University of Denver
Hallmarks and Quirks
Things I'm Good At:
- I've said it before and I'm not afraid of saying it again: Study abroad. It will be legendary, and you will end up telling your grandkids about it. Seriously. I was sixth in the nation for undergrad study abroad in 2012.
- Ice hockey. You have to camp out for student season tickets. It's a tradition.
- Skiing, especially shredding the gnar with a healthy supply of international talent—not to mention twenty-two NCAA titles.
- Lacrosse. I will dominate, you just wait and see.
- Copper roofs. I might have an obsession. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
- Ethics. My program ranked fourth in the nation in 2013. Seriously, I "Kant" live without ethics. (Haha. Ha. Ha.)
My Top 5 Must-Haves:
- A Chipotle burrito. The original restaurant is just a stone's throw away.
- A student ID with a light rail sticker. No car, no problem. You have complementary transportation to everything. Pretty cool, am I right?
- An epic pass for ski season. You've got to be seen enjoying ski season in Colorado, or you basically don't exist on the social scene. Oh, and don't miss Winter Carnival.
- A passport. Given that studying abroad is pretty much a requirement during junior year, you'll feel pretty silly if you leave home without yours.
- A business suit. There will be occasions to "suit up," especially during business class presentations.
Why You Might Have Heard of Me:
- Michelle Kwan and Condoleezza Rice. Both are alumni. No big deal.
- I love a three-day weekend, every weekend. Why? 74% of undergrads don't have class on Friday. At least, for now…
- I am haunted. Be on the lookout for the ghost of Mary Reed.
- I hosted the 2012 Presidential Debate. How about them apples?
- I am home to the Ritchie Center's gold-topped Williams Tower. It's got a whopping sixty-five-bell carillon inside. If you live in Centennial Halls or Towers, get used to it chiming throughout the day.
- The Ball Chair is the bomb. Don't knock it till you try it.
- I keep tabs on Evans Chapel, circa 1870, which was relocated brick-by-brick from downtown Denver. It now resides happily on campus, over by Nagel Hall. Don't be alarmed if you end up crashing a wedding on your way to class.
On a regular Saturday night, you can find me...
I might be in the mountains after a day on the slopes, going to a concert (possibly at Red Rocks), or, if I'm feeling a little crazy, taking the light rail downtown. Plus, with every professional sports team imaginable at my fingertips, I have my pick of games to watch, whether in person or at a sports bar. Score.
Favorite Hangouts:
- Johnson-McFarlane beach, also known as the grass outside the freshman dorm. It's tanning central. I do get three hundred days of sunshine a year, after all.
- Jazzman's Cafe. Got some extra time between classes? Grab that meal card and get a caffeine fix. No walk to Starbucks required.
- Pete's University Park Cafe. This is a homey diner with the best French toast in town. And breakfast is served all day, which means it can meet all of your post-party hangover needs.
- Stadium Inn. Another year, another birthday mug. Clutch.
- The Pioneer. Boone will live on, no matter what the Chancellor decrees on the subject.
- Illegal Pete's. Great bar, burritos, and atmosphere. Plus, they're open later than Chipotle.
- The Original Chipotle. Delicious. And if you're a regular, they even remember your order. (Come to think of it, I'm not sure if that's good or bad…)
- Crimson and Gold. Pre-game, DU style.
Quirks:
- I've got a six-week winter break, from approximately Thanksgiving to New Year's Day. Therefore, your parents will only have to purchase you one round-trip plane ticket home for break.
- If you are a glutton for pain, it's possible to stack your classes on just two days a week. That's eight hours of class, every Monday and Wednesday. So you may have a case of the Mondays every week, but the reward is glorious: A four-day weekend, every weekend. Also, you can't be picky about professors. I'm not sure I recommend this option...
- Cherrington Global Scholars is study-abroad made easy. Write a normal tuition check to DU and go to a school abroad for a semester for no additional charge. DU foots the international plane ticket and visa expenses. Your only job is to get on a plane and go. Could it get any easier?
Famous Alumni:
- Michelle Kwan
- Condoleezza Rice
- Ruth Handler, businesswoman and inventor
- Sinbad. Not the sailor, but David Adkins.
- Neil Simon, American playwright