Spring 2016
The Impact of Alumni
Alumni from a variety of industries lent their stories and experiences to current CSU students, showcasing the many ways in which those with a liberal arts degree make a significant impact in their fields.
Scroll down to see this issue's featured stories
Bernie Rollin lauded with lifetime achievement award
A tireless and outspoken advocate for animal ethics, CSU philosophy’s Bernard Rollin has received a Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Research Ethics.
Three liberal arts faculty named Best Teachers of 2016
Liberal arts faculty recently took home more 2016 Best Teacher Awards than any other college at CSU.
Kyle Saunders, CSU’s ‘political guru,’ discusses the 2016 presidential election
Kyle Saunders explains his conspiracy theory research, analyzes the primary election process, and shares what has surprised him about this year’s presidential race.
GRAMMY Foundation supports autism research in the School of Music, Theatre and Dance
School of Music, Theatre, and Dance
Two professors, funded by the GRAMMY Foundation, are leading a study on musical creativity in children with autism spectrum disorder.
Pulitzer prize winner Komunyakaa returns to CSU for poetry reading
English department alumnus Yusef Komunyakaa returned to CSU to share his work and words of wisdom with the community.
CSU alum Bonnie Ross talks technology, female involvement in the industry
Journalism and Media Communication
For CSU alumna Bonnie Ross, her time as a Ram was a stepping stone into a career of technology and creativity. Ross is now head of 343 Industries and Halo, and recently returned to campus to speak to students.
Bruce Bodaken: A business leader with a Philosophical Mind
Alumnus Bruce Bodaken (‘73) believes it is his background in philosophy that distinguished him from his peers in business and uniquely prepared him to be a leader and innovator.
From CSU to Super Bowl: Bimper receives Young Professional Award
Senior Associate Athletic Director for Diversity and Inclusion Albert Bimper is being honored with the LeRoy T. Walker Young Professional Award from SHAPE America.
Faculty and Staff Retirements
“There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning.” – Louis L’Amour
Alumnus named spokesperson for Muscular Dystrophy Association
Communication Studies | Journalism and Media Communication
Joe Akmakjian, who graduated from CSU in 2013 with a dual degree in journalism and media communication and communication studies, has been named the first adult National Goodwill Ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Afghanistan war veteran, liberal arts student recounts experience
International Studies | Languages, Literatures and Cultures
Liberal arts student Rachael Martel explains how real-life experience has shaped her views on negative American sentiment towards Muslim and Islamic culture.
Alumna Runs Ram Tough at Olympic Trials
On February 13, Sarah “Mac” Robinson was among the elite runners who lined up in Los Angeles at the U.S Olympic Team Marathon Trials, attempting to be one of three women to represent the country at the Rio Olympics next summer.
Ann Gill endowment to bring speakers and artists to campus
The Ann Gill Visiting Lecturer and Artist Endowment was created to bring diverse talents, perspectives, and thought leadership to campus.
CSU, partners crowdfund study on music and Alzheimer’s
Organizers of a program that brings individuals with dementia and their caregivers to Fort Collins Symphony concerts have created a crowdfunding campaign to help pay for a Colorado State University study of its impact on the participants.
A Legacy of Giving: Dr. Irene Vernon
Faculty at Colorado State University wear many hats. They are teachers, mentors, leaders, researchers, advocates and activists. And some of them are leading by example in another important role, by investing in the future of Colorado State University as donors.
ACT Human Rights Film Festival sees strong opening weekend
The ACT Human Rights Film Festival kicked off on Friday, April 15th, with six films showing at the Lory Student Center Theater over the opening weekend.
2016 Student Art Exhibit
With mediums ranging from found materials to spray paint and polyurethane, the Curfman Gallery showcased broad talents at its 2016 student exhibit.
A bridge to college: Fort Morgan students explore CSU
About 35 students from Fort Morgan High School visited CSU on April 6 in a growing partnership that a faculty member and his students in the Department of Ethnic Studies have formed with that community.
A Gift That Will Keep On Giving: Art Gift Arrives at New Home
Last month, the Gregory Allicar Museum of Art at Colorado State University began receiving nearly 200 works of art in its recently completed galleries and storage spaces.
Liberal arts students earn CSU research fellowships
Two liberal arts students have each earned a coveted spot in the 2016-2017 CSU Vice President for Research Cohort.
Soon-to-be grad blends business with creative entrepreneurship
“I would call myself an independent artist-entrepreneur, which is what I think you have to be now if you want to work in the creative industry.”
‘Reefer Madness, The Musical’ redone by CSU Theatre as satirical commentary
School of Music, Theatre, and Dance
Enthusiasm is high over the 4/20 opening of CSU Theatre’s production of the cult classic, Reefer Madness, The Musical, by Kevin Murphy and Dan Studney.
Standing ovation for student’s spoken word performance
Philosophy student Arisson Stanfield brought the crowd to their feet during the 2016 MLK Day community celebration.
Cuba: a homecoming story
Over spring break, a group of Colorado State University students, Fort Collins community members, and two ethnic studies faculty members embarked on a nine-day service learning trip to Cuba.
Critical Language Scholarship takes three students abroad
Anthropology and Geography | Economics | International Studies | Languages, Literatures and Cultures
Three students are off to Jordan, Tanzania, and Russia this summer thanks to a competitive language scholarship.
CSU Pep Band and the CSU Spirit Squad Recognized as Best in the West!
School of Music, Theatre, and Dance
The CSU Pep Band and the CSU Spirit Squad were named this year’s top-ranking Mountain West Conference Tournament Game Day Spirit Program, with a score of 97%.
Dance Alumni Celebration: Uniting Dancing Rams of All Ages
School of Music, Theatre, and Dance
On April 27-30, the Colorado State University School of Music, Theatre and Dance will host its first Alumni Dance Celebration, a reunion of dancers from as far back as the mid-1970s.
Reflections on Ghana
Over winter break, a group of students, faculty and staff from Colorado State University embarked on a three week serve and learn trip to Ghana.
Online Arts Leadership Master’s among top leadership programs
CSU’s online Master of Arts Leadership and Administration has received top honors from the “Oscars” of leadership.
Languages, Literatures and Cultures looks to expand student reach
Languages, Literatures and Cultures
From hybrid courses to agricultural Spanish, the department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures is expanding its reach and putting an emphasis on practical skills.
Alumna pursues a love of literature at Wolverine Farm Publishing
Interdisciplinary Liberal Arts
Interdisciplinary Liberal Arts alumna Meg Schiel, class of 2013, shares her post-graduation journey.
$12,000 Raised at Annual Rams Juris Doctor Dinner
On February 16, 2016 the Rams Juris Doctor group gathered for their annual fundraising dinner in Denver for networking, professional development, and to raise funds for the Rams JD Scholarship.
Woodward internship provides ‘valuable experience’ for graduating senior
“My internship has added value to my educational experience because it has allowed me to apply what I’m learning in a real-world setting.” – Andre Foltz
Comic book artist, CSU alum empowers women through Hallery show
A bright new exhibition in the Hallery has transformed the lower level of the Lory Student Center into a page from a comic book.
Words for the Earth
The Words for the Earth award is being created in honor of John Calderazzo and SueEllen Campbell, on the eve of their retirement from CSU.
CSU and government of Rwanda are partners in smart, sustainable development
Dr. Galvin traveled to Africa to discuss Smart Village Minigrid project with Rwandan government officials.
Alumna Felicia Zamora wins 2016 Andrés Montoya Poetry Prize
Alumna Felicia Zamora has been selected as the recipient of the 2016 Andrés Montoya Poetry Prize.
Sustainability education through art
Erika Osborne creates works that raise awareness of environmental issues in the American West, including climate change and the urban-wilderness interface.
CSU prepared alumna for Paris — and brewery engineering
International Studies | Languages, Literatures and Cultures
Allison Martz combined liberal arts with engineering, creating a unique career path which ultimately led to the world of brewing.
National Science Foundation lecture presented by Kate Browne
Anthropology’s Katherine Browne delivered a talk as part of the National Science Foundation’s Distinguished Lecture Series.
When disaster strikes, a resilient community stands firm
Faculty in Sociology and Economics are participating in a public webinar to review the Center for Risk-Based Community Resilience Planning’s first-year findings.
Cross-Campus Collaboration between Theatre and Social Work Works!
School of Music, Theatre, and Dance
Last semester a cross-campus partnership formed when Shari Simmons’ Individual Therapy class teamed up with Amy Scholl’s Acting Class for a hand-on experience: mock counseling sessions.
Professor discusses polar regions, solutions to the environmental crisis
There’s no such thing as a quick fix for multi-layered issues such as climate change — he said one of the main reasons he wrote the book was to simply begin a conversation.
Alumni use language skills working abroad
Languages, Literatures and Cultures | Political Science
Picking everything up and leaving to work in a new country is no more than a dream for some, but others have been able to make it a reality by landing a job abroad after graduating with language skills.
Being interdisciplinary
Interdisciplinary Liberal Arts
Kevin Foskin, director of the Interdisciplinary Liberal Arts program, talks about what it means to be interdisciplinary.
New study abroad programs launched in multimedia and travel writing
Journalism and Media Communication
International television storyteller Ashley Colburn (’08) will lead a two-week travel writing course in Croatia, where she is famous for programs about the country’s many amazing tourist and cultural destinations.
Why I study Interdisciplinary Liberal Arts
Interdisciplinary Liberal Arts
Sophomore Jeordin Wiley shares her perspective on why the Interdisciplinary Liberal Arts major is the perfect fit for her.
Anthropology Club Participates in Rice Elementary Science Night
A fun and memorable experience for CSU Anthropology Club volunteers and elementary students at the 2016 Rice Elementary Science Night.
Amanda Jones Scholarship makes International Field Experience a Reality
Funded by the Amanda Jones Field Study Abroad Award, Kellyn Davis traveled to Kenya last summer to attend a six-week paleontology field school.
Liberal Arts students completing semester abroad on Gilman Scholarship
Economics | Languages, Literatures and Cultures | Sociology
Two students in the College of Liberal Arts have been awarded the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship, which aims to diversify students’ international experiences.
Alumnus breaks Guinness World Record — handily
Colorado State University alumnus Juan Diaz de Leon and friend Matt Holmes recently reached for a Guinness World Record for the world’s longest handshake — all to bring exposure to Colorado entrepreneurs.
LEAP GRADUATE STUDENT ENJOYS LAW AND PLANNING EVENTS
A soon-to-be graduate of the LEAP master’s program, Christine Pelletier has already landed a position with the Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra.
Lori Peek’s Hurricane Katrina book named Colorado Book Awards finalist
Sociology faculty Lori Peek’s book is in the running for a Colorado Book Award.
Dan Beachy-Quick selected as a finalist for the Colorado Book Awards
Colorado Humanities and Center for the Book announced that Dan Beachy-Quick is a finalist for the Colorado Book Awards in Poetry for his latest work (gentlessness).
Canadian Brass Member Caleb Hudson is CSU’s New Trumpet Professor
School of Music, Theatre, and Dance
In fall 2016, Caleb Hudson, trumpet artist of the Canadian Brass, will join the music faculty at Colorado State University as the assistant professor of trumpet.
Cindy Griffin retires after 23 years at CSU
Dr. Cindy Griffin will retire at the end of this year after 23 years at CSU.
CSU’s Public Speaking class named among the best nationwide
The National Communication Association named SPCM 200: Public Speaking, a class offered by CSU’s Department of Communication Studies, as a “Program of Distinction” at its 2015 annual convention in Las Vegas last November.
Remembering Jennifer Fish Kashay
Paying tribute to Department of History associate professor Jennifer Fish Kashay.
Alumni draw enthusiastic crowds at events
English | Journalism and Media Communication
Halo executive Bonnie Ross and Pulitzer prize winning poet Yusef Komunyakaa were greeted by large crowds as they visited campus this spring.
So long for now: Reflections From Dean Gill
As retirement nears, Ann leaves our liberal arts family with memories and gratitude.
Ben Withers named dean of Liberal Arts
The new dean of the College of Liberal Arts is an art historian and former department chair.