Buffs through time—based on your submissions
The Founding Era and Expanding Horizons (1876-1914)
David H. Nichols
David H. Nichols was a 19th‑century Colorado settler, territorial politician, and militia officer whose life reflects the intertwined processes of U.S. westward expansion, community‑building, and violent conflict on the Great Plains. Born in Vermont and later drawn west by mining booms and new opportunities, he became an influential figure in early Boulder civic life and played a notable role in securing the establishment of the University of Colorado. At the same time, Nichols was an active participant and sometimes a commanding officer in military campaigns against Cheyenne and Arapaho people during the 1860s, including the 1864 Sand Creek massacre and a separate October 1864 engagement in which women and children were killed. His career illustrates the moral complexity of the era: he was celebrated by contemporaries for his political leadership and frontier service, yet his actions in Indian warfare, viewed through historical inquiry, reveal the profound human cost of settler expansion and the contested legacy that continues to shape interpretations of Colorado’s past.
Source: Center of the American West, Nichols Hall ReportCU Boulder acknowledges that it is located on the traditional territories and ancestral homelands of the Cheyenne, Arapaho, Ute and many other Native American nations.
Editor's Note: In 1961, a student dormitory, originally named Fleming Hall after former Law School Dean John Fleming, was renamed Nichols Hall. In 1989, students protested the name, as David Nichols had been a participant of the 1864 Sand Creek Massacre, and the building was renamed Cheyenne Arapaho Hall (Carnegie Library for Local History).
Aurelio Macedonio Espinosa, Sr.
Hispanic Folklorist and Linguist
From the files of J. Manuel Espinosa
Aurelio Macedonio Espinosa, Sr. (1880–1958) was an internationally recognized folklorist and linguist whose scholarship helped establish the scientific study of Hispanic folklore in the United States. Born in El Carnero in Colorado’s San Luis Valley, he grew up immersed in the oral traditions of Spanish folktales and ballads, knowledge he first learned from his uncle in the mountains of southern Colorado. After earning his B.A. and M.A. from the University of Colorado and completing a Ph.D. cum laude at the University of Chicago, Espinosa joined the Stanford University faculty in 1910, later chairing its Department of Romanic Languages. A pioneering figure in Latinx folklore and Hispanic studies, he blended historical and linguistic analysis with ethnographic documentation to trace the cultural evolution of New Mexican and Spanish communities. His extensive work, ranging from the study of ballads, folktales, and proverbs to children’s games, introduced rigorous comparative methods and large-scale collection practices that revealed deep insights into regional worldviews, moral systems, and linguistic change. A leader in his field, Espinosa helped found several major scholarly organizations, served as president of the American Folklore Society, and was honored internationally for his contributions to folklore and philology.
Sources: CU Boulder History Project, Notable Folklorists of Color
The Great War, the Great Depression, the New Deal, World War II, the Cold War, and University Expansion (1914-1954)
Elsie Eaves
Civil Engineer and Founder Member, Society of Women Engineers
Photo credit: Society of Women Engineers
Elsie Eaves (1898–1983) was a pioneering civil engineer who broke barriers for women in the profession. After earning her degree from CU Boulder in 1920, she worked for the U.S. Bureau of Public Roads, the Colorado State Highway Department and the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad before becoming the first woman elected as a full member of the American Society of Civil Engineers in 1927. Later, as a leader at Engineering News-Record, she developed groundbreaking construction economics data that guided post-World War II planning. Eaves also advised national and international organizations on housing and cost engineering, becoming the first female member of the American Association of Cost Engineers and receiving numerous honors, including ASCE Honorary Life Membership in 1979. Her legacy lies in advancing both engineering practice and opportunities for women in the field.
Source: National Academy of EngineeringHazel Barnes
Distinguished Professor of Philosophy
Hazel Barnes (1915-2008), known as a “rock star of philosophy,” was a professor, translator, philosopher and America’s preeminent Sartre scholar who coined the term “humanistic existentialism” to designate the philosophy of Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone Beauvoir and Albert Camus. She taught at the CU Boulder for 35 years and, in 1979, she was the first woman named as a CU distinguished professor. Within a few years of her 1986 retirement, the most prestigious faculty award on campus, the Hazel Barnes Prize, was established in her honor. University Libraries holds her papers which include manuscripts, scholarly works, correspondence, photos, videos and artifacts from the Barnes estate.
Sources: University Libraries, Hazel Barnes Papers
Peggy Coppom and Betty Hoover
CU Buffs Superfans
Peggy Coppom and Betty Hoover, affectionately known as “CU’s Twins,” were born on Nov. 19, 1924, in Walsenburg, Colorado, and became legendary figures in University of Colorado athletics. After moving to Boulder in the early 1940s, they attended Boulder High School, joined the cheerleading team, and began a lifelong devotion to the Buffaloes. Both married Army Air Corps pilots during World War II—Peggy to John Coppom and Betty to Harry Hoover—and raised families while remaining steadfast CU supporters. For more than 70 years, the sisters were a fixture at games, dressed in matching black and gold with pom-poms in hand, embodying the spirit of Buff Nation through championships and hardships alike. Betty passed away in 2020, but "Miss Peggy" celebrated her 101st birthday in late 2025, continuing a legacy of loyalty and love that has made Peggy and Betty as iconic to CU fans as Ralphie and Folsom Field.
Source: CUBuffs.com
Glenn Miller
Big Band Leader, WWII Veteran
Alton Glenn Miller, an American big band leader and trombonist, attended CU Boulder for three semesters before leaving to pursue music. While at CU, he met his future wife, Helen Burger. In the 1940s, the Glenn Miller Orchestra became a defining sound of the swing era, distinguished by Miller’s innovative arrangement combining a clarinet lead with saxophones an octave below. Miller earned the first gold record in 1942 for selling over one million copies of “Chattanooga Choo Choo” and amassed more than 30 gold records, including his signature theme, “Moonlight Serenade.”
In 1940, Gene Novello, who attended CU Boulder, composed a 12 bar riff which he named “Boulder Buff” after remembering that Miller and his wife both attended CU Boulder. Miller and his orchestra recorded “Boulder Buff” arranged by Fred Norman in 1941. At the height of his fame, Miller enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces in 1942 to modernize military bands and boost morale. His Army Air Force Band performed over 800 times, with more than half of the concerts broadcast to millions worldwide. Tragically, in December 1944, Miller’s plane vanished over the English Channel during a flight to France. Today, CU Boulder serves as the official repository for Glenn Miller memorabilia and archives, preserving the legacy of one of America’s most influential musicians.
Sources: CU Boulder Heritage Center, Glenn Miller Collections, Swing and Beyond
Felix Sparks
Attorney, WWII Hero
Felix Sparks was an American attorney, government official and military officer from Colorado. A veteran of World War II, he attained the rank of brigadier general in the Colorado Army National Guard and received the Silver Star and the Purple Heart. Sparks also served as district attorney of Colorado’s 7th Judicial District, an associate justice of the Colorado Supreme Court and the longtime director of the Colorado Water Conservation Board. Sparks’ experiences during WWII inspired a streaming series titled “The Liberator,” which tells the tale of soldiers from the U.S. Army's 45th Infantry Division, which became known as the Thunderbird Division. It included Sparks as well as other soldiers from Western states. As Smithsonian Magazine recalls, it was “a disparate collection of Native Americans, Mexican Americans and Southwestern cowboys.” The racially integrated fighting unit took part in battles in Italy, France and Germany and participated in the liberation of the Dachau concentration camp.
Source: Liberation Route Europe
Civil Rights and Social Change (1954-1974)
Clarence “Skip” Ellis
Computer Scientist
Clarence “Skip” Ellis was a pioneering computer scientist and educator whose work shaped the field of collaborative computing. In 1969, Ellis became the first African American to earn a Ph.D. in computer science in the United States. He later became the first African American elected as a fellow of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). Ellis joined the University of Colorado Boulder faculty in 1972, returned in 1992 and retired in 2010. During his tenure, he led research in human-centered computing, directed the Collaboration Technology Research Group, and contributed to the Systems Software Lab and the Institute for Cognitive Science. His work at CU and Xerox PARC advanced computer-supported collaborative work (CSCW), earning him recognition as a founder of the movement for collaborative computing. Ellis believed in using technology to foster positive human interaction and was deeply committed to diversity in computing. His legacy lives on through the Skip Ellis Early Career Award, established by the Computing Research Association to honor underrepresented groups in computing research. In 2021, Microsoft Research launched a distinguished lecture series featuring recipients of this award, celebrating Ellis’s enduring impact on the field.
Honorable Gary M. Jackson
Retired Denver County Court Judge
Photo credit: History Colorado
Gary Jackson is a distinguished jurist and community leader recognized for his enduring contributions to justice and civil rights in Colorado. A graduate of CU Boulder in 1967 and the University of Colorado Law School in 1970, Jackson began his legal career as a deputy district attorney and Assistant U.S. Attorney before moving into private practice for 37 years. Jackson was one of the co-founders of the Sam Cary Bar Association in 1971, Colorado's first affinity bar association. Over decades of service, he became a prominent advocate for diversity in the legal profession and equal access to justice. Jackson served as a Denver County Court Judge, and his leadership extended beyond the bench through active involvement in organizations promoting legal education and mentorship for underrepresented communities. Honored by numerous civic and professional groups, including induction into the National Bar Association's Fred Gray Hall of Fame in 2021, Jackson’s legacy reflects a lifelong commitment to equity, public service and strengthening the rule of law.
Source: History Colorado
Joe Romig
PhD, Hall of Fame Football Player
Joe Romig holds a PhD in astrogeophysics. He worked in the private sector and taught astronomy in Continuing Education at CU Boulder for 34 years. A standout for the University of Colorado football team, Joe is celebrated as one of the greatest players in program history. A two-time All-American guard (1960–61), Romig anchored CU’s offensive line with exceptional strength and intelligence, earning the prestigious Lombardi Award in 1961 as the nation’s top lineman. Known for his leadership on and off the field, he captained the Buffaloes during his senior season and was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Beyond athletics, Romig excelled academically, becoming a Rhodes Scholar and pursuing advanced studies in physics. His legacy reflects a rare combination of athletic dominance, scholarly achievement and enduring impact on CU’s tradition of excellence.
Source: CU Athletic Hall of Fame
Purnell Steen
Jazz Pianist, Civil Rights Advocate
Purnell Steen began playing piano as a child at Denver’s Zion Baptist Church, the oldest African-American congregation in the Rocky Mountain region. Inspired by his cousin Charlie Burrell, who desegregated the Denver Symphony, Steen pursued a lifelong career in music, performing with ensembles such as Le Jazz Machine and the Five Points Ambassadors, and gracing stages at iconic venues like Dazzle Jazz. A student at Denver’s East High School and at CU Boulder, Steen was denied classical music opportunities while in college because of his race. He became a youth leader with the NAACP, joined nonviolent protests and attended the March on Washington, later meeting Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. His mission, as he told NBC’s Voices of the Civil Rights Movement, was “to make sure that freedom for all people is a reality.” In his later years, Steen championed recognition for Black musicians in Denver, believing music to be a universal language that “brought everybody together as kindred spirits.”
Source: Denverite
Stanislaw Ulam
Mathematician, Manhattan Project Scientist, CU Boulder Faculty
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
Stanislaw Ulam was a Polish-born mathematician whose work shaped 20th-century science. Ulam earned his Ph.D. in mathematics from the Lwów Polytechnic Institute in 1933. As political turmoil escalated in Europe, Ulam emigrated to the United States in the mid-1930s. During World War II, Ulam played a key role in the Manhattan Project at Los Alamos. After the war, Ulam became a professor and chair of mathematics in the 1960s at CU Boulder, contributing to mathematics and interdisciplinary research. His autobiography, Adventures of a Mathematician, chronicles his life and scientific achievements. Ulam’s legacy spans pure mathematics, applied physics and computational science, marking him among the most influential figures of the atomic age.
Modernization, Growth and Technological Advancements (1974-1996)
Mary Frances Berry
Chancellor of CU Boulder (1976–1977)
Photo credit: Wikipedia public domain
Mary Frances Berry served as Chancellor of CU Boulder from 1976 to 1977, becoming one of the earliest leaders of the newly established four-campus CU system. Her appointment followed the creation of the Chancellor’s Office in 1974, which decentralized administration across Boulder, Denver, Colorado Springs and the Health Sciences Center campus. During her brief tenure, Berry oversaw responsibilities in academic affairs, student affairs, and campus administration, while the President’s Office retained control over external relations and finance. The period was marked by attention to minority affairs, faculty salaries and campus development initiatives, reflecting the broader institutional priorities of the late 1970s. Berry left the position in 1977 to accept a federal appointment as assistant secretary for education in the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, continuing her career in public service and civil rights advocacy.
Stan Brakhage
Filmmaker, Professor
Photo credit: CU Boulder Cinema Studies and Moving Image Arts
Stan Brakhage was a pioneering American filmmaker whose work transformed the language of cinema. Over a career spanning five decades, Brakhage created more than 350 films, ranging from short, hand-painted abstractions to epic explorations of vision and perception. His films often eschewed traditional narrative, focusing instead on the subjective experience of seeing. Brakhage’s innovations included painting directly on film stock, scratching emulsion, and employing rapid montage to evoke inner states of consciousness. His work challenged audiences to reconsider the possibilities of film as an art form, emphasizing personal vision over commercial convention. A longtime resident of Colorado, Brakhage began teaching in 1981 at CU Boulder, influencing generations of filmmakers and scholars. His legacy endures through the Brakhage Center for Media Arts, in addition to his films, writings and the profound impact he had on experimental cinema worldwide.
David Hill
Professor of Law
David Hill served as professor of law at the University of Colorado Law School, where he made history in 1977 as the first professor of color in the school’s existence. Born in Lincoln, Nebraska, Hill earned his law degree from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 1970. He practiced privately in Minneapolis and held leadership roles, including chief of operations for the Minneapolis Housing and Urban Renewal Authority, before entering academia. Hill taught at Gonzaga University College of Law and Boston College Law School prior to joining Colorado Law. His scholarship focused on property and corporate law, authoring five editions of Landlord and Tenant Law in a Nutshell and two editions of Cases and Materials on Basic Mortgage Law. He was instrumental in the first national longitudinal bar passage study and helped develop a Model Academic Assistance Program adopted widely by law schools. Throughout his career, Hill championed equity and inclusion, contributing to organizations such as the Council on Legal Educational Opportunity, the Boulder Housing Authority and served on the Board of the Sam Cary Scholarship Endowment Fund. He retired in 2007 after three decades of service and passed away in 2024 at age 84.
Source: Colorado Law School
Kevin Fitzgerald
Veterinarian, Comedian
Kevin Fitzgerald is a celebrated veterinarian, entertainer and educator whose career spans medicine, comedy and community engagement. A three-time CU Boulder graduate (EPOBio’73; MBio’78, PhD’82), Fitzgerald became widely known for his compassionate care and expertise in animal health. Beyond the clinic, he gained national recognition as a stand-up comedian and television personality, blending humor with science to inspire audiences. Fitzgerald’s contributions include decades of service at Alameda East Veterinary Hospital and appearances on Animal Planet’s Emergency Vets. His unique path reflects a commitment to lifelong learning, public outreach and the well-being of animals. Fitzgerald exemplifies the intersection of professional excellence and cultural impact.
Source: Coloradan Magazine
Charlotte York Irey
Founding Director, Department of Dance
Charlotte York Irey was a visionary dance educator and choreographer whose work helped establish dance as a respected academic discipline in the United States. As the founding director of the Department of Dance at CU Boulder, Irey championed the integration of artistic expression with rigorous scholarship, shaping generations of dancers and educators. Her career spanned decades of innovation, during which she emphasized modern dance techniques and creative movement as essential components of a liberal arts education. Irey’s leadership extended beyond the classroom; she organized performances, workshops and collaborations that brought national attention to CU Boulder’s dance program. Through her dedication, Charlotte York Irey transformed the cultural landscape of the university and left an enduring legacy that continues to inspire the art of dance and its role in higher education.
Ellison Onizuka
Astronaut, U.S. Air Force Officer
Ellison Onizuka was an American astronaut and U.S. Air Force officer who became a trailblazer in space exploration. Born in Kealakekua, Hawaii, Onizuka graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in aerospace engineering in 1969. He earned his commission as a second lieutenant through CU’s Air Force ROTC program and entered active duty in 1970. Onizuka served as an aerospace flight test engineer at McClellan Air Force Base and later attended the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base. In 1978, he was selected as a NASA astronaut from a pool of 8,000 applicants, becoming the first Asian American, first person of Japanese ancestry and first Hawaiian to travel to space. His first mission aboard Space Shuttle Discovery in January 1985 completed 48 Earth orbits over 74 hours. Onizuka carried CU memorabilia—a flag and football—on this historic flight. Tragically, Onizuka perished on January 28, 1986, when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after launch. His legacy endures through memorials at CU Boulder, including the Ellison S. Onizuka Memorial and annual ceremonies honoring fallen astronauts. In 2025, CU Boulder renamed its largest residence hall Onizuka Hall to commemorate his courage, leadership and enduring impact on aerospace history.
Source: CU Boulder Today
Tandeen Rustandy
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, PT Arwana Citramulia Tbk.
Tandean Rustandy is the founder and chief executive officer of PT Arwana Citramulia Tbk., one of the best performing ceramic-tiles-manufacturing companies in the world. Arwana Citramulia Tbk. has been awarded the “Best of the Best” companies in Indonesia in the years 2011, 2013, and 2014, Forbes’ best 200 companies under 1 billion USD in Asia pacific region in 2006 and 2014, as well as “Best Listed Company” from the Capital Markets Awards in 2014 by the Indonesian Stock Exchange. Rustandy obtained his bachelor’s degree from CU Boulder’s Leeds School of Business (Fin’87), and MBA from the University of Chicago, Booth School of Business, where he currently sits on the Global Advisory Board and Council. Rustandy was made an “Honorary Citizen of Boulder, Colorado” in 1987 and was awarded “Indonesia’s Young Entrepreneur Award” from Ernst & Young in 2002, the “Distinguished Entrepreneurial Alumni Award” from Chicago Booth School of Business in 2011. Most recently, he was awarded “Best CEO” by Finance Asia in 2014.
Source: Leeds School of Business
Betty Woodman
Ceramic Artist, Professor of Art and Art History
Betty Woodman was a celebrated ceramic artist and educator whose work transformed pottery from functional craft into fine art. After moving to Colorado in 1954, Woodman persuaded the City of Boulder to open a recreational ceramics program, which grew from seven students to 400 within 15 years. This initiative became the Boulder Pottery Lab, the first city-supported pottery program in the United States, and a cornerstone of Boulder’s creative community. Woodman taught at the University of Colorado Boulder for 20 years, mentoring generations of artists and influencing American ceramics. Her career spanned nearly seven decades, marked by more than 100 solo exhibitions worldwide, including a landmark 2006 retrospective at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where she became the first living female ceramicist to receive such an honor. Her work is celebrated for its vibrant colors and sculptural forms, challenging traditional boundaries between painting and pottery. In recognition of her legacy, CU Boulder established the Betty Woodman Fund in 2023 to support emerging ceramic artists and faculty, along with the Woodman Artists Residency in Tuscany, Italy. Today, the Woodman Study Collection in CU’s Visual Arts Complex preserves her influence, showcasing pieces acquired during her decades of teaching. Woodman’s vision and artistry continue to inspire, affirming ceramics as a central pillar of contemporary art.
Source: Coloradan Magazine
Gilbert White
Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Geography and Founder, Natural Hazards Center
Gilbert F. White was the Gustavson Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Geography at CU Boulder from 1980 until his death in 2006. Prior to that, from 1970 to 1978, he was professor of geography and the director of the Institute of Behavioral Science at the university. He was also the founder and director of the university’s Natural Hazards Research and Applications Information Center (now called simply the “Natural Hazards Center”) from 1976 to 1984 and again from 1992 to 1994. Besides being known as the “father of floodplain management,” Gilbert made major contributions to the study of water systems in developing countries, the management and preservation of arid lands, global environmental change, international cooperation regarding water resources in such areas as the Mekong Delta and the Middle East, nuclear winter, geography education, the management of nuclear waste and the mitigation of a wide range of natural hazards. White was a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Russian Academy of Sciences. In 2000, he was presented the National Medal of Science.
Source: Natural Hazards Center
The New Millennium (1996-2016)
Bernard Amadei
Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering
Bernard Amadei is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder. In 2000, a visit to Belize inspired his founding of Engineers Without Borders–USA, a global movement dedicated to delivering sustainable engineering solutions to underserved communities. He later co-founded Engineers Without Borders–International and established the Mortenson Center in Global Engineering & Resilience. Amadei earned his Ph.D. in civil engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1982. His career honors include induction into the American Society for Engineering Education Hall of Fame (2023), membership in the U.S. National Academy of Engineering, and recognition as a Senior Ashoka Fellow. He has received numerous awards, including the Heinz Award for the Environment (2007) and the ENR Award of Excellence (2008) and holds seven honorary doctoral degrees. From 2013 to 2014, he served as a Science Envoy for the U.S. Department of State in Pakistan and Nepal. Amadei’s work underscores the transformative power of engineering education in advancing global progress and sustainability.
Emma Coburn
Olympian, NCAA champion, CU Athletics Hall of Famer
Emma Coburn is an American middle-distance runner specializing in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and a proud alumna of the University of Colorado Boulder. Raised in Crested Butte, Colorado, Coburn competed in her first Olympics in 2012 while still an undergraduate at CU. She earned NCAA national titles in the steeplechase in 2011 and 2013, with her 2013 performance ranking among the fastest in NCAA history. Coburn has represented the United States in three Olympic Games—London (2012), Rio de Janeiro (2016), and Tokyo (2021). At the 2016 Rio Olympics, she won a bronze medal, becoming the first American woman to medal in the Olympic steeplechase and setting a new American record. She is also a 10-time U.S. champion in the event and placed eighth at the 2022 World Athletics Championships. Beyond athletics, Coburn founded the Elk Run 5K in her hometown in 2017, raising over $300,000 for cancer support initiatives. In 2023, she was inducted into the CU Athletic Hall of Fame. A lifelong Buff, Coburn delivered the 2025 commencement address at Folsom Field and continues to train in Boulder.
Source: CU Boulder Alumni Association
Derek Cianfrance
Filmmaker, Writer, Producer
Photo credit: Cinema Studies & Moving Arts
Derek Cianfrance is an American filmmaker known for character-driven storytelling. He studied film at CU Boulder from 1992 to 1994 under avant-garde filmmakers Stan Brakhage and Phil Solomon. In 1995, he directed his first independent feature, Brother Tied, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and won several awards, including the Orson Welles First Film Award at the Huntington International Film Festival. In 2006, Cianfrance received the Chrysler Film Project award, securing $1 million to finance his film Blue Valentine. The project, which he co-wrote and directed, became a critically acclaimed portrayal of a troubled marriage, starring Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams. His later works include The Place Beyond the Pines (2012), The Light Between Oceans (2016) and the miniseries I Know This Much Is True (2020). Cianfrance’s films are noted for their emotional depth, often exploring themes of love, family and identity. His latest film, Roofman, premiered in theaters in October 2025.
Source: Learn more about Derek Cianfrance at IMDb.
Kate Fagan
Journalist, Author and Former Athlete
Kate Fagan, a CU Boulder alumna and former Buffaloes basketball player, has built a distinguished career as a journalist and author after graduating in 2003. She is widely recognized as a sportswriter for ESPN, contributing to platforms such as Outside the Lines, Around the Horn and ESPN.com, where she often explores the intersection of sports, culture and identity. Fagan has authored several acclaimed books, including What Made Maddy Run, a groundbreaking work on mental health and social media pressures among young athletes, and All the Colors Came Out, a memoir about family and caregiving. Her writing is celebrated for its depth, empathy and commitment to addressing complex issues beyond the scoreboard. Through her reporting and storytelling, Fagan has emerged as a leading voice in conversations about mental health, gender equity and authenticity in sports, influencing both journalism and public discourse.
Source: College of Communication, Media, Design and Information
Elizabeth Fenn
Distinguished Professor Emerita of History, Pulitzer Prize Winner
Professor Fenn won the Pulitzer Prize for history for her book Encounters at the Heart of the Word: A History of the Mandan People. Pulitzer judges called her work “an engrossing, original narrative showing the Mandans, a Native American tribe in the Dakotas, as a people with history.” Fenn specializes in the early American West, focusing on epidemiological, Native American and environmental history. Her 2001 book Pox Americana: The Great Smallpox Epidemic of 1775-82 unearthed the devastating effects of a smallpox epidemic that coursed across the North American continent during the years of the American Revolution. She is now at work on an expansive biography of Sakagawea, using her life story to illuminate the wider history of the northern plains and Rockies. She is also the coauthor, with Peter H. Wood, of Natives and Newcomers: The Way We Lived in North Carolina before 1770, a popular history of early North Carolina. Fenn joined CU Boulder’s history department faculty in 2012.
Source: CU Experts
Charles W. “Chuck” Howe
Professor Emeritus of Economics
Chuck Howe was a distinguished economist and professor emeritus at CU Boulder, renowned for his pioneering work in water resources economics and environmental policy. Born in Dayton, Ohio, Howe graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Rice University in 1952 and served as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He earned his Ph.D. in economics from Stanford University in 1958. After early academic appointments at Purdue University and international work in Kenya through the Rockefeller Foundation, Howe joined CU Boulder in 1970, where he became a leading voice in water management and environmental economics. His research shaped policy on water allocation and sustainability in the American West and globally. Howe was elected Fellow of the American Geophysical Union (1973) and later the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists (2012). He contributed as a principal author to the 2007 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, which earned the Nobel Peace Prize. Beyond academia, Howe lived and worked internationally in Indonesia, the Netherlands, and England. An avid runner, he completed more than 30 BOLDERBoulder races.
Ryan Heckman
Business Leader, Olympic Skier
Ryan Heckman, a former Olympic skier turned business leader, exemplifies resilience and reinvention. After competing in the Nordic combined at the 1992 Winter Olympics, Heckman transitioned from athletics to entrepreneurship, building a successful career in private equity and leadership development. A University of Colorado Boulder alumnus, he co-founded Rallyday Partners, a firm dedicated to supporting purpose-driven companies, and has championed initiatives that foster growth and community impact. Heckman’s journey reflects a commitment to excellence beyond sports, blending competitive spirit with a passion for empowering others to achieve meaningful success.
Source: Leeds School of Business
Trey Parker and Matt Stone
Creators of South Park
Photo credit: Coloradan Magazine
Trey Parker and Matt Stone are award-winning creators of the satirical animated series South Park, known for its sharp humor and cultural commentary. The duo met in a film class at the University of Colorado Boulder, where they began collaborating on projects that would later shape their careers. In 1997, they launched South Park on Comedy Central, a groundbreaking show that quickly became a cultural phenomenon. Their success extended to Broadway with the hit musical The Book of Mormon, which won nine Tony Awards. In recent years, Parker and Stone revived the iconic Casa Bonita restaurant in Lakewood, Colorado, preserving its status as a beloved Colorado landmark. Parker and Stone’s careers reflect a blend of irreverent creativity and deep ties to their home state, making them influential figures in both popular culture and local history.
Source: Coloradan Magazine
Looking Forward (2016-2026)
Ruth Ellen Kocher
Distinguished Professor of English
Ruth Ellen Kocher is a distinguished professor in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder, recognized for her leadership and literary achievements. In 2023, she received the Excellence in Leadership Award for her ability to connect with colleagues on a personal level and translate their needs into practical, systemic solutions. Her nominators praised her fearless creativity, commitment to equity, and capacity to challenge entrenched structures while fostering inclusion. Kocher is also an acclaimed poet and essayist, with eight poetry collections published since 1999, including her most recent work, godhouse (2023). Her writing explores the human experience with depth and nuance, reflecting a lifelong passion for language that began in childhood. Raised in a predominantly white working-class neighborhood in Pennsylvania, Kocher describes herself as a hyperlexic child who spent summers immersed in books—a foundation that shaped her literary voice. Beyond her creative work, Kocher has served as a mentor and advocate for faculty and staff, emphasizing the importance of treating all members of the academic community with equal respect. Her leadership style embodies compassion, practicality and systemic thinking, making her a transformative figure in higher education and the arts.
Source: University of Colorado Excellence in Leadership Program
Sepp Kuss
Cycling Champion
Photo credit: Coloradan Magazine
Sepp Kuss, born in Durango, Colorado and a CU Boulder alumnus, rose from collegiate mountain biking champion to one of the most respected riders in professional cycling. After joining Jumbo-Visma in 2018, he became a trusted support rider before making history in 2023 by winning the Vuelta a España—becoming the first American in a decade to claim a Grand Tour and only the second ever to win the Vuelta. Known for his humility, endurance and deep Colorado roots, Kuss’s achievement capped a season in which he rode all three Grand Tours and helped his team sweep them, cementing his place among cycling’s elite.
Source: Coloradan Magazine