Khanh Tran - Current Student

Metro State marks a lot of unforgettable first-time events in my life. It was the first place I visited when I came to the U.S to pursue the Bachelor Degree in Business Management more than one year ago. I remembered how surprised I felt when walking in the huge campus, covered in sparkling silver snow, and seeing the unique beauty of Metro State’s buildings in the winter. I remembered how excited and nervous I was when attending the first class in my college time and making friends with very first people in a new country. My memory is also filled with joy and pride at the time I got the first job in this school after receiving many rejection letters as well as the wonderful moments I spent in volunteer activities and festival events organized by Student Activities. I believe that Metro State will continue to be a fantastic place for me to learn new knowledge, experience meaningful events to grow up and have fun.

Catherine Brown - Current Student

At fifty-five years young, on the year Metro turned forty-five, I am returning to school to get a degree in Human Development with a minor in Education. I married at 18-years-old and put my education on hold to raise a family and send five children to college. Now that they are grown, and gone, it is my turn to follow my dream. I was ten-years-old when this college was founded. Now that I am living in Lower Downtown Denver, I get to enjoy the privilege of returning to school at this awesome institution. I returned in January of this year, and with a 4.0 semester under my belt, I am feeling encouraged. It is never too late to pursue an education. I am glad to be returning to a school with a great reputation for preparing someone to be an educator. Happy Birthday Metro…I am glad you are here!

Billi Mavromatis - Faculty/Staff

In the early 1980s when it was time for our students to register for classes it was a true event. If you can picture, as many of us oldtimers can, the line to register for classes went down the first floor of the Central Classroom up the stairs to the second floor completely down the 2nd floor hall and down the stairs. Yes it was a long wait for people, but they had their schedules in their hands and there was high energy, talking, sharing and general excitement over the classes they were going to take.

Kevin Kuhlmann - Faculty/Staff

I have been teaching at Metro for 16 years. My fondest memories are the ear to ear smiles of our graduates at commencement. Every time I volunteer to work at the ceremony, I make it a point to shake each one of their hands and congratulate every single Aviation and Aerospace graduate.

The proof in the pudding comes many years down the road. On several occasions I have stepped onto a commercial aircraft only to find one of our department graduates on the flight deck. It is at that moment that my pride swells and my confidence soars because I know that they have had the finest training in the world and my life will be safe in their hands.

I salute each and every Aviation and Aerospace Metro graduate and I look forward to the memories of those to come.

Amanda Jones - Current Student

Memory: I began working for Metro State as a student workstudy my very first day of college. Through my job at Metro State I formed a connection to this school which has encouraged me to continue to work toward my goal of earning a Bachelor's Degree. Although my journey towards this achievement has been a long time coming, and along the way there have been many twists and turns including me becoming a full time staff member in my department, I am very excited to earn my degree in Behavioral Science in May of 2011. If it was not for Metro State and the people that it employs, I would not be the person I am today.

Megan A. Reyes, ‘95

Memory: I recently submitted an internship posting with Metro’s Poli-Sci Chair, Dr. Robert Hazan because, in part, I really want a Poli-Sci major from Metro. I also wanted to touch base with my long-time friend and mentor. After a few minutes of catching up, it occurred to me: I had come full circle! I applied, interviewed and ultimately earned a student research assistantship with Dr. Hazan my freshman year!

Robert reminisced about our first encounter and how I boldly asked for the job and laid out all the reasons why I was the best candidate. I recalled the event a bit differently; nonetheless, how we’ve chosen to remember those events pales in comparison to the many classes I took under his extremely challenging and stimulating teachings. Equally as memory-rousing were the countless hours spent in his office discussing current events, campus politics, and life after college, which necessarily meant graduate school!

With a very sincere and ever-increasing nostalgia, Thanks Metro!

Weston Beecroft - Current Student

Memory: "it could be anywhere."

My memories of Metro are many, and the collection
itself has taken on a metropolitan character; but
more than any particular memory of coding in the
Sun Lab or talking by the flagpole, Metro recalls
the metropolis it's in the midst of. I remember
early morning bus rides into the sparkling glass
and concrete oasis looming over I-25; I remember
the multifarious crowds I'd observe while walking
here or there between classes, looking for a new
spot to eat; I remember taking in newly warm
evenings in Spring with the sun recently set over
campus and the clouds still glowing; I remember
snoozing in the grass and playing Frisbee and
foot-bag and campus concerts and new friends and
semester ends, and semester beginnings; and, I
vividly remember the thrill of looking back on all
I'd learned with excitement on where I might head
next while reflecting, "it could be anywhere."

Heather Hamilton- Current Student

Memory: It feels wonderful!

I just started classes at Metro this Summer 2010
semester, so my Metro State Story is barely in the
first paragraph, so to speak. Clearly, this means
I don't have many memories of Metro State, yet.

My experience, so far, has been that attending
classes here has boosted my self confidence to an
all time high, and it feels wonderful! I'm so
excited about my future at this school, and
grateful for the post graduation possibilities
ahead!

Camille Fangue '05

Memory: Metro State may have saved my life!

I was a successful Paramedic Field Instructor when my husband suddenly was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He died 13 months later and my mother 9 months after that; I had no idea what I would do next. I lost my certifications caring for them and was not in a place emotionally to tend to the sick. I felt lost and alone. I knew that I needed to finish my Bachelor's degree, which I had started online, but needed human contact. I was intimidated by the class sizes of the universities in the area.

I started at Metro the following September. I was completely enveloped with acceptance even though I was way over the age of the traditional student. I felt comfortable and confident and graduated in May 2005.

I don't know where I would be without Metro.

Rosie Walker

Memory: A Roadrunner we recently lost

This story may seem sad, because its about a Roadrunner we
recently lost, Sue Lovato. Although I do tear up thinking of her, all I
can really remember is her smile. I think of how many students she
helped in the math Department, the STEPS program and in the
Independent Degree Program. The thing I will remember most was
her "adopting" the students in the STEPS program who had no
family. When they received awards or graduated, she would attend
their ceremonies. I know they will miss her greatly, as do I.

Barbara Hughes, 99 - Behavioral Science Program Coordinator

Memory: Always a great day to be a roadrunner!

I was an undergrad student in Speech Communication when I took ANT 101 Intro to Cultural Anthropology in the late 90's. I was so turned on by anthropology, that I changed my major to behavioral science with a concentration in anthropology. I went on to a Master of Social Science at UCD. That one class, taught by an adjunct professor, turned my entire life around. I started in 2006 as Affiliate Faculty, teaching anthropology for Metro and sociology for CCD. I am now the Behavioral Science Program Coordinator for Metro, advising students in the same major that I completed in 1999. I have attended conferences, published articles, worked a Maya site in Belize, and met many terrific people, all of which started with that one class. For me, it's always a great day to be a Roadrunner!

Gordon Burt - Alumnus

Memory: Fast Times at Metro State...

It was the spring of 1970, my first Quarter at Metro State
College.

Crazy times, with the upstart college hosting it's first early
Urban Mix: kids just out of local high-schools, returning
Vietnam vets and assorted urban hippies, pre-yuppies, working
people, and the rest...indeed, not that different from today's
Roadrunner mix.

I didn't even know where the term "Roadrunner" originated, yet
we truly were earning our nickname...

We had 10 minutes to run between classes, and for some of the
budget-oriented, also move our Vegas and Valiants to new 2
hour parking spots. After all, the lots were an outrageous $3-4
a day!

So, after a long day of running between music classes at the
Cherokee Building (l11th and Cherokee) and the English and
German classes near Colfax and Glenarm. The Music majors had
gathered for our favorite 3.2 beverage, at the Cherokee Bar,
(Today it's a more upscale Cherokee Bar and Grill.)

All of a sudden, one our regulars reappeared from some of those
frequent trips down the hall, (remember 3.2 beer?), IN THE
BUFF-- hey, wrong school bub. At least he was running--in
true Roadrunner style (and thankfully for those doing trendy
things, it was a warm spring!)

Yes, we could really move in those Nike state-of-the-art "waffle"
bottom running shoes...just watch out for those road apples.

Yes The early 70's saw the streaking fad in it's full glory.
Luckily, we decided to stick with the more conventional
Roadrunner moniker.

Joe Megeath, Professor Emeritus

Memory: The Magnetism of Metro

During a summer lunch break in 1969, I trekked down to Metropolitan State College and found Dr. Irvine Forkner, Business Division Chair. The balding, mustachioed man behind the desk had eyes which carried the sparkle of enthusiastic curiosity about the world. After the obligatory pleasantries I summarized my educational degrees and business background with Ford and Gates and explained my interest in teaching a part time class at night.

That was the last time the term ‘part time’ was ever used in that hour-long conversation. He concluded by offering me a full time position and I knew I would accept the offer.

The next day when I dialed Forkner's office. I was told , “Dr. Forkner left yesterday afternoon. He will be back in six weeks.”

On a mere whim I had stumbled into this hard-to-find, stranger's office without an appointment and been offered a life changing job. A feeling of serendipity overwhelmed me.

Metropolitan State College was the love of my working career. I classify myself as a Metroholic.

Joe D. Megeath
Professor Emeritus

Erin Brogan - Current Student

The office i work at on campus was apart of the Metro State Homecoming Decorating Completion 2009...we turned our office into a "homecoming dance". one of my favorite memories from Metro State is working hard with my office to decorate...which in turn caused us to win the 1st place in the decorating contest (a pizza pa...rty)....this picture below is of me and my friend (we both headed up the decorating committee) and a Rowdy cardboard cut-out we hand made in the office...we ALL worked VERY hard to make that life size Rowdy come alive and he still in our office today.

Manea von Griffyn - Current Student

I had never heard of postsecret.com until Metro Student Activities hosted Frank Warren, who started this social experiment of anonymous secrets on postcards. I was very taken
by the idea & rushed home to see more of them. I found one that was pink with white polka dots & had black lettering saying: Instead of cutting my wrists I made this postcard. It haunted me & as a result I wrote a poem called "Cut." A young girl of 17
wrote on my poetry website that because of my poem she no longer cut on herself. I cried. Because Metro hosted this event & inspired my poem, a young woman found hope & strength to stop hurting herself. I have had other Metro students who have tearfully thanked me for this poem. I can think of no greater story than this to give credit to Metro's history!

Namaste'

Manea

Jennifer Goodland

My favorite Metro story is just beginning! After I had a stroke in 2003, I entered Metro for a second B.A. totally unsure of what to expect from myself. Thanks to Metro professors like Laura McCall and the late Paul Farkas, I found a new direction and developed new skills I never thought possible. I went on to graduate school at UC Denver and should go on to a PhD soon.

This semester I am teaching my first course as affiliate faculty in Metro's Honors Department. I'm getting used to my new role on campus and enjoying forming the kinds of mentoring relationships I enjoyed as an undergrad. Teaching is always the best part of my day, and my students are bright, active people who do not take education for granted. I also take courses for a Land Use degree part time. I hope to be a part of Metro's story for many years to come!

Mary Kardoes Bleecher, '76

Memory: While I have many substantive memories of my Metro State education, the most unique one was that I was selected to serve as a student judge for the Best Male Faculty Legs competition in the 1976 Mayfest celebration!

Paul Cesare

Memory: My Metro State Memory by Paul Cesare

Watching Metro State's 1999-2000 Men's Basketball Team on National television (CBS Sports) win the NCAA Division II National Championship game against Kentucky Wesleyan.

Who would have ever imagined it? Winning the national championship put Metro State front and center in the national spotlight. Metro's image/reputation would never be the same again. As a college representative in the Office of Admissions, I can vouch for it. I'll never forget the solid team effort, especially on defense and the remarkable ball-handing and scoring performance by Denver native, DeMarcos Anzures! The team was coached by Mike Dunlap, who was hired after the first-choice coach accepted another position at a Division I college.

The 1999-2000 Metro State's Men's basketball team's Home record was 19-0, - no one could touch us in our own backyard. The noise by the ever-increasing fanbase at the Auraria Events Center home games was thundering and as deafening as I've ever witnessed. The team's 33-4 overall record was the best finish by any Colorado college team in history! Metro State - the once obscure, forgotten college in downtown Denver with no-name players and coaches on that fateful day in March 2000 became a nationally recognized champion - what a memory!

Elias A. Diggins, Criminal Justice ‘99 (40th Anniversary submission)

I started at Metro in 1991 right out of Montbello High School. Back then, the Student Union was in the current Plaza Building. Most of the African-American students used to gather there in the daytime in a section we dubbed “Little Africa”. We would socialize, talk politics and occasionally have a dominoe game going on between classes. I still remember Ashara Ekundayo and Ashano Muhammad coming in to “drop a little knowledge” to all of us “young people”. Ahhh, back in the day!!!

Dennis Brungardt, El. Ed. ‘75 (40th Anniversary submission)

I loved going to Burger Chef on Colfax. It was a great place to hang out between classes and grab a cup of coffee and a hamburger. The old tin temporary buildings are now gone but I can still remember waiting between classes for the next one.

Patricia Payne, HPSL ‘79 (40th Anniversary submission)

My favorite story about attending Metro was a conversation I had with my 4 year old daughter. I took her to the child development center at Metro while I attended classes. I would always take her into the center and then park my car. After attending a few months, my mother came for a visit. I was driving her around Denver and we went by Metro. As we drove by, I told my mom that was “my school.” My daughter immediatlely corrected me and told me it was “her school, not mine.” After that, I would take her out of the center for lunch with me from time to time just to let her know it was at “her school, too”

Steve Ruddick, History ‘77 (40th Anniversary submission)

I was recruited out of high school to attend Metro State in 1977 by the two person recruiting team of Political Science Professors Weston and Conner who simply got in their car and drove to the local high schools.

As one of the few traditional students on campus, I could not hang out at the informal student union with the faculty and other classmates, the White Mule Bar, until my senior year. Instead, I had to settle for the Burger Chef and Jeff next door.

We were required to attend a physical education class for a liberal arts degree and the basketball team didn’t have a home court, they practiced at the old downtown YMCA.

I found in the course syllbus, Bowling 101, which promised a real beer after every class. What I discovered was that since I was the only non-bowler in the class, I really needed that beer before I bowled, not after.

Metro State was a serious eduational facility with determined, mature students, but there was fun to be had, in the most unusual places

John Krenetsky (40th Anniversary submission)

Excerpt from This Week @Metro, Sept. 27, 2005
Longtime Biology Professor John Krenetsky has some fond memories of the pre-Auraria days. “Many a morning when I came in to work, I found a snake curled up on the floor,” he says, recalling a series of snake-escape incidents when the biology offices were across from the Denver Mint. He even saw one disappear down the elevator shaft…

To read more go to
http://www.mscd.edu/~collcom/@metro/tw@metro_vol3/snake_twv3092805.htm

Flora Cardenas - Management ‘01 (40th Anniversary submission)

During the time of starting my business, Flowers by Flora & Gifts, and balancing going to college was challenging. At times it tested my “true” dedication with long hours and lots of hard work! It has all been worth it. I remember one class where I noticed I had different shoes on my left and right feet, and I just started laughing. This was to be a moment never to forget…I love Metro.

Phyllis Delmont - Human Services ‘71 (40th Anniversary submission)

I attended Metro before there was a campus. We walked from one downtown building to another for classes. My biggest challenge, other than returning to school at age 50, was remembering where I had parked my car.

Natalie Lutes – Finance ‘91 (40th Anniversary submission)

My favorite Metro Memory is Jay Leno’s appearance before he was famous. His bill was taped to a telephone pole, several times, by the crosswalk on Lawrence Street in front of the then Student Union – now the Plaza building.

Daniel Parks – Political Science ‘96 (40th Anniversary submission)

I have many great memories of Metro. During my time on campus, I was able to be a student, student employee, club member, club leader, and now a professional staff person. This campus has nurtured my academic, personal, professional, and social growth for the vast majority of my adult life. Most all of my memories start and end with Metro.

Audrey Vitanyi – Accounting and Computer Information Systems ‘01 (40th Anniversary submission)

I went to Metro from 1995-2001. My favorite/worst memory was final’s week. The worst was the endless long night of studying and writing; the favorite was peeking at the grades online and smiling at my accomplishments. Now my daughter, Julia Vitanyi has followed my footsteps and I will have more memories to remember as she completes her degree!

Theresa Godinez – Criminal Justice ‘92 (40th Anniversary submission)

During my educational career here at Metro, I was asked to use my “story” for a United Bank newspaper advertisement. Soon after, I was stunned to find my picture on billboards along the Front Range – I still have that ad and look at it fondly from time to time, always grateful for my incredibly fulfilling years at Metro State! Thanks.

David Young - Computer Information Systems ‘85 (40th Anniversary submission)

I believe I was a non-traditional student at a decidedly non-traditional school. Working full time with 2 small children at home, and carrying a full load as a young 20-something, it was all I could do to balance my life and get through my classes, let alone socialize or develop my relationships with other students (which I really didn’t). My most consistent memory is sleeping between classes on the grass outside of the library or student center, then getting up and shuffling to the cafeteria to get a cup of coffee to stay alert and attentive through another class.

(reprinted from the 40th Anniversary Our Stories Web site)

Jeffrey Edwards - Student (40th Anniversary submission)

It was the Spring of 2003 when I took my first classes here at Metro. I had no idea that it would be the location of so many memories.
I have spent hours beating my brothers, who also attend Metro, in the racquetball courts in the PE building. I have spent many afternoons between classes with my girlfriend who I met while going to school at Metro, who later became my fiancé, and is now my wife who graduated from Metro in Spring of 2004. Metro has become and second home to me over these last years and after I graduate in Spring 2007, it will always be in my memories as I recount my life to others.
Not everyone finds happiness while going to college!

(reprinted from the 40th Anniversary Our Stories Web site)

Jim Sheets - Management ‘69 (40th Anniversary submission)

Our Metro memory started with a library consisting of a dictionary; a campus spread out into various buildings with odd-sounding names, like Zook, Triple A, and Forum; living the meaning of the mascot name–Roadrunner, by hurrying to classes in buildings 3-4 blocks away from one another and trying not to get hit by a car; and being part of a great legacy for students in the Denver area.

Our two daughters are proud Metro graduates — one, now a lawyer in Washington, and the other working on her MBA in Health Care Management at Regis.

(reprinted from the 40th Anniversary Our Stories Web site)

Roy Wilson - Math & Computer Science ‘76 (40th Anniversary submission)

It is the summer of 1969. Having dropped out of high school for the final time, I have entered the only open-enrollment institution around, Metro. Walking toward the Cherokee Building, located near Speer, I see a building that looks like it is used for industrial purposes. After entering, I think “Is Metro a fly-by-night operation?” If memory serves, there were classes on one side of the building and what looked like heavy industry of sorts on the other.

I took an English class taught by Charles Bursiel and was a bit nervous. The next semester, I took Freshman Composition from Joy Yunker (recently deceased), who advised me that I should narrow the scope of my proposed paper topic, saying “Leave that for your dissertation”. Over thity-five years later, I completed a dissertation and now have a Ph.D. I (and others) owe the early educators at Metro a debt of gratitude for their commitment, knowledge, and skill.

(reprinted from the 40th Anniversary Our Stories Web site)

Rubab Kaka - Student (40th Anniversary submission)

I came to Metro as an international student and what I have learnt here has made me feel like I have seen the world. The students at Metro are not only from various countries, cultures, and backgrounds, but have shown support when it comes down to it and the professors are are unlike the ones I knew back home.

I have had the pleasure of learning from teachers who want to teach and know this for a fact; no matter where I go, Metro State is one of its kind!

(reprinted from the 40th Anniversary Our Stories Web site)

Traci Schwindt - Student (40th Anniversary submission)

When I think of Metro and what it has done and continues to do for me I think of the exceptional instructors and other staff who take the time to not only instruct the students, but also they care about what is troubling or concerning their students. These are people that often go to extra effort to help. These are people who honestly care whether we succeed or not.

Thank you all and know that you are special people!

(reprinted from the 40th Anniversary Our Stories Web site)

Deanna Hurt - Student (40th Anniversary submission)

Memories and fun stories can be harder to find for us night time students, many of us are working all day and then we rush out of class to get home to our families. Not a lot of time for making new friends and attending events.

Last year my mother in-law came to visit, I wasn’t looking forward to it, work was crazy, school was hectic, and I didn’t really know her very well. I tried to find something for the two of us to do and I found out that Maya Angelou was coming to speak on campus. I bought two tickets and took her to see one of the most inspirational women of our time. After, we went to dinner and discussed the event. We finally had something to talk about and we both had a great time.

I may not have a lot of time to meet a lot of new people at Metro, but Metro managed to bring me closer to my family.
(reprinted from the 40th Anniversary Our Stories Web site)

Joel Lamoreaux - Student (40th Anniversary submission)

While taking Promotional Strategies from Nancy Frontczak, I was on a team that competed against several other small groups in class on a project where we all were asked to create a strategy for the Colorado Symphony. At end of year, we all had a chance to present our ideas as “competing” agencies. As a part of our proposal, we served pastery treats from a local bakery to Nancy and symphony representatives. On the way out, we dropped our tray of goodies - totally by accident - making quite the mess while another team was on their way in to present. They seemed quite frazzled by the whole thing… and I am not sure if they ever recovered. Either way, our proposal was selected as the winner. Therefore, I’ve always reminded myself in the competitive business world I work in to be ready for the unexpected… even flying pastries :-) . And, best of all, two other students in the class (on other teams) remain close friends of mine.

(reprinted from the 40th Anniversary Our Stories Web site)

Phyllis Jo Dean - Applied Science ‘69 (40th anniversary submission)

I was in the first graduating class of the the nursing program. My maiden name was VanArsdale. We earned an Associate in Applied Science over a period of 22 months in 2 years between 1967 and 1969. This was the first nursing class that Metro offered. We started out with about 60 students and ended with 12. If my memory is correct.

Our wonderful nursing instructors were Betty Marcom and Mary Ann Harper. They were responsible for almost all of our nursing training. We trained at various hospitals and facilities in the Denver area and had a very well rounded and good education. I have often thought of what a daunting responsibility the nursing faculty had taken on as the 2 year associate degree programs were very new and somewhat controversial.

My education at Metropolitan State College prepared me for various positions as a Registered Nurse in Texas, Arizona, and Nevada. Metro was so new and very small but vibrant and ready to move forward which it obviously has done very successfully.
(reprinted from the 40th Anniversary Our Stories Web site)