Earning a scholarship helps many students with far more than just the cost of attending school. Encouragement, confidence, and the knowledge that someone believes in them are qualities intrinsic to scholarships that contribute toward a student’s success alongside the financial support. Given the large number of first-generation and non-traditional students at CU Denver, scholarships serve as a source of significant support and motivation to persevere. When acknowledging the importance of scholarships, it is necessary to recognize two parties — the deserving students receiving the scholarships and the generous donors who make these awards possible. On February 23, the CU Denver Business School held its 10th annual scholarship luncheon as a dedicated thank you to both of these parties.

The luncheon, held in the Business School’s Jake Jabs Event Center, was a celebratory social opportunity for the more than 100 students, faculty, and donors in attendance. “We’ve hosted the scholarship luncheon for ten years now,” says Business School Chief of Staff Malena Brohm. “It has allowed us to acknowledge the important donors who are making student success possible.” A slideshow ran throughout the duration of the event that recognized the many donors involved with the school, including Bank of America, JP Morgan, Charles Schwab, the Boeing Company, and many more. Thanks to the numerous sources and donors, the school has distributed more than $551,000 in aid and scholarships to 424 Business students this year alone.

Bringing the American Dream Within Reach

Opening the program, Business School Dean Scott Dawson shared his appreciation for the students and donors, asking both groups to stand and be recognized. “Serving the student population is really what gets us out of bed in the morning,” said Dawson in his speech. “And the difference between having a scholarship and not having a scholarship could mean having to drop out, unfortunately… so donor support is so critical and enables these students to really achieve the American dream.”

The lunch program included two featured speakers — Mike Liedtke (pictured at right), a donor and the Vice President of Ovintiv Services, Inc, and scholarship recipient Courtney Munn, a first-generation student majoring in marketing with a minor in business analytics. 

An Inspired Donor

A member of the Business School Board of advisors for over five years, Liedtke originally began collaborating with the school to help develop the Global Energy Management program. “When I joined the board, I was a participant. I don’t think I was very active. Somewhere along the way, that kind of shifted and I got way more engaged and on the forefront,” said Liedtke, recalling a specific moment from a board of advisors meeting that inspired him to further his relationship with the school. Liedke remembered a comment from a fellow board member during a presentation that stated, “We have a moral obligation to help these students…” which inspired him to become more engaged. In addition to being a personal and corporate donor, Liedke led the effort for his company to create a part-time internship for CU Denver Business students to gain valuable work experience while earning their degrees. Liedtke concluded by urging the donors present to “keep going” with their support of the students to further ensure their success before and after graduation.

A Grateful Student

Courtney Munn (pictured at left) then took to the stage to share her personal journey. “Growing up in less than ideal circumstances, my childhood was bridled with disheartening experiences. Yet amidst those hardships, I held on to the steadfast belief that there was more to life than what I had experienced. I yearned for a better future, one filled with opportunity and promise,” she said. At age 18, she made the difficult decision to move to Colorado from her hometown of Austin, Texas. “Fast forward four years and I can confidently confirm that that was indeed the best decision I’ve ever made.” 

Munn had been saving for college since she was seven years old, with a distinct dream that higher education could give her the freedom she had always sought after. After spending a year at CSU, she transferred to CU Denver looking for lower student fees. And through her dedication and commitment to her college career, she earned the Empowering Women in Business Scholarship, the Dean’s Continuing Undergraduate Needs Scholarship, and the First Generation and Multicultural Scholarship. “Before receiving these scholarships, I was working 60 hours a week while also going to school full-time in order to achieve my goals,” said Munn. “The generosity of donors has changed the trajectory of my journey. With the support of scholarships like the ones I have been fortunate to receive, I have been able to lessen my workload and focus more on my education.”

Munn, through her moving words and empowering story, was met with a standing ovation from the guests, inspired by the determination and resolve that she, like so many CU Denver students, demonstrates to earn her degree.