If there was a University of Denver edition of Trivial Pursuit, students shouldn’t even bother to stop and read the box. Imagine students stumbling over questions like “When was DU founded?” or “What is the oldest building on campus?” when students can’t even answer the fundamental “Who’s in charge?”
Next week, our university is holding one of our greatest time-honored traditions – the inauguration of the new chancellor. It’s just a shame that no one knows that this event is happening – or even what the man of the hour’s name is.
This week, for our weekly Pioneer voices question, we asked, “What is the chancellor’s name?” This question wasn’t meant to mock the DU student community, but it made it look that way when only one of four students knew his name. Go team!
Our last chancellor didn’t only run the university, but was extraordinarily generous to the student community. Dan Ritchie contributed an astounding $65 million of his own money to DU. He championed the Cherrington Global Scholars Program, which permitted hundreds of eligible students to study abroad at no additional cost.
And all those new buildings for residence halls, business, music, science, law, athletics and a performing arts center came about because of his brilliant capitol campaign efforts. In return for millions of dollars in gifts that enhance our school community, shouldn’t these leaders have the satisfaction of having students know their name?
If students are going to protest for movements on campus and complain about things that the university isn’t giving them, then maybe they should start by knowing more about the university. Students are the focal point of the university. Besides contributing, they should be informed about the ongoings of the school community.
An educational establishment is similar to its own government. Can you name the mayor of Denver or the Colorado governor? I hope so. Let’s open our eyes to our surroundings – especially if we are just talking about our university. And while we’re at it, let’s open our ears. It’s Robert Coombe – just in case you haven’t heard.
