A VIP Campus Tour
Step inside the seldom-seen places where DU’s spirit shines.
Written by Heather Hein | Photography by Dave Pavlina
It’s hard to argue with the beauty of the University of Denver campus. With its sweeping mountain views, blend of historic charm and modern style, and lush, carefully tended green spaces, DU has rightfully earned its reputation as an urban oasis. Everyone who studies here, works here, or even just stops by agrees: This place is special.
But there’s much more to DU than meets the eye. Come along on this ultimate insider tour as we explore campus spots rarely seen by visitors—places that make DU the world-class university it is, where our innovation, determination, and excellence are on full display.
Power Play
The Hockey Locker Room
With 10 national championships, two Hobey Baker Award winners, nearly 50 All-Americans, and 14 Olympians, the University of Denver’s hockey legacy speaks for itself—but its state-of-the-art locker room might seal the deal for top recruits.
The crown jewel of the 4,464-square-foot Miller Hockey Complex, the locker room is as functional as it is striking, featuring crimson carpet, stately wood lockers, and a dramatic illuminated ceiling logo. Each locker even has its own air supply to keep the atmosphere fresh and the focus on victory. Watch the full tour here.
Rare Reads
The Hughes Rare Book Room
Tucked inside the Westminster Law Library in the Sturm College of Law, the Gerald Hughes Memorial Rare Book Room preserves the legacy of one of the law school’s earliest graduates. A devoted legal scholar and passionate reader, Hughes (Class of 1899) amassed an extraordinary personal library—more than 2,800 rare volumes spanning ancient philosophy, English literature, and religious studies—which his widow donated to DU after his death.
Among the treasures is a beautifully preserved 1706 folio edition of “The Book of Common Prayer,” detailing the rites and ceremonies of the Church of England. Today, the room—complete with furnishings and a fireplace relocated from the law school’s former Park Hill Campus—offers a technology-free retreat for reflection and scholarly exploration.
Pitch Perfect
The Williams Carillon
Perched on the iconic gold-topped Carl M. Williams Tower is another campus gem, heard but rarely seen. The 30-ton carillon, one of the largest in the world, boasts 65 bronze bells, the largest weighing six tons. (Note: The vibrant, Byzantine-style interior of the tower is shown at the top of this story.)
Carillonist Joey Brink climbs 95 winding steps to play its massive clavier—with fists, not fingers!—performing everything from jazz and classical to pop, video game themes, and movie soundtracks. Stroll through campus on weekdays at noon to catch his daily recital—requests welcome—and don’t miss the annual guest recital series, best enjoyed from the Ritchie Center courtyard. Watch Joey play “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus.
Innovation in Motion
The Human Dynamics Lab
Inside this lab in the Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science sits a marvel of movement mechanics: a high-speed stereo radiography system—one of only about a dozen in the world—that measures how the body interacts with everything from artificial joints to athletic shoes.
Combining X-ray imaging, motion capture, electromyography, and force measurement, it generates hyper-accurate data used by researchers, surgeons, medical device companies, and corporations worldwide to enhance human health. Advances in machine learning and AI are expected to expand the system’s impact in both clinical and athletic settings, helping people stay mobile and active as long as possible.
A Taste of Tuscany
The Castello Banfi Vintners Cellar
Hospitality management major Christine Jordan preps for an event in the cozy, Tuscan-themed event room inside the Joy Burns Center—affectionately known as “the wine cellar.” Students working as cooks in the Meyer Family Kitchen prepare appetizers and meals for gatherings year-round in both the wine cellar and the adjacent Tuscan Ballroom.
Named after an Italian winery with ties to DU—which a handful of students get to visit each year—the wine cellar showcases an international wine collection and features a massive oak barrel imported from Tuscany that takes up most of one wall. Salute!
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