Skip navigation
Bridges to the Future

Bridges to the Future

Bridges Videos

2012-2013 Season
Raddatz shares behind-the-scenes stories of journalism here and abroad
  • Feb. 25, 2013: ABC News Correspondent Martha Raddatz discussed her thorough preparations for moderating the 2012 vice presidential debate, her pride in becoming a role model for American youths, and the amazing challenges she's faced reporting from such places as Iran.
2011-2012 Season
Faith's influence on politics surprises longtime journalist Ray Suarez
  • April 24, 2012: Ray Suarez, correspondent for PBS' NewsHour, told the Bridges to the Future crowd that he took for granted the strong influence religion and faith have on American elections.
    Suarez's lecture, largely based on his book, The Holy Vote: The Politics of Faith in America, explored how candidates' personal values and beliefs have increasingly impacted American political history.
U.S. leaders must form global bonds to maintain power, says Slaughter
  • Feb. 2, 2012: While the United States is the most powerful nation in the world, it can't ignore the importance of cultivating strong international relationships—including those with increasingly influential non-governmental organizations and entities. That was the message from Bridges to the Future speaker Anne-Marie Slaughter, former director of policy planning and professor of politics and international affairs at Princeton University.
Americans must focus on improving U.S. economic health, former Clinton staffer says
  • Oct. 10, 2011: In his season-opening speech, "American Politics and Issues: The Economic Outlook," Erskine Bowles, former Chief of Staff for President Bill Clinton, urged a crowd at DU's Magness Arena to put politics aside and be fiscally responsible.
2010-2011 Season
Gerges says United States is worse off 10 years after 9/11
  • Jan. 10, 2011: Fawaz Gerges, Middle East expert, told the Bridges to the Future audience that America's response to the attacks on 9/11 has backfired, putting the country in a more dangerous situation than it was 10 years ago.
Richard Clarke first Bridges to the Future speaker for 2010-2011 season
  • Aug. 10, 2010: Richard Clarke kicked off the 2010-2011 Bridges to the Future year Thursday, Nov. 4. The chairman of Good Harbor Consulting, LLC and former White House counter-terrorism czar explored how society has changed since 9/11.
2009-2010 Season
Chinese scholar sees a nation in flux, rooted in history with an eye to the future
  • April 29, 2010: While China is becoming an increasingly important player on the world stage and Western nations strive to understand their new global partner, the nation is struggling to find its cultural identity, a leading China scholar explained.
China environmental expert speaks to Bridges to the Future audience
  • Feb. 10, 2010: China faces environmental challenges on every front, Elizabeth Economy, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), told a crowd of 660 gathered Feb. 9th for the second Bridges to the Future event of the 2009-10 academic year.
2008-2009 Season
Popular science author says all types of media have their place
  • March 31, 2009: Steven Berlin Johnson, popular science author and contributing editor to Wired magazine, said every type of media--from video games to television--has learning value.
Local educators discuss challenges in education at Bridges to the Future event
  • Feb. 9, 2009: A panel of educators spoke about the challenges and successes in K-12 education to an audience of about 350 at the University of Denver's Bridges to the Future event.
Speaker challenges educators to trust and embrace the heart
2007-2008 Season
Bridges speaker says connecting with others is key to happiness
  • May 22, 2008: Bridges to the Future speaker and religious expert José Casanova presents "Religion, Globalization and the Pursuit of Happiness."
Author says meaningful life begins with passion
  • Jan. 15, 2008: Architect and author Sarah Susanka shared her life story to demonstrate how others can pursue a happier and more meaningful life at her Bridges to the Future speech in Gates Concert Hall.
Political theorist Benjamin Barber says consumers can't buy happiness
  • Oct. 23, 2007: Political theorist Benjamin Barber says Americans pursue material objects rather than happiness.
2006-2007 Season
Bridges lecture series closes year with message of peace
  • May 9, 2007: Citizens of every culture and religion must act locally to support the paradigm shift necessary to mitigate global conflict, according to Marc Gopin, author of Holy War, Holy Peace.
U.S. Assistant Secretary for African Affairs addresses peace in Africa
  • Feb. 16, 2007: The key to the United States mitigating conflict in Africa is "transformational diplomacy," said Jendayi Frazer, assistant secretary of state for African affairs, during her Feb. 16 Bridges to the Future lecture.
Bridges to the Future in the Media
PBS features DU's Bridge Project
  • Learn more about DU's Bridge Project, which provides educational oppotunities for kids in Denver public housing developments. (This video originally aired on and is republished with permission fromn KBDI-12 Colorado Public Television.)
7News recognizes Bridges Project volunteer Marlin Barad
  • 7News awarded its "7Everyday Hero" designation to Bridge Project volunteer Marlin Barad. (This video originally aired on and is republished with permission from 7News KMGH-TV, Denver.)
9NEWS celebrates DU student and Bridge Project participant Phoung Nguyen
  • 9NEWS featured Bridge Project participant and DU student Phoung Nguyen for her many accomplishments. (This video originally aired on and is republished with permission from KUSA-TV.)