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HISTORY-MAKING EVENT OPENS A DIALOGUE ACROSSBORDERS AND TIME ZONESIn February, more than 200 students, faculty andcommunity members came to the University’sAnderson Academic Commons to witness ahistoric conversation between Mohammad JavadZarif, minister of foreign affairs for the IslamicRepublic of Iran, and Christopher Hill, formerU.S. ambassador to Iraq and current dean of theJosef Korbel School of International Studies.Zarif is aKorbel Schoolalumnus (MA’84, PhD ’88)who also hasserved as Iran’sambassadorto the UnitedNations andthe country’sdeputy minister of foreign affairs.Hosted by the Josef Korbel School’s Centerfor Middle East Studies, the conversation—conducted via live web conference—coveredsuch topics as Iranian-U.S. relations; the crisis inSyria; internal human rights issues in Iran; andIranian-Israeli relations.The live discussion came at a critical juncture inIran-U.S. relations, just after the first day of P5 1negotiations in Vienna regarding Iran’s nuclearprogram.“From my perspective,” Zarif said, “I’m tryingto see how best we can achieve a goal that isshared both by Iran as well as by our negotiatingpartners. Now wehave a possibility tomake a change, andthis change will havean impact not onlyon how we deal withthe nuclear issue, buthow Iran will dealwith the West inparticular.”The event afforded the audience a rare chanceto hear directly from a member of the Iraniangovernment.“Today,” Hill said, “our students had a front-rowseat to history and the unparalleled opportunityto submit questions and listen in real time to oneof the key players on the global stage.”2 0 1 3 - 2 0 1 4A N N U A LR E P O R T9

Dedication10TO THE PUBLIC GOOD

DETERMINED TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT, A CARTOGRAPHYLOVING PROFESSOR MAPS HISTORYThrough her books, newspaper articles andpublic lectures, Susan Schulten, chair of theUniversity’s Department of History, brings bygoneevents to life for audiences eager to make senseof both past and present.Since November 2010, Schulten has contributedcolumns to the New York Times’ four-year“Disunion” series, launched to explore the causes,events and consequences of the Civil War. Herposts have addressed everything from AbrahamLincoln’s decisive victory in the 1860 presidentialelection to the economic arguments for theemancipation of slaves.“The Civil War continues to be a source oftremendous interest for Americans,” Schulten said.“The challenge is to write brief stories that appealto a wide audience but also do justice to thewar’s complexity.”Schulten also demystifies history for readers ofThe New Republic. There, she shows how citymanagers in 1880s San Francisco pandered toanti-immigrant sentiment and responded to amoral panic by mapping vice—brothels, opiumdens and gambling houses—in Chinatown.Another article featured an artist whose senseof perspective revolutionized mapmaking duringWorld War II.In her most recent book, “Mapping the Nation:History and Cartography in Nineteenth-CenturyAmerica” (University of Chicago Press, 2012),Schulten examines the explosion of maps inAmerica. The book chronicles how variouscrises in the 19th century forced Americans andEuropeans to use maps for entirely new purposes.A companion website—mappingthenation.com—allows cartography and history lovers from allover the world to pore over the maps andexplore their terrain for themselves.“Mapping the Nation,” which appeared inpaperback in 2013, received the 2012 Norrisand Carol Hundley Award from the AmericanHistorical Association-Pacific Coast Branch(AHA-PCB). Given for the most distinguishedbook on any historical subject by a scholar inthe American or Canadian west, the award isthe highest honor bestowed by the AHA-PCB.Schulten also received the 2013 Western HistoryAssociation’s Oscar O. Winther Award for herarticle “The Civil War and the Origins of theColorado Territory,” which appeared in theWestern Historical Quarterly.In the last year alone, Schulten shared herinsights into Colorado’s history in a RockyMountain PBS Colorado Experience documentarychronicling the University of Denver’s evolution.She helped to design the permanent “Milestonesin Colorado Legal History” exhibit in the newRalph L. Carr Judicial Center in downtownDenver. And, at a presentation sponsored by theUniversity’s Bridges to the Future public lectureseries, Schulten described how the University wasfounded during a grave national secession crisis,just as the Gold Rush was waning.Whether she is digging deep into Coloradohistory or exploring the evolution of maps,Schulten aims to examine the links between pastand present. The quest to make sense of the past,she said, “never gets old.”2 0 1 3 - 2 0 1 4A N N U A LR E P O R T11

Dedication12TO THE PUBLIC GOOD

A CROSS-DISCIPLINARY TEAM COLLABORATES ON CIVILIANAPPLICATIONS FOR MILITARY TECHNOLOGYAt the Daniel Felix Ritchie School for Engineeringand Computer Science, undergraduate andgraduate students join their professors on designand development projects meant to solve realworld problems.For engineering graduate student Steve Conyersand undergraduate computer science major TomHamill, that meant pooling skill sets to create aprototype mobile self-leveling landing platformfor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).The platform—which maywell net Conyers some billingon a patent—was developedunder a National ScienceFoundation grant awardedto the Ritchie School’sUnmanned Systems ResearchInstitute (DU2SRI), directed byKimon Valavanis, chairmanof the electrical and computerengineering department, and Matt Rutherford,assistant professor of computer science. TheUniversity shares the 2.3 million funding—aimedat supporting civilian applications for unmannedaerial systems—with California State University atLos Angeles.From the moment he first learned about theproject—led by Valavanis, Rutherford andresearch scientist Nikolaos Vitzilaios—Conyerswanted to share in the challenge. “I really likeworking on something from scratch and making itthe best it can be,” he said.The 3-foot-by-3-foot platform allows small UAVsto land, download data and possibly evenrecharge batteries before returning to the airfor further duty. The wheeled device climbs anddescends hills and, once it has parked, levels itsplatform so that UAVs can alight without mishap.According to Rutherford, the platform extends therange of those UAVs known as vertical takeoffand landing (VTOL) vehicles. “For VTOL aerialvehicles, the biggest challenge is that they can’tstay aloft for very long,” he said.Extended range leads to extended productivity.Say a UAV is tasked with monitoring an oilpipeline. If it can periodically land on theplatform to download urgent data—perhapsinformation calling attention to a leak—itcan return to the air quickly to patrol anotherstretch of pipeline.Meanwhile, theinformation canbe transmitted todecision makers whocan take action.Conyers reports thathe was eager to takeon the mechanicaldesign. “From the getgo, it was going to be a mechanically complexproject,” he said. “The self-leveling part of it wasgoing to be a big challenge.”Once Conyers knew his design was viable,Hamill was enlisted to develop the softwarefor crucial functions. His interest in embeddedsystems—computer systems dedicated to aspecific function within a larger mechanical orelectrical system—made him the ideal person forthe job.“This type of programming can be kind offrustrating,” Hamill said. “What I like about itis that every embedded solution is specific to aproblem.”The project’s next phase will involve doubling theplatform’s size—a task sure to present a host ofnew challenges for the interdisciplinary team.2 0 1 3 - 2 0 1 4A N N U A LR E P O R T13

Preparing14THE UNIVERSITY FOR CHANGING TIMES

A REPORT BY THE STRATEGIC ISSUES PROGRAMWith an eye on the many issues challenginghigher education’s economic, operationaland pedagogic models, the University ofDenver’s renowned Strategic Issues Program(SIP) completed a comprehensive reportanalyzing the challenges ahead and offeringfirm recommendations for crafting a strategicframework to guide decision making.Released in February 2014, “Unsettling Times:Higher Education in an Era of Change,” wascommissioned by Chancellor Robert Coombeand Board of Trustees Chairman Trygve Myhrento address everything from technologicalinnovation and changing demographics torising costs, declining affordability and newcompetitors.The 21-member panel behind the report waschaired by trustee James Griesemer, director ofthe SIP and dean emeritus of the Daniels Collegeof Business. The 64-page document urges theUniversity to build its strategy on several keycomponents: educational innovation, service tostakeholders, market orientation, documenteddifferentiation, demonstrated value, a culture ofmeasurement, and institutional flexibility.The report also identifies key priorities forthe University as it contends with a crowdedhigher education marketplace, rising costsand disruptive technologies. These include thefollowing:»» After assessing strengths, weaknessesand competitive position, the Universityand each of its academic units shoulddevelop a detailed strategy to address theopportunities and challenges presented bychanging times. These strategies shouldinform resource allocation.»» The University should undertake anaggressive effort to differentiate itself andeach of its units in a clear and verifiablemanner.»» To differentiate itself, the Universityshould increase its efforts to integrateundergraduate and professional graduateeducation programs. It also must continueto develop educational experiencescentered on understanding, applying andcreating knowledge in ways that provide afoundation for insight, critical judgment andoriginality.»» The University’s primary focus should beon creating academic and professionalvalue for students. The University shouldconsistently verify the value created byits programs. Programs failing to createdemonstrably high levels of value should berevitalized or terminated.»» In support of timely and informed decisionmaking, two hallmarks of institutionalflexibility, the University should examine—and if necessary adjust—its governanceand operating policies.»» The University should increase itsfundraising activities for endowment, andfundraising should become an integral partof the institution’s culture.The full report can be reviewed atwww.du.edu/issues/.2 0 1 3 - 2 0 1 4A N N U A LR E P O R T15

IntroducingNEW LEADERS FOR CHANGING TIMESREBECCA S. CHOPPThe University of Denver’s 18th ChancellorOn June 12, the University of Denver announcedthe selection of Rebecca Chopp as its nextchancellor.The first woman to hold the University’s topposition, Chopp, 62, brings to the post morethan 20 years of experience in higher educationleadership: as president of Swarthmore Collegeand Colgate University, as dean of the YaleDivinity School, and as provost and executivevice president for academic affairs at EmoryUniversity.“Dr. Chopp is a distinguished scholar andacademic leader who has taken two top-20liberal arts colleges through the development ofstrategic plans that positioned those institutionsto navigate through the complex challengesfacing higher education today,” said DouglasScrivner, chair of the search committee.“University members—including student leaders,faculty, administration, staff, alumni andtrustees—who participated in the final interviewswere uniform in their enthusiastic support of Dr.Chopp. All of this made her the right selectionfor DU at this time in our history.”Chopp also is a well-known scholar ofprogressive religious movements in Americanculture. Her recent work has focused onchanging structures and cultures in highereducation, on the role of liberal arts in ademocratic society, and on religion and highereducation. She is the author or editor of sixbooks, including “The Praxis of Suffering:An Interpretation of Liberation and PoliticalTheologies” (1986); “The Power to Speak:Feminism, Language, God” (1989); and“Remaking College: Innovation and the LiberalArts” (2013).16A native of Kansas, Chopp earned a bachelor ofarts from Kansas Wesleyan University, a masterof divinity from St. Paul School of Theology anda PhD from the University of Chicago.In an interview with the University of DenverMagazine, Chopp attributed her interest inthe University to what she called its “amazingattitude.”“I’ve learned in the interviews for thechancellor’s position that DU’s forward-lookingattitude is best described with words such asoptimism, resiliency, creativity, engagement,energy and courage,” she said. “ Every singleperson I met in the interview process—students,staff, faculty, alumni and trustees—expressedthose attributes in their love and dreams andcommitment to this institution. The attitude of aninstitution determines, I think, its culture, its abilityto seize opportunities, its handling of adversity,and the nature of its environment for learningand development of students.”

DOUGLAS G. SCRIVNERChair of the Board of TrusteesAlumnus Douglas Scrivner (JD ’77), a Universityof Denver trustee since 2008, assumed thetop leadership post on the institution’s boardbeginning July 1, 2014.Scrivner’s extensive professional backgroundand decades of community leadership givehim the diverse experiences needed to overseea Board of Trustees charged with helping theUniversity navigate the ups and downs of acomplex higher education marketplace.Scrivner retired from Accenture in 2011 after 31years with the global management-consulting,technology-services and outsourcing company.As the corporation’s general counsel, a post heheld for 14 years, Scrivner built a legal group ofmore than 400 lawyers in 35 countries. He alsooversaw the company’s government relationsand served as corporate secretary, complianceofficer and as a member of Accenture’sexecutive leadership team. During his tenure,the firm went from 2,000 employees and 220million in revenue to 230,000 employees and 25 billion in revenue.At the University, Scrivner has played a vastarray of roles. For years, he made weekly flightsfrom his California home to teach corporategovernance risk and compliance at the SturmCollege of Law. He also chaired the SturmCollege of Law’s visiting committee and cochaired its Second Century Campaign.Outside of the University, Scrivner has lent histalents and time to the Gladstone FoundationBoard, which supports the research of the SanFrancisco-based Gladstone Institutes, and theDiversity and Flexibility Alliance, an initiative tohelp law firms and law departments attract andretain female lawyers. He also provides fundsto a Saturday law academy for underprivilegedCalifornia ninth-graders.Scrivner has given back to the University withgenerosity and countless hours of service. In2012, he and his wife, Mary, made a sizablegift to the Anderson Academic Commons tofund the Front Porch Café, a gathering placethat honors his parents and the home he grewup in. The couple also provided initial fundingfor the Sturm College’s Ved Nanda Center forInternational Law.Scrivner is a recent recipient of the John EvansAward, the University’s highest alumni honor,commemorating his countless hours of serviceand generosity to the University.2 0 1 3 - 2 0 1 4A N N U A LR E P O R T17

ASCENDTHE CAMPAIGN FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF DENVERASCEND: The Campaign for the University ofDenver concluded on June 30, 2014, as the mostsuccessful fundraising campaign in Universityhistory. The generosity of more than 48,000alumni and friends who gave a total of nearly 490 million has enhanced the educationalexperience for students and strengthened theUniversity for the long term.Support for scholarships was a hallmark of thecampaign. Donors’ generosity created nearly600 new scholarships and nearly doubled thenumber of endowed scholarships establishedpreviously.Gifts to the campaign reached all aspects ofthe University, including innovative centers ininternational studies and in law, professorshipsin painting and in Italian culture, and faculty andprograms in education, as well as programs inpre-med research and finance.18The campus transformation continued witha new home for the Morgridge College ofEducation, student art studios and a LEED Goldrated residence hall, to name just a few. TheAnderson Academic Commons, a library formodern learning, was made possible throughthe generosity of more than 5,000 donors. Thecoming years will bring a new complex for theJosef Korbel School of International Studies anda new home for the Daniel Felix Ritchie Schoolof Engineering and Computer Science and theKnoebel Center for the Study of Aging.During the course of the eight-year campaign,the University’s endowment more than doubledto exceed 460 million. The strong endowmentindicates significant stability as the Universityanticipates the opportunities of the comingdecades.

WHO GAVE?48,290Total Number of ASCEND Donors26,522First-Time Donors During ASCEND8,773First-Time Donors During ASCENDWho Became Repeat DonorsWHERE ARE THEY FROM?25,231Total Number of Colorado Donors22,63852%Total Number U.S. (non-Colorado) Donors421Total Number of Non-U.S. Donors(from 49 countries)A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY.72,186Number of Gifts of Less Than 100 3.7 MILLIONTotal Funds Raised From These Gifts2 0 1 3 - 2 0 1 4A N N U A LR E P O R T19

Celebrating20OUR SESQUICENTENNIAL

150 YEARS YOUNGThe University kicked off a year’s worth of150th anniversary festivities in early January.The birthday bash began with the openingof an extensive commemorative exhibit andwill conclude in late October with a specialHomecoming and Family Weekend.“Tradition and Legacy”—an interactive exhibitthat will run throughout the year—features13 stations spread throughout all three floorsof the Anderson Academic Commons. Theexhibit covers everything from campus life andcommunity service to athletics and performingarts. In addition to large banners that tell theUniversity’s story in words and pictures, manystations also include cases full of artifacts—from vintage cheerleading uniforms toCommencement scepters and school beanies.Winter Carnival, a University of Denver studenttradition for 53 y

and Health Plan Inc. Denver John Miller BSBA '75, MBA '76 President and CEO North American Corporation of Illinois Chicago Carrie Morgridge Vice President Morgridge Family Foundation Denver Trygve Myhren President Myhren Media Inc. Denver Ralph Nagel President Top Rock Inc. Denver Robert Newman Owner Greenwood Gulch Ventures Denver Denise O .