vintage student newspaper with University Portfolio printed as the headline

Reporting from CU

March 18, 2021

The University Portfolio’s first issue lamented the lack of a university glee club, reported anticipation for the upcoming Christmas holiday and exclaimed that Dr. Sewall — CU’s first president — would work the eight chemistry students 15 hours a day if he could.

slide rule

Computing Before the Computer

March 18, 2021

Before the rise of scientific calculators and computers in the 1960s and 70s, cylindrical slide rules were used to complete multiplication, division and other complex mathematical operations. This particular slide rule — known as Thacher’s Calculating Instrument — was donated to the university by the late William J. Hanna (ElEngr’43;...

Couple walking new pedestrian walkway on Pearl Street

Paving the Way

March 18, 2021

A story of the history of the Pearl Street Mall and how it came to fruition.

The Scholar and the Struggle Cover

The Scholar and the Struggle: Lawrence Reddick's Crusade for Black History and Black Power

Feb. 16, 2021

In The Scholar and the Struggle, David A. Varel tells Lawrence Reddick's compelling story.

SATC camp at CU Boulder during Spanish Flu

The 1918 Flu at CU

June 1, 2020

During the 1918 flu epidemic, the visiting Student Army Training Corps who lived in the Armory were dispersed into “barracks-like tents” so the building could be used as a hospital.

Tom Zeiler pictured in a cellphone

What's in My Phone: Tom Zeiler

June 1, 2020

America Through Baseball is one of CU's most popular history course. Tom Zeiler is the mastermind behind the class.

Banished From Johnstown

Banished From Johnstown: Racist Backlash in Pennsylvania

May 11, 2020

by Cody McDevitt (Jour'07) (The History Press, 224 pages; 2020) Buy the Book In 1923, in response to the fatal shooting of four policemen, the mayor of Johnstown ordered every African American and Mexican immigrant who had lived in the city for less than seven years to leave. They were...

Every Thread a Story cover

Every Thread a Story: Traditional Chinese Artisans of Guizhou Province

Feb. 26, 2020

by Karen Elting Brock (Engl'86), Linda Ligon, Jun Wang (Thrumus Books, 2020; 160 pages) Buy the Book The book introduces more than a dozen contemporary artists from four ethnic groups working in the techniques of their ancestors, including indigo dyers, embroiderers of varying techniques, weavers, a metalsmith, and a paper...

Every Thread a Story cover

Every Thread a Story: Traditional Chinese Artisans of Guizhou Province

Feb. 26, 2020

by Karen Elting Brock (Engl'86), Linda Ligon, Jun Wang (Thrumus Books, 2020; 160 pages) The book introduces more than a dozen contemporary artists from four ethnic groups working in the techniques of their ancestors, including indigo dyers, embroiderers of varying techniques, weavers, a metalsmith, and a paper maker whose family...

Every Thread a Story cover

Every Thread a Story: Traditional Chinese Artisans of Guizhou Province

Feb. 26, 2020

by Karen Elting Brock (Engl'86), Linda Ligon, Jun Wang (Thrumus Books, 2020; 160 pages) The book introduces more than a dozen contemporary artists from four ethnic groups working in the techniques of their ancestors, including indigo dyers, embroiderers of varying techniques, weavers, a metalsmith, and a paper maker whose family...

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