CU Denver sits at the heart of a dynamic city that needs what the university provides: new knowledge, insightful thought leadership, and a talent pipeline that reflects our changing demographics. Chancellor Dorothy Horrell delivered this message to a gathering of nearly 150 donors, members of the university’s leadership, faculty, deans, and students who had gathered on November 14 for the 2nd Annual Celebration of CU in the City.

The event is one of the more visible ways in which the university expresses its appreciation to its many donors and recognizes the impact of their philanthropic support. “Just as we have become integral to this city, our alumni become integral to their communities, and you, as our partners who embrace and reinforce our mission through your generous support, are integral to our success,” the Chancellor went on to tell the guests over dinner in the Lola and Rob Salazar Student Wellness Center.

The wellness center’s basketball courts were transformed for the evening, with a cocktail area replete with lounge furniture, bespoke throw pillows, and lightboxes that featured images of scholarship recipients along with their messages of appreciation to the donors. Dinner itself took place on an adjacent court with the lights of downtown Denver providing a scenic view, while members of the student musical trio, the Moonbeams, provided live music during cocktails and dinner.

The program on stage, led by student emcees Jamie Sutliff and Peter Waller, president and vice president, respectively, of the Student Government Association, included remarks from CU President Mark Kennedy and Chancellor Horrell and the premiere of a new video that tells the story of CU Denver and captures what is so special about the university. Matt Mitchell, a senior biology major, provided one of the program’s highlights, telling the story of his educational journey, which started with an early interest in science, progressed to studying biology at CU Denver, included two summers at Harvard University conducting research, and is now wholly focused on applying to medical school and graduating next spring.        

Other students representing the university at the event included scholarship recipients from every CU Denver school and college, who were happy to greet and socialize with the event guests.   

Last fiscal year, CU Denver raised more than $15 million in private gifts thanks in part to many of the generous donors who attended last week’s event, including faculty and staff, who have collectively contributed more than $1.5 million as part of the LYNX UP faculty and staff giving campaign. 


Chancellor Dorothy Horrell (left) greets guests attending the 2019 Celebration of CU in the City.


The dinner took place in the Lola & Rob Salazar Student Wellness Center overlooking downtown Denver.