University of Denver - Kynewisbok Yearbook (Denver, CO)

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News Richard lamm. Chancellor l) ij ht Smith and Loo Block Alumnus Block endows SI million professorship Cash Gifts Give DU Record Double Play; Ricketson Bequest Totals $5 million The University of Denver's development office scored a double whammy this year by receiving the two largest gifts ever — both of which came from alumni and not from foundations which have previously been DCs heavy hitters The first piece of good news was revealed dunng the University's autumn convocation in September when Chancellor Dwight Smith announced that San Antonio businessman Leo Block had endowed a SI million professorship. Block, a 1935 alumnus and former Clanon editor, became the donor of the largest cash gift in the University's I2 year history. The endowment will be used to attract intellectuals of national suture to DU. The first Leo Block University Professor is former Colorado governor Richard Lamm Lamm, an outspoken expert on health care and state spending, has established the Center for Public Policy and Contemporary Issues with part of the endowment Lamm's courses on tough questions are among DCs most sought after and controversial. Blocks claim to making the largest cash donation to DU was broken just months after being made when the estate of alumnus Frank Ricketson. Jr announced a S5 million bequest to DCs College of Law In accepting the Ricketson bequest Smith said. Frank Ricketson was a great friend to the University. This gift is the capstone of his lifelong support and will assist in positioning the College of Law as one of the premier legal centers of education in the country. Ricketson served as a DU trustee for several years. Ricketson graduated from the University of Kentucky before graduating with a law degree from Westminster Law School in 1919. Westminster merged with DU in the late 1950s. Ricketson later became a leader in Hollywood film promotion and was active in cultural and civic organizations including trusteeships of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Central City Opera. 12

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News Compassion Key to Lamm’s ‘Hard Choices’ by Mary Yanni Richard Lamm, professor of public affairs, perches comfortably on the edge of a desk, alert and enthusiastic. Colorado's former governor is prodding his class into discussing some hard decisions facing the nation Rising medical costs, life support for the terminally ill. and the bankruptcy of America itself will all come up in the course of any given conversation For a combination of reasons. Lamm tells the class, you will be faced with intractable problems requiring an awful lot of thought and compassion. Someone in this class — or some group of you — could really cause your own revolution It is society’s insoluble problems that Lamm has returned to academia to tackle. and to help the younger generation attack. His combination of keen intellect and dynamic style make the former governor a rarity Lamm is teaching at DU for the first time since he was elected governor in 1973, but he is not inexperienced. He has nearly eight years of teaching under his bell, including four years at DU s law school, where he was a full professor Hard Choices is bmm's brain-child. He debuted the course four years ago at the University of Colorado at Denver. Since leaving office last year, he has taken the course on the road to Dartmouth and Innsbruck. Austria. Lamm and Professor Richard Caldwell have refined and intensified the course, compiling a mountain of reading material and an ambitious schedule. Even more than his years behind the podium. Lamm brings to DU frontline experience that gives an added dimension to his class. My experience in public outlook comes across clearly, but he encourages students to develop their own well-informed viewpoints. I am bound to bring a very strong viewpoint to this class. I hope for your sake that my interpretations of America s problems are too gloomy. The class, made up of some of DLTs best and brightest, is willing to respond to Lamm's sense of urgency, and they have given him good marks. Lamm is the rarest of politicians: one who loves to tackle difficult and controversial issues. says senior Kevin Armitage His knowledge, experience and flair make him an excellent teacher. Lamm left the State House content. He enjoyed his years as governor, but was just as glad to be free of the position “I'm very happy not to be governor anymore; 12 years is enough. he says. It was an honor, but I think it was definitely time for me to do something else. The time may come again for him to do something else in 1990 when the U S. Senate race rolls around again. He is toying with the idea of running for the Gary Hart seat, but in the meantime he is happy to be here at DU. I really felt I didn’t want to get out of politics, but I wanted to take a break. “I am very hopeful that I will still be able to make a substantial contribution even though l‘m not in politics. he said. People arc listening to me around the country; they really arc. I don't have to have a platform. I'm still working at a very frenzied pace proselytizing my ideas, and I'm finding that I have a national platform where people arc listening to my thoughts. That doesn't mean they're agreeing all the time, but they're listening.

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News D U-ALUMNI 124 Years Marked by Awards, Donations More than S70.000 was raised for the University as DU celebrated its 124th birthday February 19. Hundreds of DU alumni, faculty, students and Denver socialites turned out for Founders Day festivities — the second consecutive year that the party has been a fundraiser for DU — at the Marriott City Center Festivities included dinner, entertainment by singer Freda Payne and the presentation of the University's annual awards. Taking the University's most prestigious award of the year was DU alumnus Edward Lehman. CEO of the company which publishes newspapers in several Colorado towns. Lehman, a former trustee, received a BA in 1947 and a law degree in 1951. In receiving the Evans Award, named for DLTs founder. Lehman was cited for his professional achievement and his contribution to the University including service as past president of the alumni association. 1974 Hotel and Restaurant Management alumnus Michael Grisanti received the award for Outstanding Professional Achievement Grisanti. a well-known restaurateur. is president of the National Restaurant Association Brewery boss Peter Coors received acclaim for his service to the community. In awarding Coors the award for Outstanding Community Service, the University recognized his directorships of the Denver Convention and Visitors Bureau. National Wildlife Association and the Adolph Coors Foundation. Coors also serves as a trustee of Regis College and Outward Bound and serves as state corporate chairman of the United Negro College Fund Retired DU athletic director Tony Cillo was this year's recipient of the award for Outstanding Service to the University. Cillo came to DU from the Air Force Academy where he was an onginal staff member and chaired the Department of Physical Education. Cillo had been at DU since 1974 before retiring in 1987. The Randolph P. McDonough Award for Service to the Alumni was given to Richard Arnold. Arnold is former president of the alumni association's board of directors and is credited with reviving interest in the Chicago area alumni club. Arnold has also been active in assisting the development office in its fundraising goals. Denver philanthropist Florence Rus-ton chaired this year's event, assisted by J. Glen Arko and Ann Hoffman All will be involved in the planning for next years Founders Day — a special event which will mark the University's 125th anniversary. n