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.