The University of Denver Recent Graduate Committee, along with other recent graduates in Colorado, have raised more than $35,000 in support of DU’s ASCEND campaign.
The committee, which includes alumni who graduated within the past decade, rose to the challenge set forth by Board of Trustees member Margot Gilbert Frank BA ’71 and her husband, M Allan Frank JD ’67, to raise $25,000. They surpassed the goal within six months, and a year after the challenge was issued, they collectively have raised more than $38,000. The money will help fund the new Academic Commons at Penrose Library, opening in early 2013.
Kate Bleakly, co-social chair for the committee, thinks the group can have a strong influence within the DU community.
“DU has opened doors for me and helped me achieve my goals on my career path, and as a proud member of the DU alumni community, it’s now my turn to play a role in ensuring new DU students have even better college experiences in store for them,” Bleakly says. “I volunteer my time on the Recent Graduate Committee, and I donate monthly to the Recent Graduate Challenge that’s part of DU’s Ascend campaign. It’s a way for each of us to help ensure that the University of Denver is the best it can be.”
Upper level reading area, DU's Academic Commons
A study area on the upper level in the new library will be named in honor of the Recent Graduate Committee, all of the recent graduate donors, and the Franks. This named room includes the completely new Penrose space that will jut out to the west and overlook the green between Penrose and Driscoll. Architecturally this space adds dramatic interest to the west elevation of the Academic Commons, and will offer stunning views both to the north and to the west. Inside, on the north and south sides of this open reading area, there will be a total of six group study rooms, allowing students to work together without disturbing others.
A “Casino Night” event was held in June at the Joy Burns Center in the Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management to thank these young alumni for their contributions to the University.
by Kelsey Outman and Andrea Howland