Alumni Magazine

UCCS DONOR AND ALUMNI MAGAZINE 2017

Featuring

NEW UCCS CHANCELLOR, VENKAT REDDY

UCCS DONOR AND ALUMNI MAGAZINE 2017

TABLE OF CONTENTS

AS THE SCHOOL SEASON BEGINS, THE UCCS DEVELOPMENT TEAM WOULD LIKE TO SAY A HEARTFELT “THANK YOU” TO THOSE OF YOU WHO SUPPORT THE UCCS COMMUNITY FINANCIALLY, THROUGH VOLUNTEERISM, OR BOTH; YOUR GENEROSITY DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE. BECAUSE OF YOUR COMMITMENT, OUR CAMPUS OFFERS NUMEROUS SCHOLARSHIPS AND AMAZING OPPORTUNITIES NOT ONLY FOR OUR STUDENTS, BUT ALSO FOR OUR FACULTY AND OUR STAFF. THANKS TO YOUR INCREDIBLE SUPPORT, OUR CAMPUS IS THRIVING AND MANY EXCITING THINGS ARE IN THE WORKS. THIS MAGAZINE IS A COLLECTION OF IMPACTFUL STORIES FROM BOTH DONORS AND SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS. ADDITIONALLY, IT IS WITH GREAT PLEASURE THAT WE INCLUDE A FEATURE ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTING DR. VENKAT REDDY, OUR NEWLY APPOINTED CHANCELLOR. AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. AS YOU WILL SOON READ, EVERY CONTRIBUTION — SMALL AND LARGE — MAKES AN IMPACTFUL DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES WITHIN THIS CAMPUS COMMUNITY. WE LOOK FORWARD TO GROWING AND SUSTAINING OUR PARTNERSHIPS WITH YOU AND HOPE THAT WHEN YOU READ THROUGH THIS MAGAZINE, YOU FIND YOUR STORY REFLECTED WITHIN IT. University Development | 719.255.5100 | development@uccs.edu | uccs.edu/development

This magazine is published by the Office of University Development, in conjunction with the Office of Alumni Relations, for alumni, friends, donors, faculty, and staff of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs.

Send questions, comments, or contact information updates to University Development, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, 1420 Austin Bluffs Pkwy., Colorado Springs, CO 80918. Phone (719) 255-5100 or send email to development@uccs.edu.

For more information on how your gift can make an impact, visit giving.cu.edu/UCCS.

CYBERSECURITY RAFAEL CINTRON RYAN & ANNE SLAUGHTER DAVE MEYER ERIC & LAURIE RYAN RACQUEL VALADEZ DAVID FENELL FEATURED ARTICLE: NEW CHANCELLOR IS A PRODUCT OF PHILANTHROPY ALLEN AND CAROLE SCHOFFSTALL EMILIA CINTORA DONA HILDEBRAND BRADLEY HUBER SARAH JUN & REYNEL GARCIA BECKY & JON MEDVED KEVIN & JAMIE KRATT

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CRETC WILL EXPAND FOCUS ON CYBERSECURITY MORE THAN ONE-THIRD OF AMERICANS HAVE EXPERIENCED A COMPUTER VIRUS, HACKING INCIDENT, OR OTHER FORM OF CYBER ATTACK WITHIN THE LAST YEAR. WITH SUCH A STAGGERING NUMBER, CYBERSECURITY HAS BECOME AN ISSUE THAT WARRANTS THE FULL ATTENTION OF ALL OF US. The cyber technology industry is one of the fastest growing and fastest changing industries today. As technology continues to advance, security professionals are not only charged with staying abreast of changes in the cyber world, but also staying several steps ahead of cyber criminals. Given the rapid rate of change and advancement in the cyber world, the traditional university degree is not always an ideal match for keeping up with the cyber industry.

In partnership with the National Cybersecurity Center (NCC), UCCS aims to establish the Cyber Research, Education, and Training Center (CRETC) that would be a national focal point for research and development in the cybersecurity field. The center will aid in bridging relevant dialogue between public and private sectors.

The CRETC will be housed at UCCS’ 3650 North Nevada building (formerly the TRW manufacturing plant), sharing the space with the National Cybersecurity Center headquarters.

Rather than traditional degree-focused programs, the CRETC will focus on a variety of trainings: virtual training scenarios, real-time exercises, lectures from around the world on immediate ramification hacks and cyber threats, and shortcourse certifications to enable its students to be workforce ready.

The NCC will serve, in part, as a cyber-institute where national leaders will learn how to respond to cyber attacks. Additionally, the NCC will double as a collaborative space for small- to medium-size businesses, or businesses without a cyberdefense team, to work with cybersecurity experts to identify potential threats and combat cyber attacks.

UCCS has an established track record in the cybersecurity realm. The university is the hub of the Rocky Mountain Cyber Higher Education Research Consortium. The Consortium incorporates eleven colleges and universities that foster key partnerships with universities, startup companies, and government entities, such as the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security. UCCS is also among a select handful of universities initiating programs to provide continuing education to United States Army Reservists who will work to safeguard military and civilian computer networks. Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers says, “With our concentration of technological experts, both military and civilian, our outstanding education institutions in UCCS and the Air Force Academy, and our available workforce, we are ready to embrace the opportunity and look forward to the positive impact that such a designation will have on our city’s economic vitality.”

In addition to the four cyber degrees UCCS currently offers, the university aims to provide top quality cyber education, trainings, and direct threat response through the partnership.

At the January 2016 announcement of the partnership and plan, Governor John Hickenlooper said, “As we see it, this center can be the country’s foremost authority on cybersecurity research and development, training, and education. It will provide real time response capability for businesses to detect, prevent, remediate, and recover from threats and hacks.”

This is a true “win-win” for the university, the city, and our nation’s security.

COMMANDER RAFAEL CINTRON (LEFT) SHAKES HANDS WITH FORMER COMMANDER PAT RIGDON (RIGHT)

POLICE COMMANDER GIVES BACK AND ENCOURAGES OTHERS TO ATTEND UCCS COLORADO SPRINGS POLICE DEPARTMENT (CSPD) COMMANDER RAFAEL CINTRON’S ENTHUSIASM FOR AND COMMITMENT TO UCCS IS CONTAGIOUS. A COLORADO SPRINGS NATIVE, RAFAEL RECEIVED HIS MASTER’S DEGREE FROM THE UCCS SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS (SPA), AND HE CONTINUES TO BE INVOLVED ON THE SPA ADVISORY BOARD. Asked about his UCCS experience, he remarks, “I think being in law enforcement was something I always wanted to do. I grew up in Colorado Springs, so I always wanted to be a CSPD officer. Early on in my career I realized that in order to effect change in the way we provided police services to the community, and for me to put my own stamp on it, I needed to pursue promotion and put myself in a situation where I had greater influence and greater responsibility. The most beneficial advice that I received was, ‘You’ve got to get your master’s degree.’

Everybody that I spoke with had gone to UCCS and received their master’s degrees from SPA. So for me it was just natural to pursue that track, knowing that in order to advance, I needed to have that degree, and certainly UCCS was the best school in the area from which to receive it.”

Because of his UCCS experience, Rafael encourages other CSPD officers to get their master’s degrees through SPA at UCCS. He says, “I really enjoyed my experience there. I met law enforcement professionals, military professionals, and business professionals from across the city, some of whom I still stay in contact with who were also in the program at the same time.”

Rafael has also been a long-term, loyal donor to UCCS. When asked about his commitment, he notes, “I just really believe in the program. I give because I am grateful that I was able to go to school there, and I am grateful for the skill sets I developed that really helped me to be successful. I am grateful and very loyal, so that is one of the reasons that I support and give, and will continue to do so.”

CYBER PARTNERS CELEBRATE GOVERNOR HICKENLOOPER SIGNING CYBER BILL INTO LAW

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ALUMNUS SHARES PASSION FOR THE GAME BY GIVING BACK FOR 2002 UCCS GRADUATE RYAN SLAUGHTER, SUPPORTING ATHLETICS IS MORE THAN SUPPORTING A WINNING TEAM; IT IS SUPPORTING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR COLLEGE ATHLETES TO BUILD CHARACTER. RYAN CREDITS MUCH OF HIS PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS TO THE LESSONS HE LEARNED AS A STUDENT ATHLETE. RYAN SAYS, “THE CONFIDENCE, PROFESSIONAL GRIT, AND LIFELONG FRIENDSHIPS THAT I BENEFIT FROM TODAY ARE ALL ASSETS GAINED FROM MY EXPERIENCE AS A UCCS ATHLETE.”

Head Coach, Eddy Dietz led the Mountain Lions while Ryan was part of the UCCS Men’s Soccer program. On the field or in the stands, anyone who watched Dietz play or coach could see his passion for soccer. After Dietz’s passing in 2016, Ryan was compelled to find a way to honor the sport, to commemorate Dietz’s passion and commitment to the game, and to celebrate the camaraderie that was built among all who played under Coach Dietz. Ryan knew he wanted to leave the UCCS Men’s Soccer program “better than when he found it;” therefore, Ryan spearheaded a fundraising campaign to start a scholarship endowment in memory of Eddy Dietz. As an active member of the UCCS Men’s Soccer Alumni community, Ryan has been instrumental in gathering other alumni who played under Coach Dietz to support the endowment.

IN ADDITION TO SUPPORTING THE EDDY DIETZ MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND, RYAN AND HIS WIFE, ANNE, GENEROUSLY GIVE THEIR TIME AND RESOURCES TO THE UCCS MEN’S SOCCER PROGRAM. RYAN AND ANNE SAY, “WE GIVE TO THE PROGRAMS BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THEY BUILD STRONG LEADERS AND CONTRIBUTORS TO OUR COLORADO COMMUNITIES.”

Proud of his Mountain Lion roots, Ryan makes the time to attend UCCS soccer games in the Denver area and play in university-hosted alumni soccer games. Ryan attributes his support and involvement with the university to the efforts of Johnnie Keen, the current Head Coach of the UCCS Men’s Soccer team. Coach Keen has been a key player in reaching out to alumni, providing opportunities for them to stay involved with the soccer program. As Ryan states, maintaining a connection with UCCS is about “staying engaged and being consistent.”

DAVE MEYER

SCHOLARSHIP LETS STAR GOALIE FOCUS ON ACADEMICS AND SOCCER HAVING PLAYED SOCCER ALL HIS LIFE, DAVE MEYER DID NOT WANT TO GIVE UP HIS FAVORITE SPORT WHEN IT CAME TIME TO APPLY FOR COLLEGE. AFTER RECEIVING THE 2013-2014 COLORADO GATORADE PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD, DAVE HAD OFFERS TO PLAY SOCCER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DENVER, CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY, AND THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY. DAVE WAS HONORED TO RECEIVE THESE OFFERS, BUT WHEN UCCS OFFERED DAVE A FULL-RIDE SCHOLARSHIP TO PLAY DIVISION II SOCCER (ON THE SAME TEAM AS HIS OLDER BROTHER), DAVE ACCEPTED THE OFFER WITHOUT HESITATION. RECEIVING A SCHOLARSHIP MEANT DAVE COULD FOCUS BOTH ON HIS ACADEMICS AND ON COMPETITIVE SOCCER. DAVE ENDED THE REGULAR SEASON RANKING THIRD IN THE CONFERENCE AND SETTING A NEW PROGRAM RECORD FOR SHUTOUTS IN A SEASON. AFTER GRADUATING, DAVE HOPES TO PLAY FOR THE COLORADO SPRINGS SWITCHBACKS FC. THE GENEROUS GIFTS OF SEVERAL ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF THE UNIVERSITY HAVE MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR DAVE TO ATTEND UCCS AND TO REPRESENT UCCS AS A STUDENT ATHLETE.

RYAN AND ANNE SLAUGHTER WITH THEIR CHILDREN

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COMMUNITY LEADERS SUPPORT REACH YOUR PEAK SCHOLARSHIP FUND A CORNERSTONE OF THE CHARACTER OF UCCS IS ITS ABILITY TO INSPIRE CONNECTIONS WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS WHO ARE NOT THEMSELVES UCCS ALUMNI. ERIC AND LAURIE RYAN EXEMPLIFY THIS AS MAJOR CONTRIBUTORS OF TIME, RESOURCES, AND ADVISING FOR THE UNIVERSITY’S SIGNATURE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, REACH YOUR PEAK. FIRST INTRODUCED TO REACH YOUR PEAK BY PROGRAM FOUNDERS BRUCE AND ANNE SHEPARD, THE RYANS TOOK AN IMMEDIATE INTEREST IN THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. RACQUEL VALADEZ

ERIC SAYS, “LAURIE AND I BOTH WORKED THROUGH COLLEGE; WE WERE MOSTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING OUR WAY THROUGH COLLEGE. ANYONE WHO HAS THAT PAST CAN RELATE TO WHAT IT IS LIKE FOR REACH YOUR PEAK SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS.”

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT PAYS IT FORWARD

Reach Your Peak offers annual, renewable scholarships to Colorado residents who are incoming, full-time undergraduates with proven financial need and strong academic potential. Scholarship recipients must also work part-time with the intent of helping them grow professionally. Where most scholarships end, Reach Your Peak begins. Along with financial assistance, scholars gain personalized mentoring and networking skills and form one-onone relationships with program donors and supporters.

GRADUATING SUMMA CUM LAUDE WITH UNIVERSITY HONORS, RACQUEL VALADEZ UNDERSTANDS THAT IT’S NEVER TOO SOON TO START PAYING IT FORWARD. A RECIPIENT OF BOTH THE CHANCELLOR’S LEADERSHIP CLASS AND REACH YOUR PEAK SCHOLARSHIPS, RACQUEL MADE HER FIRST DONATION TO UCCS THROUGH THE ANNUAL CLASS GIFT PROGRAM.

Each year, more than 400 students apply for the Reach Your Peak scholarship. Since 2001, Laurie and Eric have played a significant role in interviewing scholarship finalists.

PHILANTHROPY IS VERY IMPORTANT TO RACQUEL. AS A SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT, SHE SAYS, “I THINK IT’S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR ME PERSONALLY THAT MY SCHOLARSHIPS ALLOWED ME TO BE FURTHER INVOLVED ON CAMPUS AND IN THE COMMUNITY SO I COULD FOCUS ON MAKING A DIFFERENCE, BOTH ACADEMICALLY AND IN OTHER PEOPLE’S LIVES, RATHER THAN WORRYING ABOUT PICKING UP A SECOND JOB. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD A LOVE OF GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY, AND THESE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS REALLY ALLOWED ME TO DO THAT BECAUSE I HAD MORE TIME TO VOLUNTEER.”

LAURIE SAYS, “THERE ISN’T A STUDENT WHO DOESN’T DESERVE THE SCHOLARSHIP, BUT WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO THE FINALISTS, WE LOOK AT THEIR BACKGROUND, WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN UP AGAINST, WHAT KIND OF SUPPORT THEY HAVE, AND HOW ALL OF THAT REFLECTS THEIR DILIGENCE AND PERSEVERANCE. BEYOND THIS, I LOOK FOR PASSION FOR WHAT THEY INTEND TO DO WITHIN THEIR ACADEMIC PROGRAM.” For Eric, his involvement with Reach Your Peak and with UCCS continues to be mutually beneficial. The Stockman Kast Ryan + Co public accounting firm, where Eric is a tax partner, recently brought on five UCCS graduates. Eric’s experience with Reach Your Peak, like that of many other community leaders, has increased his exposure to and respect for the university. Laurie and Eric both agree that the Reach Your Peak scholarship program not only helps students financially, but also prepares them for the professional world. The scholarship recipients will be the next generation of leaders in the Colorado Springs community. uccs.edu/ryp

During her time at UCCS, Racquel spent much of her free time volunteering at the Dream Center, a free women’s clinic. Racquel now works at the National Cancer Institute, a position she would never have dreamed of had she not been able to take advantage of the various research opportunities presented to her at UCCS.

LAURIE AND ERIC RYAN

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PROFESSOR CREATES SCHOLARSHIP TO HONOR HIS WIFE

After all these years, we’re still breaking new ground.

RUTH ANN FENELL HAD A PASSION FOR HELPING STUDENTS FIND THEIR PATH IN LIFE. AFTER HER PASSING, HER HUSBAND, UCCS PROFESSOR DR. DAVID FENELL, DECIDED TO CELEBRATE RUTH ANN’S LEGACY BY CREATING A SCHOLARSHIP IN HER HONOR — THE RUTH ANN FENELL ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP IN COUNSELING. This scholarship recognizes a graduate student who has an interest in pursuing a career path similar to the one Ruth Ann followed as an empathic and dedicated professional school counselor. It is intended for students in the second or third year of their master’s degree program in the UCCS College of Education’s Department of Counseling and Human Services.

Dr. Fenell’s intention is that the award will not only help defray the costs of a recipient’s education, but even more so, that the recipient will be the kind of person who will reach students in the same manner as Ruth Ann did when she was working.

During her career, Ruth Ann guided thousands of students in the Colorado Springs community through the transition from high school to college or careers, and she assisted her students in securing several million dollars in scholarships.

The first Ruth Ann Fenell Scholar received the inaugural award this past spring at a very moving event. Dr. Fenell stated, “Our family will continue Ruth Ann’s legacy by offering a scholarship to a deserving master’s degree student each year.” Dr. Fenell has been giving generously to UCCS since his arrival in 1984, in monetary support, time, and expertise.

A lot has changed since 1979 when the groundbreaking ceremony took place for what would become the Science Building, known UPEBZ as Centennial Hall. New buildings arise, new degrees are added, and new faces walk these grounds.

WHEN ASKED ABOUT HIS LOYAL GIVING HISTORY, HE SHARED, “WELL, I JUST STARTED SMALL. I JUST FELT LIKE IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. I LIKED BEING HERE, AND I WANTED TO HELP IN THE ONLY WAY I COULD.”

But some things—like the familiar sight of Main Hall in the distance—stay much the same. Like making a gift to UCCS. Philanthropic support from generous alumni and friends like you truly makes a difference today and for generations to come.

Any Gift. Any Amount.

Every Year.

Courtesy of Gazette Telegraph – photo by Merrill Oliver

giving.cu.edu 719-255-5100 800-990-8227

DR. DAVID FENELL AND SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT PHYLLIS MCCOMB

uccs.edu/coe Courtesy of Gazette Telegraph – photo by Merrill Oliver

NEW CHANCELLOR IS A PRODUCT OF PHILANTHROPY

GETTING INTO A GRADUATE PROGRAM AT PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY WAS ONE THING. FINDING THE MONEY TO ATTEND WAS ANOTHER MATTER ENTIRELY FOR VENKAT REDDY. So after he was accepted, Reddy penned a three-page letter to Penn State explaining that the salary his father earned as a professor in India would not begin to cover even his first semester’s tuition in the United States. Could the university provide any financial assistance?

This was 1984, long before email and instant messaging.

Reddy sent his letter, then waited. It would take 15 days to travel from his home in India to Penn State, then another 15 days for the reply to return.

And with that reply, Reddy’s life was changed.

Penn State granted Reddy enough financial assistance to cover his costs — tuition and living expenses — for the agricultural economics graduate degree program. That launched Reddy on the path to a master’s degree, then a PhD in finance, then a move to UCCS and, ultimately, the job of chancellor here.

“I AM THE PRODUCT OF PHILANTHROPY,” REDDY SAYS. “I WOULD NOT BE WHERE I AM IF THERE WEREN’T PEOPLE WHO SUPPORTED ME. I’M A REFLECTION OF A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO IMPACTED MY LIFE.” It doesn’t take much to impact a life, he says. Every dollar invested in a university affects a student — and then his or her family and community over a lifetime.

“WHEN A COMMUNITY OF PHILANTHROPISTS COMES TOGETHER, THEY CAN MAKE MAGIC.” Reddy became Chancellor at UCCS in May, after serving as Interim Chancellor for three months. He had been Associate Vice Chancellor for Online Education and Initiatives and Dean of the UCCS College of Business. He began at UCCS more than 25 years ago as a finance professor.

Academic excellence serves as the foundation for Reddy’s plans and dreams for the campus. Providing access to higher education for underserved and underrepresented populations of students will continue to drive the core mission of UCCS.

UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO REGENT KYLE HYBL AND CHANCELLOR REDDY

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That mission, in turn, must be fueled by new technologies, flexible class schedules, online offerings, and other initiatives.

Helping students stay in school, no matter what barriers they face, will be central. Making sure they walk across the stage at commencement will provide the ultimate measure of success, he says.

And on a campus that was founded to serve the community, partnerships will continue to be crucial. UCCS began more than 50 years ago, after all, at the urging of technology pioneer David Packard, who promised to build Hewlett-Packard Co.’s presence in Colorado Springs — if there were a university here that would provide a skilled work force in the engineering and business fields.

UCCS is the only major comprehensive regional research university in southern Colorado, Reddy notes. The university’s goal is to engage students not only in the learning process but also in the research process through undergraduate research initiatives.

“WE WANT TO TRANSFORM LIVES AND PREPARE STUDENTS FOR THE FUTURE,” REDDY SAYS. “AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY, WITH THE HELP OF MANY OTHERS, TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE NOT ONLY ON OUR CAMPUS, BUT IN OUR COMMUNITY AND STATE.” At each stage in his career, Reddy has made a difference to an ever-broadening circle of students, faculty, staff, and community members. As a professor, he worked with a few hundred students each year, inside and outside the classroom.

As Dean, Reddy’s plans, ideas and initiatives reached a few thousand students. His impact broadened when he became Associate Vice Chancellor. As Chancellor, his reach extends to tens of thousands of students, and hundreds more faculty and staff members. Each step, he says, has been built upon the investment others made in him decades ago.

His philosophy as Chancellor remains as resolute as ever: Together, we can do more for our students and for our community.

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SCHOFFSTALL’S LEGACY CONTINUES WITH ENDOWED FACULTY CHAIR POSITION FOR THE PAST FIFTY YEARS, THE SCHOFFSTALLS HAVE BEEN AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE UCCS COMMUNITY. IN 1967, ALLEN AND HIS WIFE, CAROLE, MOVED TO COLORADO SPRINGS AFTER HE ACCEPTED A POSITION AT UCCS AS A CHEMISTRY PROFESSOR. WHEN ALLEN FIRST ARRIVED AT THE UNIVERSITY, THE CAMPUS CONSISTED OF THREE BUILDINGS AND LACKED AN OFFICIAL ADMINISTRATION. OVER THE LAST FIFTY YEARS, ALLEN AND CAROLE HAVE NOT ONLY WITNESSED THE GROWTH AND TRANSFORMATION OF THE UNIVERSITY, BUT THEY HAVE ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO MUCH OF ITS EVOLUTION. Allen’s first few years at the university were extremely exciting to say the least. In 1970, Allen and a small group of dedicated professors who believed in the future of the university met individually with members of the Board of Regents to lobby them to secure an administrator on campus. The lobbying campaign succeeded with a vote of 4-3. Amid turmoil, the first Vice Provost lasted only a few weeks, but by 1972 things at UCCS were on the upswing: they were granted full university status, and the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences was granted internal autonomy. While Allen and his colleagues were working to lay the foundation for the university we know today, Carole was busy commuting to Denver for nursing courses.

After receiving her master’s degree in nursing, Carole began her career at Beth-El College of Nursing. Quickly rising through the ranks, Carole was selected to serve as dean of the college in 1990, serving as dean until her retirement in 2008. She was also an innovative woman; as she watched UCCS develop into a noteworthy university, she realized immense potential for a partnership between Beth-El and UCCS. As such, in 1997, Carole spearheaded a campaign to move Beth-El College of Nursing from Memorial Hospital to UCCS, now the Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Beth-El College of Nursing & Health Sciences.

If it weren’t for Carole’s efforts, nursing education would not be as strong in this community. After her passing in 2014, and in honor of Carole’s tremendous impact, an endowed faculty chair has been named after her. The hope for the endowed chair is to attract a top faculty member to the college, thus enticing more nursing students to enroll. Through the endowment, Carole’s legacy at UCCS and in the community will live on in perpetuity.

EMILIA CINTORA

NURSING GRADUATE GIVES BACK TO CONTINUE SUPPORT SHE RECEIVED

The merger was only the beginning of Carole’s influence at UCCS. Carole advocated for an expansion of the college’s academic programs, worked closely with local agencies to develop collaborative models to deliver primary care, and worked to bring violence prevention programs to the campus.

A 2015 GRADUATE OF THE HELEN AND ARTHUR E. JOHNSON BETH-EL COLLEGE OF NURSING AND HEALTH SCIENCES, EMILIA CINTORA NOW WORKS AS A NURSE AT POUDRE VALLEY HOSPITAL IN FORT COLLINS. EMILIA KNEW EARLY ON THAT IT WOULD BE A CHALLENGE PAYING FOR HER EDUCATION.

SHE SHARES, “I HAVE A STRONG UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT SCHOLARSHIPS CAN DO FOR AN INDIVIDUAL. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO PAY FOR MY ENTIRE COLLEGE EDUCATION WITH SCHOLARSHIPS, SO I KNOW HOW LIFESAVING THEY ARE WHEN YOU ARE NOT PREOCCUPIED WITH, ‘HOW THE HECK AM I GOING TO FIND THE MONEY TO PAY FOR ALL OF THIS?’” Because of the tremendous impact scholarships made in her life and her commitment to pay it forward to her college community, Emilia became a UCCS donor.

THE ADVICE SHE SHARES FOR GIVING: “EVEN THE SMALLEST AMOUNT MAKES AN IMPACT. I HAVEN’T DONATED A HUGE AMOUNT OF MONEY, JUST A SMALL AMOUNT HERE AND THERE. SPARE YOUR COFFEE FOR A WEEK – IT DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE.” 2011 PHOTO OF ALLEN AND CAROLE SCHOFFSTALL

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FIRST RECIPIENT OF HILDEBRAND SCHOLARSHIP HONORED TO BE SELECTED

HILDEBRAND HONORS LATE HUSBAND WITH ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS FOR NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENTS

AS A VETERAN, BRADLEY HUBER KNEW GOING BACK TO SCHOOL WOULD BRING ITS OWN SET OF CHALLENGES. HE WOULD BE RETURNING TO COLLEGE LATER IN LIFE AND AS A SINGLE FATHER — AFTER HAVING SERVED EIGHT YEARS IN THE ARMY, FOLLOWED BY A FEW YEARS AS A CONTRACTOR FOR THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE. NOW, AS THE FIRST RECIPIENT OF THE DONA AND FLOYD HILDEBRAND SCHOLARSHIP, BRADLEY WILL BE ABLE TO PURSUE HIS PASSION FOR COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING AND COMPLETE HIS UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE IN COMPUTER ENGINEERING. AFTER GRADUATION, BRADLEY HOPES HIS DEGREE WILL HELP HIM PURSUE A CAREER IN ROBOTICS.

DONA R. HARBISON HILDEBRAND WAS BORN IN 1927 ON THE NORTHERN CHEYENNE INDIAN RESERVATION AND GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL IN FORT COLLINS, CO. IN 1947, SHE RECEIVED A BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN CHEMISTRY FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER WHICH ENABLED HER TO WORK FOR TEXACO PETROLEUM RESEARCH LABORATORIES AFTER GRADUATING. When the Korean War started, Dona enlisted in the United States Air Force to attend Officer Candidate School. During her twenty-five years in the Air Force, she served in Spokane, Washington; Germany; Austria; France; England; Japan; Thailand; Vietnam; Washington, DC; California; and Alabama. Dona was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service from 1967-1968 in Vietnam.

While serving overseas, Dona took classes at the University of Maryland Wiesbaden and graduated from UMUC in 1957 in Heidelberg, Germany.

While attending classes, Dona met her future husband, Floyd G. “Hildy” Hildebrand, also a University of Maryland Wiesbaden student.

Throughout Dona’s military career, she sought opportunities to receive assignments near Hildy. At several points in her career, she was one of only a few service women, if not the only service woman, representing the United States Air Force in the country to which she was assigned.

After her retirement in 1975, Dona moved to Japan where Hildy was working for Japan Airlines as Captain and Check Pilot. There she taught English for three years in a Japanese private girl’s school. By 1980, Dona and Floyd had settled in Monument, Colorado, where Dona was engaged in many different parts of the community. Dona’s involvement with UCCS began when she started attending staff and faculty lectures that were open to the public.

BRADLEY IS HONORED TO HAVE BEEN SELECTED AS THE FIRST RECIPIENT OF THE SCHOLARSHIP, SAYING, “IT MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD KNOWING THAT SOMEONE HAS CONFIDENCE IN YOU AND BELIEVES IN YOU ENOUGH TO HELP SUPPORT YOU THROUGH COLLEGE. FOR THAT I AM VERY THANKFUL.”

Her passion and lifelong appreciation for education led her to create a $1.5 million endowment in honor of her late husband, Col. Floyd “Hildy” Hildebrand. This endorsement is to fund twelve scholarships for students who are coming to school later in life, many with non-traditional backgrounds. “Their needs are just as much as my husband’s were when he went through school,” she said. “He didn’t have to work all the time and was able to focus on his studies.” Through this endowment, Dona is enabling students to explore what they are passionate about so they can go on to have an impact in the world around them.

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SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT BRADLEY HUBER AND DONA HILDEBRAND

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SARAH JUN (LEFT) AND REYNEL GARCIA (RIGHT)

NURSING GRADUATES CONNECT 7,500 MILES FROM HOME DURING DEPLOYMENT WHAT ARE THE ODDS THAT TWO NURSES FROM THE SAME NURSING SCHOOL, GRADUATING YEARS APART, WOULD MEET FOR THE FIRST TIME — AND WORK TOGETHER — 7,500 MILES AWAY FROM HOME? 2013 Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Beth-El College of Nursing & Health Sciences alumna and U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Sarah Jun was understandably surprised when she began a recent deployment as a flight nurse in Bagram, Afghanistan, to find that the other flight nurse assigned to her unit was Major Reynel Garcia — also a 2005 Johnson Beth-El graduate.

For four months, these two nurses worked side by side along with three aeromedical evacuation technicians, building teamwork and trust that helped them endure long, stressful, and dangerous missions.

At UCCS, Jun developed her passions for both nursing and service.

“When, as a freshman I saw an Air Force flight nurse recruiting video, I thought, ‘That’s my calling.’ I knew I wanted to help bring home the wounded service members who selflessly sacrifice their lives for our freedom,” Jun writes. She lauds Johnson Beth-El for its academic rigor and takes pride in the strong relationships she developed with peers and faculty. A retired Air Force nurse and Johnson Beth-El faculty member was a mentor to her, attending her commissioning ceremony to pin on her lieutenant bars. “Nine years of working toward my dream, and I am finally getting to live it during this deployment in Afghanistan.”

After completing his current mission this past spring and returning to his home station, Garcia said, “I don’t think there is a better way to serve than to provide care for our brothers and sisters in arms.” uccs.edu/alumni

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UNIVERSITY VILLAGE COLORADO IGNITES PARTNERSHIP WITH UCCS WHEN KEVIN KRATT (KRATT COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES) AND TOM CONE (OLIVE REAL ESTATE GROUP) FIRST DEVELOPED THE BLUE PRINTS FOR UNIVERSITY VILLAGE COLORADO (UVC), NEITHER IMAGINED THE OVERWHELMING SUCCESS OF THE SHOPPING CENTER. KNOWING THE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UNIVERSITY WOULD BE CRITICAL FOR THE VILLAGE, KEVIN AND TOM TOOK THEIR IDEAS TO CHANCELLOR EMERITA PAM SHOCKLEY-ZALABAK AND THEN VICE CHANCELLOR BRIAN BURNETT. MUCH TO THEIR SURPRISE, THE PLANS FOR UNIVERSITY VILLAGE COLORADO WERE WELCOMED WITH OPEN ARMS.

CHANCELLOR REDDY, BECKY AND JON MEDVED

MEDVEDS’ SUPPORT VISIBLE THROUGHOUT UCCS THOUGH NEITHER RECEIVED AN UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE FROM UCCS, FEW CAN CLAIM UCCS ROOTS AS DEEP AS THOSE OF BECKY AND JON MEDVED, BOTH OF WHOM ARE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO FOUNDATION TRUSTEES. BECKY DOES, HOWEVER, HAVE HER UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE FROM CU BOULDER, AND IS A PROUD MBA GRADUATE OF UCCS. With the Medveds’ long history in both business and philanthropy in the Colorado Springs area, UCCS is honored to count them as friends of the University. As well-known entrepreneurs and business executives, the Medveds have a keen interest in the UCCS College of Business; however, few may realize the Medveds’ deep passion for the arts.

THE MEDVEDS SUPPORT A DIVERSE PORTFOLIO OF UCCS PROGRAMS, INCLUDING THE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS, THE AGING CENTER, THEATREWORKS, AND THE ENT CENTER FOR THE ARTS. IN PARTICULAR, BECKY FEELS THAT THEATREWORKS (BECKY STUDIED THEATRE AS AN UNDERGRADUATE) AND THE ENT CENTER FOR THE ARTS COULD BE A NORTHERN ANCHOR IN A FLOURISHING COLORADO SPRINGS ARTS CORRIDOR. BECKY NOTES, “I STRONGLY BELIEVE A THRIVING ARTS PROGRAM ADDS COLOR, VIBRANCY, AND ECONOMIC VITALITY TO A COMMUNITY, ENRICHING THE REGION IN MANY WAYS.”

uccs.edu/business

Both Jon and Becky are recipients of the 2015 UCCS Lifetime Entrepreneurship Award for their unwavering commitment and leadership at the University and in the Colorado Springs community. In a video presented at the 2015 event highlighting the Medveds, their friend, Debi Pelican, shared, “They don’t just do one thing well. They are great family members, they are great friends, they work well in a business setting; but they also are generous and so philanthropic. They genuinely care for the welfare of others and sacrifice their own resources to make life better for other people.”

Much of what drives the Medveds’ local philanthropy and advocacy—not only for UCCS but also for varied Colorado Springs entities ranging from the Myron Stratton Home to Penrose St. Francis Health Services to Pikes Peak Community College—is the notion of creating the sustainable workforce the region wants and needs.

JON MEDVED MAINTAINS, “I HAVE COME TO PLACE HUGE VALUE ON UCCS,” CITING THE UNIVERSITY’S ABILITY AND POTENTIAL TO MAKE THE PIKES PEAK REGION FRUITFUL GROUND FOR YOUNG WORKFORCE TALENT. “IT’S A DRIVING FORCE IN COLORADO SPRINGS AND THE REGION, AND I SUPPORT IT AS MUCH AS OR MORE THAN I SUPPORT MY OWN ALMA MATERS.”

AS KRATT SAYS, “UCCS’ COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IS VERY STRONG. THE UNIVERSITY UNDERSTANDS THAT THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY IS DIRECTLY TIED TO THE HEALTH OF THE CAMPUS.” Now, more than ten years after the project broke ground, a combination of small shops offering a variety of services, restaurants, and large national retailers replaces the run-down motels and auto repair shops that were once the gateway to campus. Not only has the shopping center provided a more welcoming entrance to the city and the university, but it has also provided employment opportunities for UCCS students. More than 500 students work both part-time and full-time at UVC venues while continuing their education.

REFERRING TO THE UVC PROJECT, KRATT SAYS, “WE ARE ONLY ONE EXAMPLE OF THE MANY WAYS THE UNIVERSITY REACHES OUT TO THE COMMUNITY FOR MUTUAL BENEFIT.” Although the University Village Colorado project is what initially brought Kevin to UCCS, Kevin and his wife, Jamie, have continued their involvement with the university in a variety of ways. A passion for the arts led Kevin and Jamie, along with partner Tom Cone, to create an annual scholarship program for two UCCS sculpture students, sponsored by the UVC and directed by Kevin and Tom. These recipients spend the school year conceptualizing, designing, and building their sculptures with the support of businesses, mentors, artists, and contractors. The students also gain real world experience as they create budgets and solicit bids. The goal for the program is to empower students through their creativity and business acumen and provide them the opportunity to exhibit their artwork in public. During this sixth year of the scholarship program, twelve student sculptures adorn the UVC Art Walk. uccs.edu/arts

JAMIE AND KEVIN KRATT

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