Metropolitan Denver Magazine is published three times a year by the Metropolitan State University of Denver Office of Marketing and Communications. 2014 Metropolitan State University of Denver. All rights reserved. Address correspondence to: Metropolitan Denver Magazine, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Office of Marketing and Communications, Campus Box 86, PO Box 173362, Denver, CO 80217-3362. Email magazine@msudenver.edu.

The opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the policies and opinions of Metropolitan State University of Denver nor imply endorsement by its officers or by the MSU Denver Alumni Association. Metropolitan State University of Denver does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation or disability in admissions or access to, or treatment or employment in, its educational programs or activities.

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PUBLISHER CATHERINE LUCAS | EXECUTIVE EDITOR CHELSEY BAKER-HAUCK | CONTRIBUTING EDITORS BECKY JONES | MICHAEL PEARSON | EDITOR CLIFF FOSTER | EDITORIAL ASSISTANT BRETT MCPHERSON (CLASS OF 2014) | CREATIVE DIRECTOR SCOTT LARY | ART DIRECTOR CRAIG KORN, VEGGIEGRAPHICS | PHOTOGRAPHY MANAGER JULIE STRASHEIM | WEB CONTENT MANAGER NATHAN SOLHEIM | CONTRIBUTORS | JANALEE CARD CHMEL | TODD CLARK | TREVOR DAVIS (CLASS OF 2014) | ANDR ELBING | BRENDA GILLEN | VICTORIA HANNU (B.S. COMPUTER AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES 84) | GREG HENRY | BETHANIE HINES | PAWE JO NCA | CHRIS MANCUSO (B.F.A. ART 96) | DOUG MCPHERSON | DAVE NELIGH | LESLIE PETROVSKI | MINDY SINK | JESSICA TAVES (B.A. IDP 11) | JAMES WOOD | MARK WOOLCOTT | EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD CATHERINE LUCAS, CHIEF OF STAFF AND ASSOCIATE TO THE PRESIDENT FOR MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS | CHELSEY BAKER-HAUCK, SENIOR DIRECTOR OF MARKETING | GREG GEISSLER, ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT | MARK JASTORFF, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS | DEBORA GILLIARD, PROFESSOR OF MANAGEMENT | KEN PHILLIPS (B.S. INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION 83), CHAIR AND ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN | SAM NG, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF METEOROLOGY

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We hear every day from our students and alumni that Metropolitan State University of Denver provides a life-changing experience.

Consider student Ricardo Rocha, a former migrant laborer who is well on his way to a career as a neuroscientist. Or recent graduate Adoree Blair, who went back to school at an age when most people retire and will put her new degree to work advocating for reforms in the child welfare system.

Of course, education is by its very nature transformational. But what is truly remarkable is that the transformation taking place at MSU Denverthrough an exceptional academic experience defined by quality, value and relevanceis broadly accessible to students with varied academic backgrounds and financial means.

Inclusivitynot exclusivityis the standard of excellence were striving for, and we believe it should be the standard of excellence for all of higher education in the future. In this way, we truly serve the greater good of our community and state.

Because transformation is at the core of MSU Denvers identity as an urban land-grant institution, its also the cornerstone of the Universitys new brand campaign, which positions us as an epicenter for urban impact, transforming lives, communities and higher education.

This issue of the Metropolitan Denver Magazine considers transformation as it relates to the mind, body and spirit, shared through the personal stories of our remarkable students, faculty and staff, and alumni. The transformation tales start on Page 4 with big newsrising rankings, a new building and one of the nations top professorsand wrap up with alumni news on pages 3440. The magazines starring characters include a walking revolutionary (Page 10), a professor fighting human trafficking (Page 22), and a chef who channels his passion through a wood-fired oven (Page 39).

Whats your story? Wed like to hear about your career moves and life changes, the impact youre making in the community, and how MSU Denver transformed your life. Share your storyshare class notes and letters to the editor, tooat msudenver.edu/magazine, or email us at magazine@msudenver.edu.

Chelsey Baker-HauckExecutive Editor

MSU Denver is transforming lives, communities and higher education.

02 WINTER2014