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!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
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!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
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!
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!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
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
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
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)
(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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
(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)
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)
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