Ammi Hyde Building

The home of the Graduate School of Professional Psychology is named for one of DU’s most beloved early professors. Ammi Hyde was born in Oxford, New York, in 1824. In 1880, his wife’s ill health drew him west to teach Greek and Latin at DU. Hyde served as acting chancellor from 1889-90 and, in 1894, the ordained Methodist minister became the first pastor of the University Park United Methodist Church. Hyde retired in 1911 after 70 years of teaching but remained active in campus activities until his death in 1921 at the age of 97.

Anderson Academic Commons

Perhaps one of the most frequently visited buildings on campus, the Anderson Academic Commons first opened its doors in 2013 thanks for an anonymous donation. The 154,223 ft² LEED Silver Certified building has thousands of pieces of furniture refurbished and reused from Penrose Library.

The building houses DU’s library, special collections and numerous work and study spaces for students, earning its spot as the top ranked college library by the Princeton Review in 2022.

Barton Lacrosse Stadium

Completed in 2005, Barton Stadium is named in memory of Peter Barton (1951-2002), an adjunct professor in DU’s Daniels College of Business and former president and CEO of Liberty Media Corp. Barton’s passion for coaching youth lacrosse led his wife, Laura, to name the 1,800-seat DU stadium—the only collegiate facility of its kind in the nation.

Boettcher Center

The Boettcher Center is named for the Colorado-based Boettcher Foundation, which was incorporated in 1937 by Charles Boettcher and his son Claude. The Boettcher Center opened in 1963 as the Boettcher Center for Science, Engineering and Research.

Burwell Center for Career Achievement

The Burwell Center is named in honor of Barbara Burwell, the late Rod Burwell, and their sons, Peter (BSBA ’11), Blake (BSME, MBA ’15), and Michael (BA ’16, MBA ’17), whose gift transformed the career resources available to students.

The Burwell family’s strong ties to the University are rooted in the connections their sons built during their time on campus, particularly through their active involvement in the Kappa Sigma fraternity. The networks they build played a vital role in their professional journeys, and in turn, the Burwell Center has helped equip students for their lives after graduation since opening in 2019 by providing networking, resume assistance, interview preparation and no-cost professional clothing to students for interviews.

Chamberlin Observatory

The observatory is named for amateur astronomer Humphrey Chamberlin, who in 1888 funded the purchase of the telescope and construction of the observatory. Born in England in 1847, Chamberlin brought his family to Colorado in 1880 in an attempt to improve his health. Chamberlin became wealthy through real estate, water, railroads, and banking but lost his fortune during the 1893 silver panic. Today, the observatory is a Denver historic landmark and is still used regularly for stargazing by the Denver Astronomical Society.

Chambers Center for the Advancement of Women

Opened in 2004, the Chambers Center is named for Merle Chambers (LLM ’84). She was president of the Chambers Family Fund, whose donation help build the former home of DU’s Women’s College, the Women’s Foundation of Colorado and several other organizations. Chambers founded Axem Resources, a privately held oil and gas company, and also served as CEO of Clipper Exxpress, a family-owned intermodal transportation company. Chambers also is a former Women’s Foundation board member. The Chambers Center is currently home to DU’s Equity Labs and other programming.

Chester M. Alter Arboretum

The University of Denver's Chester M. Alter Arboretum was founded in 1999. The space is named after Chester Alter, DU chancellor from 1953 to 1967. Alter led a period of significant growth, expanding the campus from 75 to 125 acres and overseeing a surge in construction. Today, the Arboretum stands as a testament to his impact, home to approximately 2,100 trees and thousands of woody plants spanning 427 species and varieties.

Daniels College of Business

The Daniels College building is named for Bill Daniels (1920-2000), who is regarded as the father of cable television. In 1952, he built the first cable system to send a broadcast signal via microwave.

Daniels demonstrated a steadfast commitment to the University through gifts that enhanced both the business curriculum and campus facilities. His dedication to ethics in business led him to challenge DU to integrate ethical practices and leadership into the core business curriculum in 1989, making it one of the first programs in the country to do so. Daniels' legacy continues to inspire future generations of business leaders who are trained to prioritize ethical decision-making and responsible leadership.

Dan’s Garden

Outside of the Engineering and Computer Science Building, home to the Daniel F. Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science, lays Dan’s Garden, named in honor of the late Daniel L. Ritchie (1931-2025), a transformational chancellor who shaped much of the campus that students, faculty and alumni know today. Dan’s Garden was dedicated in 2017.

Dimond Family Residential Village

The University’s newest on-campus housing opened in 2020, made possible by a gift from alumnus and current DU trustee Navin (MBA ’86) and Rita Dimond, along with their daughters Ashley and Sonja.

Navin Dimond immigrated from England to the United States in the 1980s for college. Later, he landed a job in the Daniels College of Business and worked at DU while he earned his MBA, enabling Dimond and his wife Rita to launch Stonebridge Companies, a Denver-based hospitality management firm.

The Dimonds believe that fostering a strong sense of community for first-year students is essential, creating lasting friendships that can transform their lives on campus and beyond.

Driscoll Commons

Namesake William Driscoll (AB ’42, MS ’48) was born in Pagoda, Colorado, in 1920. He taught zoology at the University from 1944-48, then left to earn a PhD at the University of California, Berkeley. He returned to DU in 1951 and resumed teaching until 1968, when he became associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. He continued to teach part time until his death in 1983. Driscoll won the DU Outstanding Faculty Award in 1961, and shortly before his death, he received the Evans Award. A bridge spanning Evans Avenue connects Driscoll South and the Community Commons.

Fisher Early Learning Center

The Fisher Center is named in honor of telecommunications executive Donne Fisher and his wife, Sue, who donated toward its construction. The Fisher Center was created with the purpose of providing high-quality early childhood education, offering a safe and enriching environment for children to grow and develop. Opened in 2000, the center serves 190 children up to age 5. Donne Fisher has served as a member of Liberty Media’s Board of Directors and is president of Fisher Capital Partners, a venture capital and investment company he founded in 1991.

Hamilton Gymnasium

Frequently packed by varsity, club and rec league teams of all kinds, Hamilton Gymnasium is named after the late Fred Hamilton, an Air Force veteran and pioneer in the oil and gas industry. He was also a long-time board member at the Denver Art Museum. Hamilton’s wife, Jane, served on the DU's Board of Trustees from 1976 until 2015.

Harper Humanities Garden

Gifted by Herbert R. Harper, DU chancellor from 1922 to 1927, and dedicated in 1965 in honor of his mother, Mary Reece Harper, the Harper Humanities Garden is full of annual plants that live alongside decades-old trees, creating a landscape that changes with the seasons.

Johnson-McFarlane Hall

Better known as “J-Mac,” Johnson-McFarlane Hall opened in 1958. The residence hall is named after two popular faculty members from an earlier era, Granville “Granny” Johnson and Ida McFarlane. Born in Aspen, Colorado, in 1897, Johnson earned a BA and MA in physical education from DU in 1923 and 1925. He coached the Pioneers wrestling team and taught physical education at DU until his death in 1956 at the age of 59. At the time of his death, Johnson was the University’s longest serving faculty member. Ida McFarlane, who was born in Central City, Colorado, in 1873, taught English at DU for 33 years until her death in 1940.

Joy Burns Center

Home of the Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management, the Joy Burns Center is named after former trustee Joy Burns. She came to Denver from Houston in 1956 to work for an oil company. Throughout her career, Burns found success in a variety of industries, serving as president of the Burnsley Hotel, chair of the Denver Metro Convention and Visitor's Bureau, founder and director of the Women's Bank, and founder of the Women's Foundation of Colorado. Burns was inducted. into the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame in 2000.

First serving as a volunteer in DU's library in 1972, Burns joined the board of trustees in 1981. She went on to serve two stints as chair (1990-2005, 2007-2009)—the first woman to lead the board in DU’s history.

In addition to the Joy Burns Center, her name is on a plaza in the Newman Center for the Performing Arts and on the community ice arena where the DU hockey team practices.

Knudson Hall

The engineering department’s home is named for Clarence Knudson, who served as dean of the College of Engineering from 1941-60. A native Denverite, Knudson received his BS and MA degrees in chemical engineering from DU in 1921 and 1922, respectively, and began teaching at the University in 1929. Knudson Hall was built in 1960 and originally housed the University of Denver Research Institute’s chemical research facilities. Knudson retired in 1966, and the building was renamed for him in 1968.

Magness Arena

The arena is named after cable television pioneer Bob Magness, who donated towards construction costs. Magness founded Tele-Communications Inc. and relocated to Denver at the recommendation of Bill Daniels. Magness served as a University trustee and bred horses at his ranches in Colorado and California.

Margery Reed Hall

The daughter of Verner and Mary Reed, Margery Reed was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 1894. She graduated from the University of Denver in 1919 with a BA in English. That year she took a position as an assistant professor of English at DU and there met her future husband, Paul Mayo, who also taught English. In 1924, Paul and Margery traveled to Peru, where he joined the diplomatic service. Margery became ill in Peru and returned to the U.S., where she died in 1925 at age 31. Her mother, Mary Reed, donated toward the construction of Margery Reed Mayo Hall, which opened in 1929.

Meyer-Womble Observatory

Dedicated in 1996, the Meyer-Womble Observatory sits at 14,148 feet near the summit of Mount Blue Sky and was one of the highest operating observatories on earth. A gift from the estate of William Womble (BA ’34) funded construction of the facility and endowed the Womble Professorship in Astronomy. Eric Meyer—an anesthesiologist who designed the telescope—and his wife, Barbara, donated funds and brought the telescope optics from Chicago personally. As a result of damage to the telescope and, in particular, increasingly troublesome light pollution from the Denver metro area, the building was decommissioned as an observatory in 2018 but remains in service as a research station.

Nagel Hall

The legendary dorm for second-year students opened in 2008, made possible by a gift from Ralph and Trish Nagel. Ralph previously served on the board of trustees and is an honorary life trustee.

The couple, both passionate about education and the arts, significantly shaped the University of Denver through their longstanding support, including donating artwork to be displayed in Nagel Hall and a mural by Ralph in the ECS building. Their contributions extend beyond housing, as the Nagel Art Studios, which opened in 2010, provide students with a space to explore their creativity.

Nelson Hall

Opened in 2002, Nelson Hall is named for King Lee (BS ’50) and Shirley (attd. 1951-52) Nelson. Lee came to DU to play football and baseball and met Shirley there. After graduation, Lee worked for Johns Manville for 12 years and then started his own business, Nelson Pipeline Constructors. His company flourished, landing large projects including Denver International Airport. The Nelsons contributed toward construction of the hall that houses 430 students.

Newman Center for the Performing Arts

Named after Robert and Judi Newman, the center opened its doors in 2002 and has been acclaimed as one of the nation's finest university performing arts centers. It is also home to DU's Lamont School of Music and Department of Theatre, who present hundreds of performances each year.

Ricketson Law Building

Home of the Sturm College of Law, the Ricketson Law Building (opened in 2003) is named for Frank Ricketson Jr. (1896-1987), grandfather of outgoing DU law Dean Mary Ricketson. A 1919 alumnus of the Westminster College of Law (which later merged with the DU law school), Ricketson served on the board of trustees from 1944-72. He was president of Fox Intermountain Theaters and also served as president of the Central City Opera for 26 years.

Ricks Center for Gifted Children

The Ricks Center was founded in 1984 as the University Center for Gifted Young Children. When the center’s new building opened in 1991, the building and center were named in honor of benefactress Alta Ricks (1905-2005), who donated financially for the facility. The Ricks Center enrolls 270 children ages 3 through the eighth grade.

Ritchie Center for Sports & Wellness

Named for Chancellor Emeritus and former Board of Trustees Chair Daniel L. Ritchie (1931-2025), the Ritchie Center opened in 1999 and includes a natatorium, two ice arenas, a fitness center, and other athletics amenities. Ritchie’s involvement with DU began when he became a trustee in 1983. He served as the University’s chancellor from 1989-2005. To kick-start the University’s economic rejuvenation in the 1990s, Ritchie gave DU his Colorado ranch.

Seeley Mudd Science Building

Opened in 1982, the Seeley Mudd Science Building is named for Seeley Greenleaf Mudd, whose estate helped fund its construction. Born in Denver in 1895, Mudd went on to a career as a medical doctor and researcher. Upon his death in 1968, his will established a fund to be used for college buildings. DU’s Mudd building houses biology classrooms and labs.

Shwayder Art Building

The Shwayder Art Building opened in 1978. It is named for the Jesse and Nellie Shwayder Foundation. Jesse Shwayder founded the Shwayder Trunk Manufacturing Co. in Denver just after the turn of the 20th century and it grew into the Samsonite Luggage Corp.

The Shwayder Art Building houses classroom and gallery spaces, including the Vicki Myhren Gallery.

Anna and John J. Sie International Relations Complex

The Anna and John J. Sie International Relations Complex was dedicated in 2016, made possible by the generosity of John and the late Anna Sie. John previously served on the board of trustees and is an honorary life trustee. The complex houses the Josef Korbel School of International Studies; the Cherrington Commons, named for Ben Cherrington (1885-1980), an author of the United Nations Charter and DU’s chancellor from 1943-46; and the Sié Chéou-Kang Center for International Security and Diplomacy, named in honor of Ambassador Sié Chéou-Kang, father of John Sie.

Sturm Hall

Donald Sturm (1932-2024) and his wife, Susan Sturm, supported the renovation of the former General Classroom Building and adjoining Business Administration Building. Constructed in the late 1960s, the building was re-dedicated in 2000 and now houses classrooms and offices for faculty in the arts, humanities and social sciences. Don (LLB ’58) was a member of the board of trustees, and in 2004, he and Susan donated to DU’s law school, which was named in Don's honor.