Commencement
Commencement News
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2012 Commencement News
Roger Birnbaum returned to his alma mater on June 9, 2012, to share several words of wisdom. Among the messages from the CEO of MGM Studios: Don't wait for the world to tell you who to be.
He spoke from his experience as a student on this campus—where he says his entertainment career truly began, as president of a DU club that brought to campus several entertainment acts.
Birnabum, who went on to manage bands signed by famed record producer Clive Davis and to produce films such as 1989's "Batman" and "Rain Man," urged students to roll the dice by taking chances to avoid the greater failure of never having tried at all.
Read about Birnbaum's speech.
Watch the photo slideshow.
Watch Birnbaum's speech.
Graduate Commencement speaker William Dean Singleton told a crowd of graduates and their guests that they've inherited an unfortunate set of challenges to address—but that he looks forward to watching them face each with finesse.
"The job market—how should I put it … what's the phrase you might use to describe Colorado College's hockey team?—it sucks," Singleton quipped. "I was going to say it rivals…the job market rivals the worst this country has ever had. What sucks is the unholy challenge my generation is presenting you today."
Read about Singleton's speech.
Watch the photo slideshow
Watch Singleton's speech.
Boatright: Use personal adversity to pursue justice
In his emotion-filled Commencement address to the Sturm College of Law's 2012 graduates, Colorado Supreme Court Justice Brian Boatright shared the power of channeling personal strife to make meaningful changes in law and beyond.
Boatright—who spent nine years as a district court judge before taking his current post in November 2011—discussed his anguish following a failed adoption and how he used the experience to serve families within his court.
Read more.
View photo slideshow
Watch the video
Kemp's legacy of entrepreneurship at DU fitting for MBA student
While earning his MBA at the Daniels College of Business, Mike Kemp started a program that connected business leaders to his fellow students, helped found the first-ever student-run business publication, the Pioneer Business Review and helped draft a report that eventually prompted the University to create the Office of Globalization.
Neilson taking work ethic to Venice for new art career
This fall, Jillian Neilson will put to use the Italian and art history degrees she earned at DU during an internship with the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice, Italy.
A tireless worker—she says she's worked no fewer than two jobs at a time in the last nine years—Neilson will create and lead museum tours, spearhead activities with children and provide general staff support and customer service.
Fulbright scholar to teach English to German high school students
She spent five years earning dual degrees in German and curriculum and instruction.
Now, Fulbright scholar Stephanie Lowe is heading to Germany—a longtime passion and destination during her five-month study abroad trip—to use her degrees to teach English to German high school students.
Denver Pioneers mens' basketball bids adieu to six of its best
Together, they've scored 3,727 points in University basketball games. They represent four of the top six spots on the Denver Pioneers' all-time games played list.
But perhaps the most impressive statistic for these six members of the Pioneers basketball team: each is graduating among the class of 2012 with top academic honors, with a combined grade point average of better than 3.4.