Forever Buffs: University of Colorado Boulder Alumni

Afternoons like this. >>

Forever Buffs: Meet D.B. Wilson (Hist, Mktg’75)

D.B. Wilson, a fourth-generation Coloradan and lifelong Buff, exemplifies dedication, leadership, and support for CU Boulder, earning him the Leanne Skupa-Lee Award.

D.B.’s CU connection runs deep: his great-grandfather built Macky Auditorium, and his wife, Cindy (PE’79), is also an alum. Today they pass their CU passion down to their own children and grandchildren.

Some of D.B’s accomplishments include his instrumental help in establishing the Flatirons Society and his support for the Forever Gold Scholarships. As chair, he played a key role in transforming the Forever Buffs Advisory Board into a strategic advisory council, making it more diverse and active. Under his leadership, the board engaged more effectively with university leaders and tackled important issues.

Join us in celebrating all of D.B.’s achievements at the 95th Alumni Awards during this year’s Homecoming. https://www.colorado.edu/homecoming/alumniawards

Our newest Forever Buffs are almost here. 🥹Enjoy these highlights from our DC chapter's send off.

Forever Buffs: Meet Manasa Kolavennu (MDataSci’24).

Currently pursuing a master’s degree in data science, Manasa serves as a graduate teaching assistant in statistics and advises the Data Science Student Association. Beyond academics, Manasa champions an inclusive campus environment, especially for international students and women of color.

As a liaison between graduate and professional student government and the Cultural Events Board, she organizes events and advocates for diversity. Recently honored with the “Women Who Make a Difference” award, her contributions have empowered underrepresented groups on campus.

Manasa also leads CU Boulder’s Zero Waste team at the Environmental Center, focusing on sustainability efforts and minimizing waste at campus events. Through her leadership and advocacy, Manasa enhances student experiences and promotes cultural understanding, embodying the spirit of a Forever Buff.

Join us in celebrating Manasa’s achievements at the 95th Alumni Awards during Homecoming. https://www.colorado.edu/homecoming/alumniawards

If school pride were an Olympic sport, we know our would take the gold. 😎🥇

What would your Buff Olympic sport be?👇

We know that many Buffs have been affected by recent fires in Northern Colorado and we will do everything we can to provide support.
We will add resources and updates to this page as they become available: https://www.colorado.edu/fire-resources

Supporting our campus through wildfire recovery

Happy Colorado Day, Buffs! 🏔️

Let’s party like it’s 1876! 🎈On August 1, 1876, Colorado joined the Union, earning its nickname "Centennial State" for the centennial anniversary of American independence. CU Boulder alumni love calling this beautiful state home, adding to its rich history and vibrant culture.

Did you know? CU Boulder was also founded in 1876, making it a historic year for both our state and our beloved university. Here’s to our Centennial State and all the Forever Buffs who proudly call it home!🖤💛

Forever Buffs, meet fellow alum Ally Chapel (ArtHist '14) and the incredible Brass Queens ! 🎷🎺

The all-female brass band has been smashing barriers since their debut in 2019. Inspired by the vibrant sounds of New Orleans and CU’s black and gold colors, they’re amplifying female voices in a traditionally male-dominated field.

Their path wasn’t always easy, but their unwavering dedication and unforgettable sound have redefined what it means to be female musicians in NYC today.

Dive into their full story in the latest issue of the Coloradan. https://www.colorado.edu/coloradan/2024/07/16/brass-queens-redefining-landscape-female-musicians-nyc

Today kicks off the opening ceremony for the 2024 Paris Olympics! 🥇🏆 Since 1948, CU has produced more than 90 Olympians who have competed worldwide. As we celebrate the Paris Games, let's dive into CU’s rich history of Olympians with some fun facts:

Did you know?
💡 CU Boulder had a record eight Summer Olympians in 2000 and 13 Winter Olympians in 1972.
💡 CU ranks 10th among universities for producing the most Olympians.
💡 CU Olympians have earned a total of 20 medals: nine gold, four silver and seven bronze.
💡 CU boasts the highest number of Olympic cyclists (13) and alpine skiers (29) of any university, and ranks second in shooting sports (seven) and third in judo (six).
💡 Six Olympic coaches have been affiliated with CU.

Will you be watching the 2024 Olympic Games?

Get ready to cheer on your fellow Forever Buffs! 🎉Ten amazing athletes with CU ties are headed to the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

From six former student-athletes to three alumni and one current Buff, they’re all set to shine on the world stage.

Check out all of the details and discover how you can best support them here!🏅

Ten With CU Ties Headed to 2024 Olympics in Paris - University of Colorado Athletics BOULDER – Ten athletes with ties to the University of Colorado are set to compete in the 2024 Olympics in Paris, with the opening ceremony taking place on Fr...

For decades, Norlin Library has been the heart of our CU Boulder community, uniting students, scholars and locals. As the central library on the University of Colorado campus, it stands as a testament to the university’s commitment to providing its students with the resources they need to succeed.

Did you spend a lot of time at Norlin Library? We'd love to hear your stories! 📚✨

Forever Buffs: Meet Dr. Reiland Rabaka.

Dr. Rabaka, a distinguished scholar and educator, has left an indelible mark on the University of Colorado Boulder. As director of the Center for African and African American Studies (CAAAS) and a professor in the Department of Ethnic Studies, he has been pivotal in shaping the university’s academic and cultural landscape.

In May 2021, Dr. Rabaka founded the CAAAS, a dynamic center for research, creative endeavors and community engagement within CU Boulder’s Black Studies community. Working closely with students, he established a sanctuary that supports African, African American and diasporan students, fostering belonging through cultural events, academic support and advocacy.

His influence extends to the broader community, earning him the Boulder Chamber 2024 Impact Award and recognition from Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, who proclaimed Feb. 1 as CAAAS Day. Dr. Rabaka is celebrated as a visionary leader committed to equality, inclusivity and social justice.

His dedication to education, community building and social justice continues to inspire CU Boulder and beyond, making him a deserving recipient of the alumni award.

Join us in celebrating Dr. Rabaka’s contributions at the 95th Alumni Awards during this year’s Homecoming. https://www.colorado.edu/homecoming/alumniawards

Ever had a boss who micromanages, lacks empathy or makes work feel like a drag? CU's Tony Kong and David Hekman say it might be because that boss is missing the key "soft skills" that are essential for great leadership.

New research from Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado Boulder has found that empathy and humility — two qualities that are often underestimated in the workplace — are the new “power skills.” These traits are crucial for building motivated teams and creating a positive work environment.

Want to learn more about what makes a leader truly effective? Check out the latest issue of the Coloradan for all the insights. https://www.colorado.edu/coloradan/2024/07/16/soft-skills-are-new-power-skills

Every day, Forever Buffs across the globe make remarkable impacts on the world. The University of Colorado Alumni Awards honor these outstanding individuals who exemplify leadership, excellence and a commitment to bettering society. Join us in celebrating the incredible recipients of this year's Alumni Awards.

🏅 George Norlin Award Recipients:
Benny Shendo Jr. (OrgMgmt’87)
Tanya Mares Kelly-Bowry (IntlAf’93)

🏅 Alumni Recognition Award Recipients:
Paul Beddie (IntlAf'89)
Penny E. Patterson (Geol’76; MS’81; PhD’90)

🏅 Kalpana Chawla Outstanding Recent Graduate Award Recipient:
Joey Arora (Mgmt’12)

🏅 Leanne Skupa-Lee Award Recipient:
D.B. Wilson (Mktg'75)

🏅 Robert L. Stearns Award Recipients:
Phil DiStefano
Reiland Rabaka
Christopher Pacheco

🏅 Forever Buffs Student Award Recipients:
Manasa Kolavennu (MDataSci’24)
Sydney Strecker (Fin, Phil’24)

Stay tuned this week as we share their inspiring stories and the incredible impact they've made at CU Boulder and beyond. 🎓✨

Forever friends of Ralph. 🦬💛

Get ready to be inspired by the Summer Coloradan issue, "Leading With Heart"! Discover stories of leaders who have made an impact in surprising ways.

Read about Philip P. DiStefano’s 15-year tenure as chancellor, Ally Chapel (ArtHist’14) and her journey with Brass Queens, cycling legend Sepp Kuss (Advert’17), and chef and entrepreneur Bruce Bromberg (Anth’88).

Click the link to check out the latest issue, and follow along as we uncover these inspiring stories each week. https://www.colorado.edu/coloradan/summer-2024

Inside Out: CU Boulder edition! Which emotion best describes your time at CU?😆

P.S.—Did you know that Inside Out 2 has
CU Boulder ties? The Crown Institute worked directly with Pixar Animation Studios to create InsideU: a social and emotional learning app. This collaborative project aims to harness Pixar’s Inside Out potential as a powerful, entertaining, and educational tool for improving peoples’ mental and emotional wellness.

An iconic figure in recent Colorado men's basketball history has returned to Boulder!

After two years of playing professionally overseas, Evan Battey has joined Tad Boyle's staff at Colorado as an assistant coach/quality control analyst.

"There's no better Buff in my mind from head to toe than Evan Battey," Boyle said. "He loves the University of Colorado. He loves what it did for him and he's a kid that wants to just give back and being a coach is the best way to do that."

Welcome back home, Evan. 🖤💛

There's no place like home. 🥹

Forever Buffs, forever loving this view! 😆

Fun fact: did you know that Farrand Field is the most Instagrammed spot on campus? With a view like this it's not hard to see why. 🏔️🤳

CU Boulder supports local bid to host Sundance Film Festival Lights, camera, action! The state of Colorado announced plans for a proposal to host the Sundance Film Festival in Boulder. CU Boulder would partner with the state, city of Boulder and local business community to host the world-renowned gathering.

That feeling! 😆 Have any fun weekend plans? Let us know in the comments below!

Throwback to Folsom Field's legendary concerts through the decades! From The Rolling Stones rocking the stage in '81 to The Eagles' iconic performance in '78, the stadium has hosted some of music's biggest names. Notable performances include:

🎸 The Eagles on July 29, 1978, during their Hotel California Tour.
🎸The Grateful Dead's historic return in July 2016 after a 15-year hiatus.
🎸Van Halen's electrifying performance in July 1986 as part of their 5150 tour.
🎸Mick Jagger and The Rolling Stones in July 1978 and October 1981.
🎸Fleetwood Mac's at the Folsom Music Festival in 1977 during their Rumors tour.
🎸Paul McCartney's iconic performance in May 1993

Forever Buffs, did you attend any of these concerts? Let us know in the comments below!

Fortepiano refurb a labor of love It was a long time coming. Piano Technician Mark Mikkelsen—who, for more than eight years, has been assisting with the care and maintenance of the College of Music’s fleet of 160 pianos, 2 harpsichords and an organ—was thrilled when the opportunity arose to rebuild, refurbish and restore one o...