Arts, Humanities & Culture

Jaxon Statzell Designs Skateparks Around the World

Anna Tolette — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 21:31:48 +0000

Jaxon Statzell Designs Skateparks Around the World Anna Tolette Mon, 03/09/2026 - 15:31

Sara Muderick

Jaxon Statzell (Arch’09) has designed world-class skateparks across the globe, including for the Paris and Tokyo Olympic Games, as well as the X Games. His work blends architectural training, artistic and sculptural design and his own experience as a skater to create spaces that cultivate creativity and community. With nearly two decades of professional experience, Statzell is now bringing this work to his hometown — Evergreen, Colorado.

What was your relationship with skateboarding growing up?

Admittedly, I got into skateboarding in middle school for the image and was pretty much a poser in the clothes and shoes, but I quickly became obsessed with learning to skate. In high school, my basketball coach gave me an ultimatum: give up skateboarding or keep playing. I chose skateboarding. After that, I’d shovel and towel-dry the driveway just so I could skate in the winter. My dad would drive me and my friends all over the state to different skateparks. Once I got my driver’s license, I even drove to Arizona to explore more parks.

What kind of skateboarding community existed at �� when you were a student?

There was a great community of skateboarders at ��. Satellite Boardshop in Boulder, which is still there today, was a great hub to meet other skaters. I would skate all around campus, but doing tricks was off-limits.

Was skatepark design always an interest of yours?

I went through school focused on traditional architecture, but skatepark design was in the back of my mind. Skateboarding was always my passion, but I never imagined it could become my profession.

What does it mean to take things full circle and return to Evergreen?

It means so much, and it’s honestly so much fun. Earlier in my career, I would’ve been stressed and insecure about designing for my hometown. Now, I feel prepared and overwhelmed with gratitude. More than anything, I am trying to soak it all in and enjoy the process.

What are some of the most important lessons skateboarding has taught you?

Skateboarding requires so much failure before ever learning even the most basic tricks. A kickflip takes hundreds, if not thousands, of attempts before ever landing even one. It taught me a lot of perseverance and grit. I also love that it’s simultaneously an individual artistic expression and a social activity — winning doesn’t require anyone else to lose.

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Photo courtesy Jaxon Statzell

Statzell's work blends architectural training, artistic and sculptural design and his own experience as a skater.

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The Takács Quartet Enters a New Era

Anna Tolette — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 21:22:45 +0000

The Takács Quartet Enters a New Era Anna Tolette Mon, 03/09/2026 - 15:22

Sabine Kortals Stein

The Takács Quartet, from left: Edward Dusinberre, András Fejér, Harumi Rhodes and Richard O’Neill. Fejér will step down at the end of the 2025-26 season after a 51-year tenure.

The Takács Quartet, dubbed “the essential quartet of our time” by The New York Times, is fresh off its 50th anniversary season of international touring and critical acclaim. In December, the quartet announced the retirement of cellist András Fejér, the last remaining member of the original quartet, which was founded by four students — Gábor Takács-Nagy, Károly Schranz, Gábor Ormai and Fejér — at the Franz Liszt Academy, Budapest, in 1975.

Fejér will step down at the end of the 2025-26 season after a remarkable 51- year tenure. And the quartet’s newest member, Romanian-born cellist Mihai Marica, will join the quartet this fall. As part of the ensemble’s longstanding residency at �� Boulder (beginning in 1986), Marica also will join the College of Music faculty.

“We’re very grateful to András for the fulfilling and fun quartet work we’ve shared,” said Edward Dusinberre, first violinist. “We’re especially grateful for the sustained integrity of his musicianship, and for his friendship, support and humor. While cherishing András’ extraordinary legacy, we’re thrilled to welcome Mihai.

“From the very first notes we played together with Mihai, we felt an instant musical connection, and we eagerly look forward to the future.”

Fejér added, “It’s the right time — I’ve had a beautifully rewarding quality of life, working on inspiring music with wonderful colleagues who became great friends and performing all over the world for appreciative audiences. My heartfelt thanks to all our friends and supporters over the years — I’ll miss you like mad.”

The news comes among many recent accolades for the quartet, including Chamber Music America’s prestigious Richard J. Bogomolny National Service Award in recognition of the Takács Quartet’s contributions to the chamber music field.

“The quartet not only elevates the reputation of our college and university as a whole through its world-class artistry, but especially through its members’ devoted mentorship of our students and their strong spirit of community engagement,” said John Davis, dean of the College of Music. “The Takács Quartet represents the very best of what we do, and we look forward to its continued impact and influence.”

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Photo by Amanda Tipton

Last year, the group announced the retirement of cellist András Fejér, the last remaining member of the original quartet.

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A Look at Robert Redford's Bat, Ball and Glove from the movie The Natural

Anna Tolette — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 21:21:50 +0000

A Look at Robert Redford's Bat, Ball and Glove from the movie The Natural Anna Tolette Mon, 03/09/2026 - 15:21

Throughout the 1984 film The Natural (1984), Robert Redford’s character, Roy Hobbs, wrestles with the consequences of his past. In a pivotal scene, Glenn Close’s character, Iris Gaines, tells him: “I believe we have two lives. The life we learn with and the life we live with after that.” It’s a line about redemption — and one that echoes Redford’s own early life path.

Redford (A&S ex’58, HonDoc Hum’87) attended �� Boulder from fall 1954 to spring 1956, joining Kappa Sigma and working as a janitor at The Sink. He left to study art in Europe before enrolling in the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. He then launched a career that spanned nearly 80 film roles, beginning with War Hunt in 1962. By the time The Natural premiered, he was a household name.

Redford gave the bat, ball and glove from the film to Chancellor James Corbridge, who donated them to the �� Heritage Center in 1992.

Redford died in September 2025 at age 89, but his legacy in Boulder will continue — the Sundance Film Festival, which he founded, moves to the city in January 2027.

Bat, Ball and Glove Facts:

Glove was custom-made for Redford, who was left-handed.
All three items were used by Redford in the film.
Glove and bat feature 1930s styling.

Film Facts:

The Natural was nominated for four Academy Awards.
Film loosely based on a true story about Philadelphia Phillies player Eddie Waitkus
Robert Redford modeled his character after a player he greatly admired, Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox
Robert Redford was 47 years old when the movie premiered

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Photo courtesy Mona Lambrecht, �� Heritage Museum

Redford gave the items to Chancellor James Corbridge, who donated them to the �� Heritage Center in 1992.

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Celebrating 150 Years of �� People

Anna Tolette — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 21:16:07 +0000

Celebrating 150 Years of �� People Anna Tolette Mon, 03/09/2026 - 15:16

Julia MacLean

Over 150 years, �� Boulder has been shaped by the vision, courage and tenacity of many students, faculty, staff and alumni. These Buffs have spurred change for the university and left an imprint on the legacy that propels it forward.

Joseph Sewall

1877 — Became ��’s first president

A 19th-century American physician, scientist and educator, Joseph Sewall served as �� Boulder’s first president from 1877 to 1887. Before he arrived in Colorado, he trained in medicine and natural science and taught as a professor of chemistry at Illinois State Normal University. When �� opened on Sept. 5, 1877, there was only a single building — Old Main — which contained classrooms, a library, a chapel and the living quarters for the Sewall family.

Today, Sewall is remembered as the man “in at the birth” of ��, who directed its first steps and helped lay the foundation for what the university would become. In 1935, the university built Sewall Hall in his honor, which is the oldest continuously used residence hall on campus.

Mary Rippon in 1882.

Mary Rippon

1878 — Appointed ��’s first female professor

Mary Rippon’s distinguished career at �� Boulder spanned over 30 years. Besides making history as the first female professor at ��, she is also believed to be one of the first women in the United States to teach at a state university. Beloved by students, Rippon taught language and literature, eventually earning a position as head of the Department of Germanic Languages and Literature. She is honored today by the Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre on ��’s campus. Rippon also lived a fascinating hidden life — in 1888, she secretly married a �� student, Will Housel, and gave birth to their daughter, Miriam Housel. She concealed this truth for decades to retain her position and support her family.

Lucile Berkeley Buchanan Jones (Ger’1918)

1918 — Graduated from ��

Lucile Berkeley Buchanan Jones was an educator and the first known Black woman to graduate from �� Boulder. Born to parents who had been enslaved, she grew up in the Barnum subdivision of Denver, where her family became the area’s first Black property owners. Before attending ��, she broke barriers by becoming the first Black graduate to earn a two-year teaching degree from what is now the University of Northern Colorado. In 1918, she earned a bachelor’s degree in German from �� — however, due to racial prejudice, she was not allowed to walk across the stage at commencement or appear in the yearbook. Her diploma was handed to her off-stage, an act that led her to vow that she would never return to campus. Nearly 100 years after her graduation, �� formally recognized Buchanan’s achievement, and during the 2018 commencement ceremony, a diploma was symbolically accepted on her behalf by CMDI associate professor Polly McLean.

George Norlin

1919 — Appointed president of ��

George Norlin joined �� as a classics professor in 1899, became acting president in 1917 and began serving as permanent president in 1919, where he remained until 1939. Under his transformative leadership, �� underwent a dramatic period of expansion, despite the Great Depression: the student body more than tripled, several university buildings were constructed and architect Charles Klauder redesigned the campus in the Tuscan vernacular style. Norlin left a lasting moral and cultural legacy at the university. He is famous for resisting pressure from the legislature (influenced by the Ku Klux Klan), refusing to dismiss all Catholic and Jewish faculty. He also wrote The Norlin Charge, first read at the 1935 commencement ceremony, which remains a part of �� tradition today.

Byron White (Econ’38)

1935 — Earned the Buffaloes national attention

Byron “Whizzer” White is among the most celebrated student-athletes in the history of Colorado Buffaloes football. His senior year, he led the Buffaloes through a successful season, earning national attention and helping elevate the profile of the program. He was later inducted into the Buffaloes’ Athletic Hall of Fame in recognition of his elite play and impact on �� athletics. After his athletic career, White distinguished himself in public service, eventually serving as a justice of the United States Supreme Court.

Peggy Coppom (A&S ex’46) and Betty Hoover (A&S ex’46)

1940 — Began cheering on the Buffs

The “�� Twins” earned legendary status on campus through decades of unwavering devotion to �� athletics. The sisters first began cheering for the Buffs as Boulder High School students. They were loyal season ticket holders for �� football (beginning in the late 1950s) and basketball (late 1970s). Wearing matching goldenrod �� sweatshirts and waving pom-poms, Peggy and Betty became a fixture in the stands and remain one of the most iconic fan duos in school history. After Betty’s death in 2020, Peggy’s dedication to �� has remained as strong as ever. In recognition of her lifelong commitment, Peggy was honored with the 2025 Chancellor’s Impact Award.

David Bolen (Mktg; MBA’50)

1948 — Competed in the Olympic Games

After David Bolen served in the Army Air Force for two years during World War II, �� Boulder track and field coach Frank Potts recruited him to the university. He then earned All-America honors. At 25, Bolen became the first �� student to qualify for the 1948 U.S. Olympic Team, where he placed fourth in the 400m race at the London games. After graduating, Bolen began a distinguished diplomatic career, serving as U.S. Ambassador to Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland beginning in 1974, and to East Germany beginning in 1977. He also was the first Black ambassador to a nation behind the Iron Curtain.

Billy Kidd

1964 — Won an Olympic alpine skiing medal

In February 1964, at the Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria, Billy Kidd became the first U.S. man to win an Olympic alpine skiing medal, a silver in the slalom. Over the next several years, he captured gold in the combined event at the 1970 World Championships in Val Gardena and became the first American man to win a world alpine title. He then went professional, claiming the pro world championship that same year. After graduating from ��, Kidd remained in Colorado and became the long-time director of skiing at Steamboat Ski Resort in 1970. Beyond instruction, he helped initiate ski-based outreach and inclusion efforts, supporting Special Olympics athletes, wounded veterans and Native American youth through ski camps and mentorship programs.

“Ralph”

1966 — Folsom Field debut

The first official Ralphie mascot, “Ralph” was the live buffalo that launched one of the most beloved traditions at the �� Boulder. In 1965, �� freshman Bill Lowery was determined to bring a live buffalo to Buffs football games instead of a costumed mascot. With the help of his rancher father, he successfully brought a buffalo calf from northeastern Colorado to Boulder. Ralph made her debut at Folsom Field on Oct. 1, 1966, charging onto the field with Lowery and a few of his fellow students flailing alongside her in cowboy boots.

Juan Espinosa (Jour’74)

1972 — Launched the newspaper El Diario de la Gente

As a �� Boulder student, Espinosa launched the bilingual newspaper El Diario de la Gente in 1972 as a member of the United Mexican American Students, a campus group aimed at bringing cultural awareness to Boulder’s Chicano community. The Vietnam War veteran later moved to Pueblo, Colorado, where he co-founded the alternative community newspaper La Cucaracha and worked for 22 years at The Pueblo Chieftain.

Tom Cech

1989 — Awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry

A distinguished professor of chemistry at �� Boulder, Thomas Cech is a renowned biochemist whose work has fundamentally reshaped our understanding of molecular biology. After earning his doctorate degree in chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley in 1975 and completing postdoctoral research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he joined the faculty of �� Boulder in 1978. In 1982, he and his research group made a groundbreaking discovery that RNA molecules, specifically from the pond organism Tetrahymena thermophila, could splice themselves, acting as enzymes in cellular reactions without proteins. In recognition of this paradigm-shifting work, Cech was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1989. Cech continues to lead research and education at �� Boulder as the founding director of the BioFrontiers Institute.

Ceal Barry

2018 — Inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame

As head coach for over 22 seasons, Ceal Barry left an undeniable mark on �� Boulder’s women’s basketball. In her time as coach, she accumulated a record of 427-242, the most wins by any head coach in �� sports history. Under her leadership, the program flourished. She had 13 seasons with 20 or more wins, 12 NCAA Tournament appearances and three trips to the Elite Eight. She was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018 in recognition of her impact and achievements. After stepping down as coach, Barry served for 15 years in �� Athletics administration, including a year as interim athletic director in 2013. The university unveiled Ceal Barry Plaza in her honor in January 2026.

Joe Neguse (Econ, PolSci’05; Law’09)

2018 — Elected to Congress

At �� Boulder Joe Neguse was involved in student government, served as co-student body president under the “tri-executive” system and worked on issues like diversity, affordability and higher-education finance. After graduating, he went on to serve on the �� Board of Regents, co-founded a nonprofit aimed at youth civic engagement and worked in Colorado politics. In 2018, Neguse was elected to represent Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, becoming the first Black Coloradan elected to Congress. During his time in office, he has focused on priorities like public-lands protection, affordable higher education, consumer protection and government accountability.

Wei Wu (MMus’13)

2019 — Awarded a Grammy Award

A bass singer from Beijing, Wei Wu has built a remarkable career in opera, earning international acclaim. Upon arriving in the U.S. in 2007, he auditioned for graduate work at �� Boulder’s College of Music, officially enrolling in 2008. During his time at ��, he honed and perfected the vocal technique, diction and stage presence that became instrumental to his professional success. Wu received his big break after performing the role of Kôbun Chino Otogawa in the world premiere of “The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs” at Santa Fe Opera. The recording won the 2019 Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording.

David Ellsworth (Art’71; MFA’73)

2021 — Honored with the Smithsonian Visionary Award

David Ellsworth helped elevate wood turning from a utilitarian craft to fine art. While studying sculpture at �� Boulder, he developed his signature approach, “blind turning,” a method using a set of bent tools that enables woodturners to hollow out wood into elegant, thin-walled vessels. Ellsworth taught his strategies at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts and Anderson Ranch Arts Center, going on to found his own Ellsworth School of Woodturning. In 2021, he was honored with the Smithsonian Visionary Award by the Smithsonian Institution in recognition of his “ground-breaking, innovative and transformative career in wood art.”

Sarah Gillis (AeroEngr’17)

2024 — Played the violin in space

Sarah Gillis made history on Sept. 13, 2024 when she became the first person to play the violin in space, performing “Rey’s Theme” from Star Wars: The Force Awakens aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft more than 870 miles above Earth. Her crewmates captured her performance, which took place in zero gravity conditions during the Polaris Dawn mission, and sent to Earth via Starlink. Gillis first developed an interest in space in high school and went on to study aerospace engineering at �� Boulder. After internships and work at SpaceX, she joined the Polaris Dawn crew as a mission specialist, where she became the youngest astronaut to participate in a spacewalk.

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Photo credits: In order of appearance: Courtesy Carnegie Library for Local History/Museum of Boulder Collection (Mary Rippon); �� Heritage Center (Joseph Sewall); �� Heritage Center (George Norlin); Glenn Asakawa (Peggy Coppom and Betty Hoover); Courtesy the Buchanan Archives (Lucile Berkeley Buchanan Jones); Courtesy Tom Cech; Glenn Asakawa (Tom Cech); Polaris Dawn crew (Sarah Gillis); Glenn Asakawa (Wei Wu); Courtesy Juan Espinosa; �� Heritage Center (David Bolen); �� Heritage Center (Byron White); �� Athletics (Ceal Barry); Courtesy Joe Neguse; Roshni Gorur/Courtesy of Anderson Ranch (David Ellsworth); Courtesy Billy Kidd; Coloradan archives (Ralphie)

�� Boulder has been shaped by the vision, courage and tenacity of many students, faculty, staff and alumni since 1876.

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Spring 2026

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Buffalo Statues of �� Boulder

Anna Tolette — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 21:09:03 +0000

Buffalo Statues of �� Boulder Anna Tolette Mon, 03/09/2026 - 15:09

Some stand framed by the Flatirons; others are tucked into campus corners. A few are carved from marble; many are cast in bronze.

Several have horns smoothed by thousands of hopeful hands, rubbed for luck, for courage, for something just ahead. Each one holds a piece of someone’s �� Boulder story.

Scattered across the �� Boulder campus, buffalo statues are abundant. They stand as enduring symbols of strength, resilience and a united spirit for all who pass by.

Do you have a favorite? Email your photos to editor@colorado.edu.

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Photos by Casey A. Cass, Glenn Asakawa and Patrick Campbell

Where do the buffalo roam on campus?

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Should You Be Funny at Work?

Anna Tolette — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 21:06:44 +0000

Should You Be Funny at Work? Anna Tolette Mon, 03/09/2026 - 15:06

Katy Hill

Tony Kong, left, and Peter McGraw, right, study humor in the workplace.

Humor has long been seen as a “soft skill,” useful for easing awkward Zoom moments or sharing a laugh with colleagues. But �� Boulder researchers Tony Kong and Peter McGraw argue it’s far more than that. Kong, a professor of organizational leadership and information analytics at the Leeds School of Business, views humor as a strategic leadership tool that can build trust, strengthen teams and elevate status — if used wisely. McGraw, a marketing and psychology professor and director of the Humor Research Lab, warns that most people overestimate their comedic skills, causing their jokes to backfire.

Can you each explain your views on workplace humor?

Kong: Humor has a lot of relational benefits. People bond easily when they laugh together, and it builds trust. Research shows it boosts creativity, helps people think more divergently and strengthens commitment. But a bad joke can hurt your credibility or status. It’s a double-edged sword, but the benefits outweigh the risks when used wisely.

McGraw: I agree, and I’d add that humor helps people cope with challenges and unpleasant situations at work. Where we differ is in advocacy: I’m more cautious. Most people aren’t naturally skilled at humor. In our research, we developed the benign violation theory: People laugh at things that are ‘wrong, yet OK’ — they’re threatening, but safe. Remove either element, and humor fails — it’s boring if the ‘wrong’ is missing and upsetting if the ‘OK’ is missing. Workplaces can be sensitive, so humor requires skill.

Kong: Context matters. To use humor effectively, you need to know your audience — what’s ‘wrong, yet OK’ varies across groups.

McGraw: Motivation matters, too. Benign violation theory says the ‘benign’ part is your intention, and the ‘violation’ is context-specific. Minor violations are tolerated if the motivation is understood; serious violations risk offense.

Kong: My favorite humor points out experiences we all notice but rarely articulate — like Ali Wong. Ali is fearless, brilliant, and incisive in talking about relatable and important topics such as careers, motherhood, cultures and relationships. Insightful humor resonates more than just showing off intellect. And humor is culturally specific — the ‘violation’ differs across groups. That’s part of why I became fascinated with it.

How did you each get into studying humor?

McGraw: I came from behavioral economics, studying emotions like regret and embarrassment. Humor wasn’t on my radar until I gave a talk and my audience laughed unexpectedly. Curious, I started researching what makes things funny, and that led to benign violation theory.

Kong: I focus on humor as a resource — how it builds relationships, improves leadership and enhances performance. So our research is complementary: Peter studies the nature of humor; I study humor consequences.

Can you give examples of humor that works at work — and when it’s best avoided?

McGraw: Humor works in close relationships, when joking about a common challenge or competitor, and when punching up instead of down — rather than the boss making the joke down to an employee, it’s nicer if the employee can make the joke up to the boss. And avoid joking about absent people; it becomes gossip.

Kong: Humor is also useful to relieve stress. Joking about tasks, deadlines or shared experiences works; joking about individuals without rapport may not.

McGraw: Emotional intelligence matters. Skilled people can leverage humor; less skilled people might focus on enjoying humor rather than performing it.

What should people know about humor in general?

Kong: Humor is social information — it signals something to others. How it lands depends on the context, the audience and who’s delivering it. That’s why perspective-taking is key: Put yourself in their shoes. Humor is risky, but when done for others’ benefit, it can be really powerful. And when a joke fails, the only recovery may be sincere apology.

McGraw: Or better yet, avoid telling bad jokes. Stop being unfunny, don’t stop being funny.

Learn more about �� Boulder-related humor research at humorresearchlab.com or cubuffs.org/tony_kong.

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Illustration by Celina Pereira, video by Taylor Keating

Two �� Boulder humor researchers weigh in.

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Art, Science and Polar Bears

Anna Tolette — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 18:32:16 +0000

Art, Science and Polar Bears Anna Tolette Mon, 11/10/2025 - 11:32

Julia MacLean

Lianna Nixon is an educator who blends science and art.

As a wildlife photographer and conservation storyteller, the Arctic is Lianna Nixon’s (Class’17; MEdu’21) second home. What began as a college expedition evolved into a career that blends art, science and education. From drifting on sea ice to counting polar bears, her adventures are as fascinating as they are meaningful.

Tell us about some of your Arctic adventures.

I first went to the Arctic in 2017 with Sea Legacy, a nonprofit organization run by two National Geographic photographers. Perhaps my most transformative Arctic photography and film experience was working on the MOSAiC Expedition (the Multidisciplinary Drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate) while at ��. I was able to create connections about the Arctic climate system we see today, the experiences of scientists and the prowess of intersectional storytelling through visceral art-science narratives. While out on the ice floe, we were also visited by quite a few polar bears!

What are some things you work on now in the Arctic?

Six to eight weeks out of the year, I guide on expeditions out of Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago, photographing arctic wildlife. It’s not just about posting on Instagram — it’s being able to create conversations and share the beauty, vulnerability and importance of this region. My work is taken further into the scope of science and conservation outreach to be used in citizen science projects that observe wildlife behavior and other communication needs.

What do you want people to take from your storytelling work?

My work focuses on applying new-age media, which includes photography, film, immersive 360-degree film and storytelling. When we humanize and bring different perspectives to abstract, difficult or polarizing topics, which is essentially the premise of climate science.

What motivated you to return to school for an education degree?

I always wanted to be a scientist, but my brain is programmed for art. That’s why I chose education — it’s a fantastic mediary space to bring those two together.

What are you doing when you aren’t in the Arctic?

I mainly do graphic design. My job has had to be very flexible with guiding, because I also hold my own BEAR Expedition a couple of weeks a year in Alaska, which allows people to view brown bears. The flexibility of my job is also due to the work of my husband, Casey VanCampenhout (Class’17), who is an F-15 fighter pilot. We’re stationed here in Vancouver, Washington. I’m also director of Tsé Bii’, a nonprofit which works with the Diné of the Navajo Nation located in Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park to bring sustainable off-grid electrical and water resources to their homes.

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Photo courtesy Lianna Nixon

Lianna Nixon turned her college Arctic expeditions into a career as a wildlife photographer and conservation storyteller.

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Saving Colorado Landmarks

Anna Tolette — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 18:30:51 +0000

Saving Colorado Landmarks Anna Tolette Mon, 11/10/2025 - 11:30

Julia MacLean

Preservation planning for Florence, Colorado’s Orecchio Block.

From iconic hotels to community landmarks, the Colorado Historical Foundation works to protect the state’s most meaningful places — and Catherine Stroh (Art’95) is leading the effort. A Colorado native and longtime Boulder resident, Stroh blends an appreciation for design and architecture with a passion for Colorado history as the foundation’s president and CEO.

How do you best describe the Colorado Historical Foundation?

We have many different tools to preserve historic places in Colorado. One of the ways we do that is through conservation easements on physical buildings, structures and cultural landscapes. This prevents them from being demolished or severely altered, so that they can essentially look the same as they did during their significant period of history. We also operate a low-interest loan program to help people repair and revitalize historic buildings. We also operate a low-interest loan program to help people repair and revitalize historic buildings.

What are some of the foundation’s projects right now?

The Fort, a well-known restaurant in Morrison, is modeled after Bent’s Old Fort (a fur trading post built in 1833) in Southeast Colorado and protected by one of our conservation easements. We also have an easement on the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park. And in Boulder, we provided a low-interest loan to help support the rehabilitation of the Mary H. Galey Cottage within the nationally landmarked Colorado Chautauqua property.

What should Buffs know about Colorado history?

There is so much history centered in Colorado. The story of the state is really a convergence of so many different stories, from indigenous populations who were here originally to the pioneers who came in when it was a Spanish Territory. There are many different influences throughout the state and a lot of history to continually uncover.

What’s your favorite historic place you’ve worked on?

The old Smiley Junior High School in Durango has been turned into a commercial space with a lot of unique offices, creative spaces and even apartments. On the first floor, there’s a coffee shop and an art market retail area. To see that building activated in such a new way while still retaining its schoolhouse properties, is really cool.

How have you seen Colorado change over time?

I think the biggest change that we see is just the continual population growth and how that influences the shape of towns, especially the merging and blending of communities along the Front Range. We are losing some of the open space that I think a lot of us grew up with, but this also brings in a lot of new and interesting people and opportunities.

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Photo courtesy Colorado Historical Foundation

Catherine Stroh leads efforts to preserve the state’s historic buildings and landmarks.

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Rockin' Folsom with the Doobie Brothers

Anna Tolette — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 18:28:52 +0000

Rockin' Folsom with the Doobie Brothers Anna Tolette Mon, 11/10/2025 - 11:28

Julia MacLean

The Doobie Brothers in 1975 in Folsom Field.

The summer of 1975, the Doobie Brothers lit up Folsom Field in a concert that has become a legendary piece of �� Boulder’s musical history. Photographer Dan Fong (Mktg’70), who documented the show, recalled Boulder’s then-mayor introducing the group, setting the stage for a performance that brought the entire crowd to its feet.

“Even the kids in the audience went crazy,” Fong said. “Age didn’t matter. It was good music.”

At the time, Fong was working full-time for the Doobie Brothers and had assumed a new role as the band’s media coordinator. He was in charge of their worldwide photo requests and oversaw interviews and promotional events. He knew how to capture their spirit both on and offstage.

“This concert was the Michael McDonald [lead vocalist] era, and I was in charge of the album cover for ‘Takin’ It To The Streets,’ absolutely their most famous album to date,” Fong said proudly.

But the concert wasn’t just about the Doobie Brothers. The Memphis Horns — an American horn section who played with artists ranging from Elvis Presley to Stephen Stills — were traveling and playing exclusively with the Doobie Brothers, making it an unrivaled experience.

Today, Fong’s photographs from that night are part of a collection he has worked to preserve with the help of �� Boulder archivists. The collection documents his career as a photographer beginning in 1962, with a special emphasis on his photography of the Colorado music scene. When he attended �� from 1966 to 1970, he worked for a company that specialized in photographing fraternity and sorority parties.

“Most of the collection has images no one’s ever seen,” Fong said.

In recent years, �� Boulder has brought a few concerts back to Boulder. Dead & Company played Folsom for several summers starting in 2016 and, most recently, Phish came to Folsom in July. The band was the first to play on the field’s new artificial turf, which �� installed in mid-June.

�� plans to feature more concerts at Folsom Field. On Oct. 18, DJ and songwriter John Summit played the first concert of the academic year.

The Dan Fong Collection is available to the public by appointment.

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Photo courtesy Dan Fong

The Doobie Brothers played a legendary concert at Folsom Field in 1975, captured by photographer Dan Fong, whose archival collection is on campus.

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Fall 2025

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Dan Carlin Is the Ultimate Time Traveler

Anna Tolette — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 18:19:22 +0000

Dan Carlin Is the Ultimate Time Traveler Anna Tolette Mon, 11/10/2025 - 11:19

Tori Peglar

Dan Carlin (Hist’89) is 4 minutes and 41 seconds into an episode of his Hardcore History podcast when he pauses to catch his breath. Alexander the Great has just watched his father, King Phillip II, get assassinated. It’s a milestone moment that Carlin likens to the 9/11 attacks, where anyone watching knew in those terrifying moments that everything would change.

Beyond the walls of his podcasting studio, Carlin’s millions of listeners wait expectantly at the edge of their proverbial seats. Was Alexander a victim, innocently watching the assassination of his royal father in the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon? Or was Alexander a traitor who orchestrated his father’s death to seize the throne? Carlin’s audience ponders this question as they drive through their neighborhoods, prepare dinner in their kitchens, and jog through parks, all while listening to Carlin.

“Dan Carlin is one of the world’s greatest storytellers, and anyone who has spent any time listening to his audio, even for a few minutes, understands that this is the case,” said Clint Kisker, an entrepreneur and former president of MWM Interactive, an entertainment company that has collaborated with Carlin.

A trailblazer in the podcasting space, Carlin was part of the early crowd of people in 2005 to tell stories about history via the Internet in an audio format. In the 20 years since, more than 100 million people have tuned into his tremendously popular shows. In Common Sense, Carlin, a self-described politically independent pragmatist, looks at events shaping the world. Hardcore History delves into riveting historic moments, and Hardcore History: Addendum features interviews and material that don’t make it into the main program.

For Carlin, who’s disarmingly gregarious and humble, a knowledge of history and its cast of characters is essential for understanding the present moment. Moreover, he said it enables us to see how groups of human beings tend to behave, especially under pressure.

“Life, as someone once said to me, is like living inside a television soap opera,” Carlin recalled. “If you don’t go back and watch the previous episodes, you’ll never understand what’s going on — or why — in the story currently.”

Path to Podcasting

In his 20s, Carlin worked in broadcast television in Los Angeles before moving to Oregon and becoming a television reporter, then a radio show host. But when the tech version of the Gold Rush began in the late 1990s, he and five friends formed a startup. The goal was to launch a novel product — amateur content made by the public and hosted on a platform. It would have been something like what YouTube turned out to be. After he left the startup, what Carlin eventually produced was a podcast, but it wasn’t recognized as such yet.

In 2004, the term “podcast” first appeared in print when Guardian reporter Ben Hammerstein used it to describe a new type of audio blogging that could be played on an Apple iPod. The origins of the word? A mash-up of “iPod” and “broadcast.”

Plunging into new territory, Carlin launched his Common Sense podcast in 2005, followed by Hardcore History a year later. The Hardcore History format is unique, even by today’s standards.

“Podcasters doing true crime or sports entertainment are all folks who took an existing medium and adapted it to meet their needs,” Kisker said. “Dan created a medium. There was no prior ‘Dan Carlin.’ It wasn’t a thing.”

Each of Carlin’s Hardcore History episodes is an extraordinarily deep dive into a slice of history — and because he spends an inordinate amount of time researching, he only releases one to two episodes a year. Each one runs between three and five hours.

Carlin’s show takes on a conversational dimension as he doesn’t prepare a written script — his storytelling style is all improv. Episodes include the famous World War II battles that shaped modern naval warfare, the Atlantic slave trade, the Asia-Pacific War of 1937–45 and the Viking sea kings of the 10th and 11th centuries.

“Every show is on a subject I’ve been really interested in, so I have a foundation,” Carlin said. “Then I start reading, so I’m trying to update my knowledge — what’s true, how history has evolved and become clarified over time.”

But Carlin doesn’t just regurgitate important dates on his podcasts. He uses empathy to slingshot his listeners back in time, making people like Alexander the Great fallibly human and their decisions topically relevant. In doing so, his audience stands on the sidelines of pivotal historic moments, cheering and jeering on characters they once knew only by name but now feel a personal connection to.

“Empathy for historical personalities is vital if we want to try to see them more as three-dimensional figures rather than two-dimensional ones,” Carlin said. “Put yourself into the shoes of President Harry Truman having to make the decision about dropping atomic bombs in the Second World War. How could you even begin to assess such an event without trying to imagine yourself in his position?”

Having an empathetic understanding of the human experience is essential to help us navigate our complex world, said William Wei, one of Carlin’s �� Boulder history professors and a former Colorado state historian.

“As historians have demonstrated since time immemorial, history functions as humanity’s collective memory and the means for understanding the consequences of human choices,” Wei said.

Empathy for historical personalities is vital if we want to try to see them more as three-dimensional figures rather than two-dimensional ones.

Dan's Favorite Episodes

“Blueprint for Armageddon”

A six-part exploration of World War I that immerses listeners in the human experience, chaos and unprecedented scale of the first modern global war.

“Supernova in the East”

A six-part chronicle of Japan’s rise and ruin in World War II, tracing how cultural pride, militarism and desperation led to one of history’s most ferocious conflicts.

“Ghosts of the Ostfront”

A look at the Eastern Front of World War II, where Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union waged a merciless fight for survival.

“The Destroyer of Worlds”

An exploration of the birth of the nuclear age and the uneasy moment when humanity gained the power to erase itself.

“Death Throes of the Republic”

A retelling of Rome’s unraveling — from civic virtue to corruption and civil war — as a republic gives way to empire.

History functions as humanity’s collective memory and the means for understanding the consequences of human choices.

At Home in Hollywood

Carlin grew up on the edges of Hollywood’s golden spotlight. His mother earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in the 1968 film Faces. His father, Ed Carlin, was a movie producer. Carlin spent his childhood in two towns at opposite ends of the San Fernando Valley — first Toluca Lake, then Calabasas. Back then, Toluca Lake was home to celebrities like Bob Hope, Bette Davis and Frank Sinatra. Yet Carlin describes both towns as Brady Bunch-type communities filled with camera operators, production folks and just regular people.

“Neither area was what it is now,” Carlin said. “Next door lived a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force. Bob Hope lived in town, but we never saw him. It didn’t feel glitzy.”

Even so, it wasn’t a big leap for Carlin to get highly involved in his high school’s improv program and plunge deeply into theater classes for a brief stint at California State University, Northridge. And when he decided to finish his studies out of state, �� Boulder felt like the right fit.

“My dad really liked ��. He said it reminded him of UCLA in the 1950s when he was a student,” Carlin recalled. “It’s like [Coach] Bill McCartney said, ‘If you get the recruits to town, they’ll come.’”

Boulder Backstory

When Carlin arrived on campus, Coach McCartney was in his fifth season coaching the Colorado Buffaloes, finishing second in the Big 8. It was ��’s best conference record in 25 years. But you were more likely to find Carlin protesting CIA recruitment on campus and ��’s investments in South Africa’s apartheid than standing in line for football tickets. Clad in his Ecuadorian sweater purchased near the Alfred Packer Grill, Carlin pursued his passion for history, with an emphasis on military history. One of his courses was “Sociology of Peacemaking,” which he joked was “a �� way of talking about the military.”

“When I decided to transfer to ��, none of my theater classes transferred,” said Carlin, who initially thought that it was all a wasted effort. “But the great thing is, I’ve used the theater and history stuff every single day in my work.”

Carlin remembered the history department had a pamphlet printed on green paper titled something along the lines of, “What to Tell Your Parents �� Choosing History as a Major.” None of the professions he pursued after graduation — journalism, broadcasting and podcasting — appeared on the pamphlet. Carlin addressed this discrepancy in 2020 when he served as ��’s first virtual graduation speaker.

“�� gave me the skills to put myself in a position to be offered these gigs,” he told the graduates. “And [it gave me] the knowledge, not the specific knowledge about how to do those jobs — after all, I didn’t study journalism, broadcasting or podcasting in school — but �� gave me the lifelong ability to know how to keep learning.”

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Illustrations by María Jesús Contreras

�� gave me the lifelong ability to know how to keep learning.

Dan Carlin has pioneered long-form, deeply researched history podcasts like "Hardcore History" to make pivotal historical events relatable.

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Arts, Humanities & Culture

Jaxon Statzell Designs Skateparks Around the World

What was your relationship with skateboarding growing up?

What kind of skateboarding community existed at ���������� when you were a student?

Was skatepark design always an interest of yours?

What does it mean to take things full circle and return to Evergreen?

What are some of the most important lessons skateboarding has taught you?

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The Takács Quartet Enters a New Era

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A Look at Robert Redford's Bat, Ball and Glove from the movie The Natural

Bat, Ball and Glove Facts:

Film Facts:

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Celebrating 150 Years of ���������� People

Joseph Sewall

Mary Rippon

Lucile Berkeley Buchanan Jones (Ger’1918)

George Norlin

Byron White (Econ’38)

Peggy Coppom (A&S ex’46) and Betty Hoover (A&S ex’46)

David Bolen (Mktg; MBA’50)

Billy Kidd

“Ralph”

Juan Espinosa (Jour’74)

Tom Cech

Ceal Barry

Joe Neguse (Econ, PolSci’05; Law’09)

Wei Wu (MMus’13)

David Ellsworth (Art’71; MFA’73)

Sarah Gillis (AeroEngr’17)

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Buffalo Statues of ���������� Boulder

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Should You Be Funny at Work?

Can you each explain your views on workplace humor?

How did you each get into studying humor?

Can you give examples of humor that works at work — and when it’s best avoided?

What should people know about humor in general?

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Art, Science and Polar Bears

Tell us about some of your Arctic adventures.

What are some things you work on now in the Arctic?

What do you want people to take from your storytelling work?

What motivated you to return to school for an education degree?

What are you doing when you aren’t in the Arctic?

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Saving Colorado Landmarks

How do you best describe the Colorado Historical Foundation?

What are some of the foundation’s projects right now?

What should Buffs know about Colorado history?

What’s your favorite historic place you’ve worked on?

How have you seen Colorado change over time?

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Rockin' Folsom with the Doobie Brothers

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Dan Carlin Is the Ultimate Time Traveler

Path to Podcasting

At Home in Hollywood

Boulder Backstory

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What kind of skateboarding community existed at �� when you were a student?

Celebrating 150 Years of �� People

Buffalo Statues of �� Boulder