Tuesday, June 22, 2010

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.

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Friday, June 18, 2010

All Colorado Alumni Career Fair a huge success

More than 75 Metro State Alumni attended the 2010 All Colorado Alumni Career Fair, Thursday, June 17th.

"They came dressed for success," said Metro State Office of Alumni Relations representative Joshua Anderson, one of the organizers for the event. "The event went really well."

More than 60 employers attended.


Created with flickr slideshow.


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Monday, June 7, 2010

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.”

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All Colorado Alumni Career Fair

Twelve Colorado colleges and universities from around the state have collaborated to organize this exciting event exclusively for alumni from participating schools. This event is for people who have a bachelor's degree. Employers from a variety of industries will be present to meet outstanding alumni to fill professional positions.

Thursday, June 17, 2010
1:00-6:00 pm
Ramada Plaza Denver North
10 East 120th Avenue (Take I-25 to Exit 223)

The Ramada Plaza Denver North will be offering a discounted room rate of $79 on June 16th and 17th for attendees. To make a hotel reservation, call (303) 452-4100. There is no entrance fee and parking is free!

Come prepared. Dress to impress. And bring updated resumes!
To register for this event, click here. Please register before June 10th For questions, contact the Metro State Office of Career Services at (303) 556-3664

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Thursday, June 3, 2010

Need beta testers for new Office of Alumni Relations website


Hello Alums! I'm looking for 10 more people to beta test the new Office of Alumni Relations Web site (June 7-July 25). The site doubles as our static site (which is available to anyone) and a social media platform (which is only available to alumni & friends of alumni). It has many LinkedIn-type components, including various ways to network for jobs, become a mentor/mentee, join groups, join discussions, and utilize directories to look up long-lost classmates, faculty/staff and/or alumni business owners. You can also share photos and send emails. We are offering some nice prizes and gift certificates to people interested in beta testing. As well, you get to be among the first to check out this new social media platform exclusively for Metro State alumni. Please contact me if you are interested.
-Lizzy Scully
escully@ mscd.edu
303-556-5158

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Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Roadrunners go head-to-head with the best


Metro State's softball season ends with a 53-6 record.
June 2, 2010, from @Metro

Last weekend, the Roadrunners made their mark in both softball and track and field.

Metro State's softball season ends with a 53-6 record in just the third year of the program. The team’s run in the NCAA Division II College Softball World Series semifinals game came to an end on Sunday, when they were defeated 7-2 by Hawaii Pacific.

To top off their fantastic run, Tara Mickelson and Jennessa Tesone were both named to the NCAA Division II Softball All-Tournament team on Monday following the championship game, which was won 4-3 by Hawaii Pacific over Valdosta State (Ga.)

Track and Field
Metro State men's track runners Anthony Luna and Shawn Lindbom both finished in the top four in the 800 meters at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Charlotte, N.C. Luna finished second and Lindbom came in fourth. Teammate Rick Bogatay finished 11th in the 1500 meter run.

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