Alumni Business Spotlight: Mason Capps opens new Denver restaurant OiNKs!

Tucked away in a quiet mini-mall in the Park Hill neighborhood lies a spiffy, clean and fast casual new restaurant called OiNKs! Started by Metro State Alumnus Mason Capps (English, ’98) and his wife, Bobbi, this BBQ joint boasts fresh ingredients and supplies that are biodegradable, compostable or made from 100% post-consumer materials.


Created with flickr slideshow from softsea.

“We are focus on sustainability in each action we make,” says Capps, from the “to go” menus, which are printed on paper made from 100% post consumer waste, to the recycled and/or repurposed equipment and furniture that they found at a Denver auction house. As well, they buy local, natural and sustainable meats whenever possible and are currently looking into the possibility of composting their food waste on site.

“We know that restaurants have done a lot of damage to our earth in the past, and we feel that going forward we all must find more eco-friendly ways of running our businesses to remain successful,” he explained. Giving back to the community is also a key component of their business plan.

“We want to be a working part of the community we serve,” Capps stated. The couple has already hosted their first benefit night, donating 40 percent of their sales to Feed Denver, a local non-profit urban farm. “Even as we grow as a company, we don't want to lose those community ties and will continue to host these benefit nights for local non-profit organizations we believe in.”

So why a BBQ restaurant? “When I met my wife, I found someone who shared the same dream and has skills and talents that are complementary to mine,” Capps said. “OiNKs! is the result of a lifetime of work and a marriage of talents.”





With decades of experience in the restaurant industry between them, the couple knows what it takes to run a restaurant. “Quite honestly, I have never been more confident about something in my whole life,” Capps stated. “My wife Bobbi is the best partner I could ask for; she is tough, funny, realistic and resourceful. She helps me balance business time with family time. We have a great team in place and several family members that work hard to help us succeed.” Plus, his 9-month old Rylan inspires him. “He’s the real man in charge!”

Still, the new job has proved challenging at times. “Running a restaurant is not for the faint of heart or the easily exhausted,” he said. But, he added, he thrives on the environment. “One thing that enables my success is a feeling of never being satisfied; always looking for ways to do what we do, better. Plus, he loves being busy all the time, meeting new people and making them smile. For Capps, “OiNKs! is a dream come true.”

For more information, visit their Web site.

College’s off-campus gallery celebrates anniversary in a new home

June 4, 2010

On Thursday, June 3, nearly 500 people joined the Metropolitan State College of Denver Center for Visual Art (CVA) as it celebrated two milestones: its 20th Anniversary and its new, permanent home at 965 Santa Fe Dr. in the Art District on Santa Fe.

“It's really hard to believe it was a furniture gallery last fall,” said CVA Director and Curator Jennifer Garner, who thanked Metro State President Stephen Jordan “for the most amazing 20th birthday present the CVA could ask for.”

The evening was a culmination of efforts and well wishes, according to Jordan, who noted a number of supporters including the state legislature, Denver City Council, the Metro State Foundation, the Art District on Santa Fe and the Boettcher Foundation, which provided a lead grant of $425,000 to inspire other gifts and donations to the award-winning gallery.

Julie T. Lerudis, director of the grants program for the Boettcher Foundation (on behalf of Tim Schultz, president and executive director), said the new location “resonated with the trustees. We are pleased to be a part of funding for CVA.”

“I’m very excited about it,” said Tony Garcia, executive director of Su Teatro and an affiliate professor of Chicana/o Studies at Metro State. “I think this is a great addition to the arts district. It helps raise the bar in terms of diverse programming.”

The CVA’s new space offers greater opportunities for Metro State to connect with the Latino community – important to the College’s goal of attaining the federal designation of Hispanic Serving Institution.

Denver City Councilwoman (District 9) Judy Montero said because the art district is “very culturally rich and diverse, there are so many things creative people can learn about this district.” In addition, she named area schools, including West High School, that could benefit from the CVA’s presence in the neighborhood.

A division of Metro State’s Art Department, the Center for Visual Art contributes to the College’s status as the only public higher education art program in Colorado to maintain accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. This status, according to Garner, who is also an assistant art professor, will positively impact the gallery’s programming in the neighborhood. She promised “to offer the community the same caliber of program we offer our students.”

“A few years ago, I kept saying imagine the possibilities. We really have so much to look forward to,” she said.

The process from beginning to end has been great, according to Chair and Professor of Art Greg Watts. “I’m grateful that so many people at Metro State believe in the value of art.”

IT’S BACK! “DENVER’S MOST OUTRAGEOUS BLACK-TIE AFFAIR”

What …
President Stephen & Ruthie Jordan are proud to bring you the 45th Anniversary Edition of the Plain & Fancy Ball.

Back since 2006 and celebrating the 45th anniversary of the college, the Plain & Fancy Ball has a long-lived tradition of fun and eccentricity – while at the same time raising funds in support of one of Denver’s premier higher education institutions. The evening promises to be full of dinner, dancing, and auction bargains galore!

When …
Date – Saturday, September 25, 2010 at 6 p.m.
Silent Auction/Reception
Dinner & Fun Games
Live Auction
Entertainment & Dancing with the Mary Louise Lee Band

Where …
The Plain & Fancy Ball will be held on Saturday, September 25, 2010 at Invesco Field at Mile High on the Club Level. This ballroom features beautiful views of the Auraria campus and will accommodate our goal of 800 attendees.

Attire …
Anything goes – everything from evening gowns and tuxedos to shorts and t-shirts. But everyone must wear their Plain & Fancy Bow-Tie. You’ll be presented with your tie upon entrance to the ball – the fun part is choosing where to put it! Past year’s eclectic range of ties have included one-of-a-kind ceramic works of art to special commemorative 25th anniversary editions.

Who Comes …
The history of the Plain & Fancy Ball is rich with notable figures. Each year a deserving individual (or individuals) is named the "Plain and Fancy Person of the Year.” This coveted award is given to those “…whose words and actions best reflect the ideals of the Metropolitan State College of Denver and its service and commitment to the greater Denver community.” The Persons of the Year for the 45th anniversary include Terrance Carroll, (Speaker of the House of Representatives in Colorado), Pat Cortez, (Sr. Vice President, Wells Fargo Bank), Leo Kiely III, (CEO, Miller Coors and former MSCD Foundation Board Member), Adele Phelan, (Chair, Metropolitan State College of Denver Board of Trustees), and Raymond Sutton, Jr. (Managing Partner, Baker & Hostetler and past Chair, MSCD Foundation). Also being honored, posthumously, is Harry Gianneschi, the first Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Metropolitan State College of Denver and the founder of the Plain & Fancy Ball.

Who Benefits …
Since 1988, hundreds of thousands of dollars has been raised for scholarships, academic programs and for moving our academic departments forward as we prepare our students to enter the workforce. Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit Metro State academic and non-academic programs, and as many deserving students, through scholarships, as possible.

What Sells …
Cumulatively, more than 2,000 items have been donated to the silent and live auctions at previous Plain & Fancy Balls. Gifts have included an automobile, vacations, diamonds, sports memorabilia, fine dining and even a “bit” part in a movie!

How to Participate …
Underwriting Opportunities and Corporate Tables
Corporations have the opportunity to underwrite a portion of the ball, with sponsorship tables ranging from $3,500 to $25,000. Each level offers a unique promotional package with ten seats per table. Corporate packages can also be customized for specific benefits (golf cart transportation to the Invesco entrance, an auction paddle marketing opportunity, etc.).
Individual Tickets
Individual tickets can be purchased for $150 each.

Who to Thank …
The 45th Anniversary Edition of the Plain & Fancy Ball is being facilitated by the Metro State Alumni Association, whose vision is: “To be a network of connected alumni who call others to action in support of the College.” However, the event is a collaborative fundraiser for the institution. The 45th Anniversary Host Committee is chaired by Metro State President Dr. Stephen Jordan and his wife Ruth.

About Us …
Metropolitan State College of Denver is Colorado’s premier urban institution. Each semester, more than 23,000 students enroll at the College, and more than 280,000 individuals have taken classes at Metro State. The Alumni Association boasts over 65,000 graduates of which 80 percent remain in the greater Denver metropolitan area to live and work. For more information on the 2010 Plain & Fancy Ball, please visit www.mscd.edu/plainandfancy or call 303-556-8320.

Metropolitan State College of Denver's Plain & Fancy Ball

Where are they now? Retired faculty profile: Dr. C.J. White

As a result of a recommendation made in a “who was your favorite professor” thread posted on the unofficial, but very active Metro State College of Denver Alumni and Current Students LinkedIn Group, we are publishing an article about retired professor Dr. C.J. White. Join the group by clicking here.

Retired African-American Studies Chair/Professor Dr. White speaks deliberately and calmly, as if he is deeply considering what is being asked of him. Soft jazz plays in the background, and I imagine a stout man sitting in a comfortable chair, eye glasses perched on the end of his nose, surrounded by books. As our phone interview progresses, I find that Dr. White is, in fact, still deeply involved with the world of learning.

Though he retired in 2003 after working at Metro for nearly two decades, Dr. White still regularly connects with former students, conducts various types of research, writes and presents papers at conferences, and studies. In addition to writing a paper on education in African-American communities that he will present at the Association for the Study of African Life and History fall 2010, Dr. White is engrossed in a personal, pictorial family history project. His mother left him with a large collection of family photos and commentaries, which he is putting together and mounting. He also collects books by African authors, including ones by female authors and stories for children.

“During one of my travels to Africa I noticed the children were playing some of the same games that I played as a child,” he explains. Now that he has the time, he is trying to get at the root of the survival of these games in the United States. This fascination with Africa and African culture was sparked by an early trip to that continent, Dr. White says.

“It increased my level of awareness and added to my knowledge base of the continent of Africa,” he says. “The contributions made by our ancestors will enhance our understanding that we stand on the shoulders of others, and we have a responsibility to move forward, to add to what we inherited.” Not only did his trips improve his experience in the classroom, but they instilled in him a sense of pride in his ancestors. And this is something he handily conveyed to his students.
According to Dennis Green (’92, sociology), a senior instructor of ethnic studies at University of Colorado in Denver, Dr. White had a unique way of supporting and uplifting his students.

“All the students he had under his wing went somewhere and did well because of the level of focus and structure he inculcated in them,” says Green. “He had the ability and willingness to take you step by step to the next level—to help you find a game plan for what you wanted to do down the road within the academic world.”

For example, Green started out as Dr. White’s student, became a teacher’s assistant, and then he began to go to conferences with his mentor, at which he began to see him in a different light. “I was impressed not with the number of people he knew, but with the level of respect they had for him,” Green recalls.

In addition to bringing students up through the ranks, says Green, Dr. White simply set a good example.

“He had a tremendous sense of dedication no matter what subject he was teaching,” Green adds. “His focus on preparation was amazing. I never saw him try to teach something that he hadn’t fully prepared for. He projected the importance of being well rounded.” Finally, adds Green, Dr. White’s enjoyment for learning was so strong that he inspired his students to do the same probing.

Dr. White agrees that he will enjoy being on an educational path for as long as he can. “I’m no longer in the classroom teaching, but education is an ongoing, continuous process for me,” he explains.

In fact, he adds, all Americans should have the same opportunity to learn that he has had. “That is what education is all about. It is one of the primary institutions of American society and should be available and open to all.” That is one of the great things about Metro State, he adds.

“The College gave a wide range of students the option to attend college and earn a degree,” he says. “I really appreciated the mix of students, with reference to age, race, ethnicity, social class and background. Working at Metro enhanced and added to my appreciation of an urban education.”

Survey for fall 2008 Graduates Deadline April 30

Tell us if you liked your experience at Metro State (or not) by taking our New Grad Survey (click here)! We want to know what you are thinking, how your experience could have been better, and/or anything else you want to tell us. We're also hoping you will tell us about your current employment and if you are furthering your education. The survey takes just five minutes! Use your 900 number as your login code. If you’ve forgotten it we can quickly retrieve it for you at: 303-556-3015 or mmack5@mscd.edu. Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey!

Outstanding Alumni Awards, Wed., April 21. Danyette Hardin recognized, along with the Auraria Health Center alumni staff

And the countdown continues! Tomorrow night, Wednesday, April 21, Metro State's Office of Alumni Relations will recognize various outstanding alumni at its Blueprint for Success: 2010 Alumni Recognition Evening. This year's "Metro State Pride" award goes to Danyette Hardin and the Auraria Health Center's alumni staff wins special recognition. Read more below.


"Metro State Pride" award

Danyette Hardin

Magna Cum Laude graduate Danyette Hardin ('07, management) wins this year’s “Metro State Pride” award for her unwavering pride in Metro State College. Not only did she found and act as president of the Metro State College of Denver Alumni Business Networking Club, but she has also been involved with other organizations that promote the excellence of the College’s undergraduates. Hardin is involved in Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), which has a global mission of bringing “the top leaders of today and tomorrow to create a better, more sustainable world through the positive power of business.” According to Professor Ronald L. Taylor, from the Department of Management, “Ms. Harding is an eminent example of the core values embraced by the Alumni Association. It is difficult to envision a more selfless and tireless graduate of Metro State.”


Special Recognition:

Auraria Health Center Alumni Staff

This year we have awarded special recognition to the Auraria Health Center Alumni staff. They are: Bill Mavromatis ('79, history), Debbie Shuman ('05, humanS performance and sport), Garr Rice ('09, nursing), Steffana Nohavickova ('06, IDP), Gia Valente ('08, history), Linda Wilkens-Pierce ('91, human services), Nathan Neilson ('07, accounting) and Martha Eaton ('94, psychology). According to Health Center Director Steve Monaco, “Each of the team members come in contact with thousands of students, faculty and staff throughout any given year and are instrumental in serving the 24,000+ clients who access care at the Health Center annually. On a daily basis I see each of these dedicated employees over achieving as they fulfill their job duties.” Collectively, he adds, this team is committed to students, dedicated to the quality of their work, willing to go the extra mile time and time again, and they are positive, energized, and dedicated to the College’s mission. “This team,” Monaco states, “personifies what it means to give back, and each employee is a shining example of what it means to be Metro State graduates.”

Alumni Business Spotlight: Cheryl Brungardt, the Chotchke Queen

Ever wondered about the chotchkes you get at every event you have ever been to? The red and blue pompoms are fun for the kids, and the compostable, reusable Metro State bags are great for grocery store runs. But who thinks of this stuff? There is at least one Metro State alumna who does. Cheryl Brungardt (’95, human services) spends the majority of her work life coming up with these creative promotional products, and she has made a successful business out of it.

Brungardt runs Thank Em Promotions, a Colorado based company she founded in 1998. She currently helps clients across the United States, including Metro State College of Denver, brainstorm, develop, and distribute promotional products. The point of the products, she says, is to help businesses grow.

“I find them chotchkies that support the mission of their organization,” Brungardt says. “It’s a really creative way to gather things that are relevant to a person or organization’s needs.”

Brungardt found inspiration while getting her degree in Human Services with an emphasis in nonprofit administration. She had been a volunteer coordinator, often dealing with providing chotchkes to her volunteers. She realized the power of offering these promotional products and decided it would be more fun to sell them. With experience working with and for nonprofits, she also had an understanding of the need to make these things affordable. And, equipped with information she gleaned from a marketing class with current Director for Center for Nonprofit Studies, Kelly Felice, Brungardt decided to start her own business.

And business, she says, is booming despite the recession. “I don’t advertise, but I continue to get a lot of referrals from the several networking groups I am a part of, as well as from my involvement with Volunteer Connections of Jefferson County.” Brungardt works with small businesses, nonprofits, and schools, but will also occasionally work with larger companies. As well, she maintains regular business with the Office of Alumni Relations at Metro.

According to Gini Mennenga from the Office of Alumni Relations, “Cheryl has always been the easiest person to work with. All you have to do is ask her do something, and she finds an answer for you.” In addition to providing promotional products, Brungardt regularly donates her time to the College. She supports the non-profit studies program, speaks in classes, and, says Mennenga, “she is always very positive about her experience at Metro. I have seen that is one of the first things that comes up when she is talking with other people.”

Brungardt, Mennenga adds, really represents the majority of Metro’s graduates. “She works hard, she takes care of her family. For a small, individually-owned business like hers to have survived over the years speaks to her work ethic, business skills, and her sense of going in and getting things done.” For more information on Brungardt or her business, please visit her website: www.thankem.com.

To read last month's article on Terrence Trieu, click here. To read the Business Spotlight on Eric Pederson, click here.

Outstanding Alumni Awards: This year's "Distinguished Alumnus" award goes to Edward Jacobs Jr. and Shannon Webber

Each year, Metro State College of Denver’s Office of Alumni Relations celebrates the successes of some of its outstanding graduates by presenting awards at its semi-annual Alumni Recognition Evening. This year’s Outstanding Alumni Awards recipients will be celebrated at the Blueprint for Success: 2010 Alumni Recognition Evening, Wednesday, April 21, from 5:30-7 p.m. at St. Cajetan’s on the Auraria Campus. The cost is $10 per person and includes dinner. Tickets must be purchased by Monday, April 19. Read about each individual in the days leading up the event. Today's highlighted graduates are the "Distinguished Alumnus," Edward Jacobs and Shannon Webber.

Edward Jacobs Jr.

Senior Instructional Technologist for the Education Technology Center, Edward Jacobs Jr. ('96, computer information systems) wins this year’s “Distinguished Alumnus” award because of his wholehearted love and dedication to Metro State College of Denver. Not only will you find Jacobs regularly attending and taking photos at Metro athletics games, but his office walls are covered with College paraphernalia. As well, says co-worker Manisha Pinge, he is a “tremendous individual” who is a pleasure to work with on a daily basis. “Ed inspires others to excel,” she adds. “His enthusiasm and commitment to his job demonstrates his talent and dedication on a daily basis.” More than 20 co-workers and colleagues submitted letters recommending Jacobs win this award. According to co-worker Alex McDaniel (’05, speech communication), “Ed’s dedication to the College by far surpasses that of any other employee. The College is truly privileged to have an outstanding alumnus like Ed.”

Shannon Webber

Shannon Webber ('04, political science), a Financial Aid Counselor at the Financial Aid and Scholarship Center, is our other “Distinguished Alumna” winner. Not only does Webber regularly volunteer for crisis centers and the program Girls Rock, but she consistently gives back to the Metro community through her outreach work with Denver Public Schools, the Metro State Access Center, and the Metro State Excel Program. “Shannon makes a difference in the lives of students and administrators by going out of her way to compassionately and effectively communicate on behalf of the students she serves,” says co-worker Janina Edwards. “She exhibits Metro State pride by representing Metro State to various communities across Denver and by encouraging students of all backgrounds to believe in their abilities and to attend Metro State.”

Outstanding Alumni Awards & Alumni Recognition Evening & "Future Alumnus" Award winner: Andrew Bateman

Each year, Metro State College of Denver’s Office of Alumni Relations celebrates the successes of some of its outstanding graduates by presenting awards at its semi-annual Alumni Recognition Evening. These awards are meant reflect the guiding principles and core values of the Metro State Alumni Association, which include: giving back, making a difference, Metro State pride and work ethic.

According to Assistant Director of Alumni Programs and Communication, Stefanie Carroll, “We hear every year from alums that they want to know what their fellow alumni have been doing since graduation. This special evening gives us the chance to highlight the accomplishments of some of our alumni.”

This year’s Outstanding Alumni Awards recipients will be celebrated at the Blueprint for Success: 2010 Alumni Recognition Evening, Wednesday, April 21, from 5:30-7 p.m. at St. Cajetan’s on the Auraria Campus. The cost is $10 per person and includes dinner. Tickets must be purchased by Monday, April 19. Click here for more information.

We will highlight one to two of these alumni each day until the April 21st event. Andrew Bateman ('10, theatre/psychology) is today’s highlighted alum. Andrew won the "Future Alumnus" award.

Andrew Bateman ('10, theatre/psychology) perfectly embodies the newest of Office of Alumni Relations’ awards—“Future Alumnus”. A tireless proponent of student’s rights, Bateman has actively and aggressively utilized his Student Government Assembly positions as a senator (’06-’07), vice president (’07-’08) and president (’08-’09) to influence change throughout the College and State. He has mastered the art of politics, from arguing for cheaper textbooks on Colorado Public Radio and discussing the advantages of “Going Green” on 9News to coordinating massive protests and marches on the Capitol to get his messages across. According to Stefanie Carroll, the Asst. Director of Alumni Programs and Communications, “Andrew is a stellar example of a dedicated and motivated student, who is making a difference not only for the current students he represents, but also for future Metro State students. I have no doubt he will make far-reaching contributions to the Metro community long after he graduates.”

The other 2010 honorees are:

"Distinguished Alumnus" award: Edward Jacobs, Jr. ('96, computer information systems) and Shannon Webber ('04, political science)

"Giving Back" award: Meghan Stinton ('07, journalism)

"Making a Difference" award: Piper Billups ('99, marketing) and Lorne Donaldson ('86, physical education)

"Work Ethic" award: Gregory Aarons ('90, psychology)

"Metro State Pride" award: Danyette Hardin ('07, management)
Special recognition for the Auraria Health Center alumni staff. They are: Bill Mavromatis ('79, history), Debbie Shuman ('05, human performance and sport), Garr Rice ('09, nursing), Steffana Nohavickova ('06, IDP), Gia Valente ('08, history), Linda Wilkens-Pierce ('91, human services), Nathan Neilson ('07, accounting) and Martha Eaton ('94, psychology)

The Office of Alumni Relations Announces 2010 Outstanding Alumni Awards

The Office of Alumni Relations announced this year’s Outstanding Alumni Awards recipients and will celebrate these individuals at the Blueprint for Success: 2010 Alumni Recognition Evening, Wednesday, April 21, from 5:30-7 p.m. at St. Cajetan’s on the Auraria Campus.

These awards are meant reflect the guiding principles and core values of the Metro State Alumni Association, which include: giving back, making a difference, Metro State pride and work ethic. The cost is $10 per person and includes dinner. Tickets must be purchased by April 16. Click here for more information.

The 2010 honorees are:

"Distinguished Alumnus" award: Edward Jacobs ('96, computer information systems) and Shannon Webber ('04, political science)

"Giving Back" award: Meghan Stinton ('07, journalism)

"Making a Difference" award: Piper Billups ('99, marketing) and Lorne Donaldson ('86, physical education)

"Work Ethic" award: Gregory Aarons ('90, psychology)

"Metro State Pride" award: Danyette Hardin ('07, management)

"Future Alumnus" award: Andrew Bateman ('10, theatre/psychology)

Special recognition for the Auraria Health Center alumni staff. They are: Bill Mavromatis ('79, history), Debbie Shuman ('05, health performance and sport), Garr Rice ('09, nursing), Steffana Nohavickova ('06, IDP), Gia Valente ('08, history), Linda Wilkens-Pierce ('91, human services), Nathan Neilson ('07, accounting) and Martha Eaton ('94, psychology)

Read more about these outstanding individuals next Wednesday as we highlight one each day on the blog until the April 21st Alumni Recognition Evening.

President Stephen Jordan to volunteer for Comcast Cares Days, asks for 450 Metro students, alums, employees to join him

Dear Colleagues,

Please join Ruthie and me in volunteering for Comcast Cares Day on Saturday, April 24. Metro State is privileged to be this year's signature Colorado nonprofit to benefit from the annual event — the largest one-day corporate volunteer effort in the country.

Hundreds of Comcast volunteers will assist with campus beautification and maintenance projects ranging from painting outdoor hand railings to inventorying library books. Comcast will also collect nonperishable food items with a goal of more than 45,000 pounds —enough to feed more than 30,000 individuals. Metro State's own food bank will be filled, along with many other community food pantries. Read more facts about Comcast Cares day below.

In honor of our upcoming 45th anniversary, my goal is to have 450 Metro State volunteers help support in this exciting effort. Our efforts on April 24 will improve the campus experience for everyone. Let's make this a kick-off for an annual service project that we can be proud of for the next 45 years.

Every volunteer receives free parking, breakfast, lunch, t-shirt and Metro State cap.

April 24 will be a great day to be a Roadrunner! Thank you in advance for your participation.

Sincerely,

Stephen M. Jordan, Ph.D.

Plain & Fancy kickoff event a huge success

Metro State College of Denver held its Plain & Fancy kickoff event April 1st at the Curtis Hotel. According to Lauren Schwartz, events and outreach manager for Metro State, the purpose of the kickoff event was to "announce the Plain & Fancy honorees, and to honor the people who committed to be on the host committee." The host committee is responsible for helping to raise money for the event by selling tables and identifying sponsors or by comitting to buy a table.

"The event was a great success," added Schwartz. "It's a lot of fun and it's a taste of what is yet to come." The Plain & Fancy Ball is an event that supports the entire College, raising fund primarily for scholarships.

Honorees this year include: Speaker of the House Terrance Carroll, Pat Cortez, Leo Kiely III, Adele Phelan, Ray Sutton Jr. To see videos of the event, visit our Facebook Fan page. If you are interested in purchasing a ticket, donating an item for the auctions, sponsoring a table, or just reading more about the event, click here.

In this short video, Alumni Association Board Member, RC Montoya (1993, Technical Communications)talks about why the Plain & Fancy Ball is important.

Tri-Institutional Event and March Celebrate Cesar Chavez. Metro student and professor recognized for efforts in Latino community

Today, Cesar Chavez would have been 83 today had he not died. In celebration of his birthday, a tri-institutional day-long event was organized. There was a breakfast, luncheon, keynote speakers, and a march across campus (photos and video of which are on our Alumni & Friends Facebook Fan page). As well, Metro State student Anayelia Gonzalez was recognized for her active engagement with the Latino community, including her involvement with La Raza Youth Leadership Institute. The plaque she was given was designed by Emanuel Martinez, a national artist residing in Denver. As well, El Centro Su Teatro, headed by Artistic and Executive Director and part-time Chicano Studies Professor Tony Garcia, was honored.

According to Dr. Ramon Del Castillo, the Chair of the Chicana and Chicano Studies, “The march is symbolic of what Cesar Chavez did. He marched for social justice. He believed in sacrifice and giving to people and the community.” The tri-institutional event, he added, was a youth leadership development event that “embodied the work that Chavez did for four decades.”

Sandra Cisneros to speak on Metro Campus

The English Department at Metropolitan State College of Denver has announced Sandra Cisneros as the speaker for its second annual "21st Century Arts & Letters Speakers Series." The event, free and open to the public, will be held on Weds., April 7, at 11:30 a.m. in the Tivoli Turnhalle.

Cisneros will read from her recent and past work, be available for a question-and-answer session, and sign her books.

The internationally renowned, award-winning poet and fiction writer has written numerous books, including The House on Mango Street, first published in 1984. It won the Before Columbus Foundation’s American Book Award in 1985, and is required reading in middle schools, high schools and universities across the country. It has sold more than two million copies since its initial publication.

"We are thrilled to have Sandra Cisneros speaking on our campus, and we expect a wonderful turnout and response from our students, faculty staff, and from fans of Cisneros' works from off-campus," says Assistant Professor of English Craig Svonkin, who also chairs the Speakers Series’ committee.

Where Are They Now?

A Profile of Retired Faculty Member Charlie Branch

Article by Lizzy Scully

Photos by Kenn Bisio

Just a year before he turned 50, Charles “Charlie” Branch found his way to Metro State College of Denver and became the Dean of the School of Education. Three decades later, this dapper 80-year-old still dresses in a suit and tie, combs his now white gray hair neatly back, and drives to work. Of course, he retired two years ago, and so now only works a couple days per week. But his passion for his job remains the same.

“At age 80 I feel very, very good,” Branch says. “I feel like there are a lot of things yet to be done.” He currently teaches applied behavior analysis, a “scientific psychological way of solving human problems. I love teaching the course! I jumped at the chance to get back after being out for six months. I have a problem with being cooped up. I love working with people.”

According to three-decade Metro veteran, Debora Martin, the office manager for the Department of Human Services, students love working with him, too. “What I hear from students is that he is wonderful to work with, and they enjoy his classes. He is a really nice, genuine guy.”

Branch came to Metro State after getting his PhD from the University of Florida.
After stints at various colleges, including Ball State University, he landed in Denver. “I was excited about Metro because it was a new institution and an institution that had the potential and diversity that I valued highly,” he explains. “We were making history, and we still are.”

One of the main drawing cards was the fact that he had the opportunity to work with thousands of Denver-area K-12 teachers who needed to renew their teaching certificates. “I thought that was a gold mine out there,” he adds. “Nobody was furnishing their needs.”

Branch would plan programs based on the expressed needs of the teachers. “They would tell me their needs, and we could write curriculum and give it to them three days later,” he says. “It would normally take three to four years to get a curriculum change, whereas out here we could change it momentarily. We filled a need within a community. That has kept me around for a long time.”

Things aren’t like that these days, he admits, but he still feels the institution is flexible, and that President Stephen Jordan is carrying Metro State “onward and upward.” Plus, he says, “The quality and commitment of the faculty here is unbelievable compared to other institutions.” Wanting to add to the roster of excellent professors, Branch decided to transition into full time teaching himself.

“I saw that as an opportunity to make an even bigger difference with students,” he says. “It’s exciting to see the ‘aha’ moments students have and their growth.” The diversity on campus also pleases him.

“It’s not just ethnicity,” he says. “I’m talking about academic background diversity, age diversity. I like working in an environment with adult learners and young learners. They learn more from each other than they do from me.”
And that is how Branch likes it. He tries to facilitate a classroom environment that encourages people to search for the truth and to work with each other to do that. “Nobody does anything by him or herself that has any lasting meaning,” he explains.

Branch has always applied this attitude in his dealings with staff members as well, says Martin. As dean, he always encouraged people to come to his office to talk to him about anything, anytime, she says. “When I think of Charlie, I think of a person who is dedicated and always here. He is not afraid to take on conflict and deal with issues that come up, and he does that in a positive manner. He brought a lot of openness to Metro State.”

Plus, he inspired her and others with his work ethic. “He’s the type of person who would be in here at 6a.m. and get a couple hours of work done before we even got here. And, he really worked hard to give students great customer service.”
Though he only teaches one class at Metro now, Branch hopes to work in some capacity for the institution as long as he can.

“I still feel a part of Metro,” he says, “and I will until my last breath.”

This is the first in a series of monthly articles about retired faculty.

The Hidden Job Market: What is it, and how can it help you find a job?

What's the Hidden Job Market? It's only the place where 80% of jobs are "hidden," i.e. not publicized on job boards or websites. So, how do you find out about them if they are hidden? Read on by clicking here.

Metro State to play St. Cloud in quarterfinals; Fans can now receive text message updates on Roadrunner games

Metro State fans can now receive free text message alerts on Roadrunner athletics (standard rates apply, depending on your service plan). Subscribers will receive scores, news and schedule changes the minute they occur. To sign up, click on the button on the right side of the Metro State Athletics homepage or click this link. Follow the simple steps to receive alerts on the Roadrunner teams you would like updates from.

Metro State will play St. Cloud State (Minn.) in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Central Region Tournament on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. (CDT) in Mankato, Minn. It is the 13th time in the past 14 years that Metro State has qualified for the NCAA Tournament, the most of any Division II school during that time. For more info, click here.

Alumnus Jonathon Stalls Walks Across America for KIVA

Remember Forest Gump, long hair strewn about as he ran and ran across America. When asked why, he responded: “When I had to go, you know, I went.” Recent Metropolitan State College of Denver Alumnus Jonathon Stalls (Independent study ’09) is going on foot across America this year, too—walking from the East to the West coast, in fact. But he’s not doing it just ‘cuz. Stalls is on a mission. He’s raising funds for the nonprofit, microfinance organization, KIVA. Plus, it’s something he just had to do.

“I sat with myself on my birthday prior to graduating, and I said to myself: ‘this is something I would love to do. I don’t know when, but I’m going to do this.’” Now, just six months later he’s on his way. He left Monday, March 1, and plans to travel well over 5,000 miles. He’s using the southern portion of the American Discovery Trail (ADT) as “a tool in carving a route for this trip.” He plans to reach the heart of the Rocky Mountains by July and so will have to take some shortcuts. His final destination is California.

The seed for this trip, he said, was planted on a visit to Europe. “I interacted with all kinds of on-foot travelers in hostels. The freedom and flexibility of their mobility and travel was this new thing for me. I recognized I was very jealous of a life like that.” Then he came back to the States and “stumbled” across Peter Jenkins’ book, “A Walk Across America,” and he met a guy in a coffee shop late one night who further influenced him.

“He sat next to me and started talking about how he was walking across the country and was on the last leg,” recalled Stalls. “The stories that came out of his mouth paralyzed me.” Soon after that night, Stalls took an extended trip to Honduras, where he “bounced around on chicken busses.” That cemented things for him, and he began to check out weather patterns and routes across the United States.

However, the trip planning couldn’t be complete until he figured out one more thing. He wanted to give back somehow. While taking a social entrepreneurship class at Metro State, he learned about the organization KIVA, which offered microfinance as a solution to poverty.

“I went online, researched KIVA and just fell in love with how they organized people to get involved in microfinance,” Stalls explained. He also liked how they “met our growing online social capacity.” KIVA utilizes social media platforms—Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter—to cultivate an online community that syncs with their interests. Stalls is taking a Blackberry with him so that he can do regular updates on the walks, the people he meets, and anything else he’s thinking about. Though he’s only been walking less than a week, his social media efforts are already paying off. He has already raised three-quarters of the $12,000 that he needs to make the trip happen, and he has more than 500 Facebook friends. He hopes this translates to real-world interactions with people.

He is looking for people to host him along the way, to walk with him on highways or through the mountains, and for whom he can do presentations and facilitate inspirational talks about microfinance.

“Join me on this trip,” he says. “Put on a pack and take in your environment. Slow down a bit. I’m really looking forward to meeting and connecting with people.”

For more information, please visit Stalls’ website. As well, the Metro State Office of Alumni Relations will regularly keep track of Jonathon in our “Where’s Jonathon” updates. And we are spending a day walking with him in the Colorado mountains as he passes through. We encourage other alumni and students to join us on this journey. Please contact Brian Ferguson at fergusob @ mscd.edu if you are a student or alumnus who wants to walk with KIVA.

Win a Ring Contest Going strong with 80 entries. One week to go

Heartwarming, funny, sincere, creative... these words aptly describe the colorful array of entries submitted to the Metropolitan State College of Denver's Office of Alumni Relations Win a Ring Contest. Held on Facebook, this contest has more than doubled the number of fans on the Facebook Fanpage and has inspired nearly 80 entries to the contest. The contest ends on Sunday, March 14. Anyone can vote on entries, and the top ten most voted on entries will be included in the final vote, to be officiated by the Office of Alumni Relations staff. Three prizes are being offered: First: an official Metro State College of Denver Ring worth $300; Second: $150 gift certificate to the Auraria Campus Bookstore; Third: $75 gift certificate to the bookstore.

Entries have run the gamut. Nicole Barrientos exemplifies entries focusing on the question, "Why do you love Metro State." She said she's having Metro "withdrawals. Every day I wear my Metro State hoodie to display my Metro State Roadrunner pride! I will forever cherish my experiences I had while a student at Metro State!" She submitted various photos, including this one of a cake imprinted with her name and the Metro State logo.

Hedy Anselman's "Metro, my brain pane" melds creativity with this same pride. She wrote, "Metro State College has opened the window of my mind not only to the future, but to a new awareness and outlook into the world ... I’ve shared in things such as the development of a pre-school for autistic kids in China to Indigenous medicine in South America. I am so proud to be a student at Metro State College, my brain-pane."

And Wendy Ponns' and Alid Britt's entries bring in a bit of humor. Ponn wrote: "I smell my degree! It is so close! 82 days and a wake up and I am a Metro Alumnus!" While Britt supplied a photo of her leaping in the air on campus (photo at top of article).


Some of the more creative entries include, "Metro a Mouthful," by Kelly Keefe, and this poem by Angela Barsotti: Magnificent
Scholastic
Creative
Dynamic

MSCD.
Oh, for my days as a student on Auraria Campus at the college that to adults is geared.
The fun! The people! The classes! The struggle! The books, dog-eared.
To mark my achievement, a white-gold ring with onyx, lovingly worn till it disappeared.
The days have passed; my ring is gone.
Forever, the years at MSCD, revered

To read all the entries and see more photos, visit the Contest Home Page. Only people on Facebook can enter, but anyone can vote.

Metro State College of Denver Alumni & Friends launches Job Blog

Have an interview and want to know what to expect? Check out the new Metro State College of Denver Alumni & Friends Job Blog for a list of common interview questions, as well as resources to help you find your job and various articles that will help you in your job search.

As a result of a LinkedIn discussion the Office of Alumni Relations had with alums, we contacted the Office of Career Services to find out how we could better support you. In addition to offering other services, we created a Job Blog, to be administered by both offices.

This job blog will include original articles written by the Office of Career Services and myself (Lizzy Scully, Social Engagement Manager), as well as a plethora of resources to help you find a job. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions regarding the content of this job blog and what you would like to see, please email me at escully @ mscd.edu, or contact me via our various social media sites.