Alumni Association

Dear Alum,

Ah, summer! A time to hang out and do very little, or maybe it’s your time to be active in the great weather. The campus is languid, though there are occasionally small groups of students slacklining or playing golf with tennis balls (which my dog often finds in Varsity Lake). And there are also the inevitable groups of high school students with parents in tow being shown around campus by student ambassadors.

If you’ve moved or changed e-mail addresses, let us know.

And don’t forget, you can always find the latest alumni happenings at cualum.org. Connect with other alums and access our Ask a Buff service at the online Forever Buffs Network (see information on the right).

Marc Killinger, editor

Programs

Get a discount on Shakespeare

Celebrate summer and get your bard on with the Colorado Shakespeare Festival! CU alumni are invited to an exclusive savings of $10 off any orchestra seat to the 2010 summer season running until Aug. 8. Purchase online here or call 303-492-0554. Use code BUFFALUM to save. (Offer not valid at preview performances; subject to availability; cannot be combined with another offer; not valid with previously purchased tickets.)

Join CU President Benson at the Denver Botanic Gardens

A celebration of CU alums, families and friends with CU President Bruce Benson (Geol’64, HonDocSci’04) and CU chancellors takes place Friday, July 30, 5:30-9:30 p.m. at the Denver Botanic Gardens. A ticket includes food, beverage and entrance to the Denver Botanic Gardens. Sign up here.

Save the weekend, CU vs. Cal

Join Buff alums and fans as we take on the Cal Bears at our big away football game of the year in beautiful Berkeley, Calif., on Saturday, Sept. 11. We’ve reserved hotel rooms for CU fans at a downtown San Francisco hotel. Pregame party and separate game tickets are available. Rooms and tickets are going quickly. Go here for links to hotels and ticket information and to make your reservations soon!

Memphis gets our “Featured Chapter” nod

A new and very active chapter with moderate event attendance, the Memphis, Tenn., alumni chapter is the first Buffalum Notes Featured Chapter! The group is receiving recognition for its persistence in offering and carrying out events that promote loyalty to CU and substantial Buff pride. Past events include a happy hour chapter launch in August 2009, a holiday party and watch parties for football games. Their new website is here. Congratulations for your perseverance and Buff spirit, chapter leader Scott Seltzer (Kines’95) and all the Buffs in the land of Beale Street and Graceland!

Go here to find a chapter near you.

CU in Durango: the PAC-10

Join CU-Boulder Chancellor Philip P. DiStefano and CU Athletic Director Mike Bohn in Durango on Friday, Aug. 6, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Strater Hotel for a reception and presentation about the transformative potential of CU’s entry into the PAC-10 athletic conference. R.S.V.P. by Aug. 2 here or contact Ally at 800-492-7743.

Golf for Hispanic student scholarships

The annual Hispanic Alumni Association Chile Open Golf Tournament is Saturday, Aug. 14 at the Colorado National Golf Club. Company sponsorships are still available. Go here for more information or contact Jackie at 303-492-8485.

Donate to Suit Yourself

Help a student by dropping off gently worn, clean clothing at Koenig Alumni Center, 1202 University Ave., Willard Hall and all Art Cleaners stores in Boulder through Sept. 15. The clothing will be sold by CU Career Services for modest prices to students in need of appropriate job interview clothing. For more information visit here or e-mail Lisa.

Baker Hall is 75!

One of the oldest dorms on campus, Baker Hall, turns 75 years old in 2011. Many of you have special memories of Baker Hall, and we would love to hear your stories. Did you meet your college sweetheart in Baker? Your best friend? What was your favorite part about living in Baker? Please send stories, pictures or questions to the Baker Hall director Megan Harris (Soc’06) by Oct. 5. Thanks for sharing!

Denver Young Alumni: a happy hour and more

• The CU Young Alumni summer happy hour returns Wednesday, July 21 at the new Blake Street Tavern at 23rd and Blake in Denver, 4-6 p.m., which includes a huge patio with great mountain views. Bring a friend as it’s a great chance to reunite with other young alums and meet new friends. No R.S.V.P. needed. Find out more.
• What the Denver Young Alums are calling their biggest scholarship fundraiser and overall best event of the year takes place Saturday, Aug. 7, 4-10 p.m. It’s their first ever poker run, which members describe as a scattered pub crawl. The fun starts at Celtic & Delaney’s and ends at the New Blake Tavern. Here’s more.

Get your beautiful CU campus wall calendar

The spectacular wall calendar with CU-Boulder scenes that in the past was a paid membership benefit is back this year and on sale for a modest $12.49. With the launch of Forever Buffs all 270,000 alumni and students are included in Alumni Association services and it’s not economically feasible to send it to all. We’ve improved this year’s calendar by enhancing photo quality, adding lunar phases and using reader-friendly print. Check it out and order the calendar here.

Check out some refreshingly cool art

Visit Norlin Library—very cool in summer. An art show is inside, with everything from an imaginative Russian forest scene by Yelizaveta Baktin to an animal cluster series by Bhagvati Khalsa. And the enigmatic visions of Nicholas Baldridge in the Laughing Goat coffeehouse. Here’s more.

Get going on your bicycle conditioning!

Arts & Sciences Dean Todd Gleeson, at left, joined the legions of riders on Bike to Work Day this June in Boulder. That’s not unusual; many days are bike-to-work days for the dean, a founder of the Buffalo Bicycle Classic, which supports scholarships for A&S students. Join the dean and thousands of others on Sunday, Sept. 12 for a fun (multi-distance) ride that is the college’s largest source of scholarships.

Check out kids’ workshops at CU’s Natural History Museum

From Fantastic Fossils to An Insect’s World, get your kids to a children’s workshop at the CU museum. Go to their events calendar for more information. Note that the workshops are being held in the Museum Collections Building next to the Henderson (main museum) building, which is closed for the summer. And go here to see the museum’s collection object of the month, several beautiful Plains Indian shirts.

Take the journey from movable type to pixels

On Sunday, July 18, 6 p.m. in the Norlin Library Commons, a slide talk, From Homer to BFF: About How We Express Ourselves, will range from pre-history to a speculative future. On Monday, July 19 at 6:30 p.m. in the same place, two presenters will discuss From Press to Pixels: Historical Tools and New/Digital Media. For more information contact Deborah at 303-492-8302 or go here.

Contribute to CU

Natural Resources Law Center receives boost

From proposed uranium mines in a tiny Northern Colorado town to the aftermath of the Gulf Coast oil spill, natural-resources conflicts are popping up all over the nation. The Red Lodge Clearinghouse (RLCH) project ― a website under the auspices of the Natural Resources Law Center at the CU Law School ― is a distinctive forum for such news, sparking civic engagement and collaboration. The Liz Claiborne Art Ortenberg Foundation recently gave $86,400 to further develop and manage the project.

Scholarship honors professor and mentor

While studying computer science at the engineering college in the 1980s, Xiaodong Zhang (MCompSci’85, PhD’89) benefited from the teaching and mentorship of then-faculty member Ralph J. Slutz, a computer pioneer who taught CU’s first computer class in 1954. Zhang’s academic career has since taken off, and he chairs the computer science department at Ohio State University. He recently made a first-time gift of $50,000 to the college to honor his college mentor and inspire CU alumni to make similar gifts. His gifts will annually fund two $1,000 scholarships to students with exceptional achievements in computer science. Read this profile of Zhang.

Tang family gift sends students to China

Thanks to a generous gift, the first 12 students supported by the Tang Family Endowment for the Study of China headed overseas this summer for several weeks of enriching course work and cultural immersion led by CU faculty. Initially the endowment was to be funded for 2011, but the donors wanted to launch the program sooner so this spring they made another $54,000 gift. For more information go here.

Donate to CU-Boulder now.

Athletics

After joining PAC-10, Buffs explore options

On June 11, CU accepted an invitation to join the Pacific-10 conference, becoming the conference’s first new member since 1978. To read more about the Buffs’ move to the “Conference of Champions” go here. For the latest information about Athletic Director Mike Bohn exploring options, go here.

How to get single alumni football tickets

Single game alumni tickets go on sale on Monday, Aug. 2. Section 215 at Folsom will be reserved for alumni for all home games. View the Folsom Field seating chart (click on the sections to see views from the seats). A link for purchasing alumni tickets for home games, the CSU game at INVESCO and away games will be posted here on Aug. 2.

Pac-10 on Plati-‘tudes agenda too

As he wraps up his 26th year as CU’s sports information point man, associate athletic director David Plati (Jour’82) writes mainly about CU’s impending move to the Pacific-10 Conference and answers a host of questions in his 90th edition of Plati-’Tudes.

CU soccer’s Prentup Pass on sale now

By purchasing a Prentup Pass for $50, CU soccer fans will receive access to bleacher seating at midfield, a CU soccer t-shirt, a team autographed poster and e-mail updates from Coach Bill Hempen. In addition, fans can also choose the Prentup Pass Gold option for $100, which includes all of the benefits listed above plus reserved parking. General admission and parking are still free at Prentup Field. For more information or to purchase a pass, go here.

Colorado volleyball season tickets on sale

Be sure to catch all the exciting volleyball action this year at the Coors Events Center for just $25! With a new lower price, Colorado volleyball tickets have never been more affordable. Purchase tickets for the entire family and experience all 14 home matches such as Texas, Nebraska, Iowa State and others. For more information or to purchase tickets, go here or call 303-49-BUFFS!

A new kind of retirement community is coming soon to Boulder.

Buff Photos

A Boulder reunion

Elizabeth Waldrop Wagner (Hist’01) of Santa Barbara, Calif., hosted a reunion in Boulder for some 15 alums and spouses over Memorial Day weekend. They shared laughter and memories, toured campus and participated in the Bolder Boulder. Elizabeth writes, “several of us married fellow CU alums and several of us are pregnant and expecting future Buffs!” In the photo with the “Monarch of the Plains buffalo sculpture are (from left) Nathaniel Wagner, Michael Alexander (AmSt’00) of Cheyenne, Wyo., Chris Barlow (Kines’00) of Westwood, Mass., Nicole Winsauer (Comm’00) of Denver, Kara Dukate Yablon (Engl’00) of Denver, Chris Akins (PolSci’99) of Daphne, Ala., Brenna Davis Hise (EPOBio’99) of Boise, Idaho, and Elizabeth Waldrop Wagner.

Touring southern Colorado

Jane Beard (Hist’63) of Dallas sent this photo of her recent tour of southern Colorado with Virginia Tandler “Wink” Brace (Edu’63) of Centennial, Colo. Their explorations included the Durango & Silverton Railroad (one of the great narrow gauge train trips in America) and Mesa Verde and Great Sand Dunes national parks. Jane says it was “really fun and all new territory for me. The train ride was relaxing after a long day’s drive from Longmont to Durango. Mesa Verde was amazing, much larger than I envisioned, and the sand dunes looked out of place. We were lucky with good weather.”

Watch out, Hollywood!

Mike Conneen (Jour’04) has a cameo as a reporter in the new action-thriller Salt starring Angelina Jolie. However, he won’t quit his day job, reporting and anchoring for WJLA-TV (ABC) in Washington, D.C. Follow him on Twitter.

New Orleans wedding a big Buff draw

James Rocco Giacalone (Geog’02) and Adrienne Michelle Wilson (PolSci’01) were married in New Orleans on March 6. The couple met at CU in 2001 as seniors and live in Orinda, Calif., east of Berkeley. Members of the wedding party included Emily Pierce (PolSci’01), Brad Rosenhouse (Mktg’01), Michael Lynch (Psych’03), William Mannella (Psych’01) and Daria Sniezko (Comm’01). Fellow Buffaloes also in attendance were Annie Bleecker (IntAf’03), Nick Aglikin (Mgmt’01), Niquette Kearney (Psych’02), Jamie Ziskin Emmons (Mgmt’03), Craig Emmons (Comm‘03), Jeremy Hunter (EPOBio’00), Elizabeth Lane (IntlAf’02) and John Aires (Fin’01).

Send your photos and descriptions for this section to Marc Killinger.

Rookie linguist learns more than Arapaho

By Finn Thye (Psych’01, MLing’09)

A bottle rocket launched in my mind the night I first thought of going to learn the Arapaho language by living with an elder on the Wind River Reservation. I lay there thinking about how it would be to visit the old heart of our continent, experiencing a different side of the culture I saw splashed around the gift shops in Manitou Springs, Colo., where I grew up wandering the same mountains the Arapaho once inhabited. Read more.

A free job search event for alumni

Job Search Success Group every second and fourth Thursday of the month, 6:30–8 p.m. (next session Thursday, July 22) Topic: Taking your networking to a whole new level. Guest speakers: Kris Urbonas, business development manager with the Boulder Chamber of Commerce and former Alumni Association employee, and Chris Ratay of Ratay Realty. Come participate in a very interactive session and walk away with some new tools and tips!

To sign up for the group or for more information contact Lea at 303-492-6541. Did you know she’s a career counselor solely dedicated to the needs of alumni?

Need to fill a position in your organization? Hire a CU student or alum. We have more seasoned alumni in our database then ever had before!

Liberty Mutual partners with the CU-Boulder Alumni Association. For more information, please contact Liberty Mutual at 877-477-6621 or go here.

Here are links to your CU, school and college e-mail and web newsletters

President Benson’s (Geol’64, HonDocSci’04) e-newsletter

Chancellor DiStefano’s e-newsletter

Colorado Arts & Sciences Magazine – to subscribe e-mail here

School of Education Education Views

Engineering Alumni News – to subscribe e-mail here

CUEngineering magazine 2010

Journalism Bylines

Amicus Magazine and LawPoints e-newsletter – subscribe or update your information here

Leeds School of Business – e-mail here to receive the e-mail newsletter. Leeds’ magazine Portfolio is here.

As a member of the CU-Boulder Alumni Association you receive special discounts and pricing at Colorado National Golf Club.

Alumni Travel

Luxuriant Southeast Asia

Make plans now to join us on a trip through Cambodia and Vietnam March 30-April 12, 2011 that includes a seven night cruise on the Mekong River. Last year this trip sold out before we could accommodate everyone who wanted to go. A special feature of this trip is the opportunity to explore Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Don’t delay. For more information contact Clark at 303-492-5640 or 800-492-7743.

Cruise the great canal

Traveling through the Panama Canal on the Crystal Symphony with CU alumni is not to be missed. Enjoy the luxury of one of the cruise line’s best ships Feb.23–March 6, 2011. Contact Clark at 303-492-5640 or 800-492-7743.

The CU-Boulder WorldPoints™ Platinum Plus™ card

Read more.

Get your CU gear

Are you all jazzed up following the World Cup? (Go Spain! Viva España!) Time to get a CU full size soccer ball and get out on the field!

First ever CU New Opera Workshop goes behind the scenes

Getting an opera ready for premiere on stage is a fascinating process involving composers, directors, singers and an entire production team. The first annual CU New Opera Workshop provides a sneak peek at the process July 29-Aug. 7. Renowned Metropolitan Opera tenor and CU NOW guest artist Anthony Dean Griffey will perform a special opening recital Friday, July 25 at the Boulder Public Library. Call 303-492-8008 or visit the CU NOW website for tickets or information.

Contest Corner

The winner will receive a sharp white CU baseball cap. In what year did Folsom Field become the first major sports stadium in the nation to collect all materials in recycling or compost containers, eliminate trash cans and transform its material collections systems into a zero-waste process? A. 2004; B. 2008; C. 2009. Go to CU’s online Just the Facts for help.

Last month’s winner was Brooke Burgner (Comm’08), an admissions counselor at CU-Boulder. She knew that about 500 people died as a result of Chile’s massive 8.8 magnitude quake on Feb. 27.

Photo Galleries

Visit the Alumni Association photo galleries.

Find us on…

Get the news first!

Buff Photos

Zeta Beta Tau reunion a blast

A reunion of the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity May 21-22 in Denver, Boulder, Nederland and Black Hawk drew 70 members and spouses from across the country. The organizing committee included Ed Diner (PolSci’49), Art Chapman (A&S ex’54) and Ruth Chapman (Soc’73, MA’74), all of Denver, and Don Nogg (Hist ex’51) of Omaha. Art called it “an unqualified success!!” Don reported that at the Saturday dinner “every person there, alumnus, wife and widow, spoke a few words about the memories and the present reunion. It was a warm, wonderful feeling and brought everyone, outgoing or shy, into the group.” Here’s the current fraternity’s website.