Alumni Connections: December 2006

Alumni News

Former Astronaut and UCCS Alum to Lead UCCS Space Studies. The first U.S. Native American astronaut and an alumnus of the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs will lead the university’s Center for Space Studies.  John B. Herrington, a member of the Chickasaw Nation who flew aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 2002, will direct the Center for Space Studies, one of three centers within the National Institute of Science, Space and Security Studies at UCCS. The Center for Space Studies is responsible for developing future space professionals and takes a lead role in organizing a consortium of universities to offer courses to members of the military and civilians in the aerospace industry.  View the press release in its entirety, the Colorado Springs Gazette article, or an interview featured in the Colorado Springs Business Journal to find out more about the Space Studies program; or learn more about Herrington by reading the related alumni spotlight article. 

UCCS Current Students and Alumni Enjoy Electric Safari at the Cheyenne Mt. Zoo.  Friday, December 8, about 500 UCCS students, alums, and their families bundled up and braved the cold in order to enjoy the Cheyenne Mt. Zoo’s Electric Safari.  Due to the Office of Campus Activities and the Alumni and Friends Association, every UCCS family member was able to enjoy the night for free!  Everyone enjoyed free hot chocolate and cookies in the Safari Lounge as well as all the animals and wonderful light displays.  Thank you to all who attended to make the night a success!   

Time is running out to make your gift by calendar year-end.  Your participation and gift of any size truly makes a difference and will have an immediate and important impact on students and faculty.  If you haven't done so already, won't you please make your gift today?  Simply give online or phone (719) 536-4499.  Thank you!

CU Alumni Night at the National Western Stock Show. 
President Hank Brown invites you to attend CU Night Friday, January 19, 2007, at the National Western Stock Show, along with alumni, friends, Ralphie and Chip.  Festivities include the evening rodeo, educational exhibits, delicious food and Western spirit. Your show ticket includes free grounds admission to all exhibits.  For more information and to purchase discounted tickets, download this form or visit the National Western Stock Show website.   Tickets can be purchased up to the day of the event for the discounted rate. Proceeds will support scholarships for CU students.  See you there!

Fast-Track Admission
As an alumnus of the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, you may be eligible to apply for admission to the Graduate School via Fast-Track Admission.  Fast-Track Admission is designed to expedite the application process for several UCCS graduate programs.  Former UCCS undergraduate students may apply to the Graduate School through Fast-Track Admission so long as their graduation date is no more than four years prior to the time of their application.  The following graduate programs accept Fast-Track applications for admission:
Applied Geography (MA)
Biology (MSc) (options in Biochemistry/Biotechnology, Exercise Science and Organismic Biology)
Business Administration (MBA)
College of Engineering and Applied Science (many programs available)
History (MA)
Nursing (MSN)
Sociology (MA)
For more information on these and other UCCS graduate programs, visit the Graduate School website or contact the Graduate Student Recruitment Coordinator at (719) 262-3072 / (800) 990-UCCS x3072 / gradinfo@uccs.edu.

University News

And then there were four. The fourth doctoral degree at UCCS - a PhD. in educational leadership - was approved by the CU Board of Regents this week with classes set to begin this fall. The new degree will be research-intensive and is designed for school leaders and those who head education-related non-governmental entities.  View our press release here, or see what the Colorado Springs Gazette wrote about our new PhD.    

Daniels Fund gives boost to military students. Military students with financial need will benefit from a $100,000 grant from Denver-based Daniels Fund, officials announced this week.  The Colorado Springs Gazette wrote about these new scholarships or view our press release to learn more.  

High marks. Evaluators from the Higher Learning Commission who visited campus in November recommend that UCCS not undergo another review for 10 years. See Chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak's memo to the campus with this link.
Faculty member’s work recognized. A more than 22-year UCCS faculty veteran was recently recognized for his contributions to the field of computer engineering. Carlos Araujo, professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, received the 2006 Daniel E. Noble Award from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Dec. 12  at the IEEE International Electron Devices Meeting in San Francisco.  The award recognized Araujo’s work in the area of ferroelectric random access memory, a critical infrastructure for the development of cell phones and other computer-related technologies. Learn more here.
UCCS, the backbone of Colorado Springs. On November 2, the Colorado Springs Economic Development Corporation recognized UCCS with an Excellence in Local Industry Award. The university received the Community Infrastructure Award in recognition of "organizations or agencies that provide exceptional service and support in regard to community infrastructure, workforce, etc."

Christopher V. Hill, professor, History, recently received two fellowships for research and writing in India in the spring of 2007. He has accepted a senior research fellowship from the American Institute of Indian Studies for research in the Indian state of Orissa and a government of India University Grants Commission Fellowship as a visiting professor at the University of Hyderabad.
Big den. One-third more fans can now watch Mountain Lion athletics in the campus gymnasium. The new seats - 100 of them - bring the gym's capacity to 400. Originally designed for recreational use only, the gym has been home to intercollegiate athletics since 1988. In 1999, the gym was named the Lion's Den, replacing the previous moniker of the gold pit.  MORE

Commencement on the move. A walking tour shows many campus changes underway. But a quiet change in campus traditions is also in progress. Beginning in 2007, UCCS will have two commencement ceremonies annually. Spring graduates will don caps and gowns in May at the World Arena while summer and fall graduates will walk in a just-for-them December 14, 2007 ceremony at the Pikes Peak Center. For additional information on this year's on-campus December graduate recognition ceremony click here.

Volunteers help open Student Multicultural Center, commuter lounge. More than 25 faculty, staff, students and two workers from Wells and West Construction volunteered Nov. 18 (a Saturday) to put finishing touches on new space in the University Center for Student Multicultural Affairs staff members and a student lounge. The move from Main Hall to the University Center was recommended by a Blue Ribbon Commission on Diversity. The project cost was about $25,000 and volunteers were credited with saving more than $7,000. To see our press release, click here; to see what the Colorado Springs Gazette wrote, click here.

The Colorado Springs Gazette featured the Army ROTC unit based at UCCS.  MORE 

The Colorado Springs Gazette wrote about retail giant Costco and plans for University Village.  MORE

The Denver Post wrote about state funding for higher education in Colorado how universities fare compared to other states.  MORE 

The Colorado Springs Business Journal wrote about the value of a college education and compared Colorado education rates to the rest of the nation.  MORE

Keeping tabs. For those anxiously awaiting the completion of various construction projects, or wanting to keep tabs on every brick as it is laid, Facilities Services has installed three web cams that will update viewers every 15 minutes. The sites are for the Student Recreation Center, Dwire Hall, and the new Science and Engineering Building.

Alumni Spotlight: John Herrington

UCCS welcomes John B. Herrington home as he will now lead the university’s center for Space Studies.  Herrington is a 1983 alumnus of UCCS, earning his bachelor’s in applied mathematics before progressing on to receive his commission from Aviation Officer Candidate School.  A year later, he was designated a Naval Aviator.  He earned his masters of science degree in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in 1995 and was selected by NASA to report to the Johnson Space Center in August 1996. 

After a few years of training, Herrington was assigned to the Flight Support Branch of the Astronaut Office where he served as a member of the Astronaut Support Personnel team responsible for shuttle launch preparations and post-landing operations. 

Herrington, a member of the Chickasaw Nation, became the first Native American to journey into space when he served as an astronaut aboard the STS-113 Endeavor, the sixteenth shuttle mission to space, from November 23-December 7, 2002.  He visited the International Space Station and performed three extra-vehicular activity operations (EVAs) totaling 19 hours and 55 minutes.  An EVA is work done by an astronaut away from the Earth and outside of his or her spacecraft.  Ultimately, Herrington logged over 330 hours in space before retiring from the Navy and NASA in July 2005. 

Herrington has received several special awards including becoming a distinguished Naval Graduate from Aviation Officer Candidate School and receiving a Navy Commendation Medal.  He is also a life member of the Association of Naval Aviation and UCCS Alumni Association.  Additionally, he is a Sequoyah Fellow and a member of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society.

Herrington is a proud father of two daughters and enjoys rock climbing, snow skiing, running and cycling.  Says, Herrington, “I am extremely excited about the opportunity to return to UCCS in an active role to promote space studies.  UCCS was responsible for laying the groundwork for my career, and I look forward to returning the favor to the next generation of students.”  We, too look forward to his involvement and are proud to have him as an alum!  To learn more about Herrington’s plans for the Center of Space studies, please see the related alumni news article.

If you were positively influenced by a program here at UCCS, might you consider a gift to support that program and help students continue to be impacted as you were?  What better way to honor that which played such a key role in your education than helping to provide the same to others. For more information, contact Jaime McMullen Garcia at (719) 536-4480 or jaime.garcia@cufund.org.

Campus Spotlight: Bachelor of Innovation

The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs is leading the way to producing inventive and creative students by offering a new family of degrees aptly dubbed Bachelor of Innovation degrees.  The BI, similar to the BS or BA, will allow students to engage in a major field of study while experiencing a common core of innovation and entrepreneurship including a unique long-term, multi-disciplinary team experience. 

There are four major components in the BI family of degrees.  Those components include technology, entrepreneurship, globalization, and creative communication.  A Bachelor of Innovation degree from UCCS will guarantee what employers are seeking: both skills and experience.  The interaction with community, though an integral aspect of the Bachelor of Innovation degrees, is nothing new for UCCS, a university already nationally recognized for its leading level of community involvement. 

Currently, UCCS offers Bachelors of Science and Bachelors of Arts degrees in engineering and business.  Under the plan approved by the regents, those degrees will remain but students will have the option to complete 42 to 50 credit hours of additional courses to earn a bachelor’s of innovation.  The additional coursework includes an innovative core as well as a cross-disciplinary specialty area.  The students who complete the requirements will receive a bachelor of innovation degree in business administration, computer science, electrical engineering or game design and development.   

If you are a College of Business or College of Engineering graduate and are interested in learning more about supporting the colleges that support innovation, please contact Jaime McMullen Garcia at (719) 536-4480 or jaime.garcia@cufund.org.