Adventures in Admission

Harpers Humanities Garden

Nestled between Mary Reed Hall and the Korbel International Studies building is a quiet pocket of green grass and reflecting water. Officially called the Harper Humanities Garden, the location is in the heart of campus yet somehow it feels tucked away. Paths criss-cross through campus on either side of the gardens, but the spread of trees creates cover within. Although the University of Denver has an abundance of classrooms, this garden is still my favorite place to quietly study. On a peaceful spring day, reading dated Supreme Court rulings is better in the sun than in any library.

If you look carefully, you can find tranquil pockets like this scattered all across our urban campus. In the colorful gardens, worn alleyways, and rolling greens, DU’s campus always finds ways to relax me.  Beyond the academics and community, I was drawn to the campus at DU, which feels like a different little ecosystem inside the greater city. We’re smack dab in the heart of Denver but with some proper searching, students can find quiet havens like this in the midst of the bustle.

Lars Brady - Class of 2019; Majors: Journalism and Political Science

Theater? CHECK!

The theater has and always will be my second home. It is a special place full of wonder and excitement where you can use your imagination to the fullest. It’s never a NO but always a YES AND. What can we do next? So many of my pivotal memories involve a show I went to or performed in, and with a love affair that began when I was 5, well, let’s just say there are too many jazz hands to share in one blog.

I was born and raised in California, and even went through college there, so when my husband and I began talking about a move to Denver, it was not a subject we approached lightly. If we were going to leave CA for CO, there were some hard considerations in place:

Sunshine: CHECK

Skiing: CHECK

Theater: CHECK? YES!

Research began, and it didn’t take long to find a whole new theater community within Denver to explore. Fun fact: The Denver Center for the Performing Arts is the nation's largest non-profit theater organization! This includes the touring Broadway productions, their own Tony Award-winning theater company, cabaret, off center, and education!  *insert jazz hands here* I was going to be OK!

Not only do the touring Broadway shows make a stop in Denver, many shows have even had their pre-Broadway previews here (hi, Frozen)! This year my husband and I kicked off the National Tour of Dear Evan Hansen, right here in Denver!

Not only is the facility beautiful, it is located in a great location, just a few blocks from the 16th Street Mall and Larimer Square - which makes it a perfect destination for a date night or night out with friends!

Jennifer Wizeman - Campus Visit Program Coordinator

Exit 205

One of my favorite parts of my DU experience by far has been the time I’ve spent with Exit 205, one of DU’s four student-run a cappella groups. Singing with Exit 205 has given me the opportunity to sing with incredibly talented people, but more importantly, it has given me a sense of community on the DU campus.

I’ve loved music since before I can remember, and I’ve been singing in choir since sixth grade. I pursued choir very actively in high school; at times I would be in at least three groups at once, as well as private voice lessons. Once I got to college, I knew that my priorities would have to shift, and I wasn’t able to sing at the level I did in high school. However, when I found Exit 205, I was able to renew my love of music and discover singing in a way that I never had before.

Being surrounded by so many talented and kind people helped me to feel more at ease at the University of Denver, and I was able to set aside six hours a week to do something I love. My participation in Exit 205 is one of the only things I do solely for myself; it doesn’t look amazing on a resume or boost my GPA, and I’m not networking with my future colleagues, but it brings me a sense of joy that only music can give. Allowing myself to spend at least six hours every week singing with a group of people I love is one of the ways I take care of myself and relieve stress throughout each quarter, and I can’t imagine my life at DU without Exit 205. Not only do I have opportunity to keep singing at DU despite being anything but a music major, but I have found a community that is now an essential and wonderful part of my life.

Katy Constantinides - Class of 2020; Majoring in International Studies and Gender and Women’s Studies

Resources to Stay Sane!

I don’t think anybody I know would characterize me as the world’s most put together person. I’m disorganized, I forget dates, I lose important documents, and I have trouble always keeping my emotions in check, but everything has worked out so far—more or less—for my 20 years of life. However, these issues can certainly create problems as a student because college sometimes feels like nothing but dates, important documents, and emotions, so handling my studies occasionally presents some personal challenges. Knowing this information about myself certainly helped me choose to attend the University of Denver due to the incredible resources for students. When I arrived, I experienced even more support than I expected, and I was reminded of this helpful infrastructure’s utility this week.

Between two research projects, a difficult midterm, a calculus class that just wasn’t making sense, somewhat of a club volleyball crisis, training for a new job, and drama within the friend group, I was feeling a little overwhelmed. I anticipated some of this stress, so I scheduled an appointment with the DU Research Center to discuss my topic with the international studies librarian. I had a productive hour in the research center where I found some great new sources on the effects of structural adjustment programs on the agriculture production in Tanzania and Mozambique. Additionally, I showed up for the office hours of two of my professors, both of whom seemed eager to help ease my anxiety about their respective classes, and a third professor was kind enough to give me an extension on an assignment because she understood that I was struggling to dealing with everything on my plate. I also took advantage of the resources in the Health & Counseling Center by talking to somebody in that office in order to re-center myself emotionally.

This week did not get off to the best start, and I had more responsibilities than I thought I would be able to handle, but now that the week is coming to an end, I realize that everything worked out. Could I have done it all without the support system around me? Possibly, but my professors and other university resources helped ease the burden. Looking back, I did some really cool things on campus this week, and I learned a fair amount, and now I can’t wait to ski this weekend and spend some quality time with my friends. Although I have another tough week in front of me, I know that everything will be fine because there are so many wonderful, intelligent, and caring people on this campus. No matter what your struggle is at the University of Denver, it always seems as if somebody is there to help you push through it, and it is that environment and setup that makes DU the perfect school for me.  

Adrian Kley - Class of 2021; Majors: International Studies and Economics

How I’m Keeping my New Year’s Resolutions at DU (or trying to…)

I’ve never been one for New Year’s resolutions. In the past, I would simply say that I preferred spontaneity to a strict list of items to “check off.” This year, however, I decided to change my ideology. Call it maturity (or maybe peer pressure from my five roommates), but I decided to give three different resolutions a chance. In the midst of papers, midterms, and applications, New Year’s resolutions present a daunting task to follow for most college students. So, I decided to share a few of the simple ways that I am trying to keep my resolutions.

1. Get a plant AND keep it alive

Laugh all you want, but as an out-of-state student, the prospect of getting a plant AND being responsible for keeping it alive over winter, spring, and summer breaks seemed like an unobtainable goal my first year of college. But as I entered my second year, I toyed with the idea of getting a plant. Luckily, during my first quarter, one of my roommates bought a plant and told the rest of it to help her take care of it. So, after 10 weeks, 6 roommates, and 1 living plant, I decided to was time to take the plunge. At the end of January, I am happy to report that I have kept a cactus alive and well.

2. Get active!

I played sports from the time I could walk, but when I came to DU I was afraid that I wouldn’t have the time to commit to a sport’s team. My first year I managed to stay active and hit the gym, but I missed the comradery of a team. So, during the fall quarter, I signed up for an intramural (IM) flag football team. Unfortunately, I ran into a problem of not finding enough players to make a team, which cut my flag football career short. Despite the setback, I was determined not to let that mishap get the best of me. This quarter, I started an IM co-rec volleyball team with a group of inexperienced friends, and I’m loving every minute of it. So far, we’ve won 1 game and lost 1 game, and are now competing for the title of “Most Improved Team” at the end of the season. 

3. Attend as many Korbel events as possible

As an international studies and public policy double-major, my life revolves around the Josef Korbel School of International Studies (as it houses both majors). Since my first day at DU, I was determined to attend as many professional events as possible. Luckily for me, the Korbel School offers professional events almost daily. Throughout my time here, I have met former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, talked with professionals from the Colorado Capitol, spoken with policy experts on Iran affairs, and so much more. I don’t want to take these incredible opportunities for granted, so I made it a goal to attend 2 events a month. A highlight for this month was attending an event called “World Political Review: 2019” with Ambassador Christopher Hill.

From my time at DU thus far, I’ve realized that there are endless opportunities to have fun, express yourself, and stay involved. It’s important to find a balance between academics and social life, and setting small (but obtainable) goals can help me get there!

Lindsay Tryba – Class of 2020; Majors/Minors: International Studies & Public Policy /Leadership Studies & Spanish; Pioneer Leadership Program; Campus Tour Guide

Black History Month

All too often we as a society forgot the contributions made to the United States by African American people. I would argue that this happens due to the degradation of Black people throughout American history. Nevertheless - through the harsh periods of slavery, Jim Crow laws, lynching, police brutality, hate groups, microaggressions, and other attacks toward Black people - still they rose and continue to rise as they make major contributions to society.

Throughout this month remember that Black history is American history, but utilize this time of celebration to participate in learning and appreciation for the many great accomplishments and contributions of African American people in all facets of American culture. Please enjoy this poem written by C'Moore Productions:           

C'Moore Productions is Cynthia Moore. She is a high school English and Speech teacher in Kansas City, Kansas. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. (one of the 4 historically Black sororities)

________________

TOO BLACK

They take my kindness for...WEAKNESS 

They take my silence for...SPEECHLESS 

They consider my uniqueness...STRANGE 

They call my language...SLANG 

They see my confidence as...CONCEIT 

They see my mistakes as...DEFEAT 

They consider my success...ACCIDENTAL 

They minimize my intelligence to...POTENTIAL 

My questions mean I am...UNAWARE 

My advancement is somehow...UNFAIR 

To voice concern is...DISCONTENTMENT 

If I stand up for myself I am too...DEFENSIVE 

If I don't trust them I am too...APPREHENSIVE 

I am defiant if I... SEPARATE 

I am fake if I... ASSIMILATE 

My Character is constantly...UNDER ATTACK 

Pride for my race makes me... 

TOO BLACK

_______________

Reference the University of Denver Black Student Alliance flyer for upcoming Black History Month events!!!

Cameron Simmons - Admission Counselor

Backpacking Across Europe

I submitted my last paper minutes before the midnight deadline. Fall quarter was finished, but I was far from being able to relax. That night I packed until the early hours of the morning, snatched two hours of sleep, and set off for Denver International Airport at 6:00am. Outfitted in just the clothes I had on and what could fit in a travel backpack, I boarded a plane for London. It was the beginning of a month-long European backpacking adventure.

Most of DU’s students will study abroad during the fall quarter of their junior year. I was one of those who stayed behind. However, I took full advantage of the situation and turned the 6-week winter break into an epic Eat, Pray, Love style adventure. Conveniently, abroad semester schools were still in session, so I was able to visit a lot of my friends in different countries. Totaling 8 countries and 16 cities, I traveled mostly by train and frequently by myself.

One of the highlights was meeting 6 of my friends, who had been studying all over Europe, for a weekend in Paris. Crashing in the same room, we spent each day exploring the never-ending boulevards, stopping frequently for coffee and macaroons. As a huge architecture geek, I fell in love with the beautiful palaces and churches looming over the city. I first laid eyes on the Eiffel Tower after nightfall, just at the top of the hour when it sparkles with the same intensity of a fireworks show.

I also stayed an extended period of time in Florence, Italy, with another close friend. Again, I toured the many beautiful cathedrals and roamed the halls of the famous Uffizi, a Medici palace built to house one of the world’s most magnificent collections of art. At one point, I climbed to the top of the Duomo for a breathtaking 360 view of the entire city and surrounding countryside.

A large portion of my trip was spent alone in Eastern Europe. As a political science major, it was fascinating comparing the relative states of democracy in Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Austria. I witnessed firsthand countries struggling with an increase in fascist tendencies. These nations were particularly interesting because they all belonged to the Austrian Hungarian Empire prior to World War I, and experienced varying degrees of influence from Soviet Russia, making the similarities and differences all the more relevant.

However, my favorite part of the whole trip had nothing to do with political science and everything to do with global warming. It has always been my dream to see Venice before it sinks. Only pedestrian traffic is allowed in the narrow, winding alleys. I spent two days exploring dead ends, humble plazas, and grand cathedrals. Unlike most people, I enjoyed the briny smell of the ocean, taking frequent stops to eat along the canals. I ventured out into the dark alleys to watch a live performance of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons in the church is was originally composed. Venice was an experience which can only be described as magical.

I am so grateful for the awesome adventure I had, and I encourage everyone who doesn’t study abroad to do the same!

Matthew Walter - Class of 2020; Junior Senator/President Pro-Tempore - Undergraduate Senate

Learning Opportunities Outside the Classroom

College is a time to have fun, explore new places, discover new passions, and meet new people, but ultimately, we as students invest our time, energy, and resources into this phase of life to learn and prepare ourselves for the ominous “real world.” There is no doubt in my mind that the education offered at the University of Denver in the classroom setting is exceptional, but in my (nearly) three years on campus I have discovered learning opportunities outside of the classroom that are just as valuable, if not more so, than my lectures and seminars.

In my first three months on campus my freshman year, I was able to attend talks and presentations by Vice President Joe Biden, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, and a former President of Libya. Since then, I have seen Michelle Kwan, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary General of NATO Anders Fogh Rasmussen, former Colorado Governor Frederico Pena, General John Casey, leaders of non-profits and activists fighting sexual and gender-based violence, and Ambassadors from around the world, including our own Ambassador Christopher Hill. All these names and events are just a small handful of the events I have been able to attend that have enhanced my education here at DU.

At these events, students, faculty, and community members alike are given the opportunity to interact with the guests in social hours or question and answer sessions. What I find most valuable is that many of these individuals cater their statements to students and are willing to offer advice for their respective career fields. I have filled notebooks with what I have learned about the world, policy issues, international relations, gender issues, and the realities of operating in the non-profit sphere through first hand testimonials of these speakers and guests.

This is not to say that classes are not important. Rather, what I have learned is that real world experience is the best supplement to the classroom and there is much to learn from others.

Anna Daley Laursen - Class of 2020; Majors: International Studies, Gender and Women’s Studies

Top Five Ways to Get Across the Evans Crosswalk

With the current renovations of the Driscoll Student Center, we here at DU are in for some exciting developments – including new dining options and Student Life opportunities! Unfortunately, there is a downside to this as we wait for construction to finish. When getting across campus, students must schlep across the outdoor Evans crosswalk. Time stands still in those moments where you wait for the little light-up Walking Man to grant you access across the street. But don’t worry – not all hope is lost! There are many ways you can spice up your micro-commute to class. Here are five of my personal favorites:

1. The Casual Stroll
Tried and true. The most popular method, the “Casual Stroll” makes you look and feel sharp as you make your way to Sturm Hall.

2. The Olympic Sprinter

On your marks, get set… GET TO CLASS! Find yourself in a hurry? The “Olympic Sprinter” will get you there ASAP. But don’t forget to wear your good sneakers.

3. The Moonwalk

Have some time to spare? Jamming to the King of Pop on your earbuds? Take a minute and impress your fellow Pios with a slick moonwalk across Evans. Groovy!

4. 2Fast2Furious

With the sudden disappearance of Ofo bikes, you may be wondering: “How can I zoom across DU with minimal effort, and for just a few bucks?” Hop onto one of those nifty Pay-As-You-Go scooters and leave your peers in the dust… with style.

5. The Conga Line

Feel like making some new friends? Can you hear Barry Manilow’s “Copacabana” in your head? Rally the troops and line up! (CAUTION: do NOT use this method and jaywalk. Cars do not take kindly to walls of people in their way.)

Now that you know how to get across campus, get outside and go for a stroll! And remember: ALWAYS obey traffic laws. (Photo credits: Gracie Jacobson)

Kevin Douglas - Class of 2020; Majors/Minors: Theatre & English/Leadership Studies

Winter Wonderland Activities

Growing up in Utah, I have been surrounded by the greatest snow on earth my whole life, but I do not ski or snowboard... so how can someone like me enjoy the winters without making an expensive trip to the slopes? I personally love hikes when it is warm and sunny, but there is still snow on the ground!

Colorado has plenty of activities that are beyond the slopes, including my warm winter hikes. Some I enjoy, and some I’ve never tried before!

• Ice skating
• Horse-drawn sleigh rides
• Sledding/tubing
• Ice fishing
• Snowshoeing/cross country skiing
• Dog sledding
• Snowmobiling
• Ice climbing

Give one a try the next time you're in our beautiful state!

Marissa Manzanares - Admission Specialist