VO L . Spring 2012 27 FOR ALUMNI FRIENDS OF METROPOLITAN STATE COLLEGE OF DENVER HIGHIMPaCT eDUCatIoN PG. 14 CSI Metro State PG. 11 RadIo DayS PG. 20

MetroWear The Alumni ColleCTion Spring 2012 LEFT TO RIGhT Womens silkscreened sweatshirt crimson M, L, XXL 24.98 CLOSEOUT Unisex, embroidered, hooded sweatshirt Navy S, M, L, XL 39.95 Womens silkscreened, hooded, fullzip sweatshirt cardinal red S, M, L, XL, XXL 35.95 Unisex shortsleeved silkscreened, Tshirt Navy S, M, L, XL, XXL 14.95 Metro State student models, left to right Leticia Duarte Steffan Landin Tommi Webb Katarina Powdrell MetroWear TM Order Form ITeM QTY COlOR SIZe UNIT PRICe TOT

SPRING 2012 spring 2012 Volume XXVii issue ii Contents 14 HIGHIMPACT EDUCATION Snail DNA Alpine permafrost Undergraduate researchers are gaining experience they can use in jobs or graduate school. 8 9 ANSwERS Chicana activist Nita Gonzales ties environment to learning at Escuela Tlatelolco, the duallanguage school she heads. 11 CSI METRO STATE An abandoned car and skeletal remains are among the clues when Metro State students investigate a staged crime scene, all in the name of learning.

Metro VisionLetter from the President Dear Alumni and Friends, The tipping point is that magic moment when an idea, trend or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips and spreads like wildfire. This is how author Malcolm Gladwell defines the pivotal moment when many small factors come together to create dramatic change. Its also what it feels like to be working at Metropolitan State College of Denver in 2012. The Metro State communityfaculty, staff, students, alumni, Board of Trustees, donors an

Metro States past, present and future Metrozoic Era Flour Gal BLOSSOMS wITH ALUMS GUIDANCE BY SANDY GRAHAM Twelveyearold Lyla Padden opened her cupcake business, Flour Gal, just more than a year ago, and she already knows shes in the right field. Ever since I was little, Ive loved to bake, says Lyla, a sixthgrader at Rocky Heights Middle School in Highlands Ranch, Colo. I want to do this for the rest of my life. Lyla launched her business by papering her school and suburban neighborhood

Newsworthy College News Metro State name change at Legislature Were one step closer Senate Bill 12148, which would change Metropolitan State College of Denvers name to Metropolitan State University of Denver, was introduced in the Colorado Legislature on Feb. 8just six days after the Board of Trustees voted 63 to approve the new name. If passed by the Legislature and signed by the governor, the new name will be implemented in the 201213 academic year. What was most important to me was to increa

Metro State partners with Hispanic chamber on leadership program The Denver Hispanic Chamber Education Foundation has accepted a proposal developed by Metro State for a Hispanic Leadership Development Program HLDP. Im proud to add this program to Metro States latest achievements and collaborations with the community, says Metro State President Stephen Jordan, who is a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce board member. We knew instantly that coupling Metro State with the Hispanic chamber to develop a reg

Newsworthy College News Biology prof goes buggy on DIY show He goes by many names Robert, Bob, Mosquito Man and now, Dr. Bedbug. The producers of the DIY Networks Disaster House coined the latest moniker for Metro State Biology Assistant Professor Bob Hancock after he landed a spot on a segment titled Nocturnal Nuisances. The episode looked in part at what can happen when bedbugs are on the loose. Hancock, who joined the Metro State faculty in 2008, is a medical entomologist and an authority on

Metro State students project focuses on accessibility for people who are blind Youre in a checkout line and want to pay with your debit card, but you cant see the number pad. You might have to give out your PIN so someone else can punch it in. Or you need to get cash from an ATM, but you have trouble navigating the touchscreen because youre blind. Addressing frustrations like these in a positive way is the aim of a joint effort by Metro State communication design students and the Colorado Center

9 Answers BY LESLIE PETROVSKI As the oldest daughter of Chicano activist Rodolfo Corky Gonzales, Nita Gonzales came of age during El Movimientothe Chicano Civil Rights Movement and, like her father, has worked to battle racism and classism in its many forms. Deeply involved in the Denver community, she has taken stands on police brutality, bilingual education and better housing for the homeless. She cochairs Nuestro Rio, an organization of Latinos dedicated to raising awareness of the import

So how are students getting involved with Nuestro Rio and the Colorado River There have been a couple of ways. We hosted Assistant Secretary Anne Castle from the U.S. Department of the Interior shes right under Ken Salazar. She came here and our students did a presentation on the Colorado River and a rafting trip that they did. They included quotes and comments from indigenous spiritual leaders about water and the sacredness of water, and then sat with her upstairs in one of the classrooms and h

Keeping a good thing going 30 years at UMB Bank UMB CEO Jon Robinson 90, accounting says Metro States accounting program was the best program, hands down. BY SANDY GRAHAM My goal when I started at the bank was not to be there for 30 years, but to learn a little bit about banking, then leave and go to school full time, Robinson says. The bank owner, who had begun to mentor Robinson, urged him to consider night school. He pledged to give Robinson experience in every area of the bank to compl

CSI M e t r o S tat e The jagged hole in the skull left no doubt It was murder. It took nearly three hours of digging on an unseasonably hot day in September 2011 in the sunbaked dirt of a landfill 50 miles northeast of Denver to come to this grisly ending, which investigators had suspected they might find all along. Two victims one male, one female. Both shot pointblank in the head, execution style. Their torn clothing more evidence of a violent end. About 60 feet away from the grave sits an ab

But when a small brush sweeps away the last layer of sandy dirt to reveal the first skull, the only sound after a couple of gasps is a light wind sweeping softly through the barren field to the east. Theres only respectful silence from more than 30 people who look on with the same awful expression on their facesone that says they are witnessing some true embodiment of pure evil. Its a moment most of those gathered will never forget. And perhaps thats the way most lessons in college should behard

Students from Metro State learn by doing as they search for clues at a makebelieve murder scene, complete with skeletal remains. Gaither 95, anthropology, an associate professor of anthropology. Gaither says when she attended Metro State, she got plenty of good, handson experience. When I came back to teach, I wanted to make sure my students got that same kind of local field experience. I started thinking about creating a scene and we actually did some work at an old cemetery in Byers Colo.. Bu

HigHimpact Focus on handson, applied learning gives students an edge at work and in graduate school. Becky Brice, who graduated last year with a degree in earth and atmospheric sciences, digs a snow pit near Trail Ridge Road. 14 14 Metro Magazine llllllllllllllll spring 2012 Metro Magazine llllllllllllllll spring 2012

education through undergraduate research BY ROXANNE HAWN If you have driven Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park or taken your dog to a dog park in Louisville, Colo., then you have benefited from active, applied research taking place at Metropolitan State College of Denver. Its easy to think of research merely as scientists holed up in labs working on esoteric details or conducting largescale clinical trials on big diseases. Hypotheses and creativity, however, take shape in the

The goals of Metro States Undergraduate Research Program, established in autumn 2011, are to Develop a comprehensive inventory of undergraduate research under way on campus Sponsor a collegewide undergraduate research conference April 20, 2012, with students presenting their original, creative, intellectual contributions and research through visual displays and verbal presentations and Create a community among faculty and students involved in undergraduate research. Approximately 70 Metro Sta

round. In addition to helping place the sensors along the road, students downloaded and evaluated the avalanche of data collected. Ironically, the science behind the whole thing is that my original model suggested that there was permafrost in there, along the road, Janke says. Now all the field data indicate that if there is permafrost, its rather sporadic and patchy. So its the scientific process of taking the original model and modifying it, seeking the truth. The project was an eyeopener for

METRO STATE UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH PROJECTS In response to the initial research inventory request in autumn 2011, the new Undergraduate Research Program compiled a list of projects under way on campus, which include Conversion of vegetable oil and algae into biodiesel Inequality in Chinese society Astrodynamics flight deck usability analysis Wolbachia infection in mosquitoes Writing Center studies Communication issues Genetic variations in bedbugs Inclusive educational practices Ancient

meetings on how gondola operation impacts migratory songbirds. These are just a few examples of student presentations that have made an impact on the Colorado community. from her primary research focus on agerelated changes in cognition. Were designing a study to assess the impact of auditory distraction on problemsolving, she says. Well look at two age groups collegeage students and older adults. Were expecting to find that increased distractibility will actually help problemsolving performanc

MIX TAPES with a message Metro State graduate melds marketing and music into a successful business. BY CAITLIN GIBBONS If you have visited certain casinos in Black Hawk, Colo., or stopped by some of Denvers top watering holes in the last few years, you may have heardunknowinglythe latest trend in pipedin music radio stations handtailored for each establishment by New Level Radio. Founded by Nathan Green 01, human performance and sport and his friend Sam Ambrose, Denverbased New Level serves

Nathan Green 01, human performance and sport has launched a successful business that provides customized background music for businesses. now the phone is starting to ring more often. They are working for a retailer in Dubai, who found new Level online and contacted the company. This year is on track to be the companys best year yet. In building the company, green and ambrose have learned valuable business lessons. During the recession, for example, they briefly lowered the price for new Levels

JuDge JaMI Jami Behrenbrinker Vigil 95, anthropology decides tough issues in court. EDUCATION DROPS GAVEL ON SOCIETYS WOES BY DOUG McPHERSON Thats kind of where it really started for me, she says. Metro was a good place for me. I could talk to my fellow students and teachersjust sitting and having really good, intellectual conversations with them. The other students were like I wasworking students, too. They were engaged and took school very seriously. It was something that wasnt given to t

Polishing in the rough by VonaLDa uTTerback 92 DIAMONDS Human Services Associate Professor Shawn Worthy involves his students in practical, handson experience every chance he gets. Researcher, teacher, psychologist, radio host, administrator, outdoorsmanShawn Worthy has worn many hats in addition to his current post as associate professor of human services at Metropolitan State College of Denver. One common thread, however, is Worthys commitment to helping others succeed in life. Prior to Wo

Alumni TimesAlumni News and Events Making the METRO STATE BY REBECCA JONES CONNECTION Aerospace and aviationrelated companies account for some of the most Metro Statefriendly employers in Colorado. But companies in any of a number of industries have tapped the schools talent pipeline, finding a gusher of able employees bearing Metropolitan State College of Denver credentials. Employers say they like what Metro State grads bring to the job diversity, maturity, seriousness about their studies

Alumni times Tax preparation must go on yearround BY BRIAN SMITH ASK AN ALUM Second, choose the right tax professionalit can mean the difference between a refund and a payment. Tax professionals specialize, just like doctors, which narrows their field of scope, potentially leading to errors in unfamiliar industries. For example, preparing taxes in the restaurant and bar industry demands an intimate knowledge of tip allocation rules and all aspects of the tip credit to provide exceptional ser

Alumni TimesAlumni News and Events CREATE your Legacy include Metro state in your will or trust today and create exceptional possibilities for tomorrows students. including Metro state in your longterm financial plan allows you to n Make a charitable gift while ensuring family is taken care of first. n change your mind about your gift at any time. n give a little or give a lot. n support roadrunners and their dreams for generations to come. To learn more about how you can invest in the future o

YOUR METRO STATE ALUMNI REL ATIONS STAFF Alumni times Mark Jastorff Director of Alumni Relations and Executive Director of the Alumni Association 3033527207 mjastorfmscd.edu Janell Lindsey Director of Special Initiatives for Alumni Relations and Enrollment Services 3035566344 lindsejamscd.edu Meghan hartvigson 10 Alumni Engagement Coordinator 3035564076 mhartvigmscd.edu Lindsey day Assistant Director for Alumni Career Services 3035566934 lday8mscd.edu gini Mennenga Administrative Assistant

cLAss Acts class Acts highlights the latest news from Metro state alumni. to submit your information for publication, go to www.mscd.edualumni and click on Update your info. V. Michael Binder 72, history worked in the automobile business for almost 40 years. He is retired and living in Rogers, Ark. Henry Burkard 77, business management lives in Atlanta and is director, facilities managementsafety officer, for the Shepherd Center, a catastrophic care hospital. Armonde Hainesworth 72, law enforcem

cLAss Acts Alumni times Angela Alfaro 08, English literature is a program associate with Playworks Denver. David Altschuld 05, finance is an insurance broker with Stailey Insurance in Denver. Amanda Fitzsimons 03, human services is a tobacco policy and program specialist with the Jefferson County Public Health Department. She lives in Arvada, Colo. Amanda House 06, biology is a health systems diabetes care specialist for Novo Nordisk in Portsmouth, N.H. Londell Jackson 03, individualized degree

The Rowdy Report Roadrunner Sports GET doWn dirty, say new Metro state softball and baseball coaches BY JAY L. CLARK gauged by personality and professional paths, Metropolitan state college of denvers new softball head coach kristi Lansford and new baseball head coach Jerrid oates could not be more different. Look for a striking similarity between their teams, however, at the end of games this spring the newlook roadrunners will be wearing the dirtier uniforms. of course we want to go back

METRO STATE ATHLETICS CORPORATE SPONSORS A second chance Lansfords path to Metro state was anything but conventional. After graduating from high school in california as a threesport athlete softball, volleyball and basketball, she left home for college but quickly learned it was not the right fit for her. After a brief stint in sales, she joined the U.s. Air Force where she worked as a surgery technician for four years and was stationed at the U.s. Air Force Academy in colorado springs, colo. W

Dont Blink A Last Last Look Dont Blink A Look Roadrunners hoop it up as Metro Magazine went to press, Metro states mens basketball team was headed to the Division II elite eight Tournament March 21, 22 and 24 in highland heights, ky. The roadrunners upset no. 1ranked colorado school of Mines 7364 on March 13 to take the central regional Tournament and qualify for the elite eight. hopefully by the time youre reading this, the team will have taken the national championship for the third time in Me

An MBA for Metro Take the next step StateGrads Convenient, Flexible, Online Learn on your schedule, not ours. Choose to study online, or on the Fort Hays State campus in Hays, Kansas. Fulltime or parttime... again, your choice Same great program, same great faculty teaching relevant, uptodate courses using the latest in userfriendly course delivery methods. Your Program... Your Specialty. One size does not fit all. That was true when you were a student at Metro State, and its true of MBA pro

METROPOLITAN STATE COLLEGE OF DENVER CAMPUS BOX 14 P.O. BOX 173362 DENVER, CO 802173362 NonProfit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit 2965 Denver, Colo. Metro StateColorados college of choice Onefifth OfColoradans undergraduate choose Metro state Tell your friends and family about our academic excellence and affordable cost. Or, if you have career development needs choose from our bachelors, masters and certificate programs. www.mscd.edu

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