Support CMCI

Paying it forward

Anonymous — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 22:59:39 +0000

Paying it forward Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 08/15/2024 - 16:59

By Lauren Irwin (Jour'22)

How to support CMCI

Alumni, parents and friends who want to support CMCI while creating a personal legacy often choose to establish an endowment with the University of Colorado Foundation. Endowments are held in perpetuity and invested to provide annual support for donor-specified purposes through market gains.

Donors can create endowments to support scholarships, programs, departments, faculty chairs and professorships, or nearly anything else at CMCI. The minimum gift to establish an endowment is $25,000, which can be given over up to five years. To learn more or establish an endowment, contact Mary Beth Searles, CMCI assistant dean for advancement.

An internship in Washington, D.C., changed Heidi Wagner’s life. Now, she’s working alongside her alma mater to create similar opportunities for CMCI students.

“D.C. is one of those places that opens doors,” said Wagner (Jour’86). “You really can’t go wrong getting some experience here in Washington.”

As a college senior, Wagner was accepted to the Sears Congressional Internship, where she did media-related and administrative work for Rep. Stan Parris, of Virginia. Wagner had set out to be a broadcast reporter but was surprised by how much she liked learning about politics, policy and process—an interest “that just grew exponentially from being a part of it all.”

“That internship changed the trajectory of my life.”

She stayed in D.C. after graduation and is currently senior vice president and global head of government affairs at ElevateBio, a biotechnology company. Additionally, she serves as a university trustee and member of the University of Colorado Foundation Board, and was a founding member of CMCI’s advisory board.

It wasn’t a path the ��«��Ƶ native envisioned when she enrolled at the university, but her time at CU “gave me a sense of the possibility that was out there for me,” she said.

Looking back to the beginning of her career, she wanted to be a part of providing students with life-changing opportunities similar to what she experienced. CMCI in D.C., which allows students to earn both course and internship credit as they explore Washington, matches that vision.

“That internship changed the trajectory of my life.”
Heidi Wagner

The CMCI in D.C. staff leverages an extensive network of professional contacts to curate internships in the fall, spring or summer semesters that suit the interests and career goals of each student. Over the summer, 20 students studying advertising, information science, journalism and media studies lived in Washington, where they interned at The Hill, The Brand Guild, Williams Whittle, The Parks Channel and elsewhere.

As both the biggest benefactor and “number one cheerleader” of the program—she regularly meets with participants while they’re in D.C.—Wagner hopes students appreciate the possibilities Washington has to offer.

“It’s really important to expose yourself to other things, because you just don’t know what’s out there,” she said.

Wagner said she and Dean Lori Bergen set a goal that a D.C.-based experience shouldn’t be limited to those who can afford to make the move. Over the last five years, she has created an endowment that allows CMCI to offer this experience to more students.

“If the barriers aren’t eliminated, then there’s all kinds of reasons not to do it,” Wagner said. “So, if we can eliminate those barriers, let’s do it.”

After graduating with her journalism degree, Wagner worked in political communications before going to law school, holding multiple high-profile roles in government affairs and policy. She said the skills she learned in her journalism courses have been invaluable to her success working in policy and lobbying.

“I rely heavily on what I learned in journalism classes, just in terms of writing well, writing quickly, writing succinctly, being able to communicate directly and effectively, and being able to advocate internally very effectively,” she said.

Whether it’s journalism, public relations or corporate communications, Wagner hopes the internship program creates a strong pipeline of CMCI students in Washington. She knows the opportunities are waiting to be grasped.

“I certainly found a life here that I love and a career and all that comes with it, but I think Washington is a uniquely wonderful place for young professionals,” she said.

An internship in D.C. changed Heidi Wagner’s life. Now, she wants to recreate that experience for current students.

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Dean's Leadership Society: Fall 2023

Anonymous — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 03:23:34 +0000

Dean's Leadership Society: Fall 2023 Anonymous (not verified) Sun, 10/29/2023 - 21:23

This list celebrates cumulative giving of $1,000 or more to any CMCI fund, department or center during the recent academic year (July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023).

Although we strive for accuracy, we are aware that errors can occur. If you spot an error, please let us know.

Learn more and join the Dean’s Leadership Society for the current academic year (July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024).

Supporting CMCI
Charitable support from alumni, parents and friends played a critical role in CMCI’s first eight years and is important for continued success. Please consider a gift today.

Online
colorado.edu/cmci/donate

Mail
Send checks payable to the University of Colorado Foundation to:

University of Colorado Foundation
P.O. Box 17126
Denver, CO 80217

Please add a note designating your gift for CMCI.

Questions?
cmcigiving@colorado.edu or 303-386-6170

Dean's Cabinet

$100,000 and up

Anonymous
Meridith Baer (Jour’70)
Peter (Advert’83) and Wendy DeLuca
Google LLC
The Hearst Foundation
David Kleiman (PhDComm’73)
Natalie (Mktg’91) and Todd Pickup
Bill and Kathy Scripps
Cindy Scripps
Scripps Howard Foundation
Ruth and Scott Sprain
Stewart Family Foundation
Heidi Wagner (Jour’86)
Walton Family Foundation

$50,000 to $99,999

Stan and Kristine Baty
Pat Kelly (IntlAf’84)
Thom Kuhn (Jour’81) and Dianne O’Connell
Stacy (Psych’85) and Jerome McHugh
$25,000 to $49,999
Anchor Point Foundation
Eric (Advert’79) and Kim Belcher
Carol and John Berg
Crawford Family Foundation
Ruth and Ted Edmonds
Janet Schmitt Keegan
Santa Fe Community Foundation
Tana Schultz
Thornburg Foundation

$10,000 to $24,999

Elizabeth and Barets O. Benjamin Charitable Foundation
Peter Lasser (Comm’76) and Cynthia Potter
Alan (Comm’74) and Cheri Rubin
Brian (Jour’11) and Erin Schroy
Patty (Advert’71) and Rayno Seaser
TEGNA Foundation
Karen Tracy and Bob Craig

$5,000 to $9,999

Anonymous
Active Interest Media
Cactus Inc.
Thomas (AeroEngr’89) and Jennifer Cavill
Tom (Comm’91) and Allison Garfinkel
Estate of Lorna Gray
Katherin (Jour’59) and Duane Howell
Amy (Comm’92) and Clark Jones (Acct’91)
Pat (Comm’88) and Alyson Ryan
Debra and Robert Ryker
Tom (Jour’98) and René Stilwell

Dean’s Circle

$2,500 to $4,999

The Education Private Foundation
John Estabrook (Advert’75)
Joel Feldman and Dianne Anderson
Tracy (PE’84, PhysTher’88) and Scott King (ElEngr’85)
John D. Meyer (Jour’71)
George (Jour’37) and Elizabeth Park Robinson Trust

Dean’s Club

$1,000 to $2,499

Anonymous
Mike Armstrong (Jour’77)
Hugo and Irene Aviles
Craig Berkley (MJour’98)
Chris Bittman (Advert’85) and Kenda Noble (Psych’82)
Lori Call (Jour’94)
Brian Cameron (Comm’08)
Laurie Cantillo (Jour’80)
Doug Claussen (MJour’93)
Jen (Jour’94) and Asa (Comm’93) Darrow
Mike Davies (Jour’94)
Sara Fischer (Jour, Engl’78)
Renae Foxhoven (Advert’82) and Degan Hambacher (CivEngr’80; MEngl’83)
Rebecca Frank (Jour’71) and George Orbanek (MJour’75)
Jean Garland (Jour, Fren’77) and Bruce Byers
Kimberly (Jour’95) and Todd Goldstein (Comm’93)
Kelly (Advert’97) and George Graziadei
Kathleen (Jour’80) and Douglas Ham
Joshua (Jour’05) and Celine Hernandez
Pamela Jones (Jour’75) and Steven Herskovitz
Rich (MJour’99, PhDMediaSt’07) and Danielle Khleif
Moyra Knight (Jour’91) and Michael MacLean
Stephanie (Advert’85) and Craig Marchesi
Robin (Jour’78) and Dara Miles
Jennifer and Martin Mohr
Peaks Strategies
Monica Power
Eric Rasmussen (Jour’91)
Karen (Jour’84, MJour’90) and Charlie Reid (PhDMechEngr’89)
Deborah Ross (Jour’79) and John Leach (Jour’74; MA’79)
Lynne and Dan Russell
Linda Shoemaker (Jour’69) and Steve Brett
Smart Contract Research Forum
Dylan Steele (Jour’06, Anth’06)
Janet Takeyama (Jour’66)
George (Fin’88) and Kimberly Tarlas
Pamela Taylor (Advert’78) and Eames Yates
Jonathan Treisman (Comm’92)
Barbara and Paul Voakes

This list celebrates cumulative giving of $1,000 or more to any CMCI fund, department or center during the recent academic year (July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023).

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Supporting the Next Generation of Communicators

Anonymous — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 19:58:01 +0000

Supporting the Next Generation of Communicators Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 11/21/2022 - 12:58

In today’s ever-changing media landscape, it’s essential to support the next generation of communication leaders.

A degree from the College of Media, Communication and Information (CMCI) can help these future leaders tell stories through data, words, strategy and evolving forms of media. For many first-generation students or students from low-income or underserved communities, scholarships can bridge a gap and make their CU ��«��Ƶ education possible.

Gifts made to the CMCI General Scholarship Fund go directly to CMCI students within a year of being made.

Support CMCI

You can mail a check (made out to the University of Colorado Foundation and with a note indicating CMCI scholarships) to:

University of Colorado Foundation
P.O. Box 17126
Denver, CO 80217

“Your generosity will help me continue working toward getting my bachelor’s degree. I am hoping to one day go to graduate school, and with your support, I am that much closer to reaching that dream.
—Brooke Curry (Comm, Mus’23)

“I am the oldest of six children from a single-income household, and I am currently working three different jobs to pay my way through school. Because of your generous scholarship, I will be able to focus on my studies this year without concern for paying my tuition.
—Rylee Vogel (Comm’23)

“This scholarship helps me breathe a little easier knowing that a part of my family’s struggles is getting lifted off of their plate—so this scholarship is not only for me, but also for my family.
—Eduardo Torres (StratComm’24)

In today’s ever-changing media landscape, it’s essential to support the next generation of communication leaders.

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Dean’s Leadership Society: Fall 2022

Anonymous — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 06:08:49 +0000

Dean’s Leadership Society: Fall 2022 Anonymous (not verified) Sun, 11/20/2022 - 23:08

This list celebrates cumulative giving of $1,000 or more to any CMCI fund, department or center during the recent academic year (July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022).

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Dean's Leadership Society: Fall 2021

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Nov 2021 21:28:46 +0000

Dean's Leadership Society: Fall 2021 Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 11/10/2021 - 14:28

This list celebrates cumulative giving to any CMCI fund, department or center of $1,000 or more during the recent academic year (July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021).

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Payden's Passion

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Nov 2021 21:22:28 +0000

Payden's Passion Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 11/10/2021 - 14:22

Bill Payden (Jour’57) loved traveling the world and being a journalist. He loved his collection of miniature cars and airplanes. He loved his older sister, Joan Payden, and his cat, Neely. And he loved being a professor.

In 2005, his passion for teaching and desire to reward those who have chosen teaching as a career led him to establish an eponymous faculty award given out annually at the College of Media, Communication and Information.

Payden and his sister were born in Connecticut but attended grade school in Jakarta, Indonesia, where their father worked for Union Carbide. He started college at Notre Dame and very much enjoyed the academics, but the weather and his desire to go West convinced him to make a move after two years. He’d spent a summer in Colorado working near the Four Corners and, because of that, chose to finish his undergraduate studies at the ��«��Ƶ in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. According to Joan Payden, he knew immediately that CU ��«��Ƶ was the right fit.

After graduation, Payden returned to the East Coast and became a reporter and feature writer for the Mamaroneck (N.Y.) Daily Times. He liked small-town life and once turned down an opportunity to write for The New York Times because he did not want to live in the city. Eventually, he paused his reporting career and moved to California to earn a master’s degree in American studies from California State University, Los Angeles.

In 1970, 13 years after graduating from CU ��«��Ƶ, he turned his attention to teaching. He joined the faculty at Los Angeles Valley College, developed its journalism program and chaired the journalism department for more than a decade.

Payden never forgot CU ��«��Ƶ and was a loyal donor for many decades. In 2005, he started the William R. Payden Faculty Excellence Award, which recognizes superior teaching and research or creative work with a $20,000 cash prize. This prize, first given in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication and now at CMCI, is the largest faculty award given at the school or college level at CU ��«��Ƶ.

“Bill thought professors gave up a lot in order to teach,” Joan Payden says. “He was very conscious of that.”

In 2010, he donated $500,000 to endow this award and ensure its future.

“The Payden Award provides CMCI the unique opportunity to present a significant monetary award to an outstanding professor,” says Lori Bergen, founding dean of CMCI. “Faculty members in higher education seldom receive this level of acknowledgment and reward.”

Although Bergen never had the opportunity to meet Bill Payden, she has gotten to know him through conversations with his sister. “We are very proud to have him as an alumnus and very grateful for the impact he has had at CMCI,” Bergen says.

Although he died in 2013, Payden’s impact at CMCI continues to grow.

Joan Payden, who runs Payden & Rygel, a global investment management firm, contributed to Bill’s legacy by directing more than $800,000 from his estate to CMCI. Those funds were used to create a second endowment, the William R. Payden Endowment for Teaching Excellence, which is used to award smaller grants to CMCI faculty to reward outstanding work and support innovation in teaching, professional development and research. In June 2021, Joan donated an additional $500,000 to the Payden teaching grant endowment, ensuring that faculty can benefit from the award for years to come.

Payden teaching grants have helped CMCI evolve by supporting faculty engagement in curricular development. In 2019, Pat Ferrucci, an associate professor in the Department of Journalism, received a Payden teaching grant for his leadership in establishing CMCI’s sports media minor. Ferrucci also received the Payden Award in 2020.

“Receiving the Payden Award meant a great deal to me,” Ferrucci says. “As a professor, I started teaching to make a difference and maybe help students think about journalism through a more critical and equitable lens. This award is a nice recognition that I’m hopefully accomplishing these goals.”

When Joan Payden thinks of her brother, two words come to mind. “Bill was passionate and committed no matter what he did,” she says.

Journalist Bill Payden (Jour'57) created the William R. Payden Faculty Excellence Award, the largest faculty award given at the college level at CU ��«��Ƶ, to recognize superior teaching, research or creative work.

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Making Connections

Anonymous — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 02:16:19 +0000

Making Connections Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 07/28/2021 - 20:16

By Tayler Shaw (Jour, Span’21)

Standing beneath the album-decorated ceiling in the recording studio of Radio 1190, excitement and nerves arise as high school junior Kendall Stark leans closer to the microphone. With the click of a button by CMCI Instructor and Radio 1190 General Manager Jared Browsh, Stark is suddenly live on air.

“You’re listening to Radio 1190,” she says.

After Browsh clicks off the live microphone, the room erupts with cheers and applause. “Tens of thousands of people just heard that,” he tells Stark, who aspires to become a play-by-play sports broadcaster.

The trip to Radio 1190 was one of many highlights for those attending the Connections: CMCI Summer Academy, a week-long summer camp that gives high school students a preview of college life and introduces them to current students, staff and faculty.

Sponsored by CMCI’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), the academy was created to support and host historically underserved sophomore and junior high school students—especially those who may not know if college is the right fit for them.

“Even though we hope that you might come to the ��«��Ƶ and maybe even join us in CMCI, what we really hope for is that your eyes are opened to the possibilities of being a college student,” CMCI Founding Dean Lori Bergen told participants during the virtual welcome ceremony. “We’d be happy if this experience plays a role in your decision to attend any college anywhere.”

After being delayed by the pandemic in 2020, the academy launched this year, led by Founding Director and Senior Instructor Sara Jamieson, Inclusive Excellence and Outreach Coordinator Dave Martinez and CMCI Peer Mentors Nic Tamayo, Kelsie Kerr and Jaeda Rodriguez.

This year’s cohort included eight rising high school sophomores and juniors, primarily from Colorado high schools, including ��«��Ƶ High School, Empower Community High School and West High School.

For the first four days of the academy, the students participated in a series of virtual classes on podcasting, street photography, visual culture and affective map making—all taught by CMCI faculty.

Founding Director of Connections: CMCI Summer Academy and Senior Instructor Sara Jamieson poses with Inclusive Excellence and Outreach Coordinator Dave Martinez.

Belleville High School junior Kendall Stark prepares to speak live on Radio 1190 with the help of CMCI Instructor and Radio 1190 General Manager Jared Browsh.

Connections participants exchange goodbye hugs as the program comes to a close.

For Anika Garr, a junior at Empower Community High School, one of the best sessions was on her passion, photography. Overall, Garr says, the academy was a fun and exciting experience that allowed her to make friends and explore her college options.

“I really want to get into fashion and then photography as well,” she says.

While the sessions were virtual, they remained interactive and project-based, with students taking breaks to practice their skills, such as making their own podcasts and sharing their street photography online.

“They tried to get you as involved as possible,” Stark says. “There was always something we were doing—like it wasn’t a lot of lecturing. It was kind of a hands-on experience.”

For their fifth and final day at the academy, students gathered on CU ��«��Ƶ’s campus to tour facilities including Radio 1190 and the university’s CASE building, where CMCI students can access podcasting booths and a student workspace and newsroom. Students also visited Folsom Field, met with Executive Director of Pre-College Outreach and Engagement Christopher Pacheco and ate lunch in the center of campus at the University Memorial Center.

For the peer mentors, it was gratifying to see the students connect with one another and with the college.

“I hope that they realize how accessible college actually should be for everybody and just realize how not-scary professors are,” says Jaeda Rodriguez, a CMCI sophomore studying journalism.

Fellow journalism sophomore Nic Tamayo agrees, adding, “I also hope they take away the bragging rights, like ‘I took a week of classes with college professors.’ I think that’s really cool for them to have that experience and be a little more prepared when they’re doing their applications. They have connections here already.”

As the final day came to a close, the newfound friends hugged and shared bittersweet goodbyes, promising to keep in contact. It was a meaningful experience not only for the students, but also for the CMCI DEI team who saw the academy finally come to fruition.

“We are honored to have you as part of our team and we want to stay in touch,” Martinez told the students during the closing ceremony. “You’ve already started the connection, and that’s what we’re all about.”

Learn more about the academy or email questions.

The extent to which CMCI can implement additional programming to support a diverse, inclusive and equitable community will also depend on private donations.

Please consider making a gift toward these efforts.

CMCI recently celebrated the first cohort of students to complete Connections: CMCI Summer Academy, a week-long summer experience that gives high school students a preview of college life and introduces them to current students, staff and faculty.

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Staying Connected Through Scholarships

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 20:11:42 +0000

Staying Connected Through Scholarships Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 10/22/2020 - 14:11

Nonie Lann (Jour’48) fell in love with CU ��«��Ƶ as a 16-year-old freshman exploring campus by bike. Decades later, she established an endowed scholarship, which she sees as a way to give back and stay connected.

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Dean’s Leadership Society: Fall 2020

Anonymous — Thu, 27 Aug 2020 00:07:33 +0000

Dean’s Leadership Society: Fall 2020 Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 08/26/2020 - 18:07

Donor generosity plays a critical role in the success of College of Media, Communication and Information.

We are proud to recognize the inaugural Dean’s Leadership Society, individuals who donated $1,000 or more during our most recent fiscal year (July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020), for their extraordinary generosity.

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Dean's Leadership Society: Fall 2019

Anonymous — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 18:58:10 +0000

Dean's Leadership Society: Fall 2019 Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 12/11/2019 - 11:58

This list celebrates cumulative giving to any CMCI fund, department or center of $1,000 or more during the recent academic year (July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019).

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