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1945 ALUMNA SHOWS THE LIFELONG BENEFITS OF BEING AN AHSS ALUM

Dorothy Banks Lagger is a familiar face around DU's campus. She is one of AHSS's most active alums, even at the age of 88. Lagger is a political science major from the DU class of 1945.

"I graduated well before any of you were born!" Lagger teases.

After graduating from DU at the conclusion of World War II, Lagger taught for 30 years at the Emily Griffith Opportunity School where she was awarded "Teacher of the Year" in 1976. She credits her background in social sciences – plus an elementary teaching certificate – for making her eligible to teach nearly all secondary subjects. The school is the academic and vocational arm of Denver Public Schools for adults of all ages, and Lagger says the goal for most of her students was to earn a GED. As she helped do so, Lagger, too, was pursuing more education: she earned her master's of education in 1964 and a doctor of education seven years later from CU Boulder.

Lagger transferred to DU from CU Boulder to be close to her mother and sister after her father died in 1942. Her grades at CU were very high, so she had no trouble transferring her existing credits to DU. She remembers admiring her older brother's scholastic abilities, and became a political science major, just like him.

Lagger studied Professor Joseph Pollard, her primary professor at DU, who encouraged critical thinking skills and discussion. She was tapped by Mortar Board, Phi Beta Kappa and the social science honorary. Plus, she arranged her busy schedule such that she attended class in the morning and worked at the Denver Post in the afternoon. "I was paid $17 a week for my job at the time," she says. "It seemed like a fortune and I saved enough to pay my DU tuition."

Today, Lagger proudly attends every DU event that she can, including the annual AHSS Graduation Breakfast and the Emeritus Tea. She speaks fondly of the Tea, saying it is great fun to swap memories with fellow alums. She also enjoys the ability to speak with current students.

"As I socialize with DU students, I suggest they should be active in DU alumni programs," says Lagger. "I hope they cherish the opportunity to attend these events."

Lagger is a mother of three, a grandmother of three and a great-grandmother of three. Her eldest daughter also graduated from University of Denver. Lagger still lives near campus and is able to walk to many events on campus, which she says keep her young. She also sings in the nearby University Park United Methodist Church Chancel Choir.

"It's an honor to count Dorothy as an alumna of AHSS," said Anne McCall, dean of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. "She is smart, curious, open to the fullness of the world and eager to serve. Every time I run into Dorothy, I come away joyful and filled with a strengthened sense of purpose as dean."