Jesse talks with CSU theatre
students on April 18, 2013

Earlier this semester, Colorado State University alumnus, Jesse Luken ’06, sat down with CSU theatre students to “talk turkey” about what it takes to make it as an actor in Los Angeles.

Jesse has appeared in several popular TV series, including Justified, The Mentalist, Last Resort, Glee, NCIS, and others. Most recently he played the role of second-baseman Eddie Stanky in the movie 42, chronicling the life and story of Jackie Robinson.

Graduating from CSU in 2006, Jesse packed up and moved to L.A. after graduation to become an actor.

“Theatre was far and away the best part of college for me,” noted Jesse. “Not having done it before, it was very much a new love with which I was entirely and completely smitten – it brings a story to life and develops all sorts of different characters and expressions of art which affect people.”

A baseball player in high school, Jesse noted that “the teamwork and camaraderie of threatre was also something that I had been missing since team sports, and I found such wonderful, passionate people who would inject me with enthusiasm daily. I decided to make it a career because I couldn’t find any sort of replacement for that.”

Jesse as Eddie Stanky in “42″

Jesse began his career in L.A. the way most aspiring actors do – by getting a “real job” to pay the bills. He began working at The Cheesecake Factory five days a week and started auditioning.

“I started auditioning for anything I could find,” Jesse remembered. “Plays, student films, infomercials, you name it. I did a couple really terrible plays in my first year there, but that experience is ultimately beneficial. A lot of times you have to do the bad stuff before you can figure out what’s good, or, as someone once told me, ‘you can’t be a snob fresh off the boat.’”

Jesse also smartly realized he needed to balance his work and auditioning with the business side of acting.

“It’s really something which all beginning actors need to make a priority,” Jesse told CSU students. “Taking headshots, doing agent mailers, getting into classes – the whole nine yards.”

Jesse is currently a member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and signed with Greene & Associates in L.A.

Students laughed and nodded knowingly as Jesse remembered his theatre experiences at CSU – late night rehearsals and joking around with fellow students and faculty members.

He also noted his great appreciation for faculty guidance and encouragement.

“I have a great admiration for Morris Burns,” Jesse told students. “He always treated his students with the utmost respect and his passion and excitement are unparalleled.”

Jesse performs in “Waiting for Godot” at the University Theatre

Fast Facts All About Jesse:

Productions at CSU: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (directed by Dr. Prince), Side Man (Laura Jones), James and the Giant Peach (Jones), To Kill A Mockingbird (Morris Burns), and Waiting for Godot (Prince). Side Man and Waiting for Godot got to travel as selections in American College Theater Festival (ACTF).

Favorite show: Right now, probably The Newsroom on HBO, but Lost is my favorite show of all time.

Favorite professor/director: I loved all of my directors, but I guess as a favorite teacher I’d have to go with Morris Burns. He’s actually my favorite teacher of all time.

Favorite performance at CSU: It’s difficult to pick a favorite, but I guess I’d have to go with Waiting for Godot. It was incredibly challenging and rewarding material. I got to do the show with my best friend, Matt Murphy (now a teacher in Denver), and we both knew it was our final production, which made it all the more special. And it was the first show at the new UCA!

Favorite Spot on Campus: It’s actually no longer there! It would have been the old Black Box theatre at Johnson Hall – lots of fantastic, creative memories.

Favorite CSU Memory: Performing Side Man at ACTF – the crowd was eating up everything we did. It was a two-hour show that wound up taking about three because of how much we were milking it! In the end we won all the awards – so much fun.

Favorite Movie: The Princess Bride. Duh.

Favorite Actor: I think the best actor on the planet is Daniel Day-Lewis. I don’t even think it’s subjective, it’s like when Michael Jordan was playing basketball and everybody just knew “yeah, he’s obviously the best.” But my personal favorite might be Javier Bardem.

Major influences: I’m influenced by everybody – too many to count! In my personal life I have a family that words don’t even begin to describe. My friends are second to none. Professionally, I can’t single out any one influence for fear of excluding so many others – from wonderful actors, to brilliant directors, and fun-loving crew members – it’s my favorite part of this crazy thing we do.

The University Center for the Arts at Colorado State University provides an enriched venue in which the study and practice of Art, Dance, Music and Theatre are nurtured and sustained by building the skills and knowledge needed by future generations of arts professionals to become contributors to the essential vitality of our culture and society. For more information, visit www.UniversityCenterfortheArts.com.

“We’re excited that the new Fellows represent seven of the eight colleges at CSU,” said Diana Wall, director of SoGES. “The Fellows’ disciplines range from ecology to political science, geosciences, economics, education, bioagricultural sciences, atmospheric sciences and biology. As always, competition for the Fellowships was stiff.”

The public is invited to meet the new Fellows on Monday, May 13, at 5 p.m. in the Lory Student Center Grey Rock Room during a lecture presented by Liz Neeley of Seattle. Neeley, the Assistant Director of Science Outreach at COMPASS, a science-based communications firm, will be speaking on, “Finding Your Voice: What Scientists Need to Know About Science Communication, and the Risks and Rewards of Speaking Up.”

Neeley also will facilitate the Fellows’ Science Communication Workshop, May 14-15. Journalists participating in the Fellows’ workshop include: Christopher Joyce, correspondent at National Public Radio; Hilary Rosner, freelance journalist; Katherine Gammon, freelance science writer; and Mark Fischetti, editor at Scientific American.

Communications skills training

SoGES recognizes that CSU’s academic researchers are a primary informational resource for the complex decisions that will determine our environmental future. Early career academics often overlook communications skills as they build their professional careers. The SoGES Global Sustainability Leadership Fellows have access to state-of-the-art environmental communications skills training giving them an edge for the future.

The SoGES Leadership Fellows will receive individualized media training and work to enhance writing and leadership skills. They also work on strategies for engaging with business, nonprofits, academia, government and media, as well as techniques for collaborating and transdisciplinary synthesis.

For more information about SoGES at Colorado State University, go tohttp://sustainability.colostate.edu/.

COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY LEADERSHIP FELLOWS

Timothy J. Assal, Ph.D. Candidate with advisor Jason Sibold, Department of Anthropology and Graduate Degree Program in Ecology

Tessa Conroy, Ph.D. Candidate with advisor Stephan Weiler, Department of Economics

Jonathan Fisk, Ph.D. Candidate with advisor Charles Davis, Department of Political Science

Liesel Hans, Ph.D. Candidate with advisor Robert Kling, Department of Economics

Matthew W. Luizza, Ph.D. Candidate with advisor Michele Betsill, Department of Political Science and Graduate Degree Program in Ecology

Story by Katie Hawthorne Jeracki                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   970.491.2658
Kate.Jeracki@colostate.edu

NHMA is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing together individuals and organizations working in the field of hazard mitigation. The goal of the NHMA is to be a catalyst for societal change by elevating the value of hazard mitigation and sustainable development so that natural hazard events do not lead to disasters that cause suffering and misery among people while destroying property and the environment. The NHMA promotes education, policies, and activities that will lead to the reduction of risky activities and future disaster losses.

Dr. Peek served a two-year term as a member of the Executive Board for the NHMA. She has also worked as the lead organizer for the annual NHMA symposium, which brings together domestic and international hazards mitigation practitioners and researchers who are focused on minimizing the losses caused by disasters. Congratulations, Dr. Peek!

Dan Beachy-Quick accepts a gift from CSU President Tony Frank at the 2013 Celebrate! CSU Awards Ceremony

Monfort Professor: Dan Beachy-Quick, Department of English

English professor Dan Beachy-Quick was named CSU Monfort Professor, an award established in 2002 through a gift from the Monfort Family Foundation.

Dan Beachy-Quick, associate professor of English, is one of the most respected poets of his generation and a passionate teacher at CSU. He has published five books of poetry and two essay collections. A novel and a book on John Keats will be released this spring.

Beachy-Quick, a native of Lakewood who earned his master’s degree at the prestigious University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop, was inspired to write poetry by one of his Alameda High School teachers. The 39-year-old has been writing ever since.

Ro Bubar receiving an Excellence in Teaching Award at the College of Liberal Arts awards ceremony in March, 2013.

Margaret B. Hazaleus Award: Ro Bubar, Department of Ethnic Studies

The Hazaleus awards were started in 1997 to honor individuals for long-term efforts to enhance the opportunities for women on campus.

Jack E. Cermak Outstanding Advisor Award: Pam Coke, Department of English

Endowed in 1984 to honor excellence in academic advising, including recognition by students and peers as an outstanding advisor; capacity to offer career as well as academic advising; interpersonal communication skills that lead to beneficial advising relationships; and contributions to the improvement of advising services and/or the appreciation of academic advising throughout the campus

SUMMER:

• Social Media Intern, Poudre River Library District (Ft. Collins)
• Intern, Bloomsbury Review (Denver, CO)
• Prospect Research Internship, Trees, Water, People (Ft. Collins)
• National Development Intern, Trees, Water, People (Ft. Collins)

FALL:

• Publishing Intern, Bailiwick Press (Ft. Collins)
• Social Media Intern, Poudre River Library District (Ft. Collins)
• Grading Assistant, NCTE@CSU with Poudre High School (Ft. Collins)
• CSU Community Literacy Center Internship (2 semester commitment and AmeriCorps Stipend offered)
• Intern, Bloomsbury Review (Denver, CO)
• Editorial Intern, Evergreen Custom Media (correspondence)
• Intern, High Country News, Paonia, CO

Please contact Mary Hickey, English Department Internship Coordinator, at Mary.Hickey@colostate.edu for more information on these internships and how to apply.

Well done, Emily!

Pam Coke received the Jack E. Cermak Outstanding Advisor Award. Pam thoroughly deserves this award. As an advisor, she demonstrates repeatedly that students are important to her through her gifts of time and attention. Pam recognizes and brings out the best in others. And she changes lives, keeping students on track to attain their goals in life through equal measures of patience and firmness, unflagging support and constant “reality checks.”

Dan Beachy-Quick was named a Monfort Professor. This prestigious award is given to a “rising star” and comes with a budget to advance the recipient’s work. These professorships have generally been awarded to faculty in the sciences and social sciences. As the first Monfort Professor from the Humanities, Dan will bring a perspective to the work that is deeply grounded in the exploration, understanding, and articulation of human experience. Already nationally and internationally recognized as a poet, we also know him for his outstanding teaching and his generosity as a colleague. Dan truly deserves this distinction.

Our thanks to our internal nomination committee of Leslee Becker and Sarah Sloane, whose excellent nominations brought these two colleagues to the attention of the university’s selection committees.

Earlier this semester, Colorado State University music graduate student Gene Stenger, tenor, was selected to appear as a soloist at the International Bach Academy in Stuttgart, Germany, led by internationally renowned conductor and Bach expert, Helmuth Rilling.

Arriving in Germany on March 12, Stenger was immersed in weeks of rehearsal as the role of the Evangelist and tenor solos for the famous St Matthew Passion, working with internationally acclaimed tenor and Bach specialist, James Taylor of Yale University.

“It was great to work with him,” said Stenger of Taylor. “I was really able to focus on the importance of the German language to the piece and how my vocal technique and phrasing can be such a huge part of that.”

Helmuth Rilling and St Matthew Passion Soloists

In Bach’s works, the Evangelist in the music is the tenor part in his oratorios and Passions who narrates the exact words of the Bible in recitative, namely in the works St John Passion, St Matthew Passion, and the Christmas Oratorio. In contrast, the Vox Christi, Voice of Christ, is always the bass in Bach’s works, including several cantatas. The St Matthew Passion tells the complete chapters 26 and 27 of Matthew the Evangelist.

Performing several concerts under the baton of Rilling in Stuttgart and Bensheim, Stenger was then one of seven soloists, and the only American, selected to go on tour with Rilling and the ensemble in South America. Arriving in Santiago, Chile on March 25, Stenger performed several more lecture concerts and performances, concluding with a finale concert in Frutillar, Chile.

Watch Gene’s performance (begin minute 55:25 and 1:32:45)

Arriving back in the U.S. on April 2, Stenger is grateful to have had this culminating experience in his graduate tenure.

“I had a lot of incredible moments and memories of my journey to this point – here I was, a tenor soloist with Helmuth Rilling,” he reflected. “Getting to work with Helmuth Rilling was a wonderful experience – he is friendly, warm, and supportive of his singers – always humble and maintains an intense, passionate focus on the music.”

This trip, however, was not Stenger’s first to Stuttgart for this acclaimed choral gathering, nor was it his first meeting with Maestro Rilling. In 2012 Stenger was personally invited by Rilling to participate as a member of the JSB (Junges Stuttgarter Bach) Ensemble Chorus for the academy; a highly competitive group of approximately 50 choristers from around the world conducted by Rilling.

With Rilling at NCCO in 2011

Prior to this first trip, Stenger was introduced to Rilling in 2011 through the National Collegiate Choral Conference held at CSU in November 2011, under the direction of CSU’s Director of Choral Activities, Dr. James Kim.

“I’m so grateful to Dr. Kim for having [Rilling] here,” noted Stenger. “What a great experience to meet him for the first time – and little did I know then where that meeting would lead.”

Hailing from Pittsburgh, PA, Stenger holds an undergraduate music degree from Baldwin Wallace in Berea, OH, where his love for Bach began. The university is known for hosting the oldest collegiate Bach festival in the country.

“I started singing at age 9, mostly through church,” said Stenger. “And this passion for music then blossomed into high school musicals, choirs, marching band, and other opportunities in my undergrad. It was then that one of my professors recommended the faculty and opportunities at Colorado State University for my graduate degree.”

During his time at CSU, Stenger has studied with the late Dr. James McDonald and current department chair Dr. Todd Queen. Stenger has enjoyed several performance opportunities, including the Ralph Opera Center at CSU, the Colorado Bach Ensemble, and Opera Fort Collins. He has also participated in the American Bach Soloists Academy in San Francisco, CA.

After graduation this spring, Stenger will continue his studies in Yale University’s select Institute of Sacred Music where he will pursue a Master’s degree in Early Music, Oratorio, and Chamber Music with tenor James Taylor. Stenger also hopes to return to Germany for more performance opportunities in his career.

“My experiences abroad and at CSU have given me great skills and connections that have helped give me the confidence to pursue these dreams,” said Stenger.

After the final performance in Frutillar, Chile

About the International Bach Academy Stuttgart

The International Bach Academy Stuttgart was founded in 1981 by Helmuth Rilling. The Bach Academy organizes the Stuttgarter Akademiekonzerte, a subscription-series with six major oratory-programs in the great hall of the Stuttgart Liederhalle. The concerts include cooperations with other orchestras and renowned guest conductors. The Bachwoche Stuttgart is a true academy with master classes, seminars, concerts and the international JSB-Ensemble. It is every year dedicated to varying Bach-works. Biggest event of the Bach Academy is the annual MUSIKFESTUTTGART – a high quality international classical music festival that opens the Stuttgart cultural season. Read more.

About Helmuth Rilling

Helmuth Rilling is an internationally known German choral conductor and founder of the Gächinger Kantorei (1954), the Bach-Collegium Stuttgart (1965), the Oregon Bach Festival (1970), the Internationale Bachakademie Stuttgart (1981) and other Bach Academies worldwide. Rilling continues to be one of the world’s preeminent interpreters of Bach and conductors of the choral-orchestral repertoire. In 1967 he studied with Leonard Bernstein in New York and in the same year was appointed professor of choral conducting at the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts, a post which he held until 1985. He is well known for his performances of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach and his contemporaries. He is the first person to have twice prepared and recorded (on modern instruments) the complete choral works of J. S. Bach, a monumental task involving well over 1,000 pieces of music – spanning 170 compact discs. Read more.

The University Center for the Arts at Colorado State University provides an enriched venue in which the study and practice of Art, Dance, Music and Theatre are nurtured and sustained by building the skills and knowledge needed by future generations of arts professionals to become contributors to the essential vitality of our culture and society. For more information, visit www.UniversityCenterfortheArts.com.

FORT COLLINS

The project is a collaboration of the Global Heritage Foundation (GHF), UTL Productions, the National Center for Airborne Laser Mapping (NCALM), CSU, and the Honduran government. It is outlined in detail in the May 6 edition of The New Yorker.

Fisher, associate professor of archaeology, and Leisz, assistant professor of geography, have successfully worked with airborne LiDAR to help reveal a lost pre-Columbian city in central Mexico. LiDAR (Light  Detection and Ranging) is a remote sensing technique used to examine the earth’s surface.

Researchers focused their search for evidence of ancient settlements in the Mosquitia Coast region of Central America. Until now, dense tropical forests and relative inaccessibility of the region have hampered

systematic archaeological investigation.

LiDAR’s computer-generated images allow researchers to “see” through the forest canopy to the ground surface, revealing any evidence of ancient settlements or human-engineered landscapes.

“The LiDAR point cloud data clearly show the remains of large settlements that can be characterized as ancient cities based on their spatial complexity, size and organization,” Fisher said. “We may never be able to tell whether any of these are Ciudad Blanca, or whether the legendary city ever existed, but we can clearly see in the UTL data evidence that there was a densely settled region with a human modified environment. These conclusions provide important new insights into the pre-Hispanic settlement of this largely unexplored region.”

Interpretation of the LiDAR data suggests that the largest of these settlements is roughly the size of the central core of Copan, Honduras, though the architecture appears to be much less monumental. Copan was a Mayan city of nearly 20,000 people that thrived from the 5th through 9th centuries A.D.

Fisher and Leisz utilized LiDAR in recent research documenting the extent and spatial organization of the newly discovered ancient city of Angamuco, Michoacán, Mexico, as part of the Legacies of Resilience Archaeological Project, sponsored by the National Science Foundation, NASA, and the National Geographic Society. Fisher, Leisz and several co-authors championed the use of LiDAR in Mesoamerica in a recent article in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences as a scientific revolution that will fundamentally change the way that archaeologists do fieldwork.

“We were able to use our work at Angamuco to help reveal similar patterns in the Mosquitia data,” said Leisz. “The Honduras LiDAR results add to a growing number of studies using LiDAR point cloud-derived elevation data to analyze the ancient human impacts on the landscape of the Americas.”

Over the next several months Fisher, Leisz, and NCALM scientists will systematically analyze the Mosquitia data in preparation for fieldwork aimed at ground verification and documentation of the results as part of the broader GHF project. Leisz recently traveled to Honduras to sign a memorandum of understanding between CSU and GHF, as well as agreements of collaboration with The Honduran Institute of Anthropology and History (IHAH), and Porfirio Lobo, president of Honduras. Initial results from the project will be presented by Leisz and Fisher in a session on the use of LiDAR at the upcoming American Geophysical Union Meeting of the Americas, to be held May 14-17, in Cancun, Mexico.

Story by Tony Phifer, Colorado State University

970-491-7712

Tony.Phifer@colostate.edu

Get tickets

The seniors put together the entire performance as their capstone project. In addition to dancing, they audition dancers, choreograph pieces, produce the technical elements, design costumes, and promote the performance. Each senior is required to put together a group piece and a solo performance.

“In addition to performing, choreographing and producing are so important, because the performance life of a dancer can be short lived,” noted Sayaka Karasugi. “But these other skills can lead to an equally successful career.”

With different “flavors,” week one performances include tap dancing, classical ballet, and modern dance. Week two consists of modern, personal movement, and contemporary ballet styles. The preparation has been accumulating since the beginning of their time at CSU, but the actual concert preparation began at the start of the spring semester.

“I like to think of it as a celebration of sorts,” said week two director, Mariah Ross. “Because it gives us, as seniors, a chance to show what we have learned and discovered during our time here at CSU – and it means so much to each of us.”

About the Capstone Students:

WEEK ONE: May 3 & 4

Sayaka Karasugi-Ruggles is originally from Kumamoto, Japan, and left her home country alone as a child, lived in three different countries, learned new language and made her career here in the United States. She has danced and performed as professionally in many places including all over Japan, Canada, and United States. Karasugi-Ruggles started her ballet training at Kumamoto Ballet, Japan when she was 5 years-old. She moved to Canada at age of 17, entered Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, Professional Division. After dancing with Royal Winnipeg Ballet Company for two years, Karasugi-Ruggles had decided to sign the contract with the Colorado Ballet in fall of 2000. Karasugi-Ruggles retired from Colorado Ballet as a soloist and enrolled as a non-traditional student with fast track program at Colorado State University, Department of Dance. She is planning to graduate with bachelor degree in dance in summer 2013.

Emily Aldag has been dancing since she was four, studying many different forms. In her time at CSU, she has performed in works choreographed by Katie Elliott and various student choreographers. She has choreographed six pieces while at CSU. She has participated in programs with children at CSU such as BRAINY and the Skinner/Safe program, as well as dancing through Parkinson’s group. After graduation, she will be participating in the Disney college internship in Orlando, Florida.

Jennifer New started dancing at a young age of four after she saw a small dance performance at a local fair. She danced through high school and danced in the summer traveling to places like Georgia and New York. She came to CSU and danced under Carol Roderick, and Chung-Fu Chang along with the other faculty and guest artists. Currently, Jennifer is teaching at the Front Range Classical Academy and looks to further her teaching skills in the next year.

Melissa Smith is originally from Grand Forks, North Dakota, but grew up in Winnemucca, Nevada where she began her dance training at Dominique’s School of Dance.  When she was 15, she and her family moved to Windsor, Colorado where Melissa continued dancing by becoming a member of the Windsor Magic Dance Team. Melissa began attending Colorado State University in fall 2008 and will graduate May 2013 with a B.A. in Performing Arts with a concentration in Dance and a minor in Business Administration. Outside of performing, Melissa has also created choreographic works while here at CSU. Upon graduating, Melissa will continue to dance in whichever form, technique, or profession her training takes her while pursuing a career in Event Coordination.

WEEK TWO: May 10 & 11

Molly Gray began her movement training at age 4 through gymnastics and dance training at a recreational dance studio in Fort Collins, Colorado.  Accepted into Colorado State University in 2006, Molly began studying and pursuing a degree in Human Development and Family Studies from which she received a B.S. in 2011. Upon her graduation from HDFS, Molly made the decision to return to school to pursue her lifelong dream of dancing professionally.  In addition to training and performing, her choreographic work has been featured in the 2012 Fall Faculty Concert, the 2013 Denver Dance Expo in Lakewood, Colorado. Molly will graduate in spring of 2013 with a B.A. in dance. Following graduation, she hopes to dance with a professional modern company. She hopes to have the opportunity to teach, choreograph, and be involved in outreach programs. Her long term plans also include spreading her love for dance and passion for people through dance therapy.

Mariah Ross, born and raised in Montrose, Colorado began dancing at the age of three and has not stopped since. In addition to performing at CSU, Mariah has choreographed a number of works, two of which have received recognition. Mariah was also a member of the 2012-2013 Tour Dance Company, and performed and participated in lecture demonstrations in schools all over Colorado. Ms. Ross has also used her skills as both a dancer and choreographer to teach hip-hop at an after school program at Putnam Elementary School and Lincoln Middle School called Break It!  Upon graduating in spring 2014 with a B.A. in Dance and also a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies with a Pre-Occupational Therapy focus, Mariah plans to see where dance and choreography take her professionally and then go on to attain an Occupational Therapy Master’s Degree and one day work with pediatrics.

Brittany Adams began her training at The Boulder Ballet School at the age of eight.  During her training she attended many summer programs including Kansas City Ballet, American Ballet Theater, Joffrey Ballet, and after encouragement to pursue contemporary dance, Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet. After graduation from Silver Creek High School in 2009, Brittany began her college career at Colorado State University, where she is currently a senior. She has studied under Carol Roderick, Chung-Fu Chang, Jane Slusarski-Harris, Judy Bejarano, and Amber Mazurana. She was selected to work with guest choreographers Viktor Kabaniaev, Gabriel Masson, Kathryn Elliot, Judy Bejarano, and Richard Wacko. Last summer she attended The San Francisco Conservatory of Dance under the artistic direction of Summer Lee Rhatigan. Brittany is currently auditioning with dance and entertainment companies alike in hopes that she will start her career immediately upon graduation.

Lauren Elster, originally from Littleton, Colorado, began her dance training at the age of three at Belliston Academy of Ballet.  Accepted into the dance program at Marymount Manhattan College in New York City, New York, Lauren began training under professors Nancy Lushington, Peter Kyle, and Elena Commendador for her first year of school.  She then transferred to Chapman University where she continued training under Dale Merrill, Nancy Dickson-Lewis, Alicia Guy, Liz Maxwell, and Jennifer Backhaus for her sophomore year.  After taking a semester off, Lauren auditioned and was accepted into Colorado State University’s Dance Department continuing her training under Carol Roderick, Chung-Fu Chang, and Jane Slusarski-Harris. Lauren will graduate this spring with a B.A. in Performing Arts with a concentration in dance, as well as a minor in Media Studies. After graduation she hopes to dance with a professional contemporary ballet or ballet company.

The University Center for the Arts at Colorado State University provides an enriched venue in which the study and practice of Art, Dance, Music and Theatre are nurtured and sustained by building the skills and knowledge needed by future generations of arts professionals to become contributors to the essential vitality of our culture and society. For more information, visit www.UniversityCenterfortheArts.com.

Spring Awards and Scholarship Recipients

Student awards and scholarships in the Department of Economics will be celebrated on Thursday, 2 May 2013 at 3:00 p.m. in Room 214-216 of the Lory Center.  New members will also be inducted into Omicron Delta Epsilon.

Undergraduate Scholarships             

Alok Mehta 9-11 Scholarship – $500                                           

               April Wymann Allen                                                              

 Ed Hewett Memorial Scholarship – $2000                     

               Jake Tilleman                                                                            

 Alumni Scholarship – $1000 renewal                                         

Economics Research Fellowship – $4000 

             Joshua Hess

Kenney is a tenured professor of music at Colorado State University and also serves as Music Director for the Fort Collins Symphony and Opera Fort Collins.  Beginning in the 2013-2014 season, he will oversee all music programming at DYAO and serve as the rehearsal and performance conductor for its lead orchestra of young musicians.

“We’re delighted to be announcing Wes Kenney’s appointment,” said Paul Keebler, president of the DYAO board of directors. “For more than 35 years, DYAO has been providing young musicians in the Denver area and beyond the opportunity to experience the joys of orchestral classical music, with a focus on both learning and performance excellence. Wes has a tremendous record of achievement as a conductor of both adult and youth orchestras, and he is uniquely well qualified to take over this critically important role for our organization.”

Kenney is Director of Orchestras and teaches graduate conducting at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. He has been Music Director of the Fort Collins Symphony for 10 years and in the same position with Opera Fort Collins since 2004. Previously, he was Associate Conductor for the Virginia Symphony in Norfolk, Virginia and Director of Orchestras at the College of William and Mary and San Francisco State University. He also spent seven years as Music Director for the Oakland Youth Symphony in Oakland, California taking that ensemble on tour to both Central Europe and China.

Kenney is also a past president of the Conductors Guild, a professional organization whose membership includes more than 1,600 conductors worldwide. Kenney holds degrees from the University of Southern California and San Francisco State University and has been the recipient of numerous professional and teaching awards. He also served as a guest conductor for DYAO during the 2012-2013 season.

“DYAO has established a strong position as one of the top youth orchestras in the country,” Kenney said. “As a DYAO guest conductor this year, I have experienced first-hand the extraordinary level of talent this orchestra enjoys, as well as an outstanding commitment to excellence amongst all its young musicians. I look forward to working with DYAO’s board and staff to deliver an outstanding educational experience for these wonderful young people.”

Kenney is the 11th music director in the 36-year history of the Denver Young Artists Orchestra. DYAO was founded by Music Director Carl Topilow in 1977.  Other music directors are Charles Ansbacher, Horst Buchholz, Thomas Cockrell, Jurgen de Lemos, David Lockington, Lawrence Loh, Adam Flatt, Scott O’Neil, and Matthew Switzer.

DYAO will present its final concert of the 2012-2013 season on Saturday, April 27, 2013 at 2:30pm at Boettcher Concert Hall.  This concert will be lead by Music Director Wes Kenney and features violin soloist, Isaac Allen, DYAO’s 2013 Concerto Competition Winner.

For additional information, visit www.dyao.org.

Sincerely,

Peter Hellyer
Executive Director
Denver Young Artists Orchestra Association

FORT COLLINS - “The Best Colleges” recently featured Colorado State University among the best in the nation for first-generation college students.

Recognized as ahead of its peers, Colorado State began offering assistance to first-generation students in 1984 when it created the First Generation Award. The award program, which is only available to eligible students who are the first in their family to attend college, was created to encourage high school students and incoming transfer students to further their education. The First Generation Award program also sought to promote diversity within the university.

“By being attentive to the needs of first-generation students, we are able to provide access and opportunities to students who, through their successful participation in higher education, can become valuable contributors in their chosen professions and can positively influence the lives of other family members,” said Mary Ontiveros, vice president for Diversity at Colorado State. “We believe that first-generation faculty members are familiar with the academic journey of first-generation students and also can also help to impact their retention.”

Colorado State has more than 5,500 first generation students enrolled this spring.

“CSU continues to develop a ‘village approach’ to serving the unique needs of these educational pioneers by engaging faculty and staff allies in supporting first-gen students,” said Barb Musslewhite, First Generation Award committee chair.

Four upper division students recently were recognized as Jackson Distinguished First Generation Scholars after receiving the First Generation Award at CSU. Videos about Royce Quintana, Kevin Fleming, Brianna Whitaker and Samantha Borrego can be found on CSU’s YouTube page.

“The Best Colleges” ranks accredited colleges based on affordability, tuition, retention rate and starting salary for graduates. Other institutions featured include Cornell University, Trinity University, Yale University, Texas Tech University and California State University San Marcos.

-Kayla Green

FORT COLLINS – CSU has moved up one spot to No. 2 in the United States in international student satisfaction, according to a worldwide survey.

The rankings, released Thursday by International Student Barometer, were based on surveys of international undergraduates, graduate students and doctoral candidates at more than 180 universities in 15 countries.

More than 160,000 students around the world participated in the survey, according to a news release from CSU.

“We are delighted with these results,” said Jim Cooney, vice provost for International Affairs at CSU. CSU ranked No. 1 in the U.S. for international student satisfaction with the academic experience and student support services, Cooney said.

“These are two of the four broad categories for the survey, and the results are even better than last year,” Cooney said.

CSU also participated in the survey last year, and was ranked No. 3.

In 2012, CSU created a partnership with INTO International Partnerships to recruit potential students around the world. International enrollment at CSU has increased 39 percent in the last four years.

Link to original story.

The other panelists will be Jeanette Blanco-Wellers, business owner and native of El Salvador who became a US citizen in the 1980s; and Robert Heiserman, an Immigration Attorney.

The panelists will discuss the newest immigration reform bill, introduced recently by the bipartisan “Gang of Eight.” Panelists will consider the pros and cons of the bill, and will discuss their opinions on the capability of the bill to solve current immigration issues.

The show will air on Friday, April 25^th at 7:30 p.m. MTD on Rocky Mountain PBS (Chanel 6, Denver/Front Range; Channel 8, Pueblo/Colorado Springs; Channel 18, Grand Junction/Western Colorado). It will re-broadcast on Sunday the 28^th at 5:30 a.m. and Monday the 29^th at 12:30 a.m. After the broadcast, the program will be available at video.rmpbs.org.

“For many, it is their first time playing a solo with the orchestra,” said Kenney. “In any case, there is the prestige of being recognized as one of the top players in the department, not to mention receiving a cash prize.”

Along with fellow finalists Yolanda Tapia and Hannah Barnes, André auditioned for the competition in December 2012 and was promptly notified of his finalist spot. Feverous preparation, however, began in July of that year for his selection of the ‘Piano Concerto No. 1’ by Dmitri Shostakovich – fine-tuning his performance through countless hours of practice, listening, and even writing out the score under the direction of his piano instructor, Dr. Janet Landreth.

“I was nervous,” said André. “But I relied on my training and what I’ve learned from Dr. Landreth. I had to practice objectively and critically in a way that engaged both my hands and my brain.”

Concerto Competition finalists each selected a piece (up to 16 minutes in length) to play with the Sinfonia (chamber-sized orchestra), which was showcased during the competition performance.

“Andre’s performance with the orchestra in the finals was spectacular,” noted Dr. Landreth. “He is such a naturally gifted and spontaneous performer – able to capture the extraordinary range of character in the concerto, from intense lyricism to biting sarcasm and brilliant, rollicking good humor.”

When starting his career in the CSU music program, however, André Short would never have guessed he would end up being this year’s Concerto Competition winner. Entering CSU as a music therapy major, André eventually began to be drawn more and more toward performance and eventually ended up changing his focus.

André cites winning the competition as a huge boost of encouragement and affirmation that he made the right decision in changing to piano performance.

“Winning the competition was actually very surreal,” he noted. “Starting in music therapy, I was friends with many upper classmen and graduate performance students – listening to them in classes and concerts – but I never imagined myself on that same level until now. It is truly an honor to be recognized with them.”

Hailing from Lancaster, California, just north of Los Angeles, André started to play the piano at age 6. With the strains of a military family constantly on the move, he was able to begin taking lessons consistently at age 11, and by age 16 he was convinced that music was his lifelong pursuit and joy.

André was recently selected as a finalist in the Coeur d’Alene Symphony’s Young Artist Competition and was awarded a silver medal in the collegiate group of the International Keyboard Odyssiad and Festival in August 2012.

Studying with Dr. Janet Landreth at CSU, André notes that her instruction has had a dynamic effect on his experience and his performance technique.

“She has taught me to be more objective and constructively critical of my sound,” he notes. “It’s about being connected with my instrument and getting my ear into the audience to hear myself in that way.”

André will study abroad in the spring 2014 semester at the Conservatory of Music of Perugia in Italy where he will continue to study piano performance. His aspirations after graduating from CSU in 2014 include earning his PhD in piano performance and to become a professor at an institution of higher learning.

“My music education has had such an immense impact in my life, both personally and professionally,” said André. “I want to pass that on to others.”

The University Center for the Arts at Colorado State University provides an enriched venue in which the study and practice of Art, Dance, Music and Theatre are nurtured and sustained by building the skills and knowledge needed by future generations of arts professionals to become contributors to the essential vitality of our culture and society. For more information, visit www.UniversityCenterfortheArts.com.

Cher Li is finishing her PhD at the University of Wisconsin.  She specializes in applied microeconomics & public economics.

• The Effects of Human Capital Depreciation on Occupational Gender Segregation,” (Job Market Paper), 2012.
• Are All Americans Saving “Optimally” for Retirement?” with William Gale, John Karl Scholz, and Ananth Seshadri, 2012.
• EITC Use in Shared Placement Cases, with Pat Brown and John Karl Scholz, 2012.

Elisa Belfiori is finishing her PhD at the University of Minnesota.  She specializes in environmental economics & macroeconomics.

Working Papers:

• Carbon Trading, Carbon Taxes and Social Discounting
• Climate Change and International Cooperation
• Understanding Credit Crunches Through a Model of Loan Commitments (with Manuel E. Macera)

The Teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language (TESL/TEFL) Graduate Student Association in the Department of English successfully applied to participate in World Book Night and will be distributing free books to four diverse populations in Fort Collins and Guatemala.

How it works

World Book Night was created to promote literacy in populations that don’t often read. This year, 25,000 volunteers will hand out half a million books across America. World Book Night also is observed in the UK, Ireland, and Germany, with over 2.5 million books distributed worldwide in 2012. Thirty books are selected by a panel of librarians and booksellers to be distributed during the event. Authors and publishers agree to produce the special edition books free of charge. Once the books have been selected, World Book Night invites the public to apply to organize book distribution events.

In January, the CSU TESL/TEFL Graduate Student Association received support for four World Book Night applications. Starting Tuesday, April 23, TESL/TEFL GSA students will distribute books to four diverse populations:

• Students enrolled in the Poudre School District’s Immigrant/Migrant/Refugee Program
• Adults working toward obtaining their GED at Fort Collins Education and Life Training Center
• Students in the M.A. TESL/TEFL program at CSU
• English language learners in Guatemala

“We hope that by giving novels to these populations, we can help promote literacy and a love of reading in our community and abroad,” said Kristen Foster, the graduate student who is overseeing the project.

This year’s World Book Night titles include classics such as Mark Twain’s A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court and Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, along with popular contemporary titles such as Tina Fey’s Bossypants and Percy Jackson’s The Lightning Thief.

• View a full list of this year’s 30 book titles.

History of World Book Night

The idea for World Book Night began in England at the London Book Industry Conference in 2010. Members of the conference were trying to think of a way to encourage more adults to read and decided that the best way to promote literacy and a love of reading was for communities to give out free copies of their favorite books to populations who don’t regularly read. The date, April 23, commemorates Shakespeare’s birthday, the death of Miguel de Cervantes, and the UNESCO International Day of the Book.

Dr. Stephan Weiler

Finding the link between banks, small business

Stephan Weiler, professor of economics at CSU, is part of a group of prestigious speakers at the Resilience and Rebuilding for Low-Income Communities Conference.

The event, sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, features top economists from universities and financial institutions across the country. Keynote speaker is Ben Bernanke, chairman of the Federal Reserve and one of the most influential economists in the world.

“This is a really big deal, and we’re thrilled to be presenting,” said Weiler, who will be joined in his presentation by former CSU graduate student Natalia Kravchenko.

Banks matter to small businesses

Weiler will talk about his findings in a study looking at the relationship between small business and bank lending.

“The fact the conference invited us to share our work suggests they are interested in small business and how important it is to local economies,” Weiler said. “It also points out how important banks are to the survival of small business. Small businesses are not only important in terms of providing jobs, they are the pioneers in our economy – if they survive and thrive that encourages other businesses to follow.”

Weiler has taught economics at CSU since 1996.

According to the organization’s website, the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging the highest standards of singing through excellence in teaching and the promotion of vocal education and research both for professional advancement of the talented and the enrichment of the general public. With over 5,600 members in the United States, Canada, and over 24 foreign countries, NATS is the largest association of teachers of singing in the world.

Each year, students of NATS member teachers participate in an adjudicated competition at the state level. Colorado State University students placed in nine of the college level categories at the Colo.-Wyo. audition. Please join us in congratulating the following CSU students and voice faculty on their numerous awards:

• Classical 7, 2nd Place: Justin Little, freshman, student of John Seesholtz and member of the CSU Freshman Voice Studio
• Classical 8, 1st Place: Marissa Rudd, freshman, student of John Seesholtz and member of the CSU Freshman Voice Studio
• Classical 9, 1st Place: Andrew Madden, student of John Seesholtz; 2nd Place: Noel Von Behren, student of John Seesholtz; 3rd Place: Ryan McPeek, student of John Seesholtz; Honorable Mention: Eric Botto, student of Todd Queen
• Classical 10, 1st Place: Hillary Thompson, student of John Seesholtz; 3rd Place: On Yoo Kim, student of Judith Christin and Susan Hochmiller
• Classical 13, 2nd Place: Arthur Beutel, student of Todd Queen
• Classical 18, 2nd Place: Karoline Barnett, student of John Seesholtz
• Musical Theatre 10, 3rd Place: Samantha DeBey, student of Susan Hochmiller and Gregory Brookes
• Musical Theatre 11, 1st Place: Colin Williamson, student of Susan Hochmiller
• Musical Theatre 14, 1st Place: Brittani Farrell, student of Susan Hochmiller

For more information about NATS and a complete list of winners, please visit the NATS website.

Scholarship recipients must be registered for MU204 Marching Band and a member in good standing when the funds are issued next fall.

Returning marchers need to complete their “Commitment Form” by May 1. New marchers should register for an audition by May 27.  Live auditions are June 2.

Click here to register for an audition or fill out your Commitment Form.

Carl Burgchardt and co-author Brian Ott published “On Critical-Rhetorical Pedagogy: Dialoging with Schindler’s List” in Western Journal of Communication, 77 (1), 2013.

David Scott Diffrient published “‘Hard to Handle’: Camp Criticism, Trash Film Reception, and the Transgressive Pleasures of Myra Breckinridge” in Cinema Journal , 52 (2), 2013.

Katherine Knobloch and co-authors John Gastil, Justin Reedy, & Katherine Cramer Walsh published “Did They Deliberate? Applying an Evaluative Model of Democratic Deliberation to the Oregon Citizens’ Initiative Review” in the Journal of Applied Communication Research.

Outreach Highlights

Dr. Eric Aoki moderated a community forum regarding the findings presented in “Losing Ground,” an I-News and Rocky Mountain PBS special project. “Losing Ground” presents a disturbing yet compelling portrait of Colorado as a state where black and Latino residents are falling further and further behind their white counterparts, and the forum focused on where Colorado is headed in the future, as well as understanding both its past and the present.

Student News

Undergraduate majors Kacey Bull and Caitlin Berube-Smith presented papers at the Western States Communication Association’s Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, February 2013 in Reno, Nevada.

The following graduate students presented papers at the Western States Communication Association’s annual convention in Reno in February 2013:

Versha J. Anderson, “Gendered Intersections with Environment and Immigration: Sustainable Peace: Wangari Maathai’s Peace Prize.”

Tyler Brunette, “The Dark Knight of the Mind: Representations of Mental Illness in Batman Begins” and “When the Critics Finish their Chores, May They Come Outside to Play?“

Lydia Mae Johnson, “The Contradictory Text of Bloody Sunday: The Possibility of Incompatibility with Form and Content”

Sarah Peterson, “Gulled By Song: The Rhetoric of Tip and Ty in the Log Cabin Campaign of 1840”

Shelby L. Scott, “Curves Ahead: A Rhetorical Analysis of Images of Full-Figured Models in Glamour Magazine”

Vicky Weber, “Narratives of North Korea: Themes in North Korean Defector Narratives”

Andrea Dajer Zapata, “More than the Blogosphere: Digital Communication Channels and the Globalizing Effects of FC Barcelona’s ‘Blaugosphere’”

Samantha “Sam” Borrego, senior Communication Studies major  was selected as a 2012-2013 Jackson Distinguished First Generation Award Scholar and was honored at the February 26, 2013 First Generation Award (FGA) celebration.

Geoffrey Luurs presented three papers at the Western Social Science Association’s (WSSA) convention in Denver in April: “Militant State Rhetoric: The Chinese Communist Party,” “Understanding Predominant Rhetoric and Its Effect on Exceptionalism,” and Exclusionary Play in the Elitist Gamer Culture in Final Fantasy XI.”

Though the building is still under construction, the department has received the exciting news that in the fall of 2013 we will be leaving our beloved Eddy Hall and moving into the brand new Behavioral Sciences Building addition. The plans for the building (see the accompanying rendering of the exterior and floor plan of the interior of the building) look fantastic and the department is very excited about the new space. And even though it is merely a hole in the ground at the moment (see accompanying photo), we still think it’s a pretty lovely hole!

Behavioral Sciences addition exterior

CSU BSB Addition final floorplan

Springtime brings with it a rhythm of life whether it be the frenetic movement of humming birds, the emergence from a newly hatched egg, or the gentle movement elicited from an evening breeze. Colorado State University’s Spring Dance Concert continues this rite of spring by bringing to its stage the movement of creativity as its dance artists take their final bows for the season.

According to Director of Dance at CSU, Jane Slusarski-Harris, the Spring Dance Concert will feature a variety of styles to include a wide spectrum of dance forms, such as classical ballet, modern dance, jazz, hip-hop, and tap. Assistant Professor of Ballet & Pedagogy, Carol Roderick, stated that “Most of the pieces are original choreographic works by students, faculty, and guest artists, so there is a broad spectrum of creative work represented.”

“This concert marks the year’s culmination of dance, performance, and passion for creative movement,” notes Slusarski-Harris.

“All of the performers in this program are CSU dance majors,” emphasized Roderick. “Following auditions for each piece, the choreographers/directors make casting decisions based on their assessment of the abilities and suitability of the dancers for the roles being considered. It is one of the expectations of their course work to audition and perform on a regular basis.”

As a florist designs a bouquet from flowers grown in a greenhouse and nurtured by a nursery worker, dance performances are just as collaborative. Roderick explained, “Dancers choose certain music (perhaps for rhythmic movement inspiration). They envision their work in the context of light and color (lighting designers), and costume it (patrons). They are inspired by their own dancing, and also by the artistry of other dancers. There are often set designs or scenery on the stage.”

Slusarski-Harris mentioned that it is also beneficial for the students to participate in a performance of this caliber because they get to interact and receive professional treatment by lighting professionals and other stage personnel. In their course work, students study theory, but when they are the performers, they are able to apply theory to practice.

Roderick herself began ballet training as a young child, and as she continued training, it became a part of her life. Noting that performing and teaching are “two distinct professions,” Roderick realized that her passion and abilities led her to teaching as a career. “The job that we do as dance teachers is very intense and gratifying. We work very directly with our individual students, passing on to them our personal knowledge, experience, and advice.”

The Spring Dance Concert is the showcase performance for many of the dance majors at CSU who have benefited from the teachings and talents of instructors such as Carol Roderick. “It is not unusual for the vast majority of dance majors to be involved in these performances every semester,” noted Roderick. Her love for dance and her students clearly shows. “We do this every day, in small groups, verbally and with live musical accompaniment, and almost exclusively without the use of written materials. It is very collaborative, very detailed, and very interesting!”

Concert goers will also be honored to experience the work of guest artist-in-residence Kun-Chen Shih. A native of Taiwan, Shih taught as well as danced professionally in locales such as Austria, France, and the Netherlands, as well as in his native Taiwan.

A self-described nomad, Shih was in Taiwan when he met Chung-Fu Chang, associate professor of dance and director of CSU Tour Dance Company. Shih was delighted to accept Chang’s offer to do a two-month dance residency at CSU.

“Shih brings a spectrum of contemporary dance experiences, fusing European and Asian styles, and a unique artistic discipline for our program,” said Chang.

Read more about the residency.

The final touch to this garden of delight is the performance itself presented live in the University Dance Theatre at the University Center of the Arts. As Roderick pointed out, “Only live theatre (the performing arts, which includes music, theatre, and dance) is a direct performance experience. The experience of attending a live performance is completely different aesthetically, physiologically, emotionally, and intellectually.”
Performances for the Spring Dance Concert are Friday, April 19, at 8 p.m. and on Saturday, April 20, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the University Dance Theatre at the University Center for the Arts, 1400 Remington Street, Fort Collins.

Coach Mac made a cameo appearance in “Evil Dead: The Musical” on opening night. The audience loved your acting debut Coach Jim McElwain! More surprise cameos are planned – who would you like to see?!

“The Great Recession:  The Forces that Make it Great”

by Dr. Dean Baker, Economist and Co-Director of the

Center for Economic and Policy Research, Washington, DC.

(Right click to open poster link below in new tab)

Economics Department

Friday, April 26th, 3:00 in C-144 Clark

Liesel Hans, Graduate Student, Colorado State University

Individual Decision-Making under Uncertainty: a Theoretical and Experimental Analysis of the Effect of Feedback

Friday, May 3rd, 3:00 in C-144 Clark

Tessa Conroy, Graduate Student, Colorado State University

Determinants of Female Entrepreneurship Across the United States

In March of 2013, senior Sociology student and CDRA undergraduate research assistant, Samantha LaFever, travelled to Oklahoma State University for the 2013 Linking Gerontology and Geriatrics Conference. Samantha, along with Mike Gavin, the Emergency Manager for the City of Fort Collins, co-presented as part of a special plenary session entitled “Hazards and Disasters: Where are Children, Grandparents, and Caregivers?”

The session highlighted research Samantha has been working on regarding “grandfamilies” (non-nuclear families where children are being raised by one or both grandparents) within Larimer County. Although an often overlooked population, there are more and more elderly who are raising a generation of children both in Larimer County and across the United States. Samantha has been conducting research to understand how this particular family structure, and related family dynamics, shape risk perception and disaster preparedness activities. This is an important area of focus not just because of their growing numbers, but also because the elderly and children represent two of the most vulnerable populations in disaster.

Samantha, who is also a dual intern with Poudre School District and the City of Fort Collins Office of Emergency Management, thoroughly enjoyed the experience at the conference. She said that she “could not believe the opportunity came up to present in front of such a large audience while still an undergrad!” She also noted the huge role her network played and how thankful she was to have such supportive mentors as Dr. Lori Peek and Mike Gavin.

While at the conference, Samantha met many community leaders and academic researchers, including Dr. Tammy Henderson from Oklahoma State University, who was a co-organizer of the conference. Samantha noted that she “learned a great deal and connected with a variety of professionals interested in the work being done on grandfamilies by participating in such an exciting event.”

Samantha is an exemplar of all that we hope to foster with our undergraduate research experiences at CDRA: she has worked on many different projects through the Center and in the Fort Collins community. We are so proud of Samantha, and wish her all the best with what will surely continue to be a bright future!

Monday, April 22nd, 4:00-5:30 pm

Lory Student Center Room 211E

The Department of English and College of Liberal Arts are hosting an event featuring a panel of successful, local professionals in the publishing world. Six panelists will lead a lively conversation for students who wish to learn more about working in the world of publishing.

This event will feature the following panelists:

Debbie Blair: Managing Editor of Jewelry Stringing magazine and related special interest publications at  Interweave/F+W Media.

Stephanie G’Schwind: Director for CSU’s Center for Literary Publishing and Editor for the Colorado Review and the Colorado Prize for Poetry.

Charles J. Malone: Editor at Wolverine Farm Publishing for The Matterhorn, Matter Journal and A Poetic Inventory of Rocky Mountain National Park, Adjunct Faculty at University of Northern   Colorado  and Front Range Community College.

Cara McDonald: Editor and Co-founder of Fort Collins Magazine and Breckenridge Magazine.

Karla Oceanak: Children’s Author and Publisher for Bailiwick Press.

Todd Simmons: Publisher, Wolverine Farm Publishing

Refreshments will be served.

For questions and more information, please contact Mary Hickey, English Department Internship Coordinator at Mary.Hickey@colostate.edu or 970-491-3438.

Now at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, pursuing her MA in Food Studies, Amber is embracing an amazing chance to pursue her interests in both Sociology and Food Science. She has made many connections to her undergraduate classes and is enjoying the remarkable multidisciplinary graduate program, which she says, “tends to use a sociological lens and other disciplines to examine complex issues surrounding food.”

Looking back, Amber sees her undergraduate Sociology courses as “super helpful in graduate school because of being taught how to look at the world using multiple perspectives and understanding the experience of others.” She also notes that she has “learned quickly that the volunteer service projects I’ve worked on as an undergraduate gave me transferable skills which have opened doors for me.”

Amber’s dedication to teaching and learning has led her to consider an opportunity to “teach a food studies class to undergraduates at the Umbra Institute in Italy for a semester,” where she will be able to pass on her passion and knowledge to others. As an outstanding student with a warm personality, we know she will go far in all her endeavors. She is indicative of the “first generation determination” that CSU attempts to instill and foster among those who are first in their family to attain a college degree. It was an honor to work with Amber through CDRA and the Sociology Department, and we wish her all the best!

The English Department Facebook page went live after being approved and officially recognized by the Colorado State University Social Media Committee. Graduate Student Sarah Austin designed the page, and we are very grateful for her efforts. If you have questions, suggestions, or concerns, please contact her or Professor Sarah Sloane.

Click here to watch the video about the accomplishments of Samatha Borrego.

Click here to watch the video about the accomplishments of Kevin Fleming.

The First Generation Awards are awarded to students whose parents have not earned a bachelor’s or graduate degree and who have diverse social and economic backgrounds that are traditionally underrepresented in higher education. For more information about the First Generation Award, click here.

When you meet new artist in residence dance instructor Shih Kun-Chen, you know immediately that you’ll never forget him. Not only does he have contagious enthusiasm and invigorating positivity, he is a talented storyteller, both through his words and his dancing.

I was lucky enough to sit down with Shih and hear his story over a cup of coffee late one afternoon. During this time, I learned many interesting facts about Mr. Kun-Chen. For instance, Shih didn’t initially begin his performance career as a dancer. He was a vocal major in college and taught music to elementary school children in his native country, Taiwan. His dream, however, was to be a professional singer, and he was determined to achieve it.

Shih says he knew if he were going to make his way as a vocal performer, he would have to have to learn how to move on stage. He began taking dance lessons at a private school where he started to blossom into a talented performer.

While on summer vacation, Shih attended the American Dance Festival where he witnessed a variety of different dance styles and performances. The festival opened his eyes to possibilities that exist in dance.

“Attending the festival was a big turning point in my life,” he said. “My dream shifted, and I was now focused on putting dance at the center of my performance; I wanted to be a professional dancer.”

Upon fully realizing his new ambitions, Shih quit his teaching job and went to Austria to study and perform at Tanz Atelier Wien. He was with the atelier for four-and-a-half years until he left to audition for professional dance companies. Shih auditioned for a company in the Netherlands and another in France. Ultimately, due to visa complications, Shih returned to Austria and joined Tanztheatre Homunculus, a Viennese dance company.

“I remained with Tanztheatre Homunculus for eleven years, until loss of government funding resulted in the company ending,” Shih said. “We were like a family; this enabled us to understand each other’s talents which added to our chemistry on-stage,” he said.

Since Tanztheatre Homunculus, Shih has been invited to perform in numerous productions and has taught many dance workshops. He describes himself as a nomad, constantly moving about, sharing his talents with audiences throughout the world. Shih even landed an acting gig in an adapted version of King Lear, a role he says didn’t highlight his true talents.

“I’m not a good actor,” he said. “If I mess up on stage while dancing, it is easy for me to improvise without the audience noticing. When I mess up lines, I can’t do an improvised dance move to fill in the space. That acting experience was my first and last,” he said, laughing.

In 2011 while freelancing with a dance company in Taiwan, Shih met Chung-Fu Chang, associate professor of dance at CSU and Director of CSU Tour Dance Company. When the opportunity arose, Chung-Fun invited Shih to do a two-month dance residency at CSU. Shih started his residency in March and will be on campus through the end of April.

“Shih brings a spectrum of contemporary dance experiences, fusing European and Asian styles, and a unique artistic discipline for our program, said Chung-Fu.  “We are so honored to have a performer of his caliber share his deep knowledge of dance with faculty and students.”

The goal of Shih’s residency is to let students experience his techniques and artistry.  He says he wants students to explore and discover various ways to initiate movement that help them access tools for experiential/concept-driven performance.

“I teach in a way students aren’t used to,” Shih said. “I really encourage the students to try combinations, thinking through their movements and difficulties. I observe and help them along only after they continue to struggle. Students often think in terms of pleasing the teacher, but I want them to learn that this is for them, not for me.”

Shih says he has already seen significant growth and development in both his intermediate and advanced dance classes. He is very impressed with what CSU has to offer and is enjoying his residency.

This international residency has been made possible through the generosity of Colorado College Dance Professor and Former Director of Asian Studies Program Yunyu Wang, Former Director of Asian Studies Program, Professor Joan Ericson, and the Taipei Artists Village Artists-in-Residency Exchange Programs of Taiwan.

“I really like the atmosphere here at CSU,” he said. “I have a lot of freedom to teach new and different choreography and the students are very motivated to learn.  The facilities here allow for inspiration and creativity; the dance studio is one of the finest I have seen at a university.”

If you have the opportunity to meet Shih Kun-Chen, or if you are one of the lucky student dance majors in one of his workshops, make a point to soak up the experience to the fullest. Let Shih’s enthusiasm and happiness rub off on you, and let him teach you what it really means to follow your dreams.

• Tobi Jacobi, Distinction in Outreach Award.
• Matt Bradley, Excellence in Teaching Award, GTA Category.
• Leif Sorenson, Excellence in Teaching Award, Assistant Professor Category.
• Antero Garcia and Michael Lundblad received Faculty Development Fund Awards.

Awards were presented at the Annual Spring/Faculty Meeting and Awards Celebration on Wednesday, March 27, at UCA Organ Recital Room.

See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmHwx7M4xkU&list=UU3cURzXjmtaLnS8z7QAnOag&index=4

Also interviewed in this video is Dr. Tara Opsal (Assistant Professor of Sociology), who had the pleasure of working with Kevin last semester.

Congratulations Kevin!

The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival is a national theater program, with over 18,000 participants annually, and according to the organization’s website, “[KCACTF] has served as a catalyst in improving the quality of college theatre in the United States.”

Region VII is comprised of nine western states including Alaska, northern Calif., Colo., Idaho, Mont., northern Nev., Ore., Wash. and Wyo. Over 1,000 theatre students from Region VII convene annually to participate in workshops; attend symposia and colloquies and professional presentation; work with resident artists; and compete for honors, awards, and scholarships for their creative accomplishments in theatre productions at staged at their schools.

Students winning regional awards will travel to Washington, D.C., April 15-20, 2013, to compete at the 45th annual Kennedy Center national conference, where, since 2007, CSU students have distinguished themselves as national award-winners in Stage Management, Acting, Lighting Design, Sound Design, and Playwriting. National winners are selected by discipline-discrete judges from a panel of highly visible theatre professionals.

2013 Regional Awards
David Culp (CSU ‘14) was the Design, Tech and Management: Sound Design Winner for his work on the CSU production of A Christmas Story. He will attend the national conference as a finalist in April.

Mackenzie Mulligan (’14) was the Design, Tech and Management: Lighting Design Winner for her work on the CSU production of Spring Awakening. She will attend the national conference as a finalist in April.

KC Cseresnyes (’13) won a Stage Management Meritorious Achievement award for his work on the CSU production of A Christmas Story.

Dr. Laura Jones, CSU professor, won the ATHE/KCACTF Innovation Teaching Award, presented at the festival by a representative from the Association for Theatre in Higher Education.

Artwork by Bekah Thrasher

You are sitting at a party in a swanky art-deco ballroom in 1920’s Paris on a hazy summer’s evening with the majestic Eiffel Tower in clear view out the nearest window. You watch as elitists arrive in their

finest attire, gossiping and giving each other the once over. Music begins to play and the gentlemen sweep the elegant ladies off their chairs and around the room. In this moment you are completely lost in the beauty of the scene, and it feels almost surreal to be witnessing it.

Sound intriguing? This isn’t a scene from a Woody Allen movie or a romantic dream sequence; this is a description of what you’ll encounter if you attend CSU and the Reta Ralph Opera Center’s production of Franz Lehar’s The Merry Widow.

This operetta tells the story of a rich widow, Hanna Glawari, and her countrymen’s attempt to keep her money in the principality by finding her the right husband. Count Danilo Danilovitsch, who was once in love with a penniless Hanna before her marriage, vies for her affection, but his efforts ignite a back-and-forth war of the roses. This romantic comedy is filled with twists and turns that will keep the audience on the edge of their seats.

All of the action takes place across ballrooms and gardens in 1920’s Paris, straying from the early 1900’s time period in which the operetta is originally set.

“The 20′s were a time of beautiful design, both in terms of architecture and clothing, so it afforded the design team lots of opportunity to create something beautiful on stage,” said Tiffany Blake, the director of CSU’s production of the show. “The post-WWI era was also a time of breaking boundaries and enjoying life, so the atmosphere of going to clubs (like Maxim’s in the operetta) and living the life of a playboy like the main character Danilo, was a good parallel.”

To achieve this 1920’s look, Taylor Webster, CSU’s master carpenter and theatre program alum, was tasked with designing the set for the production.

Webster got her inspiration for the set from the “opulence and decadence of the 1920s, specifically the height of the Art Deco period in Paris.” She drew from hotel lobby architecture, images from film sets, architectural details and motifs, and postcards from the era.

“For such a specific era, period detail and research is very important,” said Webster. “The main scenic unit is inspired by the Strand Hotel lobby in London; I loved the clean lines, the illuminated quality of the revolving door and the columns, and the overall sense of decadence. For the backdrop we recreated the Paris skyline based off a lovely photo I found of the city in a hazy dawn/dusk state, and in the style of postcards from the time period.”

After Webster finished researching how she wanted the set to look, she began to work on bringing the design to life.

“Bringing a design to life is always a highly collaborative process,” said Webster. “I started by working with Dr. Blake and the rest of the design team to create the look and feel of the show in a conceptual sense, and together we made sure that the visual and thematic needs as well as the practical staging needs were met by the scenic design concept.”

Afterwards, she began to solidify these conceptual ideas into scale drawings and paint renderings, working with the technical directors and the paint charge artist to brainstorm construction solutions, paint techniques, and other problem-solving elements.

“One of my favorite parts about working with the CSU team is everyone’s willingness to come together and offer solutions, from using fluorescent ceiling tiles to illuminate the walls and columns to reupholstering stock furniture to create period-accurate pieces,” Webster notes.

Students from the Theatre Department and practicum students with an interest in set design are involved in the construction of the set.

“We try to create processes for construction and paint that give students meaningful and accessible opportunities to contribute,” said Webster. “Working in the shops and watching the set come together piece by piece is incredibly rewarding. They see the design come to life and begin to exist in a real, three-dimensional sense.”

Webster describes seeing the actors on stage as the biggest payoff for all the work that goes into set design.

“My favorite part of any scenic design is final dress rehearsal – seeing the actors in costume inhabiting the world we’ve worked together to create, enhanced by lighting and music,” she said.

Webster’s hope for The Merry Widow is that that the audience “comes away with a sense of beauty that is inspired by an elegant union of harmonious elements.”

“For me, the mark of a good scenic design is the ability to transport the audience to another time and place, and to support and enhance the storytelling in a way that is cohesive with the production style,” she said.

Don’t miss this fun, lighthearted, and visually glorious operetta set in a world where champagne flows freely, life’s troubles are of the highest aristocratic nature, and everything is seen through a golden, dreamlike haze.

The Merry Widow Performances:

March 29 & 30, 7:30 p.m., April 6, 7:30 p.m., and April 7, 2 p.m.

Presented by the Charles & Reta Ralph Opera Center

Directed by Tiffany Blake and Conducted by Wes Kenney

Get Tickets

The University Center for the Arts at Colorado State University provides an enriched venue in which the study and practice of Art, Dance, Music and Theatre are nurtured and sustained by building the skills and knowledge needed by future generations of arts professionals to become contributors to the essential vitality of our culture and society. For more information, visit www.UniversityCenterfortheArts.com.

By Anna Massara

Artwork by Nathan Young

Bringing high quality, affordable live theatre to the Front Range, the theatre program at Colorado State University presents the horror-comedy Evil Dead: The Musical by agreement with Samuel French, Inc. Performances are nightly Thursdays through Sundays, running April 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 7:30 p.m. in the University Theatre at the University Center of the Arts, 1400 Remington Street. Production extras include a ‘Splash Zone’ and a Zombie Blood Drive.

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Evil Dead: The Musical, which premiered in Toronto, Canada, was an immediate success and moved to an off-Broadway run in 2006 with hundreds of regional and international performances around the world. Critics praised the show, including a rave from the New York Times, calling it “the next Rocky Horror Show.”

The Canadian pop-rock musical is based on the cult classic Evil Dead horror film franchise. The innovative performance combines all the favorite moments from the original series that launched the directing career of Sam Raimi. The story follows five friends as they head to an old, isolated, and abandoned cabin in the woods where they accidentally unleash an evil force that’s hell-bent on converting them to the restless undead, in this case, “Deadites.”

CSU Director of Theatre & Dance, Walt Jones, will stage the production. He notes that his interest in the play was, “confronting the challenge to do the self-referential musical as written: super cheesy and massively tongue-in-cheek—almost tongue-‘through’-cheek,” but to also “try to do what the original 1979-80 film set out to do—scare.” He added, “The script is thin enough—thin in a good way—that we are able to poke visual fun at our own list of targets. And the authors’ casting requirements are loose enough that we could offer ten times more roles than were in the original cast, and our production team—designers, technicians, production crew, tricks, special effects, and fight experts—is triple the size of our typical mainstage productions. When we are in rehearsal I look around and think, ‘who’s minding the store?’”

The show will appeal to all types of audiences, as it offers itself to comedy, horror, and musical theatre. Jones describes it as more like a circus, “a dark, in-your-face-and-up-close carnival that presents both the allure and revulsion for freaks in a side show, a contemporary Théâtre du Grand-Guignol.”

Evil Dead: The Musical will feature unique costumes by CSU Costume Shop Supervisor Janelle Sutton, who says her inspiration for the original costumes came from the Evil Dead films, Walking Dead, Night of the Living Dead, Cabin in the Woods, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Her costumes depict a bold diversity; “You’ll see every kind of zombie you could imagine and some you couldn’t.”

Along with the fun production elements, Jones cited his cast and creative team as being his favorite part of directing the show. “We’ve had about a dozen designer and crew ‘breakout’ sessions specifically for the special effects.” Featuring a cast of almost 50 CSU students (majors in Theatre, Dance, Music, Business, Engineering, History, and a dozen other majors campus-wide) along with a live four-piece rock band, featuring members of Fort Collins-based, Circana, an Associate Director and Choreographer, Emma Kimball (a senior Dance major at CSU) is “awesome, and has already shown her competence as a nervy and confident director,” Jones said.

“This show takes two full-time directors, a skilled musical director (David Hörger), two vocal coaches (CSU Opera-Theatre majors Nate Alpers and graduate student Alex Diesner), fight choreographer Bryan Connolly, even a ‘First Unit Director of Deadites’ (Theatre/Business major Chelsea Case) for the 38 zombies.”

Of the company, Jones said “they all embrace the ‘out-there’ and come up with whacky but hilarious solutions and toss them out for consideration.” he said. “I’d be really stupid not to incorporate their ideas; my cast represents our targeted audience. We laugh a lot.”

Don’t miss this opportunity to see if an unwitting S-Mart employee named Ash can save himself from death and survive a mass attack of the evil undead, all while he delivers unforgettable lines from the classic horror series.

Sit in the Splash Zone:

Along with the ghoulish makeup and costumes evocative setting by Maggie Seymour (Polaroid Stories, The Distance From Here, Sweeney Todd, The Kafka Project), the performance will feature a designated “Splash Zone”: reserved spots for those lucky front row seat-holders who will receive a commemorative Evil Dead: The Musical tee-shirt to help soak up the (stage) blood from the performance (think Sea World but gooier and red). Purchase or upgrade to the “Splash Zone” for only $10 at the Box Office.

“It’ll be seriously messy,” said Jones. “Approximately 1,000 gallons of blood will wash out, but it will be plentiful, gooey, viscous, and slippery.”

Give Blood and get FREE Tickets:

On Wednesday, April 10, the theatre program at CSU will host a ‘Zombie Blood Drive’ at the University Center for the Arts from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., sponsored by the Garth Englund Blood Center of Poudre Valley Hospital. Join the cast of Evil Dead: The Musical  and get in the ‘spirit’ to support blood donations for Northern Colorado. Qualified donors will receive a free ticket to a performance CSU’s production. Read more.

Evil Dead: The Musical Performances:

Nightly (Thursday through Sunday): April 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 7:30 p.m.

Directed by Walt Jones and Emma Kimball, Choreography by Emma Kimball, Music Direction by David Hörger, Scenic Design by Maggie Seymour, Costume Design by Janelle Sutton, Lighting Design by Andy Killion, Property Design by Brittany Lealman, Makeup Design by Siobhan Gleason, Projection Design by Price Johnston, Sound Design by Parker Stegmaier, Fight Choreography by Bryan Connolly, Production Stage Manager, Tory Sheppard, Producing Technical Director, Nathan Cory Seymour, “Evil Dead” Graphics Designed by Nathan Young.

Book and Lyrics by George Reinblatt. Music by Frank Cipolla, Christopher Bond, Melissa Morris, George Reinblatt. Music Supervision by Frank Cipolla. Additional Lyrics by Christopher Bond. Additional Music by Rob Daleman. Produced by special arrangement with Renaissance Pictures, LTD. & Studio Canal Image, S.A. and Samuel French, Inc.

The University Center for the Arts at Colorado State University provides an enriched venue in which the study and practice of Art, Dance, Music and Theatre are nurtured and sustained by building the skills and knowledge needed by future generations of arts professionals to become contributors to the essential vitality of our culture and society. For more information, visit www.UniversityCenterfortheArts.com.

Born May 18, 1930, in Neenah, Wisconsin, Steve moved to Fort Collins where he became a stalwart of our Music Education program at Colorado State University from 1962 until retiring in 1997. After his retirement, you could find Steve at the numerous concerts of the department over the years.

Steve Busch was known as the “heartbeat” of the Rotary Club of Fort Collins. For decades he started each meeting with either a melody reflecting the season or a rousing patriotic song. He provided selfless service in a variety of activities, involved with Inspiration Playground, Highway Cleanup, The Gardens at Spring Creek, and the 4-Way Test Program in the Junior High Schools.

Inducted in CMEA Hall of Fame in 1989, Steve was quoted as saying, “we can truthfully say a musical experience is a unique experience. Nothing can take it’s place. This experience is a vital and necessary experience in the life of an individual, if he is to achieve the ultimate in self-assurance and human understanding.”

Stephen is survived by JoAnne, his wife of 54 years; his two daughters, Gwynne Cleveland and Carol Busch; and his grandson, Stefan Bennett. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Heather; his parents, Mary and Orrin Busch; and his sister, Carol Letter.

Please join us in remembering and celebrating the life of a wonderful man who made a difference in the lives of so many people.

Services

Services for Stephen Busch will be held at the Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive Street in Fort Collins, this Saturday, March 23 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be directed to the music program at Colorado State University.

Make a Gift in Memory of Dr. Stephen Busch

Donate online or send in your contribution to:

Checks are made payable to the CSU Foundation – please note ‘in memory of Stephen Busch.’ Please contact Carrie Care at (970) 491-5891 for further information.

A Note from CSU Professor, Dr. Paul Metz

Professionally, Steve was THE music education area at CSU for most of his years here. In fact, when I last saw him, I mentioned to him that we now have THREE full-time faculty in music education at CSU, and he was thrilled. My recollection of him as a teacher was that he was totally dedicated to our students. I recall many of his students at the time telling me what an unbelievably energetic and dynamic teacher Steve was, even in his later years.

In recent years, Steve would regularly stop by my office for a visit, usually claiming that he was there to “check up on me and make sure that I was observing my office hours”!

We used to hike together frequently–even in recent years I would encounter Steve and one of his other friends out for a weekly hike, usually either on the Greyrock trail or the Horsetooth Rock trail. Steve always said that he suffered from altitude sickness if he tried to go above 12,000 feet, but in July of 1991, he joined a group of us that also included Professor Emeritus Ed Anderson, Professor Emeritus Lee Egbert, current Professor Bill Davis, and myself to climb a “14er” in honor of Ed Anderson’s 75th birthday. On July 26th, we all made to the top of 14,265′ Quandary Peak, and Steve said he felt fine the whole time. Steve started the tradition of having several of us in the department get out for a hike in the early fall, followed by a big cookout. We always had a great time with that.

College to Career Alumni Panel – Sociology

Wednesday, April 3
4 – 5: 40 p.m.
Clark Building C364

Panelists include:

McCabe Callahan, ‘02 Liberal Arts/Sociology

McCabe opened Mugs coffee shop six months before graduating from Colorado State University, and opened 5 more operations in the next 3 years. In 2007 McCabe made the difficult decision to downsize and restructure the business to spend less time operating multiple businesses and instead spend the time to focus on development of the concept of the business at the Mugs Downtown location. In October of 2010 he opened Mugs @ the Oval. His new venture,  Community Funded, harnesses the power of crowdfunding to support diverse projects and community initiatives across the country.

Aaron Madonna, ’08 Sociology

Aaron and fellow CSU student Juwon Melvin founded Dreamreel Media, their answer to inspiring young adults through publications and speaking engagements. Aaron has authored two books, Destination College and Help! IDK What I Want to Do with My Life. After graduation, the two friends founded LifeSoap, a company that sells organic soap and gives a portion of the profits to bring clean water to schools in developing countries, in partnership with H2O for Life. Lifesoap has been featured in O, The Oprah Magazine, and Aaron and Juwon already have completed two clean-water projects in Nicaragua.

Thad Smith, ‘74 Sociology

Thad is President of Thaddeus Smith & Associates, a specialty brokerage and risk management service to the biomedical and medical device manufacturing industry.  Thad is also an officer and director of Alacer Corporation and trustee of the Jay W. Patrick Trust.  Based in California, Alacer Corporation distributes health supplements nationwide and generates about $30 million in annual revenue.

College to Career Alumni Panel – Political Science

Monday, April 15
4:30p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Microbiology Building, A113

Panelists include:

Donn Hopkins, ’82 Political Science

As Americas Security Manager for Agilent Technologies, Inc., Donn’s role includes protecting Agilent’s people, intellectual and physical assets, proprietary information and related investigations. Prior to working for Agilent, Donn was in law enforcement for over 32 years, 18 of those as Chief of Police at Colorado State University, where he directed the recovery of the CSU Police Department after the total loss of their facility in a flash flood in 1997, including relocating and building a new police facility and 911 dispatch center. Donn received a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Colorado State University and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, 160th Session. He has served as President of the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police, and President of the Colorado Association of Institutional Law Enforcement Directors.

Mary Kathryn Hurd, Political Science ’09

MaryKathryn Hurd is the legislative liaison for the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, the state’s Medicaid agency. As the Department’s lobbyist, she is responsible for designing, managing and administering the Department’s legislative agenda. She works with the Colorado General Assembly to secure sponsors and support for their bills, tracking all legislation introduced and analyzing the legislation for its impact on the Department. She is currently working on Medicaid Expansion in Colorado and implementation of the federal Affordable Care Act. Prior to this role, MaryKathryn was the legislative liaison for the Colorado Department of Personnel and Administration where she was instrumental in the creation, drafting and passage of the “Colorado Talent Agenda” (Amendment S), both the statutory and constitutional statewide personnel reform measures. She has been involved in public policy at the federal as well as at the state level.  In Washington D.C. she interned for Dutko Worldwide Government Affairs Firm on their environment and energy team and later worked on environmental issues for Congressman John Sarbanes. A native of Annapolis, Maryland, MaryKathryn graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Political Science and Asian Studies with a minor in Mandarin Chinese.

College to Career Alumni Panel – History

Wednesday, April 24
3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Lory Student Center – Room 224

Panelists include:

John Blair, ‘74 Social Sciences/History

John Blair, Jr. is a Colorado native and earned a BA in Social Sciences from Colorado State University in 1974. He studied Trust Administration at the National Graduate Trust School, and graduated with honors in 1983. He has more than 30 years experience in Trust Administration and currently serves as Senior Vice President and Trust Officer of Home State Bank in Loveland, CO.  He is deeply invested in the community, and has served in leadership roles for OpenStage Theater & Company, Inc., Pathways Hospice, Respite Care, and the CSU Planned Giving Advisory Council.

Jack Graham, ‘75 History

Graham graduated from CSU in 1975 with a bachelor’s degree in U.S. history. After playing football for CSU, he was drafted by the Miami Dolphins. He went on to a successful 30-year career in the international insurance and reinsurance markets, where he was known as an innovator and effective leader. In 1998, he founded ICAT Managers, a leader in catastrophic risk insurance products. He sold ICAT, including its Lloyd’s of London business, in 2010 and remains on the company’s board of directors. Graham also sits on the advisory board of the National Center for Atmospheric Research.

Mike Nosler ‘69 History

Mike Nosler is General Counsel for the Colorado State University System. Nosler leads a legal team responsible for advising the CSU System chancellor, the Board of Governors, administrators, faculty and staff. He provides counsel on matters including application of Federal and State policies, university governance, student affairs, policy formation, employment issues and grievances, health care, intellectual property, real estate transactions and bond offerings. Nosler also serves as a liaison to the Attorney General’s Office.  Before coming to CSU, Nosler was a practicing attorney specializing in employment law for more than 30 years and was the managing partner for 11 years. In 2001, he encouraged the creation of the Diversity in Law Program at Colorado State University, and persuaded Rothgerber Johnson & Lyons to provide scholarship funds for up to eight students of diverse ethnic backgrounds who are considering careers in law or criminal justice.

For questions regarding the College to Career Alumni Panels, please contact:

Marilyn Bistline
Alumni and Annual Giving
College of Liberal Arts
Colorado State University
Marilyn.Bistline@colostate.edu
(970) 491-4030

https://vimeo.com/61965807

For additional information and resources, visit this link:

http://journalism.colostate.edu/new-curriculum

Want to get a better understanding of how the curriculum works?  Watch this video:

https://vimeo.com/61965807

Courses are scheduled during all summer sessions, with four-week, eight-week and 12-week options.  Students can build a mixed schedule of on-campus courses and online courses if desired.

This summer’s on-campus JTC schedule includes a new workshop in sports journalism, a practicum opportunity in location-based television production,  and a wide variety of internships.  Students new to the department can enroll in enough credits to make up a full semester course load if desired, or pick and choose to develop a less ambitious schedule that can be completed on campus, or at a distance.

ON CAMPUS COURSES:  Morning or afternoon sections.  Register through ARIESweb

JTC 100, Media in Society:  May 20 – June 16  (four weeks)

JTC 210, Newswriting:  May 20 – July 12 (eight weeks)

JTC 211, Computer-Mediated Visual Communication:  May 20- June 16 (four weeks)

JTC 300, Professional and Technical Communication:  (Sections available in all three four-week sessions)

JTC 372, Web Design and Management:  June 20 – July 13 (four weeks)

JTC 411, Media Ethics and Issues:  May 20 – June 16 (four weeks)

JTC 415, Communications Law:  June 17 – July 14 (four weeks)

JTC 487, Internship:  Term, length, and credits dependent on opportunity and work schedule.  See internship link:

http://journalism.colostate.edu/bachelors/internships

JTC 490, Workshop in Sports Journalism:  June 20 – July 16 (four weeks)  Must sign up for three credits.

ONLINE COURSES:  Register via the Online Plus website 

http://www.online.colostate.edu/courses/credit/undergraduate-courses.dot?subject_cat=39796#courselistings

JTC 300, Professional and Technical Communication:  All sections are eight weeks long. Some start May 20.   Others start June 17.

JTC 311, History of Media:  May 20 – July 12 (eight weeks)

JTC 326, Online Writing and Journalism:  May 20- August 9 (12 weeks)

JTC 340, Digital Video Editing:  May 20 – June 12 (four weeks)

JTC 355, Advertising:  May 20 – July 12 (eight weeks)

JTC 361, Writing for Specialized Magazines:  May 20- August 9 (12 weeks)

JTC 372, Web Design and Management:  May 20 – June 14 (four weeks)

JTC 413, Communication Technologies and Society:  May 20 July 12 (eight weeks)

See how these courses fit into the department’s graduation requirements:

http://journalism.colostate.edu/bachelors/docs/curriculum-checksheet.pdf

Discover the many career options in journalism and professional communication:

http://journalism.colostate.edu/bachelors/docs/advising-supplement.pdf

About the Book:

Life on the Brink aspires to reignite a robust discussion of population issues among environmentalists, environmental studies scholars, policymakers, and the general public. Some of the leading voices in the American environmental movement restate the case that population growth is a major force behind many of our most serious ecological problems, including global climate change, habitat loss and species extinctions, air and water pollution, and food and water scarcity. As we surpass seven billion world inhabitants, contributors argue that ending population growth worldwide and in the United States is a moral imperative that deserves renewed commitment.

Hailing from a range of disciplines and offering varied perspectives, these essays hold in common a commitment to sharing resources with other species and a willingness to consider what will be necessary to do so. In defense of nature and of a vibrant human future, contributors confront hard issues regarding contraception, abortion, immigration, and limits to growth that many environmentalists have become too timid or politically correct to address in recent years.

Ending population growth will not happen easily. Creating genuinely sustainable societies requires major change to economic systems and ethical values coupled with clear thinking and hard work. Life on the Brink is an invitation to join the discussion about the great work of building a better future.

Praise for Life on the Brink:

“The desire for families is built into our genes; and since people have a right to reproduce, more people living a more abundant life is a perennial hope. But seven billion and escalating to ten or twelve? Too many people is arguably the most serious problem on the world agenda—for the adverse effects on human flourishing, on land health, and on biodiversity. . . . Cafaro and Crist have gathered much of the best recent work analyzing these daunting issues. In the new millennium no one can claim to be well educated, or moral, without facing ‘life on the brink.’”

—Holmes Rolston III, Colorado State University

“For decades, overpopulation deniers have claimed that those who advocate population stabilization or reduction do so to retain privileges; are motivated by racist, sexist, or colonialist views; or do not understand economics. Life on the Brink courageously argues that intelligent and compassionate action in our world demands that we reduce our numbers as quickly and humanely as possible. Its urgent message should be widely read and acted upon.”

—Bron Taylor, author of Dark Green Religion: Nature Spirituality and the Planetary Future

Contributors:

Albert Bartlett, Joseph Bish, Lester Brown, Tom Butler, Philip Cafaro, Martha Campbell, William R. Catton Jr., Eileen Crist, Anne Ehrlich, Paul Ehrlich, Robert Engelman, Dave Foreman, Amy Gulick, Ronnie Hawkins, Leon Kolankiewicz, Richard Lamm, Jeffrey McKee, Stephanie Mills, Roderick Nash, Tim Palmer, Charmayne Palomba, William Ryerson, Winthrop Staples III, Captain Paul Watson, Don Weeden, George Wuerthner.

About the authors

Philip Cafaro is a professor of philosophy at Colorado State University. His books include Virtue Ethics and the Environment and Thoreau’s Living Ethics: Walden and the Pursuit of Virtue (Georgia).

Eileen Crist is an associate professor in the Department of Science  and Technology in Society at Virginia Tech. Her books include Gaia in Turmoil: Climate Change, Biodepletion, and Earth Ethics in an Age of Crisis.

In a humorous lecture that established the tone for the afternoon, Patty Limerick, a Professor of History at CU Boulder and Director of the Center for the American West, asked audience members to rethink six common assumptions about water and development in the American West. The first, and perhaps most common, was that water supply and population growth are “inherently and inevitably” intertwined. She encouraged the audience to think of the relationship between water and population growth as casual, not causal, and reminded attendees that water issues in the American West confound and contradict precisely because environmental and political conditions vary widely by place.

In some cases, water scarcity can spur action. Louis Warren, the W. Turrentine Professor of Western History at UC Davis, explained how an extended drought in the Great Basin Region helped spark the Ghost Dance of the 1890s. In other cases, water shortage can lead to tragedy. Donald C. Jackson, a professor of history at Lafayette College, detailed how competition over water rights and political corruption caused the collapse of the St. Francis Dam in 1928—a disaster that killed over 400 individuals living outside Los Angeles.

In a lecture that covered natural resources more broadly, Jay Taylor, a professor of history at Simon Fraser University, traced disagreements between preservationists, conservationist, and states’ rights advocates through the life his great-grandfather, Edward T. Taylor (also the architect of the Taylor Grazing Act)—ultimately concluding that the political wrangling of the Progressive Era hindered resource management throughout the twentieth century.

The Public Lands History Center (PLHC) and the Water Resources Archive at CSU Libraries would like to thank Professors Limerick, Warren, Jackson, and Taylor for sharing their work at CSU. The PLHC and Water Resources Archive hope that by gaining a better understanding the past water challenges, that  faculty, students, and larger CSU community will continue to work together to ensure sustainable water issue across the Front Range.

For more information about the Public Lands History Center, click here

For more information about the Public Lands History Center, click here.