"All of us are about to embark on something new," said Lori Bergen, founding dean of the College of Media, Communication and Information. "Quite frankly, what we're doing here is nothing short of revolutionary." Bergen was addressing a crowd of more than 300 students and faculty members gathered to celebrate CU鈥檚 first new college in 53 years. The kick-off event, hosted Sept. 21 in the Byron R. White Stadium Club, featured speakers, a video welcoming students to CMCI and a student-faculty reception.
While the College officially opened its doors in July, the event gave students an opportunity to hear directly from their new dean, mingle with faculty members and other students and share their excitement for the new College. 鈥淚 really liked hearing from the dean,鈥� said Natalie Torres, a junior in the College. 鈥淚 realized, 鈥榃ow! I鈥檓 part of this moment in history, this new College.鈥�
Matt Isom, a senior in the College and president of the CMCI Governing Board, felt that the event contributed to a new and growing CMCI culture. 鈥淚t鈥檚 good to see people getting excited about the new college and really getting involved,鈥� he noted. Jake Mauff, a freshman in the College, agreed, saying he appreciated the opportunity to talk with faculty members from different departments within the College. 鈥淚t changed my mind. It moved me.鈥�
In addition to Bergen, Chancellor Phil P. DiStefano addressed the audience. 鈥淐MCI launches a new era,鈥� he explained. 鈥淚t represents an enormous commitment by CU-Boulder to prepare students.鈥�
Bergen, speaking after DiStefano, ended her address to students and faculty by asking them to affix commemorative CMCI pins to their neighbors, officially welcoming them all to the new College. "Welcome to the future of media and communication where we will think, innovate and create,鈥� she concluded.