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Roadrunners Rise

Roadrunners Rise Logo

We are committed to supporting all Roadrunners as they rise, and we invite you to join us as we follow their journeys.

With over 17,000 students and 110,000 Roadrunner alumni, the MSU Denver story is hardly unique. But the zig-zaggy roads that our students travel en route to crossing the commencement stage are special and impactful.

 

Roadrunners Rise is MSU Denver’s first-ever comprehensive fundraising campaign with a goal of raising $100 million. We invite you to learn more about MSU Denver and our funding priorities through the stories of our incredible students, alumni, faculty and staff. Together, we can make sure that all Roadrunners Rise!

Join us as we launch the public phase of the Roadrunners Rise Comprehensive Campaign on Feb. 19, 2025.

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Cohen Family

How Roadrunners Rise

It takes a community

The vision to ensure all Roadrunners rise demands the efforts and support of many. From excellent faculty to dedicated staff and engaged alumni, MSU Denver is a community that invites the participation and support of everyone.

Paramount to these efforts is the investment of the incredible community of Roadrunner supporters. Philanthropic support of our students and the university’s greatest priorities is what allows us to help all Roadrunners rise.

They call a flock of Roadrunners a marathon. The road is often hard, zig-zaggy and long – but as Roadrunners we are not alone. Together, we are Roadrunners Rising. Together, We Are MSU Denver.

Introducing Rising Scholars

They call a flock of Roadrunners a marathon. The road is often hard, zig-zaggy and long – but as Roadrunners we are not alone. Together, we are Roadrunners Rising. Together, We Are MSU Denver.

Meet our Rising Scholars

Arianna Valdez leaning on a fence with a Roadrunners sign.

Arianna Valdez

First-generation. Latina. Student-athlete. Scholarship recipient. Integrative Health Care major. Roadrunner.

Meet Arianna
Leon Duran standing in his U.S. Navy uniform.

Leon Duran

Father. Sailor. Business owner. Mentor. Entrepreneur. 2015 Criminal Justice graduate. Current online MBA student. Roadrunner.

Meet Leon
damarley-laing

Damarley Laing

International student. First-generation. Scholarship recipient. Student Employee. Extrovert. Roadrunner.

Meet Damarley
Ashley Hernadez

Ashley Hernandez

Latina. First-generation. Roadrunner Promise recipient. Hard-worker. Roadrunner.

Meet Ashley
Derek Brekken wearing a red, collared shirt with his arms folded and smiling.

Derek Brekken

Aspiring lawyer. 2021 Public Relations graduate. Podcaster. Story-teller. Proud alumni. Roadrunner.

Meet Derek
Hakeem Khaleel

Hakeem Khaleel

Aspiring pilot. Student leader. Scholarship Recipient. Aviation Enthusiast. Roadrunner.

How are Roadrunners have Risen

Bird Talk is a fascinating glimpse into the lives and careers of the university’s accomplished alumni. Hosted by Jamie Hurst ’21, each episode features an in-depth interview with an alum who shares their unique journey and insights on how their time at MSU Denver shaped their success. From entrepreneurs to educators, artists to scientists, Bird Talk offers a diverse range of perspectives and experiences, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in the impact of higher education.

Find the podcast on Apple or Spotify. Check out the latest episode below:

 

Making an Impact Through Giving

Gina and Frank Day make record $10 million commitment to MSU Denver's Health Institute

Healthcare students in royal blue scrubs posing for a picture with Rowdy on a sunny, fall day

MSU Denver celebrates breaking ground on new Health Institute simulation lab

Nurses are in short supply in Colorado and MSU Denver’s facilities are limited. That’s why the University has received $10 million to assist in funding for health care sim labs to build a state-of-the-art facility, paving the way for a one-third increase in students and graduates in health care programs. Private donors are also necessary to complete the project. Read More.

 

Russell Noles

The gift of representation

MSU Denver alumnus Russell Noles understands firsthand the impact of representation in the classroom. When Noles was a student at George Washington High School in Denver, Colorado, his mother suggested he consider going into accounting. Initially unsure, he says everything changed when three Black accountants were guest speakers in one of his classes. Read More.

 

Mohamad Ahmadi stands at the top of the stairs on the first floor of JSSB with a white had and a backpack on.

Helping all Roadrunners Rise

Western Union and the Western Union Foundation envision a world where everyone has equitable and abundant access to economic opportunity and the potential to thrive. In that spirit, the Western Union Foundation made a gift of $150,000 to Metropolitan State University of Denver, funding the Western Union Immigrant Student Annual Scholarship and supporting the University’s Immigrant Services Program and food pantry, Rowdy’s Corner, ensuring international students have access to the resources they need to remain in school and graduate. Read More.

Attorney and activist Dawn Bookhardt, J.D., is dedicated to helping Metropolitan State University of Denver educate a diverse health care workforce in the fields of speech, language and hearing.

The key to good health? Representation

Attorney and activist Dawn Bookhardt, J.D., is dedicated to helping Metropolitan State University of Denver educate a diverse health care workforce in the fields of speech, language and hearing. The chair of the MSU Denver Foundation board of directors recently made a transformational $1 million gift toward the construction of a new 70,000-square-foot health education building that will allow the University to bring its health-related academic programs under one roof. Read More.

Barb Grogan standing near the Tivoli with the SpringHill Suites in the background

Supporting student success

To say Barb Grogan is passionate about Metropolitan State University of Denver is a bit of an understatement. In conversation, her infectious enthusiasm for all things Roadrunner bubbles over, making it impossible not to get swept away in the excitement. From faculty and staff to University leadership, she loves it all – but there’s nothing she loves more than the students. Read More.

Cohen Pacesetter Scholars

Simulation Lab Ribbon Cutting

Join the Race

Join the over 4,500 Roadrunner donors and make a gift in support of MSU Denver today!

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