The Fund is established to provide financial assistance in the form of scholarships for University students entering into the field of special education.

The Arlen M. Selu Special Education Memorial Endowment was established by Arlen’s husband and Metropolitan State University of Denver alumnus, Eddy Reyes (‘97). Arlen cultivated, cherished, and celebrated relationships with people, animals, and the natural world with which she surrounded herself; material things mattered not. Early in her career, she worked tirelessly with physically and mentally disabled children as a special education teacher with the Denver Public Schools. When the job became physically too demanding, she left the field of teaching and went to graduate school to earn a master’s degree in Psychotherapy. Arlen worked at Maria Droste Counseling Center, developing lasting friendships with her peers along the way. During the last decade of her life, Arlen established her own psychotherapy practice, often taking on more pro-bono patients than those able to pay. Her career exemplified all that made Arlen a unique and unforgettable person: compassion, unconditional love, humor, forgiveness, courage … an advocate for the “little guy and gal” along with a healthy dose of chutzpah. Arlen was also an outdoor enthusiast who loved the Colorado mountains and outdoors activities like backpacking, tent camping and traveling in a camper with her beloved husband Eddy. After she was diagnosed with stage four cancer of her lungs, Arlen died within the same year and forever will be missed by all those she touched so deeply.

Giving to the MSU Denver Foundation online is secure and easy, and since the foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization registered and in good standing with the IRS, your gift is tax-deductible in the manner and to the extent provided by law. Please consult your tax advisor. Thank you for supporting our students and programs.

Please Note: MSU Denver Corporate Cards may not be used.