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Events
Inauguration Week Events
A weeklong series of events will support the President’s Inauguration celebration.
The Inauguration is so much more than just the formal installation of Janine Davidson, Ph.D., as president of MSU Denver; it is a weeklong series of events that allows the community to celebrate the successes of the University and look forward to the future together.
Tuesday, Sept. 4
Lunch panel:
Developing a talented and diverse local workforce
Can’t find enough highly-trained local employees? Forced to spend extra funds recruiting out-of-state talent? You’re not alone. Join business leaders from
some of the state’s most innovative companies to discuss these evolving challenges and how you can find the talent you need. Get a sneak peek at MSU Denver’s Classroom to Career initiative, which will partner with employers to prepare students for enriching careers through apprenticeships, co-ops and internships, and create a professional pipeline for your industry.
Panelists include:
Jandel Allen-Davis, M.D.
Vice president of Government, External Relations and Research for Kaiser Permanente Colorado
Kelly Jean Brough
President and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
Shane Portfolio
Senior Vice President of Technical Operations and Engineering, Comcast West Division
Donna Tikkanen-Davis
Vice President, Global Employee Capability with Arrow Electronics
Mark S. Yoss
Production Principal, Lockheed Martin Space
Tuesday, Sept. 4
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Jordan Student Success Building, Room 420 (CAVEA) on the Auraria Campus
890 Auraria Parkway, Denver, CO 80204 • Map
Lunch panel: Developing a talented and diverse local workforce
Toasting success:
Beer industry program lab ribbon-cutting and Inauguration beer launch
Join fellow Roadrunners in the Tivoli Student Union for the grand opening of MSU Denver’s newest, world-class brewery labs. Be one of the first to taste a specially brewed Inauguration beer selected by President Janine Davidson and her husband David Kilcullen!
Tuesday, Sept. 4
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Tivoli Student Union, Room 145 on the Auraria Campus
900 Auraria Parkway, Denver, CO 80204 • Map
Wednesday, Sept. 5
Breakfast panel: the future of higher education
How should universities adapt and innovate to remain “relevant” in a highly competitive, complex global society? How can higher education be a part of the solution to emerging societal challenges? What is the role of a college education in an ever-shifting political and economic landscape? Join pioneering leaders in the field to discuss these future-focused topics and more. Be sure to bring your best ideas!
Panelists include:
Dan Baer
Executive director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education
Rebecca Chopp, Ph.D.
Chancellor of the University of Denver
Tim Foster
President, Colorado Mesa University
Joe Garcia
President of the Colorado Community College System (CCCS)
Dorothy A. Horrell, Ph.D.
Chancellor of the University of Colorado Denver
Wednesday, Sept. 5
8 – 9:30 a.m.
Jordan Student Success Building, Room 420 (CAVEA) on the Auraria Campus
890 Auraria Parkway, Denver, CO 80204 • Map
Breakfast panel: The future of higher education
Roadrunner Student BBQ
Free food? Check. Music? Check. A bungee trampoline? That too. Students are invited to jump into the new semester at an inauguration-week barbecue, where they can say goodbye to summer and hello to President Davidson. Sponsored by Student Activities.
Wednesday, Sept. 5
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Tivoli Student Union Quad on the Auraria Campus
900 Auraria Parkway, Denver, CO 80204 • Map
Thursday, Sept. 6
Cybersecurity Panel: Securing the future
Equifax. Yahoo. Target.
No company or person is immune from cybersecurity threats. How can we adapt to meet these ever-evolving challenges? And how can we educate the next generation of cybersecurity professionals to address skyrocketing workforce needs? Join nationally recognized cybersecurity experts for a discussion of these issues. Plus, learn how MSU Denver is deploying new interdisciplinary degree programs to prepare future security professionals.
Panelists include:
Steve Beaty, P.h.D. Professor of Computer Science, MSU Denver
Jennifer Kurtz
Manufacturer’s Edge
Venkat Reddy
Chancellor, University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Lt. Gen. Robert E Schmidle Jr., USMC ret., Ph.D. (DLS)
University Advisor on Cyber Capabilities and Conflict Studies at Arizona State University
Brenden Smith
Chief Information Security Officer
Thursday, Sept. 62 – 3:30 p.m.
Jordan Student Success Building, Room 420 (CAVEA) on the Auraria Campus
890 Auraria Parkway, Denver, CO 80204 • Map
Cybersecurity panel: Securing the future
Campus Celebration
Kick off fall semester and celebrate President Davidson’s first year at the helm with the entire campus community. Faculty, staff and students are invited to enjoy food, music and summer sunshine at this casual, outdoor party.
Thursday, Sept. 6
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
9th Street Park, Auraria Campus • Map
Inauguration day
September 7, Friday
Investiture ceremony
Usher in the future of the University with the formal installation of President Davidson. In her keynote address, Davidson will reflect on her first year at the institution and share her long-term vision for its success. Several speakers will welcome Davidson to the Colorado community.
Guest speakers:
Rebecca Chopp, Ph.D.
Chancellor of the University of Denver
Michael B. Hancock
Mayor of Denver
Michelle M. Lucero, Esq.
Trustee, MSU Denver
Gen. Darren W. McDew
USAF, Commander USTRANSCOM
John Paul Pogge, Esq.Chair, MSU Denver Board of Trustees
Stephen M. Jordan, Ph.D.
Former president, Metropolitan State University of Denver
Friday, Sept. 7
3 p.m.
King Center Concert Hall on the Auraria Campus
855 Lawrence Way, Denver, CO 80204 • Map
Inauguration investiture ceremony
Open House
Stroll across MSU Denver’s picturesque urban campus, while also getting to know its top academic and athletic programs. Map in hand, you’ll discover the colleges of Business; Letters, Arts and Sciences; and Professional Studies, as well as the School of Education and Athletics. Representatives at each destination will be waiting to welcome you and share stories, highlights and successes from their programs.
Friday, Sept. 7
12 – 2 p.m.
Auraria Campus • MapRSVP for Open House >
Inauguration Soirée
Toast the inauguration of President Davidson and celebrate the University’s milestone achievements at MSU Denver’s third annual Soirée fundraiser. Enjoy live jazz from music students, drinks and other culinary delights on a gorgeous late-summer evening in the Mile High City. All proceeds from this event will benefit the Classroom to Career Hub initiative.
Friday, Sept. 7
5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. – Cocktail Reception
7 p.m. – Dinner
Jordan Student Success Building Lawn on the Auraria Campus
890 Auraria Parkway, Denver, CO 80204 • Map
RSVP for Inauguration Soirée >
The event will take place in a grass lawn. Business or cocktail attire recommended, appropriate shoes for standing and walking in grass.Free valet parking is provided, please reference the Map for directions:
From Auraria Parkway, turn south on 7th Street, then left on Walnut Street. Take a right at the first stop sign, onto 8th Street. Take your first left onto the service road, which is before the parking garage entry. The service road is approximately 10 feet before the blue parking kiosks. Do NOT enter the parking garage. The service road sign says “For Deliveries Only.” This road will lead you to the valet station.
Thank you to our Inauguration Soirée sponsors:
