Karin Hendrickson

“The wind was so strong it was blowing the dogs over, but they kept going because they trusted me” she says.

The recollection of her experience in the Iditarod last winter is enough to send a shiver through the body of even the warmest listener.

Wind, snow and sub-zero temperatures are just a part of life for Hendrickson though, who owns a 24-dog kennel and, in addition to a day job with the state of Alaska, works as a musher running long-distance races through the wintertime wilderness with her teams of dogs.

After six years of training, she completed her first Iditarod last year, the infamous 1,000-mile dogsled race across the icy, mountainous Alaskan landscape from Anchorage to Nome.   Last year’s particularly horrendous conditions didn’t scare her away and this year Hendrickson had her eyes set on the race again.

She pushed off from the starting line on March 6, but sadly, 20 hours into the race her sled broke, forcing Hendrickson to pull out of the race she worked so hard to prepare for.

Her preparation for the 10-to-14-day long race began long before most people turn their thoughts to snowfall and winter sports.   From August onward, she spent every spare moment taking care of her dogs and training them for runs that lasted up to six or seven hours.  She scrimped, saved and fundraised constantly to collect the $35,000 it takes to prepare and maintain a kennel of dogs for the race.

In her eyes, the work pays off every time she steps out on the sled.

“Being out there with dogs you spend your whole life with and the bond you create out there on the snow is really amazing,” she says.

Her dogsled history began when she agreed to take a vacation from her job in environmental regulation in Boise, Idaho, to help her mother volunteer at the Iditarod in 2002.  The experience was a surprise from the boring, cold trip she was anticipating.

“I ended up harnessing dogs, packing sleds and I even got to go out with a few teams,” she says, “It much more active and fun than I expected.”

After the trip, she realized that she belonged on the dogsled and moved to Wasilla, Alaska.  She worked as a handler for another musher and in 2007 started her own kennel.

In the weeks before this year’s Iditarod, Hendrickson was busy organizing the ton-plus of food and supplies that she dropped off at different points along the course, as well as selecting and training the team of 16 dogs that would pull her over the long stretch of Alaskan ice.

While she says that the preparation for the Iditarod is the hardest part, the physical toll is not insignificant.  The riders only get a couple of hours of sleep a night after they’ve taken care of the dogs and have to choke down food over the nausea that comes with the lack of sleep.

“It’s a very long grueling race because while dogs rest you take care of them,” she says.  “Because of the fatigue, the race becomes an endurance event for the musher more than the dogs.”

The difficulty of the experience is what keeps her coming back.

“I love the challenge of putting myself against horrendous weather, the terrain and the mind boggling huge distances,” she says.  “If you can finish Iditarod you really feel like you have accomplished something.”

From left to right are Nicole Erpelding, Kaitlin Nonko, Capt. Rebecca Lange (PolSci'00), Lisa Fikany and Lorraine Aceron.

 As part of the holiday USO tour, Tostitos sponsored a “Salute the Troops” football game with former pro players in Baghdad, Iraq, where I am stationed. Imagine my surprise when I heard, “…and featuring chearleaders from the University of Colorado!”

The game was close to my compound and when I heard the announcement, I grabbed my ever-present CU flag and camera and headed out to the dirt field. I heard the CU fight song and stopped in my tracks. Hearing my beloved university’s fight song normally doesn’t cause me to choke up, but the fact that young women from my alma mater gave up their Christmas vacation to support the men and women of the Armed Forces caused me to tear up a bit (although I’m probably not supposed to admit that).

Naturally, the ladies were very popular. When I finally made my way to them, I showed them my flag and proudly announced that I was a Buff. The first photo shows the precious reaction from one of the girls. It absolutely made my day to chat with these sweet and generous ladies. I expressed my sincere admiration for their selflessness. Imagine giving up your Christmas vacation from college to travel to Iraq!

Ever since I landed and have had “boots on the ground,” the overwhelming and heartfelt support of Americans has been felt every single day. Whether they are packages from communities, personal letters from the Alumni Association, holiday cards from classrooms and hearing my school fight song on a dirt field in the middle of Iraq, I could not be more proud to wear this uniform and dedicate every day to the freedoms of my great nation.

Rebecca Lange (PolSci’00) writes from Baghdad.  Read the Boulder Camera article on this.

Calling all wild Buffs Join your classmates from 1960 at your 50-year reunion May 6-7!

We want your news! Write Marc Killinger,
Koenig Alumni Center, Boulder CO 80309
marc.killinger@colorado.edu or fax 303-492-6799.

At age 96, Louise Myrth Ireland-Frey (Bio’34) is going strong. She has published five books, and her son is working to publish two more of her shorter books. Louise enjoyed a long and rewarding life working in the fields of hypnosis and therapy and lives in Durango

Eco-friendly is the name of the game for Clark Shimeall (Geol ex’43). While teaching geology at Elbert Covell College in Stocktown, Calif., he and his wife began to compost vegetables and garbage. They also started to cook with the sun and helped take the concept of solar cooking to refugee camps in Kenya. Now Clark and his wife are retired and live in Borrego Springs, Calif., in the first straw bale house permitted by San Diego County

Some families have truly created a legacy at CU-Boulder. One example is the Coburn family. Bill Coburn* (CivEngr’49) and his wife Carol Coburn* (Edu’60) have had two children graduate from CU-Boulder: Billy Coburn (Geol’82) and Russ Coburn (Anth’85). Now, Billy and his wife have three children attending CU, one of whom is a Boettcher Scholar.

Despite making mountaineering history by summiting the previously unclimbed west ridge of Mt. Everest, Tom Hornbein (A&S’52) still considers himself an average athlete. “So much performing in the mountains has to do with what’s in your head,” he said in a profile article in the October issue of 5280 magazine. A longtime lover of mountains, Tom lives in Estes Park, Colo

After an interesting and philanthropic life, Robert McKenzie (A&S ex’52) published his memoir, Life Keeps Coming at Me (Authorhouse), in 2003. Robert was a pastor and a teacher for 20 years, and his congregation took the lead to found the National Sanctuary Movement in the early 1980s. The program’s goal was to “protect, advocate and support” refugees from Central America fleeing the violence that was rampant during the time period. Now, after traveling around the world twice, McKenzie is retired, has six kids and 10 grandchildren and lives in Oakland, Calif

After a long working life, Dayl Larson (ArchEngr,Bus’53) retired from H&L Architecture where he specialized in the design of education and health care buildings for more than 30 years. He was the project architect on many important buildings for various Colorado schools and hospitals, including several major buildings on the CU-Boulder campus. Dayl lives in Denver with his wife

Retired but still busy writing, Robert Ellwood* (A&S’54) was a professor of religion at the University of Southern California from 1967 until 1997. He is the author or editor of more than 25 books, including textbooks on world religions and religious studies. His newest work, Tales of Darkness (Continuum), explores the mythology of evil. He lives in Ojai, Calif.

One of CU-Boulder’s most famous alums is off to make a big change. Robert Redford (A&S ex’58), who lives in Provo, Utah, is planning to live part time in Tesuque, N.M., and become more involved in film production in the state. He intends to start an offshoot of his Sundance film program in New Mexico

Set in the smoldering political climate of the antebellum South, the novel Thrones (Xlibris Corporation) by Gloria Parnham Bradfield* (Jour’59) highlights the political intrigue, suspense and humor characteristic of 19th-century American life. Throughout the book, Gloria explores the political and economic issues that tied the country to slavery while depicting the slaves’ profound contribution to the culture of the South. She lives with her husband Bill Bradfield (Mktg’60) and writes in Evergreen,Colo.

Traveling the South Pacific, Dick Spelts (Acct’61, Law’64) and his wife toured French Polynesia for 15 days, including a seven-night round-trip cruise on a ship with four masts and 16 sails. They also toured California, stopping in Rancho Mirage, Universal Studios Hollywood and the Mojave Desert. A highlight for the traveling duo in 2009 was feeding stingrays in the Grand Cayman, which they hesitantly compared to feeding puppies.

Reading about professor emeritus of art Lynn Wolf (MFA’48) in the December Coloradan reminded Gary Walvoord (Art’62) about the art classes he took with the professor during his CU days. Gary, who sculpts full time, writes that he wants to thank Lynn for his insight and direction in class. He also is happy to say his motivations for doing his art haven’t changed since college. Gary lives in Tucson, Ariz., but is in the process of moving to Maryland.

Serio-comic adventure Plastic Man: A Novel of the Sixties is Dan Culberson’s (Engl’63) latest book. It follows the life of a college student prior to and after graduating from CU. It’s a work of self-discovery and cultural analysis and has been called “the perfect novel for Baby Boomers.” Dan has been writing about politics since 1958 and lives in Boulder

CU-Boulder’s first PhD graduate in aerospace engineering Nguyen Xuan Vinh (MAero’63, PhDAero’65) came to the U.S. to pursue a scientific career after serving as commander of the Vietnamese Air Force. After receiving his degree from CU, he became a professor at the University of Michigan. He also worked on the guidance and control of space vehicles. He and his work have played an important role in space exploration. He lives in San Jose, Calif

After 25 years operating their inn in Temple, N.H., Bill Wolfe (Mus’63) and his wife are taking a different approach to innkeeping. The couple provides “inn sitting” for bed-and-breakfast owners around the country, giving them an opportunity to take brief vacations from their hospitality routines. They live in Gilbertsville, N.Y.

The Oklahoma Society of Professional Engineers named Thomas Tobin Jr. (CivEngr’65) to its 2009 class of Fellows. This society honors OSPE members who have shown excellent service to business, society and the community. Thomas also is a certified federal land surveyor and serves as a highway engineer for the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs in Muskogee, Okla., where he lives

After 36 years of service as a trial attorney and administrative judge, Jim Ernest Miller (A&S’66) retired in 2006. He lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife and has four children and four grandchildren. Jim was a six-time “Big Eight” champion and three-time Track and Field All-American, which led him to be inducted into the Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame in November.

Herm Schempp (PE’66) recently celebrated his 40th wedding anniversary with his wife. They are both retired from the Boulder Valley School District where they worked as elementary physical education teachers. They live in Boulder and celebrated the occasion with their children and grandchildren

Retirement has not slowed down Richard Dixon (PhDFren’67), a retired University of Missouri professor of French. He resides in Colombia, Mo., and enjoys photography and growing and hybridizing daylilies. He also returned to Boulder on a camping trip where he photographed Longs Peak and camped in Rocky Mountain National Park.

After serving as deputy executive director of the Vietnam Education Foundation, Lynne McCann McNamara (A&S’67, MA’69) was appointed executive director in November. She has worked in a variety of capacities, including as academic director of Arizona State University Japan, associate professor at Temple University and director of international programs for the University of Maryland University College in Adelphi, Md.

Lewis Dymond Jr. (Econ’69) wrote to share that the December 2009 Coloradan incorrectly reported he had died. He noted he is very much alive, living in Frisco, Colo., and in excellent health. He stays active, riding his bike about 2,000 miles a year, including 70 miles the week he received the aforementioned issue of the Coloradan. The Coloradan staff sincerely regrets this error and apologizes.

San Francisco resident Kile Morgan* (Bus, CivEngr’69) is the chairman of Ponderosa Homes, a homebuilding company, and is a member of the California Building Industry Hall of Fame. He presides over his family foundation, which has established several endowments at CU-Boulder

After more than 30 years of teaming up on various enterprises such as peach farming and a gourmet food business on the Western Slope of Colorado, Joel Prudhomme (Mktg’69) and Carl Vostatek (Arch’69) run Vostatek Construction. They say they do their best to keep the Buff spirit alive and well on the “other side of the hill.” Both live in the Grand Junction area, and the children of both families are “out in the world as responsible citizens.” They say “time spent in Boulder becomes more memorable and sweeter as the years go by – FACs at Tulagi and the Sink can never be matched!”

70s

1975 yearbook

Featured in the Oct. 25, 2009, issue of The New York Times Magazine, Meridith Baer (Jour’70) has created a niche for herself with Meridith Baer & Associates, a firm that “stages” houses in the Los Angeles area with antiques and custom furniture to help owners sell their homes. Since 1998, her business has doubled every year except for 2009.

In October author Jeffrey Moses (Engl’70, MEdu’74) celebrated the 20th anniversary of his successful book Oneness: Great Principles Shared by all Religions (Ballantine Books). The book was first published in 1989 and had an introduction by Mother Teresa. Jeff spent more than 20 years researching the book and has traveled across the country giving lectures on meditation, stress reduction and spiritual advancement. He says the book has become one of the longest-selling books on Random House’s backlist. Jeff lives on the Emerald Coast of northwest Florida with his wife.

A partner at Duane Morris in Washington, D.C., Sheila Slocum Hollis (Jour’71) was named a Lifetime Achievement Award finalist for the 2009 Platts Global Energy Awards. She is the only practicing attorney to be nominated in any of the award categories. She lives in Washington, D.C.

After retiring, Beverly Springer (PhDPolSci’71) has put her free time to good use teaching English to adults at the nonprofit Intercambio de Communidades. The Longmont resident also is co-chair of the city’s Multicultural Action Committee and its Taskforce on Community Involvement as well as a member of the Longmont Housing and Human Services Board.

Formerly a senior partner at Hinman, Makamura, Elisha & Lahne, Bruce Dinman (Psych’73, Law’77) is happily retired. He lives in Kailua, Hawaii.

The Heuga Center for Multiple Sclerosis, founded by Olympic skier Jimmie Heuga (PolSci’73), celebrated the 25th anniversary of the organization’s Vertical Express for MS fundraising event series. The events raise money for the center, a one-of-a-kind resource for people with multiple sclerosis. Jimmie lives in Louisville, Colo.

Jim Voss* (MAero’74
HonDoc’00) is the second astronaut to join CU-Boulder’s aerospace engineering sciences department. A veteran of five space flights, Jim has logged 201 days in space, including nearly 24 hours of spacewalks. He lives in Louisville, Colo., with his wife.

A prestigious honor has been bestowed upon Mary E. Diaz* (Soc’75), a staffer at the University of Colorado at Denver. She received the President’s Diversity Award, which is given to CU faculty, staff or students who promote a more culturally diverse campus community. Mary lives in Denver.

Author Stephen White (MPsych’75, PhD’79) has become a very successful writer. He published his 16th novel, The Siege (Dutton Adult), which critics have called “brilliantly conceived and executed.” It also received a Publisher’s Weekly starred review. He lives in Denver.

Antioch, Ill., resident Tom Seno (EnvCon’76) has been doing energy efficiency work in homes for the last 29 years. He is the energy director for Community Action of Lake County in Illinois and is responsible for both the weatherization program, which does energy conservation on houses, as well as a program that helps low-income families pay for their heating needs during the winter.

On a cloudless August afternoon, Roy Burger* (Fin’77) married Debi Garrity on the dock of the couple’s lake in Colorado. Roy is a Colorado native and is CEO and chairman of FirstNet Learning in Denver. The couple lives in Boulder.

The CEO of TRS, Bob Radocy (MPE’77) designs prosthetic attachments to help armless or legless athletes pursue almost any sport they can imagine. From martial arts to cycling, surfing and climbing, Bob has created one-of-a-kind tools to enable amputees to perform alongside their fellow athletes. A Boulder resident, Bob has been called the ultimate problem solver.

In the years since graduating from CU Susan Eastman Walton (Jour’77) has worked as a sports journalist, publicist and “weekend warrior.” Building on these experiences, Susan is starting her own business, Move Sport Inc., with its main unit being RecoFit Compression Components, which are compression sleeves that promote lower leg circulation, enhance muscle performance and recovery and prevent injury. Susan lives in Boulder.

Last fall Hillary Kramer Fritz (Engl’78) joined the CU-Boulder Alumni Association’s board of directors. While in town for the fall meeting, she visited with her son, Matt Fritz (Engl’09), who is working in the music industry. Hillary , who has worked in the fashion industry, and her husband, real estate developer Dain Fritz (Comm’77), spent two weeks last summer, exploring Colorado and rediscovering what they have always loved about the state. The couple lives in Westport, Conn.

After moving their tasting room on Pearl Street to a space on Lee Hill Road in north Boulder, John Garlich (ArchEngr’78, MCivEngr’89), owner of BookCliff Vineyards near Palisade, Colo., notes the company has experienced a 40 percent gain in wholesale business. John said he sees the present economic shift as a huge opportunity and plans to add his wines to restaurant lists across the region.

In August Dennis Maloney (Acct’78, MTelecomm’89) retired from his position as chief technology officer at the CU. When not skiing, he writes technology tips for the Alumni Association’s website. See his article in CU Around in this issue. He lives in Louisville.

Librarian Linda Barrett Stetson (Engl, Geog’79) is director of the Morse Institute Library in Natick, Mass. After graduating from CU-Boulder, she received her master’s of library science degree in 1988 from Indiana University and ran for the Wyoming House of Representatives.

80s

Author Laura Marello (MEngl’80) has published six novels and is a recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts grant. Her latest book, Charming Kin (Guernica Editions), takes place from the 1950s through the 1980s and tells the story of two intertwined families and their battles and conflicts over kinship.

1986 yearbook

A love of the performing arts has led Philip Sneed (Thtr’80) to become accomplished in his field. He is producing artistic director for the Colorado Shakespeare Festival. Last fall the CSF received a $15,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, and Philip is a crucial part of the new initiative to produce a cycle of plays dedicated to the American experience. In September he guest-directed William Saroyan’s The Time of Your Life at the University of Alabama.

When the recession caused Sally Templeton (Soc, LatAmSt’80) to be laid off from her job, she didn’t let it stop her. She became an executive coach and has managed to double her client load. She writes she is “enjoying answering to no one but my clients” and herself. Sally lives in Seattle.

Alongside her mother, breast cancer survivor Peggy Campbell-Rush (MEdu’81) was chosen from thousands of participants in the NYC Race for the Cure to be the “Face of the Cure” on posters promoting the event. Peggy, a 13-year survivor, finished third in the “Survivor” category in the race, repeating her finish from last year.

Writer Jenny Herring (Jour’82) writes articles about looking for a job and work life in general for efinancialcareers.com. Her opinionated pieces offer insightful takes on the job market. Jenny lives in Norwalk, Iowa, and serves on the Alumni Association’s board of directors.

A lifelong learner, retired Lieutenant Col. Joe Bassi (MAstro’84) obtained his doctorate in history from the University of California, Santa Barbara. His major area of study is 20^th-century U.S. physical science.

After working as a staff photographer at the Associated Press and the Los Angeles Times, Julie Markes (Art’84) moved to Brooklyn and writes children’s books. One of her favorites, Thanks for Thanksgiving (Harper Collins), was on The New York Times bestseller list last year for children’s books. In this book, Julie reminds kids and adults about the little things that make life enjoyable.

Following her dream, Amy Bakal (Engl’85) and her family live in Cusco, Peru, where she founded and directs a library for children. She also works as a marketing and correspondence manager for ACUPARI language school, where she promotes the connection between Peruvians and people around the world via Spanish and Quechua immersion courses.

Many people hope to use their college degrees to help make the world a better place. Daniel Sladek (A&S ex’85) used his talents in film to raise awareness about the plight of young gay and lesbian individuals in a made-for-TV movie, Prayers for Bobby, starring Sigourney Weaver. Daniel was one of a team of four executive producers that worked on the movie, which received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Made for Television Movie.

Bryan Bain (Russ’86) accepted a position as Senior Service College Fellow at U.S. Army War College in Austin, Texas. Previously he was employed at U.S. Army Military Intelligence Readiness Command.

After being involved in real estate for eight years, Jeanette Meyer (MBA’87) has joined RE/MAX Alliance as a broker associate. She has been voted the “Best in Business” for the past three years and lives in Fort Collins.

After practicing with a Denver law firm for nine years, Thomas Mulvahill (Law’87) was chosen by the governor to succeed the Boulder County district judge, who retired last year. He was chosen from a group of three finalists and was sworn in on Sept. 30. Prior to receiving this honor, Thomas worked as a criminal defense attorney and prosecutor. He lives in Louisville, Colo.

Finding great success as an author, Ying Chang Compestine’s (MCDBio’88) book Revolution Is not a Dinner Party (Henry Holt and Co.), featured in the March 2008 Coloradan, has won more than 28 awards. It has become required reading in many schools across the country. Ying had two new books published in the fall 2009, including Banquet for the Hungry Ghosts (Henry Holt and Co.).

After being honored for her achievements in art, Deborah Eckstein Snider (MArt’88) wrote she was selected as the 2009 Higher Education Art Educator of the Year. She is assistant professor of art education, visual arts administration and studio art at Mesa State College in Grand Junction.

Cameraman John Mans (Film’89) made an unusual decision while at work filming the summer season of Whale Wars. In the show, camera crews document the efforts of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society to stop Japanese whaling. The captain of the ship piloted the boat into icy waters in pursuit of a whaling ship, despite the fact that his ship was not designed to handle icebergs. Because of the danger, John left his camera running below deck and fled to the deck. It is extremely rare that cameramen on reality shows abandon their cameras because the cast’s actions endanger them. Despite this, John has not ruled out working on the show again.

90s

1993 Yearbook

California Lutheran University welcomed Harry Starn Jr. (MFin’90) as associate director of California Institute of Finance. Harry has worked in the financial services industry for more than 20 years and managed Action Financial Planning. He lives in Thousand Oaks, Calif.

In October Lisa Giuliani Champeau* (A&S’91) called to say she had a baby six months earlier and was excited to get a Baby Buff stuffed animal for her future Buff. The family lives in Englewood, Colo.

After trying her hand as the managing editor of a small weekly newspaper in New Mexico, and as a student advisor and admissions counselor in higher education, Chrissy Smiley (Jour’91) switched to an entirely different field. In June 2004 she founded her Boulder-based property management business, Smiley & Associates. As a licensed real estate broker she manages single-family homes and multiunits in Boulder, Louisville and Longmont. You can reach her at smileyandassociates@gmail.com.

During his career, Tom Garfinkel (Comm’91) has left his mark across the business world, holding positions at Texaco, Miller Brewing Co. and Chip Ganassi Racing Teams. He is the executive vice president and chief operating officer for the San Diego Padres and owns a controlling interest in the Hall of Fame Racing team. He lives in the San Diego area.

For those yearning to learn about the herbs in their cup, Sara Stewart Martinelli (Anth’92) set up the ultimate tea education experience, the Rocky Mountain Tea Festival at the Dushanbe Teahouse in Boulder. The annual festival, held in August last year, features speakers, seminars and tea tastings. Sara is co-owner of the teahouse and lives in Louisville.

In September Sharon Sadleir Powers (Comm’92) married Dave Dangle at Twin Sisters Peak in Boulder County. She is the executive assistant to the dean at CU’s engineering college and lives in the Boulder area.

Law firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck welcomed Tara Ten Eyck Dunn (Psych’93, MA’96) as an associate in the corporate and business and securities and corporate finance groups. Prior to joining Brownstein, Tara was an associate at Hogan & Hartson in Denver and also served as director and senior vice president of Great Divide Brewing Co. She lives in Denver.

After running a successful political consulting business for several years, Raleigh, N.C., resident Katherine JoAnn Wegher (Comm’93) is switching from politics to fabric prints. Her venture is Kat’s Design Services, an interior design firm in Raleigh where she specializes in interior decorating, redesign, eco-friendly design, and home sale “staging.” Several members of her family are CU alums.

Los Angeles resident Evan Robert Levy* (Soc’94) is a lawyer with the law offices of Donald J. Raich, specializing in commercial real estate and general business. Beyond work, Evan and his wife are busy raising their two daughters. Evan met up with eight CU friends at the football game against Kansas last fall and volunteered in L.A. to help CU recruit prospective students.

Sightseeing and racing combined for Kevin Luten (RelSt’94, MArch’99) when he ran a 10K race with his mom as part of the Great Wall Marathon series in May in China. Afterwards, they spent a week in China’s capital and experienced “the ever-present danger of communicating your destination to Beijing’s crazy taxi drivers.” Kevin is an urban planner and owner of a sustainable transportation consulting firm in Melbourne, Australia.

Former chief technology officer at Merrill Lynch Banks, Sue Lowe Ericksen (MCompSci’95) joined New York Life Insurance as the company’s chief technology officer and senior vice president of the corporate information department. Sue lives in Bristol, Pa.

Delcan Corporation, a multidisciplinary engineering, management and technology consulting firm, promoted Paul Li (CompSci’95) to principal. He is Delcan’s software manager and is responsible for the technical management of the company’s software projects in the western United States. He lives in Lomita, Calif.

After moving to Virginia in 2008, Thomas Andrew Campbell (PhDAero’96) became associate director for special projects for the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science at Virginia Tech University. He works on the technical administration for emerging technologies and helps in developing international programs to support the institute. Thomas lives in Blacksburg, Va.

A partner with strategic communications firm 104 West Partners, Kathryn Branan Marshall (Fin’96) joined the advisory board of the CU Leeds School of Business. Kathryn has been with the company for five years and lives in Boulder.

Although beer and engineering may seem an unlikely combination, Cody Payne (InfoSys’96) and a friend have found success. Tired of waiting in long lines at parties during college, the two created the Octopus Tap. With three or four hoses instead of one, the tap drains the keg quicker, drastically decreasing the amount of time it takes to fill up the cups of thirsty partiers. Cody lives in Westminster, Colo.

As students lured by cell phone companies switch to fancier phones, Boulder-based Wireless Alliance is there to pick up the trash. Founded by Peter Schindler (Art’96), the company collects old phones and extracts the precious metals or refurbishes them for low-income families. Peter lives in Boulder.

1994 yearbook

On June 16 Peter Irvine (Engl’97) and his wife Monica Frazer Irvine (PolSci’97) welcomed baby boy Pierson Frazer Irvine into the world. The family lives in Arlington, Va.

In July Brian Kahn (Mktg’97) and his wife Jessica Kahn welcomed baby Buff Shane Harrison Kahn. Brian writes that Shane was looking forward to tailgating with his parents during the fall football season. The family lives in Park City, Utah.

In his third move back to Boulder, Noah Molotch (Envs’97) took a position at CU as a geography professor specializing in hydrology in fall 2009. He attributes his returns to Boulder to Chief Niwot’s curse. Before his teaching job, Noah was a post-doctoral researcher at CIRES and a research scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles. In other exciting news, he and his wife Kelly had their first son, Darwin, last summer.

After discovering amazing wines during a trip to Argentina, Mackie Barch (Econ’98) teamed up with a business partner to found the Vintners Charitable Cooperative. The online wine marketplace offers the opportunity for friends of nonprofit organizations and the general public to go online and become wine club members in support of charity. Mackie lives in Kensington, Md.

In 2009 Thomas Erwin Carlson (Mktg’99) rebuilt and opened a McDonald’s in downtown Denver and also acquired his fifth McDonald’s franchise in Edgewater, Colo. Just days before he purchased the restaurant, Thomas’ wife, Raquel Ruiz-Carlson, gave birth to the couple’s first child, Sofia Elena Carlson, on July 26. They live in Littleton.

00s

While enjoying a weekend lake retreat, Jennifer Hill Remington’s* (PolSci’02) vacation took a turn for the worse. While diving into the lake, she broke her neck in two critical places, shattering two vertebrae and ravaging her spinal cord. Read about her journey of recovery and her two beautiful children who have kept her going at http://journeyupbutterfulymountain.com. She lives in Brandon, Fla.

Buff pride was certainly present at the wedding of Erin Stilwell (Soc’02) and Chris Buda (Art ’02) last October in Lyons, Colo. The wedding party included Annie Stilwell (Anth’03), Laura Moss (Soc’02) and Ryan McInnis (A&S’02), all of Atlanta, Jennifer Houghton (PolSci’02) of Winchester, Mass., and Alexis Siviglia Dierberg (Psych’02) of Aquebogue, N.Y. The newlywed couple lives in Atlanta.

At California Lutheran University Chris Brown (PhD Math’04) is an assistant professor of mathematics. His research focuses on dynamics and game theory as they apply to ecology and finance, and he is especially interested in conservation and management of Caribbean marine turtle populations. He lives in Camanillo, Calif.

After graduation James Bird* (FilmSt’05) headed to New York City, landing a job working for Ridley Scott on the film American Gangster. Since then he has moved on to Final Cut where he works as an assistant editor on national campaigns for companies, such as Home Depot and Hunts. The group won the Grand Prix award in 2008 for best commercial for its “gorilla” Cadbury commercial.

After pursuing a career as a mechanical engineer out of college, Christopher Macal (MechEngr’05) has made the switch to the financial world. He joined the Rabjohns Financial Group as a financial representative, focusing on the insurance and investment needs of individuals, families and small business owners. He lives in the Chicago area.

In his teaching position at Xiamen University in Xiamen, China, J. Miles McKenna (Jour’05) certainly picked the right location. Xiamen, a city on an island, is touted the cleanest and most livable place in China, while the university is known to have the country’s most beautiful campus. J. Miles teaches print writing journalism classes to sophomores and juniors.

One 72-year-old’s wish was to skydive, while one 69-year-old wished for a wheelchair lift for his van so he could visit the mountains again. Whether it be a longtime dream or a pressing necessity, Jeremy Bloom’s (A&S ex’06) Wish of a Lifetime foundation is set on making the desires of low-income seniors come true. Founded in October 2008, the foundation has since made more than 15 wishes come true. Read the feature on Jeremy in this issue.

Former director of the Herd, the student branch of CU’s Alumni Association, Tyler Hartung (Fin’06) decided to put his skills to use in Uganda for awhile. He spent a couple of months volunteering in the country last summer. Read his blog posts and life reflections at www.empowertothepeople.org.

Among his work with several small companies around San Francisco, Court Rye (Mktg’06) writes he is most excited about a green jobs website he has created, http://greenjobfeed.com. He hopes to make it the leading green job website worldwide. With the help of CU students, the Mountain View, Calif., resident also writes clean technology blogs at http://cleantechauthority.com.

At the Ambue Ari animal reserve in the jungles of Bolivia, travelers and volunteers who dare can hold, pat and play with wild animals they care for. While the work is difficult, room and board are cheap and no experience is required. Colleen Campbell Smith (Phil’06) spent more than six weeks on the reserve, attracted by the exotic atmosphere and the communal atmosphere of the experience. She lives in St. Louis, Mo.

Last May Shannon Weigel (Mktg’06) received a law degree from New England Law in Boston. While in school, Shannon interned with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and was a member of the executive board for New England Law’s International Law Society. She lives in Boston.

Sometimes boot camp can be a good thing, as was the case for Kevin Walmsley (IntlAf’07) when he participated in what he called a “boot camp for becoming an entrepreneur” in 2004 as a sophmore. The program taught students how to run their own house-painting business and included a summer internship, which Kevin did with College Works Painting. A year later, with the skills he learned, Kevin opened The Handy Painters, which allowed him to pay his way through school. He lives in Longmont.

New York City was the final destination for Sarah Elsbach (Comm’08) after graduation. She found a job with Rubenstein Associates where she is an assistant account executive. Sarah says she loves her job with the public relations firm where she interacts with clients, writes their press materials and pitches to the media on their behalf.

Augusta, Ga., resident Allison Foley (PhDSoc’08) joined the faculty of Augusta State University. She is an assistant professor of criminal justice in the sociology department, focusing on criminal justice and social work.

After graduating Lauren Kourabas (PolSci’08) packed up for a trip to Africa to work with a Kenya-based organization, International Peace Initiatives. She plans to help film a documentary about the education system in Meru, Kenya, focusing on orphans of parents with HIV/AIDS and their educational expenses. The work is part of the organization’s “Education is Hope” project.

Los Angeles resident David Hill (Thtre’08) co-founded Wood Pictures. The independent film production company focuses on simple storytelling without much glitz or glamour. See their films and comedic webisodes at www.woodpicturesonline.com.

In her job with Portland-based Project Metamorphosis in Oregon, Lillian Soderman (Anth’08) works with at-risk and homeless youth in the city, supporting youth in recovery. She is a recovery transition advocate with the organization which includes leading recreational groups to educate youth about drug and alcohol abuse and providing opportunities for them to get involved in activities around the city.

During a volunteer trip to Cape Town, South Africa, Nick Breitnauer’s (MCDBio’09) eyes opened to pervasiveness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa. He says the joy of the children, despite the darkness of the epidemic, captured his heart. After graduating, Nick was drawn back to Africa as a member of the Peace Corps in sub-Saharan Africa.

In November, Colorado Law and the Colorado Shakespeare Festival staged a reading of Unquiet Grave. Written by Brent Jordheim (Law’09) and based on research by professors Mimi Wesson of law and Dennis Van Gerven of anthropology, the play is about the 19th-century Hillmon court case. Tried six times before it was finally settled, the case is one of the greatest in the law of evidence and is also a mystery about the identity of a corpse. Brent lives in Denver.

Faculty, staff & students

Political science professor and CU president emeritus Hank Brown (Acct’61, Law’69) retired on Dec. 31 but plans to continue teaching a class each fall that takes his students to Washington, D.C. Hank served as president of the University of Colorado from 2005 to 2008. He then was named to the Quigg and Virginia S. Newton Endowed Chair in Leadership and was an adjunct professor in the law school.

Senior associate dean Manuel Laguna of the Leeds School of Business was appointed interim dean Nov. 1. Manuel assumed the position of Dennis Ahlburg, who accepted the presidency of Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas.

Paul Shankman of anthropology wrote The Trashing of Margaret Mead: Anatomy of an Anthropological Controversy (University of Wisconsin Press). Published in November, the book examines the controversy over Margaret Mead’s most famous book, 1928’s Coming of Age in Samoa (Books LLC), which portrayed an idyllic, non-Western society, free of much sexual restraint, in which adolescence was relatively easy. Derek Freeman, an Australian anthropologist, wrote two books arguing that Mead was wrong and launched a heated public debate about her work. Paul spent years studying the controversy and uncovered new evidence that Freeman’s fierce criticism of Mead contains fundamental flaws.

In January professor David Shneer of Jewish studies lectured at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus on Bearing Witness: Photography of the Holocaust. The lecture was based on his book project, Bearing Witness: Soviet Jewish Photographers Confront World War II and the Holocaust, which looks at the lives and works of two dozen photojournalists who were the first liberators to document the Holocaust. In February Shneer also was a keynote speaker at the Holocaust Awareness Institute of the University of Denver’s Center for Judaic Studies.

While pursuing an international education project in Moscow, master’s candidate Taylor Lynn Chase began talking with a literary agent about writing an active travel guide for the area. The end product, A Runner’s Guide to Europe, will include detailed routes on the best places to run in 42 of Europe’s most popular cities. The book will be published later in 2010, but Taylor’s new website of the same name is up and running. Check it out at www.runningtheworldguide.com. An essay on her running experiences appeared in the November issue of Buffalum Notes.

Students Brett Forrest and Mark Arnoldy are spearheading a campuswide campaign for Haiti relief that began  Feb. 1.  “CU Stands With Haiti” is looking to generate $100,000-plus from the University of Colorado system to support this cause. The donations can be tracked at http://assu.stanford.edu/haiti/partner_stats.php.

Though often overshadowed, Frank Loesser was one of the most important and lively Broadway composers. In his new book Broadway Master: Frank Loesser (Yale University Press), music professor Tom Riis engages in a lively and informed discussion of Loesser, the writer and composer of the ever-popular Guys and Dolls and the Pulitzer Prize–winning How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. The book covers Loesser’s life, career and his musical legacy.

In November Deborah Jin, an adjoint physics professor and a fellow of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, received the same top prize from the international honor society Sigma Xi awarded to animal behaviorist Jane Goodall and oceanographer Robert Ballard. Her research has been described as the crucial first step in developing superconductors that work at room temperature, which could lead to faster computers and other advances. The award recognizes an outstanding scientist or engineer who is known for effective communication of complex ideas.

Adjoint physics professor Deborah Jin takes a break to meet with students in front of Dalton Trumbo Fountain outside of the UMC. Photo by Cass A. Cass

In memoriam

Florence True Eckel (Engl, Hist’24)

Winifred Hayes Maddock Baldwin (Psych’28)

Louis A. Cherbeneau (Bus’31)

Dolores N. Plested (Jour’31)

Henry C. Glaze Jr. (ElEngr’32)

Theodore M. Leigh (ElEngr’32)

Roberta Isabelle Hall White (A&S ex’32)

John Lockley (Bus ex’34)

Frances Selters Ronzio (A&S ex’34)

Elizabeth Ingley Baume (Art’37)

Janet Duffey Carpenter (Mus ex’37)

J. Donald Haney (Law’37)

John L. Ward (Engl’37)

Everett B. Chesney (Geol’39)

Henrietta Herzberger Davis (Econ ex’39)

Mary Bent Johnson (A&S’39)

Martha Elizabeth Lewis (Jour’40)

Eugene W. Docter (CivEngr’41)

Thomas W. Ten Eyck (CivEngr’41)

E. Bruce Appleton (ElEngr’42)

Rubydonna Joseph Carlson (A&S’42)

Mary Helen Poirier Carroll (Soc’42)

Sam H. Feld (MechEngr’42)

William S. Lester (Engr’42)

Robert E. Lund (ChemEngr’42)

Mary Streamer-Martin (DistSt’42)

Doris Ruth Crosswhite Michael (Bus’42)

William E. Rentfro (A&S’42)

Bill G. Ward (ElEngr’42)

June Fitzpatrick McHugh (A&S’43)

Roger John Runck (ChemEngr’43)

Edward Hyatt Willits (Psych ex’43)

John E. Combs (CivEngr’44)

Elmo G. Peterson (CivEngr’44)

Vernon E. Toney (MechEngr’44)

Mary Ehnbom Desanto (HomeEcon’45)

Helen Howie Angel (Phar’46)

Clifford C. Buchler Jr. (Law’47)

Jean Gilhams Downing (Soc’47)

Lucille House Jones (A&S’47)

Dolores Perella Liscum (MedTech’47)

Elizabeth Gordon Neish (Mus’47)

Victor L. Coffey Jr. (Bus’48)

Eldon E. Darrington (Bus’48)

Shelby Whitson Brask (DistSt’49)

Frank C. Burch (CivEngr’49)

John B. Cramer (Bus, DistSt’49)

Kenneth H. Huston (Geol’49)

Ernest A. Mackley (Aero’49)

Lois Stapf Mauer (Jour’49)

Robert H. Mills (Acct’49, MFin’55)

Frederic A. Pruett (MPolSci’49)

Clayton James Bennett (PreMed’50, MD’54)

Donald R. Conkling (ChemEngr’50)

Mary Tandy Farrell (Art’50)

James J. Hamill (Chem’50)

Phillip R. Levitt (DistSt’50)

Gerald W. Protextor (A&S’50, MA’58)

Charles J. Reich (Bus, CivEngr’50)

Lucile Mae Thomas (MedTech’50)

William A. Venohr (Mgmt’50)

Thomas D. Wethington (MechEngr’50)

Orval D. Crosier (PE’51)

Richard Heine (ArchEngr’51)

Shirley M. Klecker (PE’51)

William E. Moorman (A&S’51)

Edward J. Neblick (Acct’51)

Bobby Dean Robinson (Acct’51)

Howard M. Segal (Bus, MechEngr’51)

Nancy S. Anderson (Math’52)

Edwin P. Banks (MPolSci’52)

Clayton J. Bennett (A&S’50, MD’52)

Bertil A. Benson (Mktg’52)

Elizabeth K. Bilgere (MEngl’52)

Orrel A. Daniel (Law’52)

Deane R. Doolen (A&S’52)

Charles E. Eppinger (ElEngr’52)

Clare Lewis Jardstrom (MBusEd’52)

Richard H. Meleney (MMechEngr’52)

Glenn N. Petrenko (A&S’52)

Sally Schroeder Schneider (MedTech’52)

John B. Schwartz (MEdu’52)

George H. Garfield (A&S’53)

Edward W. Hamren (MEdu’53)

Clissold E. Hill (A&S’53)

Palmer D. Peek (Acct’53)

Robert E. Pine (MPersServ’53)

Pearl Churchill Stone (Nurs’53)

Helen Schnute Williams (MA&S’53)

Bea Smoot Bennewitz (PolSci’54)

Claire Sachs Erhmann (Fren’54)

John A. Leavitt (Phys’54)

Charles W. Sayre (Bus’54, MBA’66)

Raymond R. Marchun (ChemEngr’55)

Albert M. Miyamoto (Phar’55)

David E. Austin (CivEngr’56)

Mathew J. Mirkovich (Phar’56)

Joan Baker Beatty (Edu’57)

Rita Tallman Hartman (Soc’57)

Dan R. Jackson (Aero’57)

Edmund L. Kinney (ElEngr’57)

Robley D. Rhine (MSpLangHearSci’57)

Harlan Taylor (ElEngr’57)

Eleanor J. Brady (A&S’58)

Howard C. Current (Law’58)

John J. Haugh (MEdu’58)

Lester D. Burgess (A&S’59)

Stephen Albert Hamilton (ElEngr’59)

Arla Jean Helser (A&S’59)

Robert James Maghan (Mgmt’59)

Eleni Callas Sampson (PolSci’59, MSlav’61)

Francys Ballenger Walls (MEdu’59)

Mary Elizabeth Poppe Chrisman (BasicSci’60)

Guy A. Gilbert (ElEngr’60)

Catherine Cottrell Salerno (Edu’60)

Nancy Mooney Downey (MEdu’61)

Louis Kurland (DistSt’61, MD’65)

Judith Righter Modrall (Math’61)

Frederick W. Power (A&S’61)

Judith Joy Radke (PhDFren’61)

John A. Eddy (PhDAstro’62)

Jim M. Hold (A&S ex’62)

David R. McDonald (MMgmt’62)

Robert Gail “Bob” Hines (ElEngr’63)

William E. Freeman (A&S’64, PhDHist’74)

Colin E. Martindale (Psych’64)

Arthur W. Carlisle (ElEngr’65)

Lillie Maxine Wakefield Otte (Acct’65)

William R. Trojanovich (Econ, SpLangHearSci’66)

Charles Albert Manis (MEngl’67)

Rose Menke Sister (MMus’67)

Ulysses S. Anderson (Engl’68)

Elizabeth M. Schwarzenbach Di Leo (Jour’68, Psych’72)

Shirley Downum Frindt (A&S’68)

Richard H. Applegate (PolSci’69)

John R. Barksdale (Mktg’69, MBA’72)

Georgia Kinzle Frush (Art’70)

Mildred C. Steckman (EdD’70)

Ray Raphael Berman (PhDBus’72)

Nancy Allera Kiel (Soc’72)

Barbara Quade (Mktg’72)

Jane Walton-McSorley (CommThtr’73)

Ketsy Etcheverry Smith (Phar’73)

Richard W. Frazier (Engl’74)

Paul Copeland Perkins (Chem’74)

Daniel Lee Gomez (Soc’75)

James A. Higgins (Law’75)

Ruth Friedman Helm (A&S’78)

Debra Werber Kleinman (Edu’78)

Jeffrey Judson Smith (Econ’79)

John Hunt (MCDBio’80)

Cynthia Marie Hoffman Lynch (Fin’80)

Darrell F. Humphrey (EdD’81)

Andrea Ruth Ferguson Moulton (EnvSt’81)

Michele Anne Noe (A&S’81, Law’88)

Barry Brong (Mktg’82)

Nancy Ann Payne Click (PolSci’82)

Sharon Lea Gwin (PolSci’82)

Edward Jordan Leslie (MBA’82)

Kevin W. Daley (Jour’84, Law’88)

Kevin C. Pehr (Aero’85)

Janis Rosenthal Van Zante (MLing’87)

Bryan B. Sax (Bus’95)

Cameron Benninghoven (PolSci’95)

Katelin Passman Oakley (Engl’01)

Paul N. Lemmon (ElEngr’03)

Thomas J. Claiborne (Aero’06)

Matthew T. Thorburn (Geog’07)

Andrew Gleston Graham (CivEngr’08)

Chelsea Lynn Hedge (Psych’08)

Transito E. “Tito” Torres (WomSt ex’09)

Alex Singer (EBio ex’10)

Faculty, staff & friends

William Hubert Baughn, Business School, Office of the Chancellor, Office of the President (see story on page 62)

Krista Correll Butler, CU Foundation

Alice Buckingham Clark, Anthro-pology, Chemistry, Political Science

Arline Grigg Weidner Ewald, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Administration

Roy Henry Garstang, Physics and Astrophysics

Katherine Russell Sopka, Physics and Physical Science

Note: We regret we incorrectly stated Coll Q. Kamprath’s name and degree in the Dec. 2009 issue. While Coll did her residency at CU in 1967, she did not receive her medical degree from the university. Her name was “Coll,” not “Colleen” as stated in the previous edition.

To report a death, call 303-541-1290 or 888-287-2829, e-mail processing@cufund.org or write Record Processing, CU Foundation, P.O. Box 1140, Boulder, CO 80306. Please include date of death and other relevant information.

Photo by Glenn Asakawa

One of the best things about serving as president of our great university is commencement. For graduates, it is both the culmination of years of hard work and the beginning of the next chapter of their lives. It’s fun to be there when students become alumni to share the excitement of accomplishment and the anticipation of things to come.

I am asked to give brief comments at each ceremony. Understanding that “brief” is the most important part of my charge, I carefully considered what I could say to help send graduates into the world.

In December I reflected on common threads in the lives and careers of successful CU alumni I have known, people who have made a difference in lives and communities and in our state and nation. I also thought about my own journey since graduating from CU in 1964.

Those collective experiences form the basis of my advice, which I hope is simple and straightforward. I urge graduates to be good listeners, to hear all sides of an issue and to consider that their ideas may not always be the best. I tell them they will accomplish more if they are not worried about who gets credit.

I talk about the importance of staying focused and finishing what you start. Along the way, if you make a mistake or a bad decision, admit it, apologize if necessary, fix it as fast as possible and move on.

I ask them to be flexible and to seize opportunities. It’s important to have a plan in life, but don’t miss chances that may not fit that plan.

One of the common threads I have found about CU alumni is that they often take on leadership roles. People want leaders, so I urge graduates to seize opportunities. I share leadership lessons I have learned in my own experiences and those of others. Leaders should be open and inclusive. They should listen more than talk. They should surround themselves with great people who are trustworthy and work as a team. They should lead by example and do the right thing — no matter how tough. We all should treat everyone with respect.

Another characteristic of CU alumni is that they are generous with their time and, when possible, with their money. Contributing to communities and volunteering not only allow us to make a difference but are personally rewarding.

Perhaps the best advice I can offer our graduates is that their honesty, their word, their reputation and their integrity are their most important assets. Each must be thoughtfully nurtured and carefully guarded. They are the foundation for success in life.

I hope some of this advice sticks with our graduates after they leave campus. In my long experience with my fellow CU alumni, I have found they often embody many of these qualities, and I am proud to count myself among their number.

Bruce D. Benson (Geol ’64, HonDocSci’04) is president of the University of Colorado. Please contact him at 303-860-5600 or at OfficeofthePresident@cu.edu.

On Feb. 27, the University Memorial Center ballroom was packed with people at the Career Services spring fair. Ninety-nine employers, including companies such as Target, Verizon and Microsoft, had set up booths and were mingling with CU grads with a wide variety of majors. The businesses were looking for different qualities in the group of students, and most found qualified future employees.

“We are looking specifically for business students to fill our management training programs,” says Jill Elwood, a representative from First Bank. “So far we’ve been very successful.”

The experience also was valuable for the more than 2,000 students and alums who attended the event.

“I’m here to network and meet people,” says Leigh Mehlman (Mgmt’10). “I’m learning about how to interact with employers and what employers are looking for.”

Other students were looking for internships and hoping to make connections to find employment after graduation.

“I’m looking for an internship for this summer,” says Jessica Cateora (Biochem’11). “This is my first career fair, so I’m just hoping to interact with the recruiters.”

According to Michael Deragisch (MComm’78), assistant director for employer relations at CU Career Services, the employers were very impressed with the CU students’ level of preparation.

“We’ve been doing fairs for 20 years, and this is the first fair I can remember where no employers packed up and left early,” Deragisch says.  “They stayed until the very end,”

Ten percent of the fair’s attendance was comprised of CU graduates returning to campus with hope of finding a job in today’s poor economy.

“I’m in architecture and the economy has slowed down in our field, so I’m here looking for something architecture-related to transfer into,” Teena Taylor (EnvDes’00) says.

Despite the poor economy, the fair seemed to reassure many that jobs are in fact attainable in today’s society.

“It was a very encouraging career fair,” Deragisch says. “It clearly shows that companies are hiring again and certainly hiring college students.”

Junior Brittany Spears was Big 12 co-player of the week in November. Photo by Ray Miller

With a couple of freshmen from Colorado providing a lift, the women’s basketball team posted its second-best nonconference record in Kathy McConnell-Miller’s five seasons as CU coach (10-3). The Buffs had won 10 of their first 11 home games as of Jan. 9, but one of their road losses came against rival Colorado State.

Freshmen Chucky Jeffery from Colorado Springs and Meagan Malcolm-Peck from Boulder earned starting spots early on and were two of the Buffs’ statistical leaders in nonconference play. Malcolm-Peck and Jeffery were each named Big 12 freshman of the week once in the first half of the season. Junior Brittany Spears, who averaged almost 20 points and nine rebounds in the first half of the season, was Big 12 co-player of the week in November.

“They’re just getting better and becoming smarter basketball players,” McConnell-Miller said of her overall roster. “Chucky in particular, her basketball I.Q. has just soared over the past three months. They’re just getting it.”

Meanwhile, co-captain and backup guard Whitney Houston took an indefinite leave of absence for personal reasons just before CU won its Big 12 opener against Missouri and matched last season’s overall victory total (11).

Senior Kaitlyn Burkett wrapped up her volleyball career with 3,001 assists, becoming just the sixth Buff to surpass the 3,000 milestone. CU completed its first season under coach Liz Kritza with a 7-22 record.

Cullen Bryant (Rec’74), an All-America defensive back for the CU football team in the early 1970s, died in October at age 58 in Colorado Springs. Bryant played 13 seasons in the NFL.

Two CU tennis players, Melisa Esposito (64) and Monica Milewski (90) were ranked among the top 100 female college singles players in the country going into the spring portion of the schedule. Milewski and Michala Hedelund Jensen were ranked 44th in doubles.

CU’s Buffalo Belles booster club, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, was featured in a December article in the Boulder Camera.

Henry Claypool (Geog’89)

Henry Claypool’s (Geog’89) commitment to working on behalf of Americans with disabilities is a deeply personal one.

More than 25 years ago, he suffered a spinal cord injury that left him a triplegic. The accident happened while he was skiing, a sport he loved for the freedom and independence it offers. As newly appointed director of the Office on Disability for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, he now oversees the implementation of all health and human services programs and initiatives pertaining to Americans with disabilities. He also serves as the primary adviser to the secretary on disability policy.

As director, Henry wants to ensure that people with disabilities have access to the services and support they need to lead fulfilling lives in their communities. He remembers the marginal campus accessibility during his undergraduate years at CU.

“Everyone has insights into the struggles of life but they are magnified by a loss affecting the body,” he reflects. Working through chronic pain, he felt a sense of accomplishment in his ability to graduate from CU. “It was difficult to stay focused,” he remembers.

After a successful procedure relieved his pain, Henry was eager to utilize the insights acquired from his disability. A graduate-level “Rhetoric and Persuasion” course taught by political science professor Dennis Eckart opened his eyes to how strongly he felt about using his political interests to shape policies.

This combination served him well when he became director of CU’s Disability Services Office. As director from 1993 to 1998, he participated in a project to retrofit some of the old buildings to improve access for those with disabilities.

“My legacy was to make a modest attempt to improve access for others on the Boulder campus,” he says proudly.

In his more than 10 years in the Washington, D.C, and New York City areas, Claypool has been a policy director for a managed long-term care provider and served in an advisory capacity to the Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security administrative offices.

“It’s been a pretty interesting journey, one where I’ve given back,” he reflects. “Health care reform is the biggest challenge on the horizon.”

As for skiing, he returned to it but didn’t enjoy it as much.

“Letting go was part of the healing,” he remembers.

His work today is both time-consuming and enjoyable. “Find something you feel passionate about and pursue it,” he advises. “It makes life meaningful.”

— Marty Coffin Evans

The majestic snow-covered Flatirons are a breathtaking backdrop with Old Main in the foreground. Casey A. Cass