Inbox

A golfer hits a ball facing the mountains at the DU Alumni Golf tournament.

Another reason to love DU

I just finished reading “50 Reasons to Love DU” in your spring issue. My wife and I enjoyed your overview, and we learned much about DU that we didn't know before. As residents of the Highlands Ranch Golf Club community (now the University of Denver Golf Club at Highlands Ranch), we have to point out that you missed one of the key aspects of the DU community: the DU golf course.

In our opinion, it was a massive gift to DU and will serve the institution for decades to come. Our youngest son, Jordan (MBA ’13) graduated with the five-year dual engineering/MBA program. That unique option was very instrumental in his choice to attend DU. He is doing well and has a wonderful, challenging job—now married, and they are expecting their first child later this year.

Jerry and Ann Rath, Highlands Ranch, Colorado

A hand-written note reads "Saturday, 1908. Defeated Boulder Thank God. Denver 14, Boulder 10"

Buchtel and a forgone rivalry

I always enjoy reading the DU alumni magazine, but two of the “50 Reasons to Love DU” in the spring issue were particularly interesting because of their significance for our family.

Taking sports rivalries seriously (#6) has a very long tradition, as evidenced by a 1908 entry in my great-grandfather’s daily calendar while he was chancellor of DU and governor of Colorado. He was a Methodist minister, and invoking a higher power’s help in a football match with CU shows how serious he was.

“Moving in a Green Direction” (#27) was also a pleasure to see because Buchtel Tower, with its new recycled copper dome, is the only remaining part of Buchtel Chapel, which suffered a devastating fire in 1983. Readers might be interested to know that when my great-grandfather was both chancellor and governor, the copper dome of the state capitol building was covered with gold leaf (1908). The gold was probably not recycled, but it was plentiful in those days ($20 per ounce).

Henry A. Buchtel IV, Ann Arbor, Michigan

A father pushes his daughter in an orange moving bin across the University of Denver campus

Move-In Memories

Was easy in 1957 ..😊 - Jack Kassel

Am reminded of when Pink Floyd tried out some new stuff while playing in concert at DU when there -- several months in advance of .... - Wilder Bellamy

Class of 1996. I met a lifelong friend...my freshman roomie, Kirsten Benefiel. I'll never forget her Jersey Girl entrance to Halls 605-S with her sisters and mom. 🥰 She was not happy that the closet doors were too tall for her over-the-door ironing board, and she was vocal about it! 🤣 Great times.
- Michelle Crandall

I admit I still REALLY love to iron - Shel last week they asked me to be the guest speaker at the Daniels College of Business Hood Ceremony/graduation and I included the fact that you thought I had a "really strong accent".... :)
- Kristen Benefiel

Kirsten Benefiel ironing == your meditation! 🧘‍♀️ And, for the record, I always loved your accent. How cool that you spoke at DCB grad; congrats! 🎉
- Michelle Crandall