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��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Hellems Building in 1921

Anna Tolette — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 22:09:36 +0000

��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Hellems Building in 1921 Anna Tolette Mon, 07/20/2026 - 16:09

As the first campus building designed in Charles Klauder’s signature Tuscan vernacular style, the Hellems Arts and Sciences building has helped define CU’s architectural identity since 1921. Hellems also serves as a cornerstone of CU’s academic landscape, housing five primary departments through the College of Arts and Sciences, including the humanities departments and interdisciplinary programs, and is home to the Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre in its courtyard.

Hellems’ latest interior renovation, completed in April 2026, honors the building’s historic and architectural legacy by keeping much of the original flooring, finishes and roof tiles.

“The revitalization of Hellems during CU’s 150th year serves as a fitting tribute to the university’s first and largest college as it looks forward to the next 150 years,” said Mona Lambrecht, director and curator of history and collections for ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Heritage Center.

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Photos courtesy of ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Libraries Archives

As the first campus building designed in Charles Klauder’s signature Tuscan vernacular style, the Hellems Arts and Sciences building has helped define CU’s architectural identity since 1921.

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Summer 2026

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CU Botanist’s Notes on a Nightshade

Anna Tolette — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 19:18:29 +0000

CU Botanist’s Notes on a Nightshade Anna Tolette Mon, 07/20/2026 - 13:18

Christie Sounart

To ecology and evolutionary biology professor Stacey D. Smith, the research subjects she has dedicated 25 years of her life to studying are completely adorable. And, after hearing her eagerly discuss her work on tomatillos in the Solanaceae family — commonly known as nightshades — passersby may find the diminutive plants irresistible, too.

Smith is one of only a handful of scientists to study the wild members of this plant family, which includes over 300 species in the tomatillo tribe. Her lab studies the evolutionary changes of the plants’ flowers and fruits, including how and why their colors and shapes have changed over time, and her work with the tomatillo plants’ smallest details, from their minuscule stem hairs to their fruits’ sticky residue, might someday help in the creation of natural pesticides.

“I want to understand why plants do the things they do, and why they live the way they do,” Smith said.

Physalis heterophylla

→ Native

One of the four native Boulder tomatillos: heterophylla, hederifolia, longifolia and virginiana.

→ Clammy

Called “clammy” because of the sticky hairs on its stems and leaves.

→ Habitat

Can be found on hiking trails along the Front Range: Sanitas Valley, Saddle Rock, Skunk Canyon and the Shanahan Ridge Water Tank.

Tomatillo Facts

Toxic

The plants are toxic, but some of their fruits are edible to humans.

Nightshades

The plants are part of the nightshade family, Solanaceae, which has about 2,700 species.

Greenhouse Plants

��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� 100 tomatillos and their relatives are growing in ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� main campus greenhouses.

Difficult Cultivation

The plants are hard to cultivate, but grow well in the wild.

Delicate in Nature

The plants don’t recover well when mowed over and are easily overrun by non-native plants.

Physalis heterophylla Fruit

Lanterns

When fruit forms, the plant creates a lantern around it to protect it from insects.

Ground Cherries

The edible fruits, referred to as “ground cherries,” are orange and high in vitamin A.

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Illustration by Irene Laschi

Stacey D. Smith is one of only a handful of scientists to study the wild members of the Solanaceae family, which includes over 300 species in the tomatillo tribe.

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Summer 2026

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��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Media Archaeology Lab

Anna Tolette — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 19:13:35 +0000

��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Media Archaeology Lab Anna Tolette Mon, 07/20/2026 - 13:13

Christie Sounart

More than 12,500 functioning technology artifacts can be found in the basement of a historic house-turned-campus building on Grandview Avenue: ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Media Archaeology Lab (MAL).

The MAL sees up to 2,000 visitors annually. Some stop by to tap on typewriters or play a nostalgic round of The Oregon Trail, while others seek assistance accessing files from their 1990s floppy disks.

The lab, founded by media studies professor Lori Emerson in 2009, is supported by CU donors, along with the College of Communication, Media, Design and Information and the College of Arts and Sciences.

“The MAL is important because it not only offers the opportunity to interact with technological history in a concrete, hands-on way but also offers a space to re-imagine our relationships to the technology of the present,” said libi rose striegl (Film’07; PhDIntMedArt’20), managing director of the lab. “Making something new — a work of art, a piece of research, a personal experience — with something old is a way to connect with history, but also a way to assert some agency over the present and, maybe, the future.”

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Photos by Glenn Asakawa

Sony Digital Mavica (1997)

Kodak Moviedeck 435 Projector (1970s)

Polaroid Model 20 “Swinger” (1965–1970)

Blip. The Digital Game (1977)

Nintendo Game, Donkey Kong (1982)

Sony PlayStation (1995 North America)

VTL Computron (1980)

Sony Walkman (began release in 1979)

More than 12,500 functioning technology artifacts can be found at the Media Archaeology Lab.

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��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Hellems Building Reopens after Renovation

Anna Tolette — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 19:03:10 +0000

��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Hellems Building Reopens after Renovation Anna Tolette Mon, 07/20/2026 - 13:03

On April 10, 2026, the Hellems Arts and Sciences building on main campus reopened after a full interior renovation that began in summer 2023. The building’s look includes a new floor plan, sleek modern systems, updated classroom and office spaces, and a new basement theater room. Students and faculty can also enjoy a new café, plenty of study spaces, improved accessibility and air conditioning.

Located in the building’s courtyard, the Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre — home to many Colorado Shakespeare Festival productions — also boasts an upgrade.

While the renovation prioritized modern finishes and features, designers took care to preserve the 105-year-old building’s historic charm, reusing about 80% of the roof tiles and refinishing the original wood floors.

“Hellems is more than a building,” said Daryl Maeda, former dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “It’s a symbol of ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� dedication to the liberal arts as the intellectual heart of the university.”

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Photos by Glenn Asakawa and Patrick Campbell

The Hellems Arts and Sciences building on main campus reopened after nearly three years.

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Celebrating Miss Peggy

Anna Tolette — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 20:02:08 +0000

Celebrating Miss Peggy Anna Tolette Mon, 07/07/2025 - 14:02

Peggy Coppom (A&S ex’46) has charmed the entire Buffs nation. After the feature about her in the spring Coloradan was published on social media, dozens of people posted photos of themselves meeting Coppom.

“Meeting her was the highlight of our Buffs event!” declared Brian Varner.

“What a gift to the community she is,” wrote Joell Tori.

At commencement on May 8, Chancellor Justin Schwartz recognized Coppom with the Chancellor’s Impact Award, and Folsom Field roared with delight.

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Photos courtesy (via Facebook) Haley Deese; Shelley Forrest; Brandie Hopek; Joell Tori; Jennifer Schoon Morris; Michael Nate Richardson

Peggy Coppom was honored with the Chancellor’s Impact Award.

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Summer 2025

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��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Confers Record-Number of Degrees

Anna Tolette — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 19:51:25 +0000

��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Confers Record-Number of Degrees Anna Tolette Mon, 07/07/2025 - 13:51

This spring, during a ceremony with blue skies and a full Folsom Stadium, ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� conferred 10,138 degrees, the most the university has ever awarded in a single commencement.

Commencement speaker Emma Coburn (Mktg’13), a three-time Olympian in steeplechase and a NCAA national track champion, shared insights from her athletic career, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and resilience.

She advised the graduates: “Today isn’t just the end of a chapter — it’s the end of one race and the beginning of another. You’ve crossed the finish line, and now, you’re standing at the starting line of everything else that comes next.”

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Photo by Glenn Asakawa

At ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� largest-ever commencement, Olympian and alum Emma Coburn inspired 10,138 graduates with a message of resilience.

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Pike on a Bike, The White Line and the Fight for Pedestrian Safety

Anna Tolette — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 20:35:30 +0000

Pike on a Bike, The White Line and the Fight for Pedestrian Safety Anna Tolette Mon, 03/10/2025 - 14:35

On July 29, 2023, a reckless driver hit and killed 17-year-old Magnus White, a U.S. National Team Cyclist, on the Diagonal Highway outside of Boulder. To raise awareness of thousands of pedestrians and cyclists killed annually by drivers, White’s parents, Michael (EnvDes’00) and Jill White (Mktg’99; MOrgMgmt’23), created a nonprofit called The White Line.

In November 2024, the Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠKA) fraternity — known as ”Pike” — held a fundraiser on ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� campus for The White Line and to honor Magnus White, who was a friend of several of the fraternity members. For six days, Pike members traded shifts riding outside on a stationary bike, even through a snowstorm. They rode near a memorial of more than 8,400 candles that represented each pedestrian or cyclist killed by a driver in 2023.

“Looking out at the 8,423 candles was a true reminder of how valuable every single moment was,” said Graydon Abel (Fin’27), who helped create the fundraiser with his brother Gavin (Fin’27) and their fraternity brother Sebastian Edwards (Econ’27). “Change is needed, and we hope this effort makes a difference.”

Start:

Nov. 2, 5:05 p.m.

Finish:

Nov. 8, 12:28 p.m.*

(*12:28 p.m. was the exact time Magnus White was struck in 2023.)

$51,007

Money raised

2,100

Miles ridden, the equivalent of biking from Boulder to Miami, New York City or Mexico City.

8,423

Total minutes, representing the number of pedestrians and cyclists killed by drivers in 2023.

Degrees: Coldest temperature during the fundraiser.

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After a driver killed Magnus White while he was riding his bike, his parents founded The White Line to raise awareness about pedestrian and cycling safety. Last fall, the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity held a fundraiser for the nonprofit.

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Spring 2025

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Rashaan Salaam's Legacy Reignited by Travis Hunter's Heisman Win

Julia Maclean — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 20:01:39 +0000

Rashaan Salaam's Legacy Reignited by Travis Hunter's Heisman Win Julia Maclean Mon, 03/10/2025 - 14:01

After an extraordinary 11-1 season with the Buffs in 1994, running back Rashaan Salaam (Soc ex’96) won CU’s first Heisman Trophy. Salaam, then a junior, was the fourth Division I player to top the 2,000-yard rushing barrier. He also led the nation in scoring.

“It was a special season, especially after the Miracle at Michigan game,” said Dave Plati (Jour’82), who was assistant athletic director for sports information during Salaam’s time at CU.

Thirty years later, cornerback and wide receiver Travis Hunter (Psych’26) won the Heisman Trophy in December 2024, the university’s second, bringing Salaam’s name back into the spotlight.

“Rashaan hated the attention he was receiving,” said Plati. “He was the consummate team player, and after he won all his awards, most of his comments were directed at saying his success was due to his teammates.”

Salaam died in 2016 at the age of 42.

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Photo courtesy Heisman Trophy Trust

Rashaan Salaam's legacy at CU is brought back into focus as Travis Hunter secures the university's second Heisman trophy 30 years later.

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Spring 2025

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Día de los Muertos Altar Crawl at ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ��

Julia Maclean — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 17:27:27 +0000

Día de los Muertos Altar Crawl at ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Julia Maclean Mon, 03/10/2025 - 11:27

Last fall’s Día de los Muertos “Altar Crawl” invited the ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� community to engage with several altars honoring the lives of deceased loved ones. Altars were located across campus, including in the Guggenheim Building, the Koenig Alumni Center, the CU Museum of Natural History, the Center for Community and the Miramontes Baca Education Building. The crawl — hosted by the Forever Buffs Latinx group, the BUENO Center, the Latin American and Latinx Studies Center, UMAS y MECHA, Sigma Lambda Beta and the Center for Inclusion and Social Change, among others — highlighted the cultural significance of the day with moments of remembrance and celebration.

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Photo courtesy Daniela Martinez Carpizo; Nelson R. Castro; Karla Rosete Nunez

The Día de los Muertos altar crawl invited the community to honor and celebrate deceased loved ones through a series of altars across campus.

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Travis Hunter Wins Heisman Trophy

Julia Maclean — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 17:23:05 +0000

Travis Hunter Wins Heisman Trophy Julia Maclean Mon, 03/10/2025 - 11:23

During a ceremony in New York City on Dec. 14, 2024, Travis Hunter (Psych’26) became the second Buff to claim the Heisman Trophy, widely considered the most prestigious recognition in college sports. CU running back Rashaan Salaam (Soc ex’96) won the award in 1994.

During the 2024 regular season and bowl game, Hunter played cornerback and wide receiver for the Buffs. On defense, he played 748 snaps and recorded four interceptions and 11 pass breakups. On offense, he played 712 snaps, which included 96 receptions and 15 touchdowns.

After thanking his fiancée, parents and several others in his acceptance speech, he turned to coach Deion Sanders and quarterback Shedeur Sanders (Soc’25) and declared, “You changed my life forever.”

He is projected as a top-five pick in the NFL Draft this April.

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Photo by Heisman Trophy Trust

In 2024, Travis Hunter became the second player in CU history to win the Heisman Trophy.

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Spring 2025

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Gallery

���Ҵ�ý�ƽ������ Hellems Building in 1921

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CU Botanist’s Notes on a Nightshade

Physalis heterophylla

Tomatillo Facts

Physalis heterophylla Fruit

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���Ҵ�ý�ƽ������ Media Archaeology Lab

Sony Digital Mavica (1997)

Kodak Moviedeck 435 Projector (1970s)

Polaroid Model 20 “Swinger” (1965–1970)

Blip. The Digital Game (1977)

Nintendo Game, Donkey Kong (1982)

Sony PlayStation (1995 North America)

VTL Computron (1980)

Sony Walkman (began release in 1979)

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���Ҵ�ý�ƽ������ Hellems Building Reopens after Renovation

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Celebrating Miss Peggy

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���Ҵ�ý�ƽ������ Confers Record-Number of Degrees

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Pike on a Bike, The White Line and the Fight for Pedestrian Safety

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Rashaan Salaam's Legacy Reignited by Travis Hunter's Heisman Win

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Día de los Muertos Altar Crawl at ���Ҵ�ý�ƽ������

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Travis Hunter Wins Heisman Trophy

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��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Hellems Building in 1921

��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Media Archaeology Lab

��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Hellems Building Reopens after Renovation

��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Confers Record-Number of Degrees

Día de los Muertos Altar Crawl at ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ��