Adventures in Admission

A Journey of Working Out in the Ritchie Center

When I was a freshman, I struggled with trying to find places on campus that I felt spoke to me and in which I could freely participate. My close friends encouraged me to push myself out of my comfort zones and do something new. I started going to the Ritchie Center, or the gym, with a bunch of my friends. We would go as many days as we could together for as much time as we could endure. Though our workouts consisted of laying on the ground for fifteen minutes after one minute of planking, it felt good to get outside of my dorm and do something that made me feel good. As days went by, it became easier to go to the gym by myself: I used to skip the gym if I couldn’t find anyone to go with me. I started testing different techniques and finding out what I like: weightlifting. Unfortunately, my time weightlifting got cut short by what was supposed to be a two-week break from the gym due to the pandemic, but eventually turned into a six-month break.

Within those six months, I missed the gym. It became a coping mechanism of all the stress from school. The gym shifted how I view the world and myself when I am not working out: I pushed myself in my classes how I would push myself in the gym, I became less scared to try new things, less scared of failure/making mistakes, and I realized that I had been underestimating myself inside and outside of the gym. Once I was able to come back onto campus, I did not waste any second getting back to the Ritchie Center. I slowly began wrangling my friends one by one into working out with me. I wanted to share the thing that impacted me so much with the people I care about. As I excel in the gym, my academics excel in tandem. Whenever I feel myself procrastinate or begin spacing out when working on an assignment, I take a step back from my computer and go to the gym. I figure if I’m going to take a break, I might as well be productive as opposed to sitting on my phone for however long (don’t get me wrong, I still do this, although I try my hardest not to). Once my mind is clear, I go back to my room and try to approach the assignment again with a new perspective.

Though weightlifting may not be everybody’s thing, I highly encourage checking out the Ritchie Center in general. There are tons of different options to get physically active (and all for free ;) ): body pump, open lap swimming, ice skating, basketball, volleyball, racquetball, kayaking, the DU Alpine Club, etc. There are many ways to go and get involved on campus in a physical way! Go try everything and find out all that there is at the Ritchie Center. If something seems interesting to you, try it!! If you don’t like it, then move on and try the next thing. It’s okay to take risks. Go get moving!

Emily Hilla - Class of 2024; Majors- Political Science and Spanish; Minor- Psychology; Involvement: 1GenU, Undergraduate Admission

Sweet Treats from Overseas in the Mile-High City

Growing up in East Los Angeles, one of my favorite things to do was go out for dessert. In East LA our community was predominately Latinx and Asian, so these cultures were heavy influences in the options we had to choose from. When I moved to Denver almost 6 years ago, I got excited when I realized how many great dessert options there are that remind me of home. Whether you aced a paper, are celebrating a birthday, or just want to treat yourself, here are my top picks for grabbing Asian and Latinx inspired desserts in Denver!

Meet Fresh

Located just a mile and a half north of campus on Colorado Blvd, Meet Fresh serves Taiwanese-inspired desserts including shaved ice, puddings, boba tea, and more! My all-time favorite menu item though would have to be their infamous egg waffles loaded with ice cream and other delicious toppings. They come in original, chocolate, or matcha. This place is perfect if you are craving a late-night decadence!

Tokyo Premium Bakery

If you are looking for a lighter and on-the-go treat, then check out Tokyo Premium Bakery. This Japanese-inspired bakery is just minutes from campus (located on South Pearl Street) and specializes in both sweet and savory baked goods. My go-to order is their turmeric ginger chai latte with a matcha cream donut or a potato croquette if I’m in the mood for something savory. TPB is the perfect pit stop before work, school, or the Pearl Street Farmer’s Market!

Mango Mango

Located also on Colorado Blvd just under 2 miles from campus is Mango Mango. This tried and true combines traditional Hong Kong style with modern desserts. I am always torn between ordering their mango pancakes or their mango mille cake, so I shamelessly order both! You really can’t go wrong with any of their desserts, especially the ones with mango. This is my favorite spot to grab something refreshing after a long day of hiking… or anytime, really. Also, don’t forget to snap a selfie in their cool mango chair located right next to the front entrance!

Azucar Bakery

This family-owned business located on South Broadway was founded by Peruvian immigrants and delivers bold flavors. Serving a variety of Latinx-inspired desserts and pastries, Azucar’s specialty is creating breath-taking custom cakes for any occasion. This past May, I ordered a chocolate flan “choco flan” for my friend’s birthday (photographed below). This cake is a trifecta of flavor: one layer of chocolate cake, one layer of vanilla custard, and topped with “cajeta” which is like a caramel sauce, but 100 times better! It goes without saying, we all went back for seconds and maybe thirds with this show stopping cake. When I went in store to pick it up, I couldn’t leave without also grabbing a few of their guava empanadas.

¡Buen Provecho!

Frank Laro - Assistant Director of Admission

Best Coffee Shops for Studying in Denver

If you’re anything like me, finding an off-campus place to study is a must. Denver is home to a plethora of locally-owned coffee shops that fit the bill. Here are my top three recommendations that offer both a calm atmosphere and unbeatable coffee.

Keith’s Coffee Bar

Located on Downing Street, Keith’s Coffee Bar is only a short walk from campus. In the fall and winter months I am here at least three days a week, if not more. The atmosphere of this place is my favorite–welcoming, cozy and never too loud. There is always plenty of seating, specifically inside, and I can’t tell you how many hours I’ve spent in one of their armchairs studying for finals. They have a great selection of breads, muffins and breakfast burritos; I practically live on their pumpkin chocolate chip bread in the fall. Their coffee is fantastic as well. I usually opt for just a cup of black coffee, but their chai latte is also by far the best I can find in the city. I can’t recommend Keith’s enough if you’re looking for the right place to study off-campus.

Rosebud Cafe

Rosebud is located off of 1st Ave. in the suburban section of Denver right before you reach downtown. Nestled on the corner of a quiet neighborhood street, this is my favorite spot to get work done in the spring. Both their outdoor and indoor seating offer a serene spot to write a paper. They offer everything from breakfast sandwiches to ice cream, along with a wide variety of drinks–I recommend the iced dirty chai. An added bonus: their bagel selection. In my opinion, it can be really difficult to find a good bacon, egg and cheese or everything bagel in Colorado, but Rosebud does not disappoint. Their bagels are life changing–trust me, you have to try one.

Pablo’s Coffee

Though there are three locations of Pablo’s Coffee in Denver, I usually opt for the one closest to DU on 6th Ave. The service is outstanding–I think they managed to hire the nicest people in the Denver-metro area to work here. Pablo’s offers a different atmosphere than the first two places I mentioned: the entire place is lined with plants and greenery and it is usually a little louder. I still enjoy coming here though, mainly when I have some low-stress assignments to get done and the buzz of conversations won’t distract me. Their breakfast burritos are homemade and my absolute favorite in Denver–just make sure you get there when they open, as they sell out fast. This is also the perfect place to work on a group project due to the busier atmosphere. 

Ambriel Speagle - Class of 2024; Major: Journalism Studies; Minors: International Studies and History; Campus Involvement: writer/copy editor for the DU Clarion, member of Delta Zeta sorority.

Summer Classes at DU (highly recommend!)

Although many DU students don’t need summer classes to graduate on time (or early), I have found them to be great opportunities to make strong connections with professors and isolate difficult classes that would be hard to manage during the school year. This summer I chose to take Organic Chemistry III, an extremely difficult class that I knew I would struggle with. This ended up being one of the best decisions I made this whole summer.

The ten-week class was condensed into three weeks, so although it was fast-paced, the professor and lab teaching assistant were responsive and absolutely willing to work with us. The lectures were online with Zoom four days a week, the labs were in person three days a week, and then we ended each week with either a midterm or a final. There were only five people in the class, so I got really close with them as well as the professor and TA. We did incredibly fun labs like creating our own color dyes and plastics and learned how to analyze the purity of certain products. The fast-paced nature gave me no time to fall behind and I began to enjoy chemistry more than I ever had.

I highly recommend taking summer classes if you can; whether they’re fun elective classes like Philosophy in Film or more difficult ones like Organic Chemistry III. Not only will you get ahead on credits, but you will make amazing connections that will last the entirety of your time at DU!

Kendall Jordan – Class of 2023; Major: Physiology in Health and Disease; Minors: Chemistry, Medical Physics, Psychology; Concentration: Cognitive Neuroscience; Campus involvement: Undergrad Research, Pre-Health Society Exec Board, Club Sports, Wellness LLC

Get Outside - Parks in Denver

The City and County of Denver is home to more than 200 parks and open spaces, which is more than 5,000 acres. This includes almost 80 miles of off-street trails that follow the city’s waterways. Denver also owns 22 mountain parks and another 24 conservation areas, totaling just under 14,000 acres. The city’s urban parks range from manicured lawns perfect for a game with friends to expansive botanical gardens with species from around the world. The mountain parks lay outside the city across four counties in the foothills of Colorado, offering hiking, fishing, golfing, picnicking and more. Denver Parks also play home to two bison herd, one of only a few publicly owned herd in the US.

In the city, parks range from large urban wilderness to small neighborhood pocket parks, including playgrounds for the kids and off-leash dog parks for our four-legged friends. The trails system is unique, providing safe and scenic routes though the city off the road. These trails include the Highline Canal, South Platte River and Sand Creek Greenway. Five of Denver’s Parks are also open to boating, non-motorized of course. While camping is illegal in the urban parks, the mountain park Chief Hosa campground located in Genesee Park welcomes thousands of overnight visitors each year.

Some parks are even home to more than just a park. City Park is home to the Denver Zoo. There's also Cheesman Park with the Denver Botanic Gardens, and Red Rocks Park has the Red Rocks Amphitheatre. The city also plays host to many wildlife species and has created an entire functioning ecosystem that support herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores. Everyone comes across wildlife in everyday life, from the squirrel running along the fence and birds chirping. Some might even come across a nuisance raccoon digging though the trash. The city has planted almost 250,000 trees in recent years, creating one of the largest urban tree canopies in the world.

Denver’s second largest park, Washington Park (or Wash Park as the locals call it) is just blocks from the DU campus, making for a great mid-day get away. Time outside is the Denver way of life. On one of Denver’s 300 days of sunshine there is no doubt someone will be taking in a park.

John Seward – Third-year student at DU; Chair: Student Organization Committee for Undergraduate Student Government, overseeing the 100+ clubs and organizations including Greek life.

DU Views

Trivia and going for walks are two activities I enjoy.  So naturally, when the opportunity arose to write this blog post, I thought I would combine them both. The following pictures were taken all around campus, some are easier to identify than others. Put your DU knowledge to the test and guess where these photos were taken.

Once described by a visitor as having an après ski vibe, this destination has food, friends, and views. This is easily my favorite place on campus, the 4^th floor rooftop of the new Community Commons. With a stunning view of the Rockies and ample places to sit, it’s an ideal spot to relax with friends or get some work done.

Time to spill the…. BEANS! This is the outdoor sitting area for DU’s on-campus coffee shop, Beans! It’s the best destination for a cup of coffee, with options like a lavender latte or my personal favorite, a breakfast burrito. With cozy indoor seating available, it’s a great option to catch up with friends or finish a paper year-round. Make sure to say hi to manager Jeffery while you’re there!

The view might make you eager to explore new places, in this destination you can study them. This is the 5^th floor of the SIE Complex, which holds the Korbel School of International Studies. The outdoor balcony is a nice quiet spot to study on warmer days. I took advantage of this spot during my freshman year due to its proximity to JMAC, undoubtedly the best freshman residence hall. (not that I’m biased)

DU has mountains, the city of Denver, and now a lake nearby? Not quite, but the pond outside the Engineering and Computer Science Building is a peaceful spot-on campus to walk around or take a seat.

This might look like any field of grass, but if you look closer it's Campus Green! As a central greenspace on campus in front of the Sturm Hall and Community Commons, there’s always something happening. During the year there are events for clubs, classes and just students hanging out. I’ve always liked to sit at the picnic tables near Sturm in between classes.

Not to be confused with Margery Reed, this is the Mary Reed Building. Among other uses, this building houses administrative offices including those of the Chancellor. The building even holds the oldest working elevator west of the Mississippi!

Shh! It’s no secret that one destination on campus has resources like the writing center, study spaces, and even spinning chairs all in one building. It’s the Anderson Academic Commons, or AAC. You can have a study room all to yourself to serve as the perfect workspace. These rooms are available to rent out alone or with friends. This is one of my favorite places to concentrate and get some work done.

That’s all the pictures for today, hopefully you got to see some new spots on campus from a student’s perspective!

Melanie Chafin - Major: International Business, Minor: Leadership

Experience Local--Colorado Food Festivals Are Back!

From Palisade Peaches to Pueblo Chilies there are so many ways to eat your way through Colorado and enjoy the beauty of our great state. Plus, you can always “make it a trip” by going hiking, camping or other fun Colorado activities when friends and family come to town or if you’re just in the mood to do some local exploring.

Colorado Lavender Festival

June 25-27, 2021

Located in Palisade, CO with scenery of spanning vertical cliffs, mesas and deep canyons.

Festival highlights:

• Self-guided farm tours with designed to immerse you in various aspects of lavender
• Booths, crafts, seminars and live music
• Wreath making classes
• Lavender and wine dinner--4 courses paired with Colorado Wine & Cider

Pro tip: you can rent paddle boards or bikes for extra fun!

Photo by Colorado Lavender Association

Palisade Peach Festival

August 20-21, 2021

The annual Peach Festival celebrates local community, industry and agriculture. Located in Palisade, CO, which is 3 hours from Denver and just another 2 hours from Moab, UT. Truly a beautiful location to make a pit stop or a trip all by itself.

Festival highlights:

• Ice Cream Social & Street Dance Downtown Plaza
• Fruit, Lavender and Wine Orchard Farm Tours
• Backyard Peach BBQ
• Peach eating Contest
• Peach Festival Parade
• Peach Festival Car Show
• Farm to fork dinner hosted at seventh-generation peach grower family orchard
• Just Peach Run 1K & 5K
• The Palisade Sunday Farmers Market

Photo by CBS Denver

Aurora’s Global Fest (virtual for 2021)

August 21, 2021

Aurora is Colorado’s third largest city and home to many diverse communities—according to a recent WalletHub study, ranked 35th nationally. Global Fest is Aurora's annual celebration of international cultures, traditions and a recognition of strength of our diverse community. Typically, there are many food truck vendors that highlight cuisine from around the world. Since this year’s event is virtual, you’ll have to enjoy the local food scene DIY style, check out their dining guide - YUM Aurora!

Festival highlights:

• Parade of Nations--Representing 47 countries
• International Fashion Show
  • Featuring cultural attire from 10 countries: India, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Guatemala, Nigeria, Philippines, South Sudan, Eritrea, South Korea
• Performances
  • Philippine-American Society of Colorado
  • Amigos de Mexico
  • Nyadak Pal (South Sudanese traditional dance)
  • Nguyen Lion Dance
  • Vergi Dart (Colombia)

Photo by Visit Aurora

A Taste of Colorado

September 4-6, 2021

During Labor Day weekend, the Denver community will celebrate local culture, food, music, art, nature, and urban adventure spread throughout the city center.

Festival highlights:

• Free live music from local artists
• Stills in the City - dozens of local craft distilleries and hundreds of varieties of spirits
• Arts & Crafts Marketplace - shop from over Local Artisans--over 50 booths and enjoy original works of art in Fine Art in the Park as well.
• Kids Activity Zone- Eurobungy, inflatables, Smiles the Clown, tiny tots zone, and more

Photo by 9News

Pueblo Chili & Frijoles Festival

September 24-26, 2021

The debate continues: are New Mexican Hatch Chiles or Pueblo Chiles better? My opinion--the more chilies the better! The aroma of roasting chilies is something to look forward to at the end of the summer. Get a bushel and freeze them for some yummy winter soup recipes.

Festival highlights:

• The Jalapeno Eating Contest
• The Chihuahua Parade
• Live Food Demonstrations
• Farmer's Market & Chile Roasting

Pro-tip: take the scenic route through Kenosha Pass to see the changing Aspen trees!

Photo by Pueblo Chili & Frijoles Festival

Old Colorado City's Annual Harvest Festival

October 16, 2021

Old Colorado City was the first capital of the Territory of Colorado. When gold was discovered it was a thriving hub for commerce, and though no longer a town of its own, it remains a historic district, retail hub and center of entertainment for families and history buffs. The annual Harvest Festival is a wonderful way to discover a little Colorado history and a whole lot of fun doing so.

Festival highlights:

• Pumpkin Patch
• Sidewalk Sales
• Live Music
• Beer Garden
• Farmer's Market
• Food Vendors
• Scarecrow Days
• Kids zone activities

Pro-tip: add some time to hike at 7 Falls or one of the others picturesque waterfall hikes nearby.

Photo by Visit Colorado Springs

Crystal Murillo - Assistant Director of Admission; Director, Pioneer Prep Leadership Institute; DU Alumna BSBA ‘15

3 Bands Based Out of the Lamont School of Music Making Music Right Now!

One of the most expensive parts of the songwriting process is recording and mixing your music so that it sounds high quality. Because the Lamont School of Music sports not one, but three, recording studios, DU is the birthplace of many successful Denver bands. New artists are constantly popping up, but here are just three with recent releases worth checking out!

1. Broth

Math rock combines with guitar effects and screaming lyrics to create an electric show whenever Broth plays. Made up of Jeremy Mock, guitarist and vocalist, Dan Switalski, bassist, and Hayden Bosch, drummer, the band is coming up on its 2-year anniversary. They started by packing basement venues at house shows, but since their first EP release, Broth!, in February 2021, the band has taken to larger venues like Larimer Lounge. Something new happens at every show! When writing new music, Jeremy Mock comes up with the clever, sometimes chaotic lyrics, then sends it off to Dan Switalski, who gives the songs their signature math rock flair. Broth’s music is rhythmically complex, energetic, and alternative. If you ever see Broth live at one of the many venues around Denver, bring good shoes and some earplugs, because shows are screaming loud and absolutely mosh worthy!

        2. Bleak Mystique

Although Bleak Mystique and Broth often play shows together, the bands have completely different vibes. The band calls themselves indie rock, and the music is loosely reflective of ‘90s grunge. Sam Shapiro is the mastermind behind the band, writing songs with emotive lyrics and choruses that the audience can’t help but sing along to. Hayden lays it down on drums, and Aidan plays basslines that vibrate through venues. Bleak Mystique has been featured on Indie 102.3 and will be releasing their next album this fall. The band has upcoming shows at the Mercury Café, Underground Music Fest, and Larimer Lounge, but they are always happy to play a house show! No matter what venue Bleak Mystique plays at, you’re sure to be bouncing along with the beat.

Fun Fact— after this photoshoot, all three boys said they would never wear eyeliner again!

        3. The Beach People

Ok, I know the Beach Boys are still touring, but really, it’s time someone let them retire. Let the Beach People take over! Focused on four-part harmonies and good vibes, the Beach People performed their first live and in-person concert this summer. They have three albums currently available on Bandcamp. Although the website has them tagged as “alternative”, “psychedelic”, “rock”, and “soul”, the easiest way to describe the Beach People is upbeat and groovy. This is the kind of music to put on a road trip playlist.

Sam Gucwa - Class of 2024; Major - Jazz Saxophone Performance; Minors – Carillon performance and Marketing; Involvement on campus: Club kayaking, Environmental Sustainability LLC

Farmers Markets in the Denver Metro Area

One of the best parts of living in a big, vibrant city like Denver are the plethora of farmers markets that happen most days of the week across the metro area. Operating throughout the spring, summer, and fall, Denver’s local farmers markets are the perfect combination of practical and fun. You’ll always find a bounty of fresh fruits and veggies, eggs, meat, and honey, as well as baked goods and pantry staples from local businesses, but you’ll also find a lot of random items that you weren’t expecting! From locally-produced bourbon barrel-aged maple syrup to freshly roasted green chilis, to hand-woven baskets, dried flower arrangements, vegan cashew queso mix, or hemp- or essential oil-infused soaps and body products, I regularly leave the markets with something I wasn’t originally planning to buy, but that was too tempting to turn down!

Here’s a list of the city’s farmers markets and the days, times, and locations for each. My favorites are the South Pearl Street Farmers Market (a short and easy bike ride a little east and north from DU) and the Cherry Creek Fresh Market (a quick bus ride a couple of miles north of DU).

While you’re studying at DU, see how many farmers markets you can make it to, and how many unique, fun gifts, treats, or foods you can find. Make sure you have your walking shoes on and grab your reusable grocery bags or a backpack to carry your goods. Buy lunch, a cool drink, or a fresh pastry from one of the food trucks while you’re there, and get ready for lots of “oohing” and “ahhing” at cute dogs, pretty flowers, and all the beautiful foods and other items on display!

Mrs. Afton Kortz - Associate Director of Admission & Communication

RiNo Art District - Best Spots in the Neighborhood

One of the best ways to spend a sunny afternoon in Denver is to explore the RiNo (River North) art district. This up-and coming Denver neighborhood is an art and food lovers’ playground, with art murals spanning several blocks and tons of tasty food halls and restaurants along the strip. I have compiled a list of the best spots to hit in RiNo that any DU student can explore.

Denver Central Market - Welcome to the Denver Central Market! The DCM is one of the most coveted food halls in Denver that features a variety of artisan food creations to suit any taste bud. Located in an old warehouse on Larimer Street, the DCM includes anything from pizza to seafood to decadent chocolate truffles. I recommend the avocado toast from Izzio Bakery (pictured below) or the Cubano sandwich from The Local Butcher. All the food in the market is affordable for any college student.

RiNo Art Walk - If you love colorful art murals, then this is a must-see for you. Situated in the alleys between Larimer and Blake street, the RiNo Art Walk features hundreds of beautiful art murals ranging from graffiti to cartoon characters to crazy colorful designs. My favorite art mural, located across the street from the Denver Central Market, is a multi-dimensional piece that changes its image when you walk from one end of it to the other.

The Best Sushi in Town - Located a few blocks off the main strip of RiNo is Uchi Denver, a high-class sushi restaurant with some of the most creative flavors in the city. On their dinner menu, you can either choose from a list of hundreds of sushi and sashimi creations or try their tasting menu that rotates every night, all depending on the head chef. Although this restaurant is more pricey, it’s a great spot for birthdays, anniversaries, or when mom and dad come into town for a visit.

That’s all for me today! I hope you took down some notes before you head over to RiNo this weekend. Don’t forget to take some photos of the art murals.

Aaron Butwinick - a rising senior at DU majoring in Media Studies with three minors in Marketing, Film Production, and Theatre; involved in the Film Club, French Club, DU Theatre Program, and DU Hillel; from Minneapolis, MN