University of Colorado BoulderFrom the ChancellorN O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1 Dear Friends,
We’re proud of our tradition of pushing boundaries and so we launched a modest Push Boundaries ad campaign this fall in support of our heritage. Please listen for us on Colorado Public Radio and look for us at Denver International Airport, where we have digital signage over the escalators at the train platform. We also have backlit signs between the baggage claim and the main terminal. I’m pleased to enclose a short ad that prospective students will see on the web. One way we push boundaries is in discovery and innovation, which can be found in surprising places like Burmese pythons. Work with a colony of pythons by Professor Leslie Leinwand and her students may be key to treating human heart disease. This work is so compelling that it was captured by more than 400 media outlets globally in the last three weeks including the BBC, NPR and The New York Times. One of Leinwand's co-authors in the study is undergraduate student Christopher Wall.
The New York Times, Oct. 27: "Snakes' Feat May Inspire Heart Drugs"
At the same time, anthropology professors Matt Sponheimer and Payson Sheets, and their students, made separate and fascinating anthropological discoveries that also have received major media play. Sheets' group discovered a Mayan ancient road frozen in time by a volcanic eruption 1,400 years ago during a harvest celebration. Sponheimer and colleagues are using high-tech tools to challenge long-held assumptions about what our ancestors ate. New York Times, Oct. 17: "Clues About Early Diets Found in Fossilized Teeth" The Denver Post, Oct. 7: "CU anthropologist finds a route back to Mayans' history"
CU is Entrepreneur-U Our university and community are leaders in innovation and entrepreneurship. At CU-Boulder we take a leadership role by boosting the technology workforce and preparing more women in computer science. The number of women enrolled in CU-Boulder's Bachelor of Science in computer science degree has more than doubled over the last four years. Boulder Daily Camera, Oct. 25: "Number of women in CU-Boulder computer science program doubles" The work of our students and professors in entrepreneurship pays off in jobs and in building companies to support the economy. Colorado Daily, Nov. 2: "Chancellor's Letter: The value of a CU degree in today's job market" Boulder County Business Report, Nov. 2: "Lokalite receives $300,000 in funding" We facilitate and play host to entrepreneurial confabs and symposia that bring entrepreneurs, financiers, legal and business experts together to set the creative process in motion. Last week's launch of the Startup Colorado initiative at the Wolf Law Building on campus is a perfect example. Startup Colorado is led by CU Law Dean Phil Weiser, well-known venture capitalist Brad Feld and Colorado Springs-based entrepreneur Jan Horsfall. Boulder County Business Report, Nov. 10: "Startup Colorado targets connections" The Denver Post, Nov. 9: "Startup Colorado launches with Boulder focus"
Using the bard to bash bullying While students are integral to CU-Boulder's world-class research and entrepreneurship, their reach into the community also is impressive. I mentioned in a previous communiqué that the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, including students and alumni, is taking a production of "Twelfth Night" on the road. They traveled to two dozen elementary, middle and high schools, from Fort Collins to Trinidad, to offer a lesson on bullying. This inspired The Denver Post to publish a front-page weekend piece and a video as "Twelfth Night" actors led a discussion on bullying following each performance. Actors worked in collaboration with our renowned Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence. Denver Post, Oct. 15: "Shakespeare gives the latest strategy in anti-bullying in schools"
Honoring and integrating our veterans More veterans are returning to college than at any time since the Vietnam War and they are taking advantage of the post-911 GI Bill. Today we have more than 700 student veterans on campus. We have several programs in place to help bridge the cultural divide between the battleground and the campus, where a veteran's fellow students may be younger or don't share their life experiences. We honored our student veterans, alumni, and those who have given their lives for our freedoms at a Veterans Day ceremony at the University Memorial Center (UMC) on Nov. 11. Many may not realize that Colorado citizens decided in 1947 that the UMC would serve as a living memorial to Coloradans who served in the world wars. This year, the annual ceremony included the dedication of plaques honoring the fallen in Iraq and Afghanistan. We also honored veterans at a free concert at Macky Auditorium on Friday night and during Saturday's football game. Boulder Daily Camera, Nov. 9: "CU-Boulder cadets kick off Veterans Day celebration"
Buff Lockridge runs in step with CU's values I speak frequently and proudly of our students who give to the community. Nearly 14,000 CU-Boulder students annually participate in community service. The Denver Post last month profiled award-winning CU defensive back-running back Brian Lockridge, whose social conscience and engagement in community is a model for all CU students. The Denver Post, Oct. 27: "CU Buffs' Brian Lockridge really shines off the field"
CU's first Pac-12 championship Both the men's and women's cross country teams won the Pac-12 conference meet Oct. 29 in the Arizona desert. They become the first CU teams to raise Pac-12 championship banners. Congratulations to the men's and women's 2011 cross country champions! Denver Post, Oct. 30: "CU Buffaloes quick to show who's the boss in Pac-12 cross country" Basketball season is underway on a winning note and on Nov. 9 men's coach Tad Boyle introduced his Top 25 recruiting class and women's coach Linda Lappe welcomed her Top 20-ranked class. The introductions were made before a packed house of season ticket holders and supporters at our new court sports facility debuting in this, our inaugural year in the tradition-rich Pac-12. Volleyball coach Liz Kritza also announced a pair of Top 20 signees. CU Buffs.com, Nov. 9: "Brooks: CU Hoops, Volleyball Find Reasons To Party" Go Buffs! Sincerely,
Philip P. DiStefano, Chancellor  |
