SPECIAL EDITION @Metro--Email and MetroConnect update

To get up dates regarding email, please click visit @Metro by clicking here. Additional information on the Banner Upgrade can be found by clicking here.

Metro State Presents the Pulitzer-Prize Winning Musical Rent tonight, Wed., April 14

By Lizzy Scully

The Pulitzer Prize winning musical Rent opens Thursday, April 15, at the King Center, Auararia Campus, presented by the Metro State College of Denver Theater Department.

The stage is set, a gray and metallic cityscape. Ladders and wire fencing hang off scaffolding, multi-colored posters are plastered on the walls, and Christmas lights are strung haphazardly over everything. The bleak scene evokes urban neglect and decay. But when the young artists and musicians—the main characters of the play—assault the stage, their frenzied and desperate energy also inspires hope and idealism. Many have HIV/AIDS or are or were drug addicts, they have no money to pay the rent, and relationships are complex and fraught with pain. But these young folks also have the will to fight for the rights of the homeless, start life support groups, revel in their diversity and live according to their ideals. This is Rent, a rock opera by Jonathan Larson and based on Giacomo Puccini’s opera La bohème. And, despite the complexity of the script and score, Metro State’s Theater Department does it justice.

The play opens with the narrator of the show, filmmaker Mark (played by Chris Russell), beginning to shoot a documentary of the bohemian lifestyle lived by himself and his friends, starting with his best friend, the reclusive, reformed drug addict and musician Roger (played by Winston King). The men, who both have lovely resonant voices, sing about their sundry problems, but most specifically their current landlord—Benny (played by Patrick Wills). A former friend and roommate, Benny married into a rich family, bought the building in which Mark and Roger live and the neighboring property where the homeless live, and is now pressuring the two men to pay the rent. The premise of the film becomes their refusal to pay the rent or support Benny’s efforts to develop the property.

As the play progresses, the two men are eventually joined by various eccentric characters, including: Collins (played by Curshion Jones) and his gay lover, transvestite Angel (played by Tyrell Donaldson); Mimi Marquez (played by Lauren Baird), an exotic S&M dancer who becomes Roger’s love interest and the person who eventually brings him out of his depression; and Maureen (played by Erika Kae), Mark’s sexy ex-girlfriend, who is now in a relationship with lawyer Joanne (played by Courtney Capek).

The story is painful to watch as the subject matter is harsh, but I found myself smiling throughout the performance. Choreographer and alumna Jenna Hawkins allowed for a certain amount of anguish to come out in the various dance performances, but she also encouraged a strong sense of playfulness between the characters and audience. With her outrageous rendition of “Over the Moon,” Maureen’s desperation to become famous and her fun, tawdry side come out through dance and song. And Angel’s hilarious, flamboyant strutting and posing provided sufficient comedic moments throughout the play.

The lyrics heightened that sense of light heartedness for me. I particularly enjoyed “Tango Maureen,” during which Mark and Joanna are forced into an unwanted confrontation, but then end up dancing and discussing Maureen’s infidelities and quirks. As well, though not the final song, “La Vie Boheme/I Should Tell You” wrapped up the theme of the show for me. Sung by the entire company, it illustrated the point that reality is a messy mix of neurotic and enlightened experiences, both of which contribute to the richness of life and both of which contributed to the richness of this musical.

Rent runs in the King Center’s Eugenia Rawls Courtyard Theatre from April 15-17 and 22-24. Shows start at 7:30p.m., and on April 25 at 2:30 p.m. For more information, click here.

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.

Metro State selected to partner with Comcast on annual day of service

On Sat., April 24, Metropolitan State College of Denver faculty, staff and students will join more than 60,000 volunteers across the country in support of the 9th annual Comcast Cares Day.

One of the largest single-day corporate volunteer efforts in the country, Comcast Cares Day builds on the volunteer efforts of its employees, families and friends to make a positive impact in neighborhoods across the country. Last year they had a record-breaking turnout, with more than 60,000 volunteers doing their part at 600 project sites around the country.

Selected as Comcast’s signature project in Colorado for that day, Metro State will be joined by more than 400 Comcast employees and their families to tackle a variety of projects, including a city-wide food drive, painting, planting trees, sorting books in the library and landscaping. In addition, volunteers will help the Center for Visual Art prepare to open its new location in the Santa Fe Art District.

“We are excited about coming together to complete much-needed work on campus, and look forward to learning from each other at the same time,” says Metro State Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Foundation Executive Director Carrie Besnette.

In addition to the volunteer hours provided by Comcast, the company also will assist in purchasing supplies for all of the projects and will help facilitate in-kind donations as needed. Through the food drive at the Tivoli, Comcast also hopes to fill the Metro State Food Bank pantry and many other pantries across metro Denver.

The day, to be coordinated by the 2009-10 Metro Leads class and Auraria Campus administrators, will provide memorable and educational experiences for all involved, according to Comcast Communications Vice President Cindy Parsons, who also serves on the Metro State Foundation Board of Directors.

She believes that working side by side will facilitate countless conversations between Comcast employees and students, staff and professors at Metro State.

“Education is a big part of what Comcast supports philanthropically. It will be a really big day. We are creating a workforce of the future,” Parsons says.

Volunteers should look forward to a minimum six-hour work day, and must be at least 16 years old. To learn more, click here.

previous Top Stories »

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.