February 2016
Chancellor Philip P. DiStefano Philip P. DiStefano

Dear Friends,

Steve Wozniak

Steve Wozniak will open the Conference on World Affairs April 4. The Apple co-founder was a freshman at CU in 1969 when he was put on probation for computer pranks.

We are pleased to tell you that Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak will be the keynote speaker at the 68th Conference on World Affairs April 4-8. His appearance is sponsored by the student-supported Cultural Events Board.

Little known fact: "Woz," as he is known, was put on probation during his first year at CU-Boulder in 1969 for computer pranks. Perhaps we can take credit for planting the seed of innovation? He went on to develop the Apple I seven years later and we presented "Woz" an honorary degree in 1989. I am sure his appearance on April 4, moderated by a panel of students, will be fascinating.

The Conference on World Affairs has been a thought-provoking national and international dialogue on campus since 1948. Featuring 100 scholars, scientists, entrepreneurs, activists and journalists, the conference has always been a bellwether for national and world events. It provides an important partnership with the Boulder community, whose members help select and house speakers. Students also pitch in to transport speakers to and from the airport. 

This year we are redoubling our efforts to ensure that students and faculty have an opportunity to engage in the conference, which offers an incredible learning opportunity for our students to experience a myriad of intellectual perspectives.

Boulder Daily Camera, Feb. 16, "Steve Wozniak to keynote CU's Conference on World Affairs"



Buffs No. 5 in country for Peace Corps volunteers

Alea Richmond Akins with kids in Ecuador

Alea Richmond Akins, front left, a CU-Boulder graduate student, volunteered for the Peace Corps in Ecuador from 2008 until 2010. She has also worked as a campus Peace Corps coordinator.

CU-Boulder students and alumni have long been known as caring and engaged world citizens, and this year's Peace Corps volunteer numbers once again bear that out.

CU-Boulder is ranked fifth in the nation for graduates serving as Peace Corps volunteers with 53 alumni currently serving around the world, the Peace Corps announced this month.

Student success is one of my top campus priorities and I am proud that CU-Boulder continues to produce engaged citizens of the world in such impressive numbers.

CU-Boulder is among the top five volunteer-producing universities of all time with 2,435 alumni having served in the program since it was established in 1961. I'm sure you share my pride in the selflessness of our alumni, whether in the Peace Corps or in other areas of service and volunteerism.

9News, Denver, "CU-Boulder 5th in the country for Peace Corps volunteers"



Interest in CU-Boulder at an all-time high

group of students outside at CU-Boulder

A record-breaking 34,000 freshman applications indicate that interest is high at CU-Boulder. 

Freshman applications for next fall at CU-Boulder rose to just over 34,000, the most ever on record. I am proud to tell you this is the fifth straight year that freshman applications are on the upswing at CU-Boulder at a time when college attendance is declining nationally. I believe this is a reflection of our good reputation resulting from our excellent faculty and dedicated staff.

Boulder Daily Camera, Jan. 24: "CU-Boulder sees 10 percent jump in freshman applications; Interest in university 'at an all-time high,' according to admissions director"



Fourth Visiting Scholar in Conservative Thought and Policy named

Francis Beckwith

Francis Beckwith

When we began our visiting conservative scholar program as a way to promote intellectual diversity on the CU-Boulder campus in 2013, it was a three-year pilot program supported by donors. Now, entering its fourth year, it is formally part of the Center for Western Civilization, Thought & Policy in the College of Arts and Sciences.

This month we named Francis Beckwith our fourth Visiting Scholar in Conservative Thought and Policy for the 2016-17 academic year.

Beckwith, a professor of philosophy and church-state studies at Baylor University, will succeed Brian Domitrovic, whose appointment ends this academic year.

In addition to teaching two philosophy classes each semester, Beckwith will foster discussion by hosting public events in the campus community and around the state. He plans to continue the tradition of bringing speakers to campus "who can help advance our public conversations" on important issues of the day.

The campus and community are looking forward to hearing his perspective during a presidential election year and an unexpected Supreme Court vacancy.

Boulder Daily Camera, Feb. 17 "CU-Boulder names Francis Beckwith its 4th visiting conservative scholar"



Student research sets CU-Boulder apart

Tom Cech and Natasha Powell in a research lab

CU Nobel laureate Tom Cech and undergraduate student Natasha Powell.

Teaching and research are part of our state constitutional mission as Colorado's flagship university. More than 2,000 CU-Boulder undergraduates play important roles in the life-changing research of the university. These include undergraduates who participate in vitally important research with our Nobel laureates.

This month, evolutionary biology students were featured in this ABC Denver7 piece as they studied antibiotic resistant bacteria they are collecting from everyday places.

CU-Boulder research, featured this month across the nation, ranged from the feasibility of a renewable energy national power grid on CNBC, to human-caused extinction of a prehistoric bird in The Washington Post, to development of the world’s fastest microscope – one trillion times faster than the blink of an eye.

And check out this story below to learn how plants can be used to solve violent crimes.

 Denver7 News, ABC, Feb. 6: "CU Boulder professors study plants, solve violent crime"



Buffs earn 50th Super Bowl ring

Tyler Polumbus and his son celebrate the Broncos Super Bowl win

Tyler Polumbus (Mgmt'07) celebrates a Super Bowl victory on Feb. 7. He earned the Buffs 50th Super Bowl ring. Packers receiver Boyd Dowler was the first Buff to win a ring in Super Bowl I.

Denver Broncos offensive lineman Tyler Polumbus won the Buffs 50th Super Bowl Ring on Feb. 7 in Super Bowl 50. Polumbus, from Colorado's Cherry Creek High School, has had an eight-year NFL career. Buffs have been represented in 25 Super Bowls, including Super Bowl I and Super Bowl 50.

CUBuffs.com, Jan. 25: "Polumbus Could Win Buffs' 50th Super Bowl Ring in SB 50"

Buffs shine on the field and in the classroom. It's notable that our student-athletes, from all sports, in the fall semester had the highest GPA in our history: 2.968.

Go Buffs!

Sincerely,

 

Philip P. DiStefano
Chancellor
www.colorado.edu/chancellor