requirenoenergyormovingparts,instrumentsoranalysis,andaremadefromlocalmaterials,recycledifpossible.Mystudents’well-researchedpresentationtotheworkersaboutthesetechniqueswassincerelyappreciatedandpromptedavigorousandfruitfuldiscussion.
Asmuchasmystudents,myfatherandIenjoyedthetripthusfar,ourtimespentwiththegardenersandfamilieswasthemostrewardingofall.Weworkedsidebysidetoplanttomatoes,peppersandgreenbeansintheexhilaratingtropicalrainfall,listeningtothesounds
ofchildrenplayingandlaughing,ourhandsfullofmoist,richandfertilesoil.Itwasaprivilegeformystudentsand
metobewelcomedintotheworkers’homes,andwalkthroughtheirgardens,experiencingtheirdailyactivities.EddyandMausyalsohadaskedthatwebringusedclothingandsuppliesfortheschoolchildren.So,severalweeksbeforeourdeparture,myfather(ateacherintheDenverPublicSchools)requesteddonationsofchildren’sSpanishbooksandclothing,whichamountedto11stuffedsuitcasesthateachofuscheckedanddeliveredtoSelvaNegra.Aswedeliveredthebookstotheschoolonechillymorning,weweretoldthattherewasnolibraryintheschool,andthesebookswouldbethefirsttoestablishachildren’slibrary.Mystudentsandfamilyweresincerelymovedbythisaspectofservicelearning,realizingthatthissimpleactofgivingwouldbeacontinuoussourceofjoyandknowledgeforthechildrenformanyyears.
AswewereleavingSelvaNegra,EddyKuhlcamewithbouquetsofbeautifulflowersforallofus,courtesyoftheworkers’gardens.Withsincereappreciation,hesaidthatsincetheyhadpurchasedthecoffeefarmin1975,wewerethefirstinternationalgroupthatcametoworkwiththeworkers,notforthem.Icouldnotaskforamoreappropriatevalidationforthecourse.•
“You came to Nicaraguafor discovery, adventure
and learning. You are leaving with a fire
in your belly that will guide you in your search to fulfill
what is needed and wanted in our world.
Keep the fire alive and tattoo in your souls the noblest of virtues:
to better the human condition.”
–Eddy Reyes (’97)
Clockwise: Eddy Reyes and student Shawn Griffin kayak on Lake Nicaragua. Selva Negra owners Eddy and Mausy Kuhl provide a K-6 school for the children of their employees. Four generations live and work at the coffee farm. Students Shawn Griffin (in cap) and Allison Clark (red coat) teach an urban farming technique.
Metro Magazine llllllllllllllll FALL 2011 13
14 Metro Magazine llllllllllllllll FALL 2011
iT’S All iN ThE
Since Strickland siblings Col. Laura Richardson (’86), Dr. Janis Coffin (’94) and Darwin Strickland (’95 and ’96), shown above in 2007, graduated, the trend of family members attending Metro State—called legacy enrollments—has grown dramatically.
Col. Richardson, now commander of Ft. Hood and nominated for promotion
to Brigadier General, credits her father with encouraging his children to attend Metro State. “He never dictated where
we should go, but knew that Metro State had smaller class sizes and that you got
to know your professors one-on-one.”
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Metro Magazine llllllllllllllll FALL 2011 15
continuedonpage16
OnJuly21,whenCol.LauraRichardson(’86)acceptedcommandoftheU.S.ArmyOperationalTestCommandatFt.Hood,shebecamethefirstwomanintheArmy’shistorytodoso.
Col.Richardsonisaccustomedtofirsts.ShewasthefirstwomantocommandFt.Meyer(nowJointBaseMeyer-HendersonHall);Lauraandherhusband,nowBrigadierGeneralJimRichardson,werethefirstmarriedcoupletocommandbattalionsatthesametimeinthesamedivisionduringtheUnitedStates’initialinvasioninIraq;andshewasthefirstofthreesiblingstograduatefromMetroState.(Afourthsibling,Elaine,didnotattendtheCollege.)
Richardson,who’sbeennominatedforpromotiontoBrigadierGeneralherself(hernominationawaitsU.S.Senateapproval),hersisterJanisCoffin,M.D.(’94)andbrotherDarwinStrickland(’95and’96),areamongaburgeoningnumberofalumniwhohavemadeMetroStateafamilyaffair.
“MydadwasabigsupporterofMetroState,”Richardsonexplainsofhersiblings’decisiontoattend.“Heneverdictatedwhereweshouldgo,butheknewthatMetroStatehadsmallerclasssizesandthatyougottoknowyourprofessorsone-on-one.JanisandDarwinwentforthesamereasonIdid,theROTCprogramsarewonderful,therearetonsofclassestochoosefromandyou’reindowntownDenveronthisbeautifulcampus.”
Family mattersPushingtowardits50thanniversary,MetroStateisnowofanagewherelegacystatusisstartingtomatter.In“college-speak”alegacyisaprospectivestudentorcurrentstudentwithafamilymemberwhoattendsorgraduatedfromthesamecollege.Traditionallycollegesanduniversities(evenfraternitiesandsororities)favoredlegaciesforadmission.Thereasonsrangefromassumingfamilymemberssharecharacteristics,whichmakethemgoodinstitutionalfits,tocultivatingdonationsfromwealthyalumniparentsbyadmittingoffspring.
ArecentstudybyaresearcheratHarvardUniversitydemonstratedthatlegacypreferenceshaven’tdisappearedwithfreshmanbeanies.Harvarddoctoralstudent,MichaelHurwitz,showedthatat30highlyselectivecolleges,legacy
statusconferreda23.3percentage-pointadmissionadvantage.RichardD.Kahlenberg,aseniorfellowattheCenturyFoundationandauthorofthebook,“AffirmativeActionfortheRich:LegacyPreferencesinCollegeAdmissions,”hasderidedthepractice,whichfavorsstudentsfromfamilieswithstrongeducationaloraffluentbackgroundsas“fundamentallyunfair.”
ThoughMetroState’smodifiedopen-enrollmentpolicy(legacystatushasabsolutelynobearingongettingintoMetroState)makesitaprofoundlydifferentcollegefromeliteindependents—theHarvardsandPrincetonsoftheworld—theCollegenonethelesstrackslegacyrelationshipsonstudents’applicationsforadmission.Theapplicationasks:“ListanyfamilywhohasattendedMetroState,nameandrelationship.”
Itturnsout,mostapplicantsdon’tanswerthequestion,saysOfficeofInstitutionalResearchDirectorEllenBoswell(’77),butthenumbersarestillilluminating.Infall2000MetroStatehad826studentswhoprovidedlegacyinformationor4.67percentofthestudentbody.Fall2010saw1,951studentsor8.15percentindicatetheir
iT’S All iN ThE
Metro State Family
“we have parents
going to school with
their kids
at the same time
and graduating at
the same time.”‑Alumni Association
Executive Director Mark Jastorff
BYLESLIEPETROVSKI[]
Professor Peggy O’Neill‑Jones (far right), while not a Metro State graduate herself, is responsible for her two daughters, a sister,a son in‑law and a step grandson choosing Metro State. (l to r) Kerry Jones (’02), Anne O’Neill (’07), Jack Wagy, Kelly Jones‑Wagy (’05). Not shown: grandson Keith Jones.
16 Metro Magazine llllllllllllllll FALL 2011
ProgramhousedattheCollege.“Mygirlscouldhavegoneanywhere,buttheychoseMetroState.”
Educating colorado familiesBecauseoftheCollege’saccommodatingadmissionpoliciesanddiversityacrossage,ethnicityandsocio-economics,atMetroStatetheword“legacy”connotessomethingmoreegalitarianandmeritocraticthanitmightataschoolwithdifferentdemographics.Insteadofperpetuatingtheprivilegesoftherichandhautebourgeoisie,MetroStateispromotingalegacyofsocialmobilitythatlooksalotliketheAmericandream.
WhenRoyAlexander(’74,accounting)immigratedtotheUnitedStatesfromGrenada,helivedwithhisgreatauntinNortheastDenverforninemonthswhileplanninghisnextmove.Anxiousforahighereducationandlackingacar,hetooktheadviceofacousinandenrolledatMetroState.
“Icouldgettherebypublictransportation,itwasaffordableandgoodquality,”Alexandersays,“andthat’sallittookformetoendupthere.”Likemanyofhisclassmates,Alexanderbalancedworkwithhispursuitofanaccountingdegree.Helandedhisfirstpost-collegejobatthen-BigEightaccountingfirmToucheRoss(nowDeloitteToucheTohmatsuLimited),afteroneofhisprofessors,RussellBean,chidedhimfornotattendingtheon-campusrecruitingsessions.
“Hesaid,‘CometomyofficeandI’llgiveyoubusinesscardsforafewofthebigCPAfirms.Justcallthemanddon’tbeafraidtousemyname.’
“Ididcallandinterviewedwiththreeofthemandgotthreeoffers.IfDr.Bean
Metro Magazine llllllllllllllll FALL 2011 17
continuedonpage18
(l to r) Roy Alexander (‘74) and his son Ian, who’s studying electrical engineering technology, aren’t the only family members with Metro State ties. Two of Roy’s siblings as well as his mother in-law earned their degrees here.
legacystatus.Eitherstudentsaremorewillingtosharetheirfamilyconnectionsonadmissionapplications,ortherearemorelegaciesgoingtoMetroState.
ThattherearemorestudentswithMetroStatehistoriesmakesperfectsense:Withthegoldenanniversarylooming,MetroStatehasenoughyearsbehindittohavematriculatedseveralgenerationsofColoradans—Boomers,XersandMillennials,nottomentionnontraditionalstudentsharkeningbacktotheGreatestorSilentGenerations.It’snotunthinkablethatsomeoftoday’sstudentshavereceivedRowdynudgesfromenthusiasticalumnigrandparents.
“Anecdotally,overtheyearsworkingwithstudents,Ihaveencounteredquiteafewwhotellme,forinstance,thattheirmom,dad,brother,sister,etc.,alsoattendsorattendedhere,”saysDirectorofAdmissionsandOutreachVaughnToland.“Thisgavemetheimpressionthatit’sfairlycommonforfamilymemberstoattendhereaswell.”
AstheCollegelookstopositionitselfforthenearfutureandfurtherrefineits
brand,itshistorycanplayarole.Whenmultiplesiblingsormulti-generationsfromthesamefamilyselectMetroState,itsendsapowerfulmessage:SuddenlyMetroStateisn’tjustacollegeofopportunity,it’sacollegeofchoice.
“TwoofmydaughterswenttoMetroState,”saysPeggyO’Neill-Jones,professoroftechnicalcommunicationandmediaproductionwhodirectstheLibraryofCongressTeachingwithPrimarySourcesWesternRegion
“My dad went here,
my grandma went here,
my aunt and uncles.
i used to come to
Metro State basketball
games with my dad.”‑student Ian Alexander
“Thefamilylegacyhereisbig,”Ianexplainsofhisdecisiontotransfer.“Mydadwenthere,mygrandmawenthere,myauntanduncles.IusedtocometoMetroStatebasketballgameswithmydad.Iwashomesick.IhaveseveralfriendshereatMetroStateandIwantedtobeatschoolwithpeopleIknew.”
TheSalazarfamily,too,hasastronglegacyatMetroState.Asayoungwoman,HopeHernandez-Salazar(’78,educationandSpanish),thewifeofU.S.SecretaryoftheInteriorKenSalazar,aspiredtobethefirstpersonfromherfamilytograduatefromcollege.Thoughhermomsupported
18 Metro Magazine llllllllllllllll FALL 2011
hadn’tseenpotentialinme,hewouldn’thavegivenmethosecards.WheneverIspeak—andIrecentlywasthekeynotespeakerattheMetroStatescholarshipawardsdinner—Itrytomentionhim.”
TodayAlexanderisaheavilyinvolvedcommunityleaderandtheformerchiefexecutiveofficerandexecutivedirectoroftheColoradoHousingandFinanceAuthority—aswellasthefatherofcurrentMetroStatesenior,IanAlexander,anelectricalengineeringtechnologymajorwhotransferredtotheCollegeafterayearatNorthCarolinaAgriculturalandTechnicalStateUniversityinGreensboro.
InadditiontoIan,twoofAlexander’ssiblings,ClaudiaAlexanderSamuel(’90)andIvorAlexander(’90)oftheDenver-basedengineeringfirm,Samuel
Engineering,graduatedfromMetroState,asdidhismother-in-law,ArceniaDavis(’76).Otherrelatives,includingAlexander’swifeSheryl,havetakenclassesattheCollege.
A strong legacy: Hope Hernandez-Salazar (’78) and her daughter Andrea are just two of several Salazar family members who have graduated from or are attending Metro State.
“My experience there gave me the ability to
recommend Metro State to other family members who changed their lives, my sister, nephew and
now my daughter, all of them might not
have completed or continued their educations
without Metro State.”‑Hope Hernandez‑Salazar (’78)
themthingstodoandtheycantelluswhattheywanttosee.”
AnneO’Neillisacaseinpoint.AmemberoftheMetroStateAlumniAssociation,O’Neillisteachinginhospitality,tourismandeventsmanagementthisfallasanaffiliateprofessor.“Idon’twanttounderstatethis,butMetroStatechangedmylife,”shesays.“I’vetriedreallyhardtogiveback.Theygavemeaneducationwhenmywindowofopportunityhadclosedonmanythings.Theteachersandstaffandinstitutiongavemealegup.And,mysister,she’smybiggestsupporter.”
Birds of a featherTheOfficeofAlumniRelationsisintheprocessoflaunchingaBirdsofaFeatherLegacyProgramtocollectbetterdataonlegaciesaswellascelebratetheCollege’suniquelegacytradition.“Wehaveparentsgoingtoschoolwiththeirkidsatthesametimeandgraduatingatthesametime,”hesays,“andwewanttocelebratethat.”
AlumniRelationswillbeinstitutingaFamilyoftheYearrecognitionprogramandareconsideringwaystohonorlegacyenrollmentsatFreshmanOrientationandotherevents.
Thealumniboardby-lawsdefineanalumasanyonewhohastakenaclassatMetroState.“OneoutofeveryfourcitizensinColoradohashadaclassatMetroState,”Jastorffsays.That’sagiganticwebandweneedtocapitalizeonthat.”•
Editor’s note: Have a legacy story of your own? Share it atwww.mscd.edu/alumni/birdsofafeather.
Metro Magazine llllllllllllllll FALL 2011 19
herdecision,herfathertookthetraditionalposition,“You’rejustagirl.Whydoyouneedacollegedegree?”
SinceSalazar’sgraduation,hersisterSuzanneYamashita(‘94)andnephewGabrielSalazar(‘03)havegraduatedfromtheCollege,andheryoungestdaughter,Andrea,iswellintoherhospitality,tourismandeventsmanagementstudies.
“Itwasclosetohomeandconvenient.MyfirstsemesterthereIwaspregnantwithmydaughter,”Andreaexplains.“IdecidedtocontinuebecauseIdidsowellandIlikedthecampusandthepeopleandtherearesomanychoices;youcandoanythingyouwantatMetroState.”
“Myexperiencethere,”Salazarsays,“gavemetheabilitytorecommendMetroStatetootherfamilymemberswhochangedtheirlives,mysister,nephewandnowmydaughter,allofthemmightnothavecompletedorcontinuedtheireducationswithoutMetroState.”
The ties that bindWhenAnneO’NeillacceptedherdiplomafromhersisterPeggyO’Neill-Jonesinspring2007therewereprobablyfewdryeyesonthedais.
“Thatwasprobablyoneoftheproudestmomentsofmylife,”shesays.“Wehada$20betonwhowasgoingtostartcryingfirst.Itwaswayfunandwayspecial.”
O’Neillhadspent21yearsworkinginmyriadhigh-levelpositionsrangingfromoilaccountingtoowningherownbusinesstosalesandmarketing,andwhatshelikedmostaboutthesepositionswasplanningevents.Presentedwithachancetoreinventherlife(“that’sLatinfor,Igotadivorce,”shesays),O’Neill,sittinginhersister’sMetroStateoffice,decidedtogetahospitality,tourismandeventsmanagementdegree,adegreeshe
hassinceleveragedintoacareerasanaccountmanageratTheMeetingEdge.(Readthisissue’sAskanAlumbyAnneO’Neillonp.25.)
“We’repracticallytheMetroStatefamily,”shejokes.HernieceandO’Neill-Jones’daughter,KerryJones(’02),whowentontogetamaster’sinmechanicalengineeringfromtheColoradoSchoolofMinesandnowisaqualityassuranceengineerforBelleBonfilsMemorialBloodBank,helpedO’NeillgetthroughmathatMetroState.KellyJones-Wagy(’05),O’Neill-Jones’seconddaughter,earnedadegreeineducationandhistoryandcurrentlyteachessocialstudiesatOverlandHigh
School.Nowherhusband,JackWagy,aftertwotoursinIraq,isaMetroStateaccountingmajor.O’Neill-Jones’stepgrandson,Keith,isalsoattendingMetroState.
MarkJastorff,MetroState’sexecutivedirectorofthealumniassociation,isinterestedinlegacystoriesliketheO’NeillsandtheJoneses,becausenotonlydotheyshapetheCollege’snarrative,theyalsorepresentalumnitiesthatarepotentiallytighterthanthoseofone-offgrads.
“Legacieshavedifferentlevelsofloyaltiesinfundraising,legislativeadvocacyandrecruitment,”Jastorffsays.“ThereisamuchstrongersenseofloyaltynotjustbecauseofwhattheCollegedidforyou,butbecauseofwhatitdidforyourmomoryourbrother.Ifwecanidentifythosefolks,wecangive
“we’re practically the Metro State family.”
‑Anne O’Neill (’07)
on equal footing By JULiE LANcAsTER
20 Metro Magazine llllllllllllllll FALL 2011
Metro State’s Access center
doesn’t just provide assistance
to students with disabilities, it
empowers them.
on equal footing By JULiE LANcAsTER
WhenWayneMarshall(’07,humanservices)attendedcollegeforthefirsttime,hewasfullysighted.Afterearninganassociate’sdegreeincommunicationsatSt.LouisCommunityCollege,heworkedforthephonecompanyforafewyears.
Buthisvisionwasdeterioratingduetothegeneticconditionretinitispigmentosa,andherealizedheneededtochangecareers.BythetimeheenrolledatMetroStatein2005,hewasconsideredlegallyblind.
“IknewthatIneededsomehelpfiguringthisout,”hesays.MetroState’sAccessCenterforDisabilityAccommodationsandAdaptiveTechnologyequippedMarshallwithscreen-reading(text-to-speech)technologytoaccessinstructionalmaterialsandtestingaccommodations(areader/scribetoreadhimthetestquestionsandwritehisanswers).
“TheAccessCenterwasveryresourcefulinhelpingme,”hesays.“Igainedalotofvaluableexperiencethatassistedmenotonlywithmyeducationbutalsoinmyprofessionalcareer.”
TodayMarshallisacasemanagerandseniorservicesfacilitatorattheColoradoCenterfortheBlind.
Follow the yellow tileLocatedintheAurariaLibraryatthefarendofayellowrubbertilepathwaythatstartsnearthelibraryentrance—avisualguideandatactileoneforthoseusingcanes—theAccessCenterisasmalldepartmentwhoseworkpermeatesthecampusandhasrepercussionsfarbeyond.
TousetheAccessCenter’sservices,studentsmustidentifythemselvesashavingadisabilityasoutlinedintheADA(AmericanswithDisabilitiesAct).SinceADAprovisionsaredifferentfromthosethatgovernK-12schools,thecenterhelpshighschoolstudentsmakethetransitionthroughitsannualSTEPevent,inwhichstudentsvisitcampustolearnaboutadaptivetechnology.Thecenteralsopresentsa10-weekadaptivetechnologyclassforhighschoolers.
LedbyDirectorGregSullivan,thestaffincludessevenemployeespluspart-timereader/scribes,studentworkersandstudentinterns.Thisteamworkswithsome1,300MetroStatestudentswithdisabilitieseachsemester—apopulationthatisshifting,accordingtoGregRoot,AccessCenterassistantdirector.
“Today85to90percentofthestudentsweservehavehiddendisabilities,and
mayhavedifficultywithreading,writingandtakingtests,”saysRoot.“Andit’snotjustlearningdisabilitiesandADHD(attentiondeficithyperactivitydisorder);thereisagrowingsegmentofmentalillnessessuchasTBI(traumaticbraininjury)andPTSD(post-traumaticstressdisorder),especiallywithourreturningvets.”
Metro Magazine llllllllllllllll FALL 2011 21
continuedonpage22
Wayne Marshall (’07) credits the Access Center with his career at
the Colorado Center for the Blind.
Assistant Director Greg Root says there’s a growing population of veterans with
traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder.
“Intheoldendaysyouwerelimitedtohard-copyBrailledocumentsthatwerelargeandcumbersometocarryaround,”saysJenniferMaxwell,ajuniorcomputersciencemajor.Shehascerebralpalsyandblindnessandusesapowerchair.Shehasbeenusingaccommodationsherwholelife.
Adaptivetechnology“reallyprovidesanequalfootingintermsofmyacademicsuccess,”Maxwellsays.AnAccessCenterintern,shehopestoworkintheareaofadaptivetechnologyandhighereducation.
“IhaveattendedotherschoolsandMetroStateisexceptionallyefficientandwellstructuredasfarasgettingmetheaccommodations,teachingmeaboutwhattoolsImaynotbeusingbutcouldbeusing,andempoweringmetomanageitmyself,”shesays.•
academicstandards.It’stheclassroomequivalenttothearchitecturalprinciplesthatledtocurbcutsandramps.TheAccessCenteroffersextensiveUDLresourcesandtrainingforfaculty.
“Weshowthem,forexample,”Ozisays,“thatmakingaPowerPointfileaccessibletakesfivemoreminutesatthebeginning,whereasmodifyingafileafterthefactcantakeoneandahalfhours.”
Oziandhisteamworkwithapproximately700print-disabledstudentspersemester.Theycut,scanandedittextbooksintoalternativeformatsanddotheirbesttotackleinaccessiblehandouts,PowerPoints,PDFsandlibrarye-reserves.Gradually,moreandmorefacultymembersarelearninghowtoprovideaccessibledocumentsfromtheget-go,Oziadds.
Besidesmagnificationandread-aloudtechnology,thecenterprovidesstate-of-the-artsoftwarethathighlightsandpronounceswordsonscreenoneatatimeandconvertstexttoaudiofiles.Anothertechnologyproducestextfromastudent’sdictation,anda“smartpen”recordslecturesandturnshandwrittennotesintoaudiofiles.
AccordingtoadaptivetechnologyspecialistSelimOzi,MetroStateisthe“know-how”schoolinColoradoandtheentireRockyMountainareaforaccessibility.“TheAccessCenterprovidesassistivetechnologytrainingtotheRockyMountainStatesDisabilityServicesConsortium,DenverPublicSchools,UniversityofColoradoDenverandCommunityCollegeofDenver.Wealsoprovidecomputeraccesstoallstudentsoncampus,notjusttheMetrostudents.Wereallyareontopofthis.”
Inadditiontothetechnologyavailableatthecenteritself,thestaffhasinstalledassistivetechnologyon400studentlaptopsandinall12oftheCollege’scomputerlabs.
Inspring2012,thecenterwilllaunchMetroState’sown“virtualdesktop”forstudentswithdisabilities—acapabilitycurrentlyofferedonlybysuchlargeuniversitiesasStanford,HarvardandMIT.Itwillenablestudentstologonandaccessassistivetechnologyfromanywhereintheworld.
RootcreditstheCollege’scommitmenttoaccessibilityasaprimaryreasonforMetroState’sprominenceinthisarea.“Wegetagreatdealofsupportfromthisinstitution,”hesays,“andthatisreflectedinwhatstudentshaveavailabletothem.”
Anotherreason,accordingtoRoot,isthatmostschoolsdon’thaveanITprofessionallikeOziworkingasanadaptivetechnologyspecialist.Oziisquicktoaddthatthecenter’sdedicatedstudentworkershelphimstayabreastofthelatesttechnology.
universal Design for learningWithcoursematerialoftenpresentedinrelativelyinaccessibleformats—didyouknowPDFsareinaccessibletoscreen-readingsoftware?—thecenter’snewestpassioniseducatingfacultyinUniversalDesignforLearning(UDL).
UDLisasetofinclusiveinstructionalstrategiestobenefitabroadrangeoflearners,includingstudentswithdisabilities,withoutcompromising
Jennifer Maxwell: Adaptive technology provides an equal footing for
her academic success.
With the help of adaptive technology specialist Selim Ozi, the Access Center
provides training to other institutions and school districts.
22 Metro Magazine llllllllllllllll FALL 2011
“Receiving the scholarship was my ‘light bulb’ that i’m doing the right thing and i’m on the right path.” – Lesley Williams Criminal justice and criminology major Recipient, Pre‑Law Endowed Scholarship, funded by Rob (’97) and Lee Ann Morrill
Thanks to the generosity of Metro State supporters like the Morrills, Lesley Williams, a 36-year-old single mother, and other students are able to continue their education at Metro State.
Please visit www.mscd.edu/giving/donors to see the complete list of individuals, corporations and foundations who make up our Donor Honor Roll for the 2010-11 fiscal year.
Metro Magazine llllllllllllllll FALL 2011 23
24 Metro Magazine llllllllllllllll FALL 2011
hasanumberofchoicesforalumnivolunteeringathisvariousalmamaters,yethechoseMetroState.“WhenIlearnedabouttheopeningonMetroState’salumniboard,IembracedthechancetobeanactivepartoftheMetroStatealumnicommunity.Iseebothmyteachingandmyboardmembershipasanimportantopportunitytoserveandgiveback.”
Recentlybestowedthe2011AlumniRecognitionMakingaDifferenceawardforhiscontributionstothecommunity,hon. chris Melonakis (’74,economics)isalsodelightedtojointheboard.“I’mreachingtheendofmycareerandwelcomethechancetogivebacktomycollegewhileIstillhavetheenergyandresourcestodoso,”saysMelonakis.AsanAdamsCountydistrictjudge(inthe17thJudicialDistrict)since1998,Melonakisisnostrangertopublicservice.HelpingtoformtheIntegratedFamilyDrugCourttocombatdrugaddictionamongmothersofyoungchildrenisbutoneofhismanypastprojects.Inturninghistimeandattentiontotheboard,hefeelsitis“vitalthatthealumniboardworkstoinsurethattheCollegemaintainscontinuityinouridentityasanurbanschoolwitharichheritageofprovidinganopportunitytopeoplewhomightotherwisehavelittleornochanceforacollegeeducation.”
Joseph Sanchez (’06,mechanicalengineeringtechnology),amechanicalengineerwithNorthropGrummanCorp.inAuroraishappytostrengthenhisconnectiontoMetroStatethroughserviceonthealumniboard.Sanchezhasahistoryofinvolvementinco-curricularprogramsandactivismasastudent,sohisappointmentasanalumniboardmemberseemsanaturalfit.“In2006IwassurprisedandhonoredtoreceivetheStephanM.HayLeadershipAward,giventotheoutstandingstudentwhocreatesmeaningfulchangesinthelivesofotherstudentsattheCollege,”hesays.“IwillhelponthealumniboardwhereverIamneeded,butIwouldliketobeinvolvedinreachingouttorecentalumni,aswellaspromotingtheassociationtonewgraduates,andfindingadditionalwaystohelpalumniaftergraduation.”
Michael Miera (’80,bilingualstudies)washonoredasMetroState’sDistinguishedAlumnusfor2011.MierahasstrongtiestotheCollege,havingworkedinMetroState’sOfficeofAdmissionsfor20years.CurrentlyCityandCountyofDenvercommunitydevelopmentrepresentativefortheOfficeofEconomicDevelopment,heismostproudof10yearsagohelpingfoundtheLaRazaYouthLeadershipConferenceProgram,whichpresentsanannualconferenceandfive-monthleadershiptrainingforLatino/ayouth.“IwasmotivatedtoserveonthealumniboardafterIreceivedtheDistinguishedAlumniAward,”saysMiera.“MetroStatehashadaverypositiveimpactonmylife.Iwanttogivesomethingbacktothecollege.” •
Morethan50alumniandfriendsgatheredonAuraria’sNinth
StreetHistoricParkonSept.9forthe2011MetropolitanStateCollegeofDenverAlumniAssociationannualmeeting.Theyfoundgoodconversation,goodfoodandgoodcompany—alongwithabackdropofbeautifulfall-likeweather,andtheseventhannualDenverFoodandWineClassic.
TheexecutivedirectoroftheAlumniAssociation,MarkJastorff,welcomedattendeesandspokeaboutnewinitiatives,includinganewstudentalumniassociationandacampusemployee-alumnigroup.FollowingremarksbyMetroStatePresidentStephenJordanandAlumniAssociationPresidentJimGarrison,alumnivotedinfournewboardmembers.
Makingthetransitionfromalumnifacultyrepresentativetoafullappointmenttotheboard,Antonio (Tony) ledesma, Ph.D.(’72,English),longtimeassociateprofessorofhumanservicesforMetroState,holdsanumberofoutstandingfacultyandserviceawards.Withtwomaster’sdegrees,oneinsocialworkandoneincounselingpsychologyandaPh.D.inhumancommunicationfromtheUniversityofDenver,Ledesma
Board adds four top-notch alumni ByVonaldaUtterback(’92)
AlumniTimes///AlumniNewsandEvents
New board members (l to r): Hon. Chris Melonakis (’74), Antonio Ledesma (’72), Joseph Sanchez (’06) and Michael Miera (’80).
hARD To BEliEvE, Thanksgivingwillsoonbehere,thenfullswingintotheholidays—thatmeansholidayparties,receptionsandagoodtimetonetworkandmeetnewpeople.Associations,charities,colleagues,customersandvendorswillbeinvitingyoutotheirholidaysoirée.Whetheryouownabusiness,workforabusiness,haveajoborarelookingforajob,holidaypartiesarealwaysagreattimetonetworkandmarketyourself.Youneverknowwhenyouwillmeetyournextemployeroremployee,vendororcustomer.Beprepared.Ifyouareacceptinganinvitationfromacompanyorassociationholidayparty,expectnametags.Nametagsareusefultoremembernamesandfindsomecommonground.Nametagsarewornashighaspossibleontherightshoulder,makingiteasytoreadwhenshakinghands.Whenyoushakehands,youreyesgototheright.Keepthisinmindwhenchoosingyouroutfit.Bewaryofdrinkingalcohol,manyacareerorfuturecareerhavebeenderailedbyonetoomany.Acocktail(besidesbeingdelicious)isagoodprop,somethingtodowithyourhands.Itisagoodicebreaker,tostartaconversationorgetsomeone’sattention.Forexample,“Iwasjustgoingtogetadrink,wouldyouliketojoinme?”Ifthisisanestablishedrelationship,youcanalwayssay:“CanIgetyouadrink?”Again,moderationinallthings,orderatalldrinkwithice,itwilllastlonger,oralternatewithnonalcoholicdrinks.Apartyisnotthetimetohandoutbusinesscardstoeveryone,buthaveafewwithyoujustincase.Alwayshaveyourelevatorspeech.Someoneisboundtoaskwhatyoudoforaliving—bereadytotellthemin30secondsyourmajorareas,expertiseorsellingpoints.Ialwayshavetroublewiththis;Iamameetingandassociationmanager.Iusuallyfollowminewith,“Ididnotknowajoblikethatexisted!”Wealllaugh,butatleastIgottheconversationstarted.Networkingisatwo-wayconversation.Startbyaskingthemwhattheydo.Peopleusuallywanttotalkaboutthemselves.Thisgivesyouagoodideaofwhatisimportanttothemandgivesyoucommongroundtostartaconversationthatleadstoarelationship.Mostofallbeyourselfandbesincere.Keepmoving;ifaconversationhasdrawntoanaturalconclusion,bepolite,excuseyourselfandmoveon.Follow-up.Nojobisfinisheduntilthepaperworkiscompleted.Ifyoufoundsomeoneinteresting,agoodcontactoryouhadsomethingincommon,sendanoteoranemail.Yes,emailsareacceptablenow.Itshouldbeshort,sweetandtothepoint.Forexample,“Itwassonicetomeetyouatthecompanyholidayparty;Ilovedyourstoryaboutyourchildren.Let’sstayintouch.Iwillcallyounextweekforcoffee.”Finally,besureandfollowthrough.•An account manager at The Meeting Edge®, Anne O’Neill (’97, hospitality management and event planning) has more than 20 years of diverse business experience. She is also an affiliate faculty member in Metro State’s Hospitality, Tourism and Events Department and has served on the alumni association board since 2010. Read about her and her family of Metro State students and grads in “A Metro State family affair,” p. 14.
ASk AN ALUM MAkE holiDAy PARTiES woRk FoR you By Anne O’Neill
Board adds four top-notch alumni ByVonaldaUtterback(’92)
Donate your Metro State memorabilia!
Do you have Metro State
memorabilia that you’d be willing to part with?
Searchyourclosets,attic,chests,dungeons—whereveryoustoreyouroldcollegestuff—andsendittousfor
safekeeping.Beitoldyearbooks,campusnewspapers,lettersweatersorjackets,t-shirts,pins,hats,anythinghavingtodowithMetroStateatanystageinitshistory,we’reinterested.
IfyouliveintheDenverarea,justcalltheAlumniOfficeat303-556-8320andwewillarrangetopickitup.Ifyouliveoutofthearea,popitinthemailto:
METRoPoliTAN STATE collEgE oF DENvERAlumni Relations campus Box 11 Po Box 173362 Denver, co 80217-3362
Whatever you do, don’t throw your Metro State memorabilia away; donate it to us!
Metro Magazine llllllllllllllll FALL 2011 25
Alu
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26 Metro Magazine llllllllllllllll FALL 2011
lindseyDayisgoingtostartoffwithasecret:Ifshewasn’tdoing
hercurrentjob(asthenewassistantdirectorforalumnicareerservicesintheMetroStateAlumniAssociation)she’deitherbeayogainstructororaweddingsinger.
“Iguessthat’snotasecretanymore,”Daysayswithasmile.
Eventhoughshe’sincareerservices,sheadmitschoosingherowncareerwastough.
“AsachildIwasalwayscurious;Ihadmyhandsinallkindsofactivities,andasIgrewolderIgotstressedaboutchoosingone,singularcareerpath.Thereweresomanyexcitingoptions;choosingonefeltlikeIwasclosingthedooronsomanyothers.”
Maybegoingthroughthatangstwasgoodtrainingforcareerserviceswork.Regardless,shesaysshe’salwaysbeeninterestedineducation,butneverwantedtobeateacher,sohighereducationfitperfectly.
“I’vebeenveryfortunatetofindcareerservices,”shesays.“Myjobistolearnaboutdifferentcareerpathsandhelpstudentsandalumnifindacareerthat’srightforthem.EventhoughIultimatelycommittedtoonefield,I’vefoundacareerthatvaluesmycuriosityanddiverseinterests.”
Day,whohailsfromGainesville,Fla.,firstbecameinterestedinhighereducationadministrationasanundergraduateatBostonCollege
whereshe’dgivecampustourstoprospectivestudents,whicheventuallyledhertoherfirstjobasagraduateadmissionscounselor.
Thatjob,sheexplains,wasanaturaltransitiontocareerservices.“Ibegantounderstandboththerecruiter’sperspectiveandthecommonmistakesstudentsmakeontheirapplications.”
DayendedupattheUniversityofGeorgiawheresheearnedamaster’sincollegestudentaffairsadministration.DuringherstudiesthereshelandedaninternshipinMetroState’sNewStudentOrientationOfficelastsummer.
“IfellinlovewithDenverandwasthrilledbythechancetocomeback.Tome,Denveristheperfectcitywithallthebeauty,seasonsandcultureofthenortheastforafractionoftheprice.”
Inhernewposition,DaysaysshewantstoprovideprofessionalgrowthopportunitiesspecificallygearedforMetroStatealumnithatmightincludeeducationalpiecessuchascareertopicwebinarsornetworkingopportunities.
Sheaddsthatsofarshe’slearnedMetroStatealumniwantdifferentcareerdevelopmentresourcesthantraditionalundergraduatestudents.
“Resourceslikeinformationonchangingcareers,layoffsorre-enteringtheworkforce,butI’mwaitinguntilIhearmorefromalumsbeforeIstartanythingspecific.I’mheretoservethem,soIamhappytotaketheseprogramsinwhateverdirectionstheyseefit.”•
custom career services for Metro State alumni is Day’s goal
BY DoUG McPHERSoN
AlumniTimes///AlumniNewsandEvents
Help your alumni
association move one step closer
to paperless communication.
Simply go to www.mscd.edu/alumni and update your profile with your email address.
And please also share what you’ve been doing since graduation while
you’re there. We promise to only use
your information for Metro State purposes such as newsletters
or evites.
45
METRo STATE AluMNi ASSociATioN 2011-12 BoARD oF DiREcToRS
PREsiDENT JimGarrison(’80,Economics)
vicE PREsiDENT CassandraJohnson(’04,Management)
sEcRETARy VictoriaHannu(’84,ComputerandManagementScience)
TREAsURER JudyGeorge
(’01,BusinessManagement)
PAsT PREsiDENT AND BoARD oF TRUsTEEs REPREsENTATivE EricPeterson(’99,Marketing)
FoUNDATioN BoARD REPREsENTATivERobMorrill(’97,PoliticalScience)
ScottApplegate(’96,Finance)///PiperBillups,
(’99,Marketing)///MarisolEnriquez(’99,
Hospitality,MeetingandTravelAdministration)///
DanyetteHardin(’07,Management)///Antonio
Ledesma,Ph.D.(’72,English)///BradMcQueen
(’95,Accounting)///Hon.ChrisMelonakis(’74,
Economics)///MichaelMiera(’80,BilingualStudies)
///RCMontoya(’93,TechnicalCommunication)///
ChuckMoss(’88,Finance)///AnneO’Neill(’07,
Hospitality,TourismandEventsManagement)///
WendyPetersen(’89,Hospitality,MeetingandTravel
Administration)///RonRamirez(’94,Hospitality,
MeetingandTravelAdministration)///Joseph
Sanchez(’06,MechanicalEngineeringTechnology)
///JudyShafer(’95/97,English)///JohnSilva,(’91,
Finance)///Sterling“Noah”Steingraeber(’08,
Marketing)///MetzaTempleton,(’07,Management)
ClassifiedStaffRepresentative///AerospaceScience
ChairJeffreyForrest,Ph.D.(‘91,AerospaceScience)
FacultyRepresentative///SGAPresidentJessie
Altum,StudentRepresentative.•
youR METRo STATE AluMNi RElATioNS STAFF:
Mark Jastorff
DirectorofAlumniRelationsandExecutiveDirectoroftheAlumniAssociation303-352-7207mjastorf@mscd.edu
Meghan hartvigson (’10)
Janell Lindsey
DirectorofSpecialInitiativesforAlumniRelationsandEnrollmentServices303-556-6344lindseja@mscd.edu
gini Mennenga
MAiLiNg ADDREss: office of Alumni Relations • campus Box 11 • P.o. Box 173362 • Denver, co 80217-3362
cAMPUs LocATioN: 1059 Ninth street Park • Phone: 303.556.8320
visiT Us oN ThE WEB: www.mscd.edu/alumni
oFFiciAl collEgE RiNg collEcTioN The official Metro state ring collection, designed for and by alumni, is a unique and lasting symbol of your lifelong connection to your alma mater. Part of the
proceeds from ring sales benefit Metro state Alumni Association programs and student scholarships.
if you would like to book a consultation, contact shelley Mcclellan from Jostens at 303-921-6662.•
Lindsey Day
AssistantDirectorforAlumniCareerServices303-556-6934lday8@mscd.edu
Alu
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Metro Magazine llllllllllllllll FALL 2011 27
28 Metro Magazine llllllllllllllll FALL 2011
class Acts highlights the latest news from Metro state alumni. To submit your information for publication, go to www.mscd.edu/alumni and click on Update your info.
cLAss AcTs
Jesus John hernandez (’71, aerospace)isarealestatebrokerandownerofJohnHernandezRealty
inDenver.
Dan hopper (’75, education)hasbeenarealestatebrokersince1985,workingwithRemaxAlliancein
Westminster,Colo.
Ray Pezolt(’70, aerospace)isdirectorofoperationsforPinkertonInvestigationsinAurora,responsiblefor
investigationsinColorado,Montana,NewMexicoandWyoming.
Jesse J. Taylor Jr.(’79, accounting)isanaccountantandownerofTaylorTaxServiceinLakewood.Taylor
soldthetaxportionofhisbusinessin2010andstillprovidesaccounting,salestaxpreparationand
payrollservices.
Erin chalmers(’98, journalism),isdirectorofalumnirelationsandannualgivingatArmstrongAtlanticState
UniversityinSavannah,Ga.Sheholdsamaster’sofprofessionalstudiesfromtheUniversityofDenver.
John gaskell (’98, biology)isascienceteacherfortheSingaporeAmericanSchoolinSingapore.
Bridgette Everhart hardin Ph.D. ( ’92, speech/psychology)isassistantprovostforcontinuousimprovementatTexas
A&MUniversity-CorpusChristi.
claire huckfeldt (’93, computer management systems)livesinDenverandhasworkedasananalystandprogrammerfor
federal,stateandlocalgovernmentsinColorado,andforLockheedMartin.
UsAF Maj. gregg W. Jerome(‘99, management)iscommanderofthePresidentialLogisticsSquadron(AirForce
One)atAndrewsAirForceBase,Md.
geraldine Madrid-Davis(’92, anthropology)isthedirectoroffinancialsecurityandconsumeraffairsfortheAARP
inWashingtonD.C.
chanda Turnbull(’96, psychology)isanassociatehumanresourcesprofessionalfortheCityandCountyof
Denver/CivilServiceCommission.Sheholdsmaster’sdegreesincounselingpsychologyandindustrial/
organizationalpsychology.
claude J. christensen(’80, land use)ismayorofSadieville,Ky.
Kevin N. Pyle(’85, electrical engineering technology)isasystemsengineeringseniormanagerforLockheedMartin
SpaceSystemsinDenver.Pyleholdsamaster’sinsystemsmanagementfromtheUniversityofSouthern
CaliforniaandadoctorateinengineeringfromtheUniversityofDenver,whereheisalsoanadjunct
professorinspacesystemsengineering.
William J. slater (’88, hospitality, meeting and travel administration)istheownerofMillie’sRestaurant&ShoppingVillage
inDelavan,Wis.
cathy s. Wright(’89, accounting)isthedirectorofcontrolandemergingriskforthefinancialservicescompany
CitiinO’Fallon,Mo.WrightpassedtheCPAexaminJuly1989andreceivedhercertificatein1990.
Russell Agnew(’05, human performance and sport)isasenioradvisor/brokerwithPinnacleRealEstateAdvisors
inDenver.
gayle (huston) Bashor(’08, criminal justice)isanexecutiveliaisonwiththeStateofColoradoandispursuinga
master’sofscienceinlegaladministrationattheUniversityofDenver,SturmCollegeofLaw.
Alu
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cLAss AcTs
Franky “Frank” Anderson(’11, English)ispursuinghismaster’sdegreeinsociologyatSanDiegoState
University.
Alex Englander(’10, biology/chemistry)isaprofessionalresearchassistantattheUniversityofColoradoAnschutz
MedicalCampus.
Anthony Jammal James(’11, management)isastudentatRegisUniversityinDenver.
Joe osborne(’11, criminal justice)isacampussafetyofficeratColoradoChristianUniversity
inLakewood.
Joe Fields(’07, mechanical engineering technology)isamechanicalengineerwiththeRMHGroup,Inc.,aconsulting
engineeringfirminLakewood,Colo.Fieldsworkedonthedesignoftheheating,ventilationandair
conditioningsystemsforMetroState’sStudentSuccessBuilding.
Lee M. gaines(’01, history)ispursuingagraduatedegreeinhistoryattheUniversityof
ColoradoDenver.
Kristin hanson(’08, history)isattendingtheSturmCollegeofLawattheUniversityofDenver.
U.s. Army staff sgt. Adam Lee (’02, criminal justice)isbasedinFortBelvoir,Va.andconductsfelony
investigationsandprovidesprotectivesecurityservicesforthesecretaryofdefenseandthejointchiefsof
staff.HewasdeployedtoIraqin2005.In2008,hebecameafederalagent.He’scurrentlyservingatourin
SouthKorea.
vanesa Lopez(’06, modern languages)isaSpanishteacherandtranslatorfortheAdams12SchoolDistrict
inThornton,Colo.andisplanningtopursueamaster’sdegreeininternationalaffairsattheUniversity
ofDenver.
Teresita Mccarthy(’07, behavioral science)isamaster’scandidateinSanJoseStateUniversity’sSchoolofLibrary
andInformationScience.
Nicholas Miller (’06, criminal justice)startedtheColoradoRushRugbyFootballClubin2010.
Lauren Royall(’04, English)isafederalpolicedispatcherfortheFederalProtectiveService,thelaw
enforcementbranchoftheDepartmentofHomelandSecurity.Sheassistsfederalpoliceofficers,dispatches
policeandlocalemergencyservices,andaidsofficersintheirduties.ShelivesinBrighton,Colo.
Zeru A. Tige(’09, management)isanaccesscontrollerforG4S,aninternationalsecuritycompanywithanoffice
inDenver.
Kathleen L. Turner (’03, biology)isafreelancewriterandownerofwww.whitespace-llc.cominTampa,Fla.
SH
AR
ON
LO
Y
cuRl uP wiTh A gooD Book iN NEBRASkA
if traveling to central Nebraska is in your future, you may need a place to rest your weary head. if so, The Printed Page B & B, sharon Loy’s bed and breakfast in Ravenna, could be just your ticket.
Loy (’99, individualized degree), a divorced mom of three and grandmother of four, knows the area well, having lived near Ravenna while raising her family. she purchased the historic 1907 building in 2009 after staying there during an annual reunion with friends.
Although neither her Metro state degree nor her work experience—15 years with the Boulder clerk and Recorder’s office and stints working with two study-abroad programs, including Metro state’s—included hospitality experience, “i just fell in love with the house,” says the colorado native. “it was for sale, and it was a great price when compared to colorado real estate.”
Two years later, Loy, 68, finds it challenging to host and maintain a historic home on her own. “There are so many things to do!” yet she clearly enjoys the travelers who stay at her victorian six-bedroom inn, many of whom return for their own family reunions, or come to view the area’s breathtaking sandhill crane migration.
Loy renovated the home, formerly Aunt Betty’s Bed and Breakfast, and renamed it The Printed Page. “it’s named after a favorite bookstore of mine in Boulder,” explains Loy, a confirmed bibliophile. “come here, forget all your troubles, curl up with a good book, and relax.”
–vonalda Utterback (’92)
Metro Magazine llllllllllllllll FALL 2011 29
ExcEEDiNg expectations ByDougMcPherson
TheRowdyReport///RoadrunnerSports
30Metro Magazine llllllllllllllll FALL 2011
Lookingbacknearly10yearsto2002,thewaysomeplayersandthecoachrememberit,MetroState’sbasketballteamwasanunlikelycandidatetohoisttheNCAAnationalchampionshiptrophy.
“Itwasateamthatcamethroughalotofselfdoubttovieforthetitle,”saysMikeDunlap,theteam’sheadcoachatthetime.“Weknewitwasgoingtobedifficulttomarchthroughthetournamentandwinit.WeweretheunderdogonnationalTVagainstateam(KentuckyWesleyan)thathadastrongtraditionofwinning.”
Oneoftheteam’sstars,PatrickMutombo,agrees,“Nobodyexpectedustowin.”
Evenonthedayofthegame,thequestionmarksstillhovered.“Thepre-gamewarmupwasadisaster—possiblytheworstpre-gameshootaroundinmytwoyearsatMetroState,”
saysJoeKelly,ateammember.“Weweretight…wecouldn’thitthebroadsideofabarn.”
Andtheninthelockerroomminutesbeforetheopeningjumpball,nerveswerepalpable.“Itwasadoublewhammyforthenervoussystem:anationalchampionshiponthelineandthefirstnationallytelevisedgameformanyofus,”Kellysays.
Infact,theyweresonervousthatDunlapditchedtheusualpre-gametalkinfavorofsomesimpleandfunexercisestoreleasethetension.
AddtothenervesthefactthattheteamhadstumbledleadinguptotheNCAAtournamentandlostintheRockyMountainAthleticConferencetournament.
Butasitturnsout,thatlosswasablessingindisguise.“Winningsometimescoversthingsupandlosingsometimesrevealsweaknesses,”Dunlapsays.“Thatwasthecaseinthisinstance.Wemetseveraltimesanduncovered
The 2001-02 men’s basketball team celebrates its 80-72 win over Kentucky Wesleyan to take the NCAA championshiop.
Former Head Coach Mike Dunlap
Metro Magazine llllllllllllllll FALL 2011 31
AURARIACAMPUSBOOKSTOREBRAUN’SBARANDGRILL
CLICK’SCOPYCENTER
COACHAMERICAHILTONGARDENINN
HOTELVQ@MILEHIGHSTUDENT&AUXILIARYSERVICES
BOULDERRUNNINGCOMPANY
INNATAURARIA
PHILLFOSTER&COMPANY
SPORTLINE
THEUPSSTORE
METROSTATEATHLETICSCORPORATESPONSORS
Arcese(vicepresidentofadministrationfrom1989to2002,alsoinductedintotheHallofFameinAugust)andJoanMcDermott(MetroState’sathleticdirector)werebothincrediblygreat.Therewasgreatleadershiptomakethegroundfertileforachampionship.”
Asforwhatthatseasonmeansinretrospect,Dunlapsaysthis:“Ibelievewhat’simportantaboutthewin…isthatthelightshinedontheCollege.ThewinwasagatewaytoothersunderstandingthegreatthingsthatweregoingonatMetroState,thatwedrewattentiontoafinecollege.”
Still,playerstookhomepersonalandlifelessons,too.Mutombowasone.“IwastoldearlyonthatIshouldn’tplaybasketballordreamaboutbeingsuccessfulplayingthegame.ItconfirmswhatI’vealwaysbelieved:there’sastoryinsideeachoneofuswaitingtobetold.Thosewhosucceedaretheoneswhodon’tallowotherpeopletostopthemfromwritingtheirstory.”•
sometrustandcommunicationsissuesthathelpedusperformthewayweneededtoperform.”
Andperformtheydid,crankingoutsixconsecutivewinsandtakingoutKentuckyWesleyan80-72tocapturethetitleonMarch23,2002inEvansville,Ind.
ThatperformanceledtotheinductionoftheteamandDunlapintoMetroState’sSportsHallofFameinAugust.
“Thewinwasatributetothebasecharacteroftheteammembers,”Dunlapsays.“Theyhadasteelcharacterandtheyweren’teasilyintimatedbyanyotherteam.Theywereresilient.”
Butitwasn’tjusttheteamoritsresiliencethatmadetheseasonasuccess.Dunlapandhisplayersarequicktosharethespoilswiththoseoutsidethelimelight.
“Thepresidentatthetime,Dr.(Sheila)Kaplan,increasedthebudgetsothemoneywasthere,”Dunlapsays.“Joe
into the hallMetro state’s sports hall of Fame grew by 17 people in August. inducted were:
The 2001-02 men’s basketball team –Itbroughthometheschool’ssecondnationalchampionshipin2002.Memberswere:LeeBethea,MikeBuggs,ChrisFord,DanielGeorge,JoeKelly,LukeKendall,PatrickMutombo,RyonNickle,BenOrtner,ClaytonSmith,LesterStrong,O.J.ThomasandMarkWorthington.
Mike Dunlap–Men’sheadbasketballcoachfrom1997to2006,whoguidedMetroStatetotwonationalchampionships,fourRMACregularseasonchampionships,sixRMACtournamentchampionshipsandnineNCAAtournamentappearancesinnineseasons.
Stephanie Allen–Women’sbasketballplayerfrom1996to2000andtheschool’sall-timeleadingscorerwith1,732points.Shealsoholdscareerrecordsforfieldgoalsmade(553),fieldgoalsattempted(1,453),three-pointfieldgoalsmade(248),three-pointfieldgoalsattempted(674)andassists(393).
Natasha Molock–Women’sbasketballplayerfrom2001-2005whoholdstheschool’srecordforsteals(455),over200morethanthesecondplacetotal.Sherankssecondinassistswith367andthirdinpointswith1,301.
Joseph Arcese–Vicepresidentofadministrationfrom1989to2002,creditedfororchestratingthehiringofchampionship-calibercoachesduringhistenureandprovidingtheimpetusforMetroStatetobecomeanationalcontenderinseveralsports.
Don’tBlink///ALastLook
ETA for the SSB and hlc... Construction of Metro State’s Student Success Building (SSB),
above, and Hotel and Hospitality Learning Center (HLC), right,
is on time and on budget. The SSB will open this coming
March and the HLC in early fall of 2012. •
32 Metro Magazine llllllllllllllll FALL 2011
No Business Degree? No Problem.The Metro State/FHSU partnership offers you a seamless transition into the MBA progam. Begin your MBA while completing the business foundation courses. You do not have to wait!
• • •
Fast Track Admissions Requirements• A bachelor’s degree in Business from Metro State College• Completion of all required admission materials• Score a 990 or above with the MBA admissions formula:
200 x undergraduate G.P.A + Official GMAT score = 990 or above
An MBA for Metro Take the next step
StateGrads
Market Competitive Tuition*
Convenient, Flexible, OnlineLearn on your schedule, not ours. Choose to study online, or on the Fort Hays State campus in Hays, Kansas. Full-time or part-time... again, your choice! Same great program, same great faculty teaching relevant, up-to-date courses using the latest in user-friendly course delivery methods.
Your Program... Your Specialty.One size does not fit all. That was true when you were a student at Metro State, and it’s true of MBA programs. Choose a concentrationthat will help you achieve your professional goals.
• Finance
• General MBA Studies
• Health and Human Performance/ Sports Management
• Health Care Management
• Human Resource Management
• Information Assurance
• International Business
• Leadership Studies
• Management Information Systems
• Tourism and Hospitality Management
* Total estimated program tuition; current as of Fall 2011** Based on CO in-state residency; non-resident est. tuition $47,188
C
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Orig MBA_forMetro_10_19_11.pdf 1 10/19/11 11:16 AM
METROPOLITAN STATE COLLEGE OF DENVER
CAMPUS BOX 14
P.O. BOX 173362
DENVER, CO 80217-3362
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAIDPermit 2965
Denver, Colo.
Metro State–Colorado’s college of choice
Tell your friends and family about our academic excellence and affordable cost. Or, if you have career development needs choose from our bachelor’s, master’s and certificate programs.
One-fifth Of undergraduate Coloradans
choose Metro state
www.mscd.edu