Season for celebrating

I always get so excited during this time of year. It’s a season of celebrations—on campuses and in beautiful venues everywhere. My son got married four years ago on a sunny afternoon in May on a beach in Mexico. The commencement ceremonies celebrating 2020 and 2021 graduates from the Sturm College of Law were held last month. My friend, who completed degrees both years at Sturm, passed the Colorado bar in May. As I’ve walked around my neighborhood over the past few weeks, there are a plethora of lawn signs celebrating several high school graduates. And in a few days, I will be attending one of the 18 commencement ceremonies—four for 2020 and 14 for 2021 DU graduates, who will receive bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD degrees.

Every time I attend a wedding, I want to walk down the aisle again with my spouse, never mind that it happened for me more than 30 years ago. The same thing happens when I attend graduations; I want to put on my cap and gown again and march to pomp and circumstance. As I think about all the recognitions and celebrations happening around this time of year, I just want to take a moment to celebrate the small moments and engagements that result in big things.

The University of Denver, like most universities, is home to several committees, councils, and workgroups, in which faculty, staff, and students work diligently to ensure the University continues to provide an inclusive, top-quality education and research experience. And I want to take time to acknowledge our staff in the Division of Marketing & Communications (MarComm), who are also doing some noteworthy, amazing things through their commitment and participation in these groups.

Currently, the MarComm staff is participating in nearly 30 campus-wide committees and governing bodies, and one is an ODEI Fellow. Some of the committees in which the team is involved include the Accessibility Committee, COVID Response Team, DU DEI Steering and MarComm DEI Committees, Policy Advisory Committee, Staff Advisory Council, Staff of Color Association, University Council on Student Success, and the Women’s Staff Alliance for Networking and Development. Additionally, more than a dozen staff members are leading or participating in work groups to support the reputation strategy rollout, and 12 are either leading or participating in more than 10 search committees.  

In addition to all of this, there are also five current students among us, pursuing their advanced degrees in programs such as International and Intercultural Communication through CAHSS’s Department of Media Film and Journalism Studies and Korbel’s School of International Studies; Nonprofit Leadership through University College; Media and Public Communication (one with an emphasis in Strategic Communication) through CAHSS’s Department of Media, Film & Journalism Studies; and Corporate and Organizational Communication with a concentration in Leadership from Northeastern University.

MarComm represents a microcosm of the hub of activity and shared governance found here at DU. Whether providing representation on a governing body, University-wide committee, or pursuing an advanced degree, MarComm’s voice and expertise is showing up in a big way. I’m so grateful for everything they do. MarComm, I salute you!