The Maverick magazine is a great way to stay in touch with current events at your alma mater, old classmates and the bright future of Colorado Mesa University.
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STATE OF THE UNIVERSITY CMU recently unveiled a remarkable bronze sculpture on campus. Commissioned by local artist and alumnus Scott Shaffer, the statue of a Maverick stands 12 feet long and 8 feet high. Students conducted a reading during the sculpture’s installation called, What does it mean to be a Maverick? They described what being a Maverick meant to them personally. Their words were authentic and their sentiments were impactful. You may wonder: what’s the big deal about a bronze sculpture, a statue? Statues are powerful symbols of shared societal values. In the west, we think of the Statue of Liberty, the Lincoln Memorial, Christ the Redeemer, Statue of David and other sculptures commemorating great human endeavors. The bronze and marble fixtures of the world represent the best ideas in history — ideas that make universities possible. This is not to say the new statue at CMU is comparable to these timeless monuments. But perhaps the new sculpture at CMU is comparable in one way: The Maverick will certainly come to represent great, collective ideas — ideas about what it means to be, and become, a Maverick. This is important. Mavericks in the past have rejected labels, challenged the status quo, questioned authority, drawn lines in the sand, rejected ideology and taken a stand. These Mavericks of the past included Susan B. Anthony, Abraham Lincoln, Ben Franklin, Rosa Parks, Abigail Adams and many others. While Mavericks of the past defined the term through their actions, for future CMU students and alumni the term remains undefined. They will need to give the new Maverick sculpture meaning on their own terms. They will do so by their experiences, learnings and contributions — some of which are featured in this edition of The Maverick magazine. This edition contains countless examples of amazing things happening around CMU that are helping define what it means to be a Maverick. The cover story speaks about alumni who are changing their communities. The magazine brings forward examples of new partnerships that CMU and WCCC are forging to improve education. There are stories about students challenging wasteful attitudes while others volunteer their time to reduce the burden that disabilities have on people. There are features on community leaders, champions, change-agents and common heroes. What’s in a statue? What’s in an education at CMU? It’s all about being a Maverick, and defining what that means — which I believe happens for students while on the journey of higher education at CMU. Sincerely, Tim Foster SUMMER 2019 • VOLUME 8.3 Editor Katlin Birdsall Art Director Jeremy Smith Graphic Artist Lisa Smith Copy Editor Laura Bradley Videographer and Photographer Bronson Henriques, Connor Larrick Online Maverick Andrea Keck, Kendra Whitfield 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 Kasia Iwaniczko-MacLeod • Amy Lentz Stephanie Motter • Doug Quimby Daniel Ramos • David Reed, Vice-Chair Joan Ringel Chad Middleton, Faculty Trustee Amara Hobbs, Student Trustee Copyright © 2019 All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without express written permission is strictly prohibited. Colorado Mesa University 1100 North Avenue Grand Junction, CO 81501-3122 To be removed from The Maverick mailing list contact alumni@coloradomesa.edu coloradomesa.edu/maverick maverick@coloradomesa.edu The Maverick magazine is printed on 20% recycled (10% post-consumer waste) paper using soy-based inks. Our printer meets or exceeds all Federal Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA) standards and is a member of the Forest Stewardship Council and Sustainable Forestry Initiative.