Colorado Mesa University

WINTER 2018 VOLUME 7.2 Editor Katlin Birdsall Art Director Jeremy Smith Graphic Artist Lisa Smith Copy Editors Laura Bradley Dana Nunn Kim Williams President Tim Foster Executive Director of Marketing and Communications Michael Mansheim Director of Alumni Relations Jared Meier Board of Trustees Ray Anilionis • Betty Bechtel, Chair Tilman Bishop • Kelly Brough Kathleen Eck • Jose D.L. Marquez Stephanie Motter • Doug Quimby David Reed, Vice-Chair • Joan Ringel Robert Wilson Chad Middleton, Faculty Trustee Beau Flores, Student Trustee C o p y r i g h t © 2 0 1 8 T h e M av er ic k All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without express written permission is strictly prohibited. C o l o r a d o M e s a U n i v e r s i t y 1 1 0 0 N o r t h Av e n u e G r a n d J u n c t i o n , C O 8 1 5 0 1 - 3 1 2 2 9 7 0 . 2 4 8 . 1 2 7 7 c o l o r a d o m e s a . e d u / m a v e r i c k m a v e r i c k @ c o l o r a d o m e s a . e d u STATE OF THE UNIVERSITY THOMAS KELLEY During the past 14 years, we've cut a lot of ribbons. This January we cut a ribbon that I think is more representative of Grand Junction than any before — Confluence Hall. Confluence meaning the merging or flowing together at one point, Grand Junction. And the way we do things in Grand Junction, together. The new engineering hall incorporates a variety of partnerships with the community, the University of Colorado Boulder and Eureka! McConnell Science Museum. At the grand opening, CU Boulder College of Engineering and Applied Science Dean Bobby Braun and I announced the addition of a third engineering program to our growing partnership. The Electrical and Computer Engineering program will start in the fall. This is an exciting time and an incredible opportunity for students and for western Colorado. This is just one example of CMU's growing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) focus. In the cover story, you will read about our advancements in STEM, collaborations within our community and how these programs are a seed for future growth. The Colorado Capital Conference is another one of my favorite partnerships between CMU, University of Colorado, Colorado State University and U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner. The 2018 application is now open and I strongly encourage any student, from any program, alumni or any Coloradan reading this edition to apply for this civic engagement opportunity. You won't regret it. At this past December Commencement, we had the most graduates since we began hosting the winter commencement six years ago. It is a significant day when more than 600 Mavericks take that next step in their journey and head out across the Grand Valley, Colorado and the nation. I look forward to hearing about their accomplishments as CMU alumni. Along with the work happening every day on campus, this issue of The Maverick highlights students', faculty and alumni work happening off campus. Students getting involved with community organizations. Students expanding their education internationally. Faculty and staff using their knowledge to make an impact locally and across the globe. Alumni giving their time to mentor students and improve our future workforce. The university fully supports this collaborative work and is adopting new technologies and programs to make this work more streamlined and impactful. 2018 is shaping up to be a great year and I look forward to new partnerships and advancements for our growing university. Sincerely, Tim Foster

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