The University of Colorado’s commitment to giving military veterans what Chancellor Don Elliman describes as “much more than a heartfelt thank-you” when they return from active duty was celebrated at Combat to Classroom: A Salute to Service.
Held at in Parker, the fundraising gala featured an address by former Green Beret Greg Stube and a thank-you to Dave and Gail Liniger for donating a large chunk of the museum to CU.
The $40 million gift creates , and is an 11,000-square-foot space that will be used for classrooms and labs.
“Gail and I made this gift to provide more services and more value to our south Denver community,” Dave Liniger said. “The museum remains open, events will be held, and the public spaces will be available for rental. The added value now is the easy access to a quality CU education right here in south Denver.”
CU’s Business School, the School of Education and Human Development, the College of Engineering and Applied Science, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Nursing and the Colorado School of Public Health are, or soon will be, offering classes there.
Lisa Douglas, who had been associate vice chancellor for budget and finance at the University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus, has been named vice chancellor of the new facility.
The Linigers founded of , and opened The Wildlife Experience in 2002. Dave Liniger is an Air Force veteran who served four tours of duty in Vietnam.
Elliman, chancellor of the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, and Douglas were among the 500 guests at Combat to Classroom: A Salute to Service. The event’s net proceeds of $170,000 will fund scholarships for combat veterans attending CU Denver and CU Anschutz Medical Campus.
Other guests were CU Denver Chancellor Jerry Wartgow and his wife, Diane; Provost Rod Nairn; vice chancellor Leanna Clark; Laurence Kaptain, dean of the College of Arts & Media at CU Denver; Regent Sue Sharkey; George and Mary Sissel; Mike and Patty Imhoff; Jake Jabs and Rene Green; Craig Hospital president Mike Fordyce; Carol Roddy; John and Carol Lay; Mary Ricketson; Paul Lhevine, executive director of the Aurora Public Schools Foundation; Bob and Sherri Bulkley; and John Ikard, the president/CEO of Diamond Sponsor 1st Bank.
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314, jdavidson@denverpost.com or twitter.com/joannedavidson
Dan ritchie and dean singleton honored
Colorado Open Lands has given its Champions of the Land award to Dan Ritchie, chairman of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, and Dean Singleton, chairman of The Denver Post. Joanne Davidson has details about a dinner held in their honor in the Mile High Style blog: blogs.denverpost.com/style
