Host an Event at Koenig

Forever Buffs can rent the historic Koenig Alumni Center for both large and small-scale events — weddings, graduation ceremonies, retirement parties, retreats and more. The ground level of the historic house and its back deck were recently renovated to better serve gatherings of all sizes. 

Jordan Geiger (Mgmt’11) and his wife Lindsey Vencill can attest — the couple held their wedding at Koenig in 2021. According to Lindsey, it was a “magical night.” CU mascot Chip even made an appearance. 

“Jordan had always dreamed of getting married on campus,” said Lindsey. “Boulder is a very special place to us, and Koenig encompassed the history and charm that we wanted for our wedding day.”  

Alumni receive a 10% discount when booking the venue. 

CU Lights up the Zoo 

On Nov. 21, head to the Denver Zoo for the annual CU Night at Zoo Lights event. This year, a portion of the registration proceeds will be devoted to funding student scholarships. CU invites Forever Buffs and their families to join this annual tradition and enjoy a sneak peek at the Zoo Lights before it opens to the general public. Tickets include admission to Zoo Lights and photo opportunities with mascot Chip. 

Join the Volunteer Network

As part of the CU Boulder Alumni Volunteer Network, your time and talents can help students, alumni and community members locally and around the world — all while bettering the university. Interested in volunteering at Forever Buffs events nationwide? Learn more about volunteer opportunities. 

Forever Buffs Spotlights

CU Boulder alumni are impacting the world through their work. With the Forever Buffs Spotlight event series, you can hear stories about the impact Buffs are making everywhere. Past events have featured  legendary climber Emily Harrington (IntlAf ’07), Oscar-nominated producer Michael Scheuerman (MTeleCom’95) and Olympic Bronze medalists Jenny Simpson (Econ, PolSci’09) and Emma Coburn (�Ѱ�ٲ�’13).

Register for upcoming events and watch past speakers.

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Photos courtesy of CU Boulder Alumni Association 

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Mechanical engineer Chip Bollendonk (MechEngr, MS’17) wants to meet other Buffs in his field, especially those working near him in the Denver area. He also hopes to reconnect with former hallmates from his first year on campus. 

The new Forever Buffs Network makes it easy to meet new Buffs and find old friends. 
The online community for CU Boulder alumni launched this September and functions like a CU-only social media platform allowing Buffs to connect with each other over jobs, businesses and CU memories.  

“Within my first 15 minutes on the platform, I had imported my professional profile from LinkedIn and was reminiscing about my residence halls, clubs and activities at CU as I noted my different affiliations,” said Bollendonk. 

In addition to mentorship and volunteer opportunities, alumni can post jobs, individually message former classmates or search and add to a business directory with Buff-owned businesses in a given area. 

“I can’t wait to get off a plane in any city and search for a Buff-owned restaurant for dinner that night,” said Julann Andresen (Mktg’85), Alumni Association senior director of events and outreach who helped launch the network. 

The network — which is compatible with LinkedIn — includes names and basic degree information for more than 270,000 alumni. Once an alum officially registers, information such as employment, location, former CU residence hall and more can be made visible to other Buff users.

The Forever Buffs Network will soon include CU Boulder students, faculty, staff and parents for even broader engagement. Smaller groups, tailored to colleges and schools or affinity groups, allow Buffs to connect and share across common experiences and interests. 

Said Andresen: “This tool allows Buffs to connect no matter where they are in the world.”

Find out more or register for the Forever Buffs Network at .

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When senior Anna Ritz (StComm’20) saw a need to motivate students to practice social distancing this March, she helped launch a student-run campaign, #flattenthecurve, which featured daily photos of friends and family deemed high-risk for COVID-19.

“We thought that seeing the message come from peers and friends would help drive home the message in a more effective way,” said Ritz, president of CU Boulder’s branch of the Public Relations Student Society of America.

The idea caught on: Fifty other CU Boulder students shared moving testimonials for remaining home.

Dozens of stories like Ritz’s surfaced early in the pandemic. Rhodes Scholar Serene Singh (Jour, PolSci’19), pictured, pushed for a crowdfunding campaign to help struggling students. Isabella Shelby (MCDBio, PreMed’20) started a petition to postpone graduation to maintain a safe environment, an effort that garnered 2,500 signatures in days.

University labs, units and departments donated more than 130,000 pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE), and CU engineering labs printed more PPE on 3D printers. Kyle Judah, director of entrepreneurship at the College of Engineering and Applied Science, led an initiative to help local restaurants by having them make meals for Boulder healthcare workers. CMCI professor Dan Ligon sewed masks.

The effort of Buffs was global. Moon Yin (ElCompEngr’16), leader of CU’s Shanghai alumni chapter and pictured below, brought together 10 other alums to donate 1,200 N95 masks to CU.

In April, the university launched the Buffs Together campaign to further support students, staff and faculty in need. CU Boulder committed $1.6 million in emergency funds.

“Together as a community, our Buffs have offered their generosity, skills, supplies and expertise for others,” said Ryan Chreist (Kines’96, MPA’09), assistant vice chancellor and Alumni Association executive director. “Wherever we are in the world, these efforts are uniting us as a university and making a profound impact.”

Find out more about the Buffs Together campaign at colorado.edu/buffstogether.

Photo by Glenn Asakawa (Top); Courtesy Moon Yin

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CU Boulder Next, New York

On Feb. 27, CU pride swelled from the Grand Hyatt in New York City during CU Boulder Next. Attendees learned about the university’s latest innovations and inspirations during five BuffTalks presentations, which ranged from smart tattoos to Mars. Other highlights of the evening included a spontaneous opera performance from Grammy winner Wei Wu (MMus’13), alumni-crafted beer and wine, and ample shared CU memories. Audra Dixon (Soc’06) tweeted from the event: “Connecting with @CUBoulder alumni from afar in my new home at #CUBoulderNext NYC. Go Buffs!”

Since 2018, CU Boulder Next has traveled to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Denver. Watch the BuffTalks videos from past events and learn more about CU Boulder Next at colorado.edu/next.

Get Career Help

Get professional assistance with your résumé, interviewing skills and job search strategy or find clarity on other work-related topics such as negotiating a raise, planning for retirement or improving your online presence.

All alumni receive two free career counseling appointments through Alumni Career Services per calendar year. Additional appointments are $30 per session. New graduates receive free career advising for a year after they graduate. Visit colorado.edu/career/alumni to schedule an appointment.

The Herd and Mental Health

This March, the philanthropy committee of The Herd — the student arm of the Alumni Association — prioritized students’ mental health. In an effort to support CU Boulder’s Peer Wellness Coaching program, which allows trained student employees to communicate with on-campus students struggling mentally, the group began a fundraising campaign to raise money for a coach who could communicate with off-campus students.

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted their in-person efforts, so The Herd shifted their focus to encouraging students virtually.

“This was an exercise for Herd leaders in understanding how to adapt to drastic change,” said Kavya Kannan (Econ, PolSci, IntlAf’21), chair of the committee. “Recent happenings have shown us the need for stronger mental health resources, and we hope that this event links The Herd to supporting mental health on CU’s campus.”

The group will resume active fundraising in spring 2021. Visit colorado. edu/theherd/mentalhealth for more information.

Photo by Glenn Asakawa

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2019 Trips

Sailing the Windward Islands   
Feb. 26-March 5, 2019

Israel: Timeless Wonder   
April 6-17, 2019

Southern Grandeur
April 7-15, 2019 

Mount Everest Base Camp Trek
April 23-May 9, 2019 

Wonders of Peru
April 25-May 6, 2019 

For more information about the Roaming Buffs travel program, email lisa.munro@colorado.edu, call 303-492-5640 or visit colorado.edu/alumni/travel. 

Homecoming Weekend 2018 

This Homecoming, Jeff Randall (Geog, Soc’78) of Boston and Jeff Gray (Psych’78) of Los Angeles will reconnect in Boulder to hike, visit friends, roam Pearl Street and rally behind the Buffs at Folsom Field. They and a core group of pals do it every few years. 

“It’s Boulder and CU that brought us all together in the first place,” said Randall, who, with Gray, is co-hosting a 40-year reunion for the Class of 1978. 

Also at Homecoming 2018 (Oct. 25-28), the alumni association will host its annual awards ceremony in the Glenn Miller Ballroom, a series of Buff Talks — short, Ted Talk-style lectures — in Old Main and Buffs on Tap, an afternoon of beer and wine tasting in Koenig Alumni Center’s backyard. There’s the Homecoming parade and pep rally on Pearl Street and the alumni tailgate before the big game against Oregon State.

In addition to the 40-year reunion, which includes a dinner at the Hotel Boulderado, more than 15 other reunions are planned.

Visit colorado.edu/homecoming to register.

Alumni Association Tidbits  

This summer, more than 600 people gathered in Colorado, California and Alaska for exclusive alumni showings of a new 30-minute documentary about CU’s history, The Light Shines On: A Celebration of CU Boulder. See the film yourself on campus during Homecoming Weekend. 

The NorCal alumni chapter has new leaders: Summer Vaughn (Phil’16) and Jenna Kinsinger (�󾱲�’16). Kelly McKee (PolSci’94) has taken over the Orlando chapter. Catch Buffs games this fall with alumni in your area. Visit colorado.edu/alumni/chapters to see which group meets nearest you.  

Join us on Duane Field before every home CU football game for our Ralphie’s Corral Tailgate. The free event, located south of Folsom Field, begins three hours prior to kickoff. Take a photo with live mascot Ralphie, pick up alumni swag, play games with your kids and get a bite to eat. On the road, we’ll hold Buff Bash tailgates at USC, Washington, Arizona and Cal. 

The Alumni Association welcomes its newest advisory board members: Chip Bollendonk (�ѱ𳦳󷡲Բ���’17), Kyle Evashevski (�����Dz�’96), Timothy Gurba (Chin, Fin’04), Svein Hasund (�ѱ𳦳󷡲Բ���’67), Mina McCullom (�������󷡲Բ���’09), Landon Mock (�ʲ��⳦��’07), Floyd Pierce (ApMath, Econ’17), Laurie Porter (Mktg’88) and Chrissy Renegar (Jour’06). The roughly 40-person volunteer board provides guidance and feedback to Alumni Association staff. 

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A flat tire almost stopped Chancee Forestier (Fren, Psych’16) from getting to Glenwood Springs, Colo., for the inaugural CU Wine and Whitewater young alumni weekend in June. Fortunately, a good Samaritan helped her get on her way.

The 26-year-old Buff, fresh from Europe, went on to meet up with 40 other CU alumni and friends at an evening pool party to kick off the weekend.  

“I had been living in France the last year, so I really hadn’t even seen a CU shirt other than my own in a while,” said Forestier, now a graduate student in Georgia with an eye on medical school. “I loved singing the fight song and sharing our CU pride.”

The trip, which sold out, included nine miles of whitewater rafting and visits to three wineries in nearby Palisade, all by bicycle. It was one of several new events and programs this year developed specifically for graduates of the past decade. 

This fall, young alumni (and those young at heart) are invited to tailgate with the CU Young Alumni Chapter (CUYA) before every home football game in campus parking lot 308 and to gather in Denver at Blake Street Tavern to watch all road games. During Homecoming Weekend, the Young Alumni After Hours event will convene Buffs at Pearl Street haunts old and new Oct 26.

The Alumni Association will offer two free online career-development sessions aimed at young alumni: An Oct. 9 session for aspiring entrepreneurs and another on Nov. 13 with Buffs working in the outdoor industry. 

The annual Buffs at the Butte young alumni ski weekend in Crested Butte, Colo., is scheduled for early 2019. Marlee Glasgow (Advert’14) has attended four years in a row and will be there again this year. 

“I plan on keeping the streak alive,” she said. “It’s nice to be reminded that the community that made CU great still exists outside of school.” 

For more information about CU Young Alumni events and programs, visit colorado.edu/alumni. To suggest a young alumni event idea, contact Taylor Stratton at 303-492-8485 or email taylor.stratton@colorado.edu.  

Photo courtesy CU Boulder Alumni Association 

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2019 Trips

Legends of the Nile  
Jan. 22-Feb. 2, 2019

Tanzania Migration Safari   
Jan. 23-Feb. 3, 2019

Radiant Rhythms
Feb. 10-23, 2019 

Wonders of Vietnam and Cambodia 
Feb. 12-26, 2019

Dazzling Down Under
Feb. 13-March 1, 2019

For details, email roamingbuffstravel@colorado.edu, call 303-492-8484 or 800-492-7743 or visit our travel website. 

South Park Animator Joins CU Boulder Next

When South Park joined Comedy Central’s lineup more than 20 years ago, Eric Stough (Film’95) was the first person hired by creators Trey Parker (A&S ex’93) and Matt Stone (Art, Math’93).

He’s never looked back.

Now producer and lead animator for the taboo-shattering animated satire, Stough has won five Emmys and a Peabody Award for his work — and stands as the inspiration for the beloved character “Butters.”

In April, at the second installment of CU Boulder Next — the university’s large-scale, multiyear road show — Stough regaled the Washington, D.C., audience with tales of his days at CU (where Parker encouraged him to join the film department) through the present day, in which South Park-themed mobile and console games are part of American culture.

“All facets of my life echo the foundation given to me by CU,” he said during the conference’s closing remarks.

For videos of CU Boulder Next in Los Angeles and D.C. and information about next year’s San Francisco and Denver events, visit colorado.edu/next.

Alumni Association Tidbits  

Northern Nevada now has an alumni chapter led by Tiffany Smith (Acct’92). … The Grand Valley chapter in western Colorado, led by Matt Jennings (Hist’05; MPubAd’14) and Katie Larson (Comm, Psych’05), hosts monthly mixers every third Friday of the month at the Ale House on 12th St in Grand Junction.

Plan a trip to Boulder Oct. 25-28 for Homecoming Weekend 2018. Attend the Alumni Awards Ceremony, BuffTalks, reunions, the Buffs on Tap craft beer and wine event, the Parade and Pep Rally on Pearl Street and Ralphie’s Corral tailgate. CU football plays Oregon State Oct. 27 at Folsom Field. Register at colorado.edu/homecoming and receive a free Homecoming T-shirt while you’re here.

The CU Boulder Alumni Association received 1,399 scholarship applications this year, including 385 from legacy applicants. It awarded 96 scholarships, including 41 to legacy students, worth more than $170,000.

The Alumni Association is hosting its first golf outing Monday, July 30, at the Boulder Country Club. Proceeds benefit student scholarships. To join as a sponsor, contact Tricia at tricia.essenpreis@colorado.edu. Visit colorado.edu/alumni/golf2018 to register to play.

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Dinner with 12 Buffs

April 19-22, alumni and students across the U.S. will dine together during the fourth annual Dinner with 12 Buffs. More than 30 alumni hosts as near as Boulder and as far away as New Jersey will open their homes to an intimate group of Buffs for a casual meal and camaraderie.

Last year, financial executive Erik Evans (Math, Phys’00) hosted a fajita dinner for 15 alumni in his approximately 600-square-foot apartment on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. There was CU talk, of course, but another theme emerged.

“Mostly we talked about the struggle,” said Evans. “The struggle of daily life in New York City and what each of us did. It was a really welcome reprieve.”

Lisa Corboy (Mktg’91) hosted several students in Louisville, Colo., for salmon, and will host again this year.

“We have two children at CU now, so we love staying in contact with the student body!” she said. “It helps keep us young.”

�鶹��Ժ and graduates of the past decade are encouraged to attend. More information. 

Alumni Association Tidbits 

Join us for Buffs at the Ballpark this summer. Each family-friendly event at a pro baseball park starts with a pre-game reception. All attendees receive a Buffs-themed ball cap. Sites include Houston, Atlanta, Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Dates and details at colorado.edu/alumni.

Nominate a CU alum, faculty or staff member or a student for an Alumni Association Award by April 4 at colorado.edu/alumni/awards. Past winners include Grammy winner Dave Grusin (Mus’56), astronaut Scott Carpenter (Aero’49; HonDocSci’00) and women's basketball hall of famer Ceal Barry.

The Alumni Association’s annual nationwide day of service, Buffs Give Back, is May 19-20. Past projects have included tree maintenance in Atlanta, trail cleanup in Seattle and food sorting in Nashville. 

There are new alumni chapters in Baltimore, led by Jeff Spitz (EnvDes’14); Charlotte, S.C., led by Kate Kliebert (Engl’07); and Spain, led by Adam Mackstaller (Fin’95). In London, Sigrid Keough (Comm’89) took the reins as chapter leader.

The Big Red rivalry is back! On Sept. 8, the Buffs take on the Cornhuskers in Lincoln, Neb. Join us for a free Buffs Bash at Pinnacle Bank Arena before kickoff.

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The Herd's Ultimate Challenge 

CU students’ mental and physical abilities were put to the test during The Herd’s Ultimate Challenge, Oct. 21. Modeled after CBS’ The Amazing Race and co-produced by Floyd Pierce (ApMath, Econ’17)— a participant in the spring 2017 season of the show — the event gave 29 two-person teams a chance at $2,000, half for the winners, half for the CU student group of their choice.

The teams raced around Boulder searching for clues at McGuckin Hardware, Hotel Boulderado, the Pearl Street Mall and Macky Auditorium while completing tasks such as balancing three golf balls one atop another, building a planter’s box and completing puzzles. The winning team, “Snoopy Goons,” was a duo of U.S. Marine Corps veterans, Christopher Black (EPOBio, IntPhys’18) and Allen Dehoff (EPOBio, IntPhys’18). They donated $1,000 to the Student Veterans Association.

Homecoming 2017

The Alumni Awards Ceremony kicked off the weekend (Oct. 26-29), before a 300-person crowd — plus online viewership of 4,700. Friday, Olympian Bill Marolt (Bus’67) served as keynote for the 50-Year and Golden Anniversary Club reunion. Elsewhere, alumni attended microlectures from astronomer Douglas Duncan, speech pathologist Kathryn Hardin and others. Koenig Alumni Center hosted 14 brewers and three vintners at Buffs on Tap. Saturday saw the Buffs’ best game of the season — a 44 to 28 win over Cal.

Chapters and Clubs 

The Aspen alumni chapter’s September “Entrepreneurship in Ski Communities” event drew about 140 people, including extreme skier Chris Davenport (Hist’93). … Albuquerque’s chapter has new leadership: Cassie (Psych’13) and Jarred Langhals (AeroEngr’13). … The 50th anniversary of the CU Trivia Bowl, April 2-8, 2018, at CU’s Village Center will include competitions for students and alumni, said organzier Paul Bailey (EnvDes’83; MA’94). 

Buffs at the Butte 

Graduates of the last decade are invited to kick off the spring ski season at the annual Buffs at the Butte weekend in Crested Butte, Colo., Feb. 23-25, 2018. Attendees stay in a slope-side condo and get a two-day lift ticket. Early-bird pricing is available through Jan. 31, 2018, for $275 a person. . 

Forever Buffs Online Store 

The Alumni Association’s Forever Buffs Online Store has launched. Get signature CU-themed items including jewelry, clothing and gifts. Also available is the 2018 alumni wall calendar for $15 and the Forever Buffs wine. Visit colorado.edu/alumni/shop.

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February marks the debut of CU Boulder Next, a nine-stop, seven-state tour for a dynamic cast of CU Boulder’s most captivating faculty, staff and students, offering alumni and friends the chance to experience the latest and best of CU Boulder.

The large-scale tour opens in Los Angeles Feb. 24 and concludes in Boulder in April 2021, with intermediate stops in seven major cities.

Initiated by Chancellor Philip P. DiStefano, CU Boulder Next is the first event of its kind for CU. It aims to showcase and share the bright minds and cutting-edge research that are the university’s lifeblood and hallmark.

A series of brief TED-style microlectures — Buff Talks — forms the heart of the half-day event, followed by breakout sessions that provide a forum for conversation with the experts. Aerospace engineering, athletics and other campus units will stage exhibits, allowing attendees to experience extraordinary elements of the campus atmosphere.

“This exciting program showcases the phenomenal breadth of academic achievement that makes CU Boulder a top university for innovation,” said DiStefano. “We look forward to interacting with alumni, donors, parents and prospective students in cities across the U.S. beginning in Los Angeles in February 2018.”

Presenters will delve into biosciences, humanities, the arts, engineering, politics and more.

The kickoff in Los Angeles takes place at the J.W. Marriott L.A. Live on Saturday, Feb. 24. Following the series of 10-minute expert lectures, nine faculty will lead discussion sessions, including Marie Banich, an expert on the teenage brain, and English professor Adam Bradley, an entertaining authority on the poetry of pop songs.

The tour resumes in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, April 21, at the Washington Marriott Marquis. San Francisco, Francisco, Seattle and Denver will follow in 2019.

Learn more at colorado.edu/next.

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