In memory

IN MEMORY

2019

JESSICA COMPAORE (B.S. Technical Communications, ’19) is the director of Cika Media Inc., a digital content creation company she established to provide small businesses with affordable social media marketing and management. Compaore supports entrepreneurs who want to grow their brands by increasing awareness, community engagement and web traffic. She hopes to one day create opportunities for fellow Roadrunners to work with her.

2020

SERENA CENTER (B.S. Marketing, ’20) is the marketing coordinator for ToolWatch, a cloud-based asset-management software solution that tracks tools, materials and equipment. Her position as the company’s sole marketer involves a wide range of responsibilities, including email, social media and advertising. In June, Center married her best friend, Cory. She spends her free time climbing, running, lifting, bullet-journaling, camping and backpacking.

2021

JAMES T. PORTER IV (B.A. Construction Project Management, ’21) meandered through his educational journey until finding the space and defense industry at MSU Denver. After interning with Lockheed Martin, Porter was offered a full-time position as an operations analyst associate, which he began after graduating this past spring. Sept. 24 at age 58. After earning his bachelor’s in Education from Clark Atlanta University, Howard received a master’s degree in Botany and Plant Biology from the University of Colorado Boulder, followed by a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of Phoenix. In addition to being a Roadrunner, the Colorado native served as an adjunct professor at the Community College of Denver and for 12 years as a beloved teacher, assistant football coach and girls golf coach at Prairie View High School. In 2019, Howard became the president and CEO of Lincoln Hills Cares, a nonprofit that gives Denver students opportunities to do ecology and conservation fieldwork. He was also highly involved in the Vistage Executive Exchange. Described as kind, selfless, generous and dedicated to his community, Howard was a passionate educator and advocate for his students.

Faculty & Staff

LARRY T. CURRY, Ph.D. (B.S. Human Services, ’81), a retired MSU Denver faculty member and alumnus, died Aug. 19 at age 70. A Vietnam veteran who served in the U.S. Air Force, Curry was an established psychologist and licensed clinical social worker in Colorado for over four decades. He was the founder, CEO and clinical director of the Curry Center, a private outpatient mental health clinic offering in-home services to families and children in Denver and Aurora. Curry leaves behind his daughter, son, three grandchildren and all of the hearts he touched during his lifetime.

BARBARA HADDAD RYAN, former acting chair of the thenDepartment of Journalism at MSU Denver, died Sept. 30 at age 83. Ryan, a longtime journalist, brought a wealth of real-world experience to the role. After graduating from Swarthmore College and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, she covered arts and culture for the Denver Post and the Rocky Mountain News. She also served as managing director of the Denver Chamber Orchestra, associate vice president of Swarthmore College and national public relations director for the Phi Beta Kappa honor society.

NATE HOWARD III, Ph.D., an affiliate MSU Denver faculty member and Community Cabinet member, died unexpectedly

OLIVEANN SLOTTA, a former Department of Mathematics affiliate faculty member, died May 3 at age 79. She attended Hiram College, where she majored in philosophy and religion, minored in mathematics and met Jim, her husband of 58 years.

Slotta taught for more than 40 years. In 1991, she was recognized as the Disney Math Teacher of the Year for developing a projectbased learning approach. She went on to earn a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction and a doctorate in Educational Leadership at the University of Colorado Denver. At MSU Denver, Slotta taught Mathematics for pre-service teachers until the pandemic hit in 2020. She was passionate about community and education, believing a better future was possible. An extraordinary wife, mother and grandmother, Slotta was a continuous source of support for her family.

Alumni & Students

DAVID CAUSEY (B.S. Accounting, ’77) died March 16 at age 70. Originally from Monroe, Louisiana, Causey served in the U.S. Army before launching his career as a tax advisor at Arthur Young. In 1981, he and several co-workers founded the Denver CPA firm Causey Demgen & Moore P.C., where he remained until retiring in 1998. A true baseball fan, Causey was loyal to the Colorado Rockies to the end. He was also a lifelong fan of the Grateful Dead, attending countless shows throughout his life and listening to their music in his final days.

BARBARA DAY (B.A. English, ’92) died Aug. 10 at age 66 after a three-year battle with Lewy body dementia and Parkinson’s disease. Day earned her undergraduate degree at MSU Denver, where she achieved a 4.0 GPA and spoke at Commencement, and a master’s degree in English Literature at the University of Colorado Denver. A gifted musician, she played the

IN MEMORY

12-string guitar, wrote songs and shared her beautiful voice at church. She also loved knitting and combing wool to spin and dye before weaving it into unique creations. Day ran her yarn shop, Gypsy Wools, for 10 years in Boulder, sharing her love of the fiber arts with the community.

BRIAN LEWIS (B.S. Aviation Management, ’01) died Aug. 16, which was also his birthday. He was 54. Lewis’ love of airplanes led him to the Aviation program at MSU Denver, followed by a nearly 20-year career at Centennial Airport, where he worked as operations director. His wife, Thea, was the love of his life, and they were most happy when together at home with their children, Hudson and Holland. A man of few words, Lewis was an exceptionally kind and responsible person with a quirky sense of humor. His family loves him and wishes him peace.

JASON LOBATO (B.S. Electrical Engineering Technology, ’03) died June 7 at age 42. For 25 years, Lobato was an electrical engineer with the U.S. Department of the Treasury at the Denver Mint. Growing up, he played hockey for Hyland Hills and Team Colorado in national tournaments. Lobato was a football coach for his boys and a chauffeur for his daughter’s dance lessons and loved to play golf with his dad.

Million-dollar surprise

When James A. Patton died March 30, 2020, at age 70, he left his Colorado assets — estimated at $1.5 million — to Metropolitan State University of Denver’s science programs. The unexpected donation is the largest realized estate gift from an alumnus in University history.

The 1984 Biology graduate had contributed to various funds over the years and served as a member of the Alumni Board from 2006-10. But he had never hinted at a plan to make such an extraordinary gift — one that will transform the lives of science students for decades to come.

Patton was born Sept. 15, 1949, the greatgrandson of slaves relocated from Tennessee to eastern Texas. He enlisted in the U.S. Army after high school and served as a member of the Military Police Corps in Vietnam, receiving a Bronze Star. After returning to civilian life, Patton graduated from MSU Denver and worked for Coors Brewing Co. in Golden until he retired in 2008.

Patton was a proud Roadrunner, and his memory

will live on at MSU Denver through the James A. Patton ’84 Endowment for the Sciences. The endowment will fund the Patton Scholars program, providing underrepresented students with research and employment opportunities in the sciences. “Scholars will act as instructional assistants in introductory courses or those with high DFW (grades D, F or AN UNEXPECTED ESTATE GIFT withdrawal) rates, providing

ALLOWS ROADRUNNERS TO students with the extra support

REIMAGINE THE FUTURE OF they need to be successful,” said

SCIENCE. By Lynne Winter Sheryl Zajdowicz, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Biology. In addition to sharing their knowledge, scholars will sharpen their leadership skills, expand their scientific skill sets and prepare for the future with professional development. “The program is a transformational opportunity for students,” said Andrew Bonham, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. “Not only will it help them get through college; it will give them a vision for their future.”

IPOPBA/ISTOCK IMAGES

JACQUELINE NOTO (B.A. Speech Communication, ’95) died peacefully in late 2020 at age 73.

KANDIS RUIZ (B.S. Criminal Justice and Criminology, ’17) died peacefully Aug. 10 at age 30, surrounded by friends and family. After graduating from high school, Ruiz attended Texas A&M University before enlisting in the U.S. Marines. She rose rapidly through the ranks to become a sergeant. While earning her degree at MSU Denver, she attended officer-candidate school and was accepted into flight school. Ruiz trained to be an Osprey pilot, received her wings last November and achieved the rank of captain. A loving wife, loyal friend and talented rugby player, Ruiz would do anything for the people she loved and could put a smile on the face of anyone she met.

EVAN SASMAN (B.A. Communications, ’79) died May 27 at age 68. His early life was changed by a farm accident, which caused one of his arms to be amputated below the elbow. When his mother visited him in the hospital, she read to him, a tradition Sasman carried on when he became a parent. After losing his job at the Rocky Mountain News in 1985, Sasman and his family moved to Ashland, Wisconsin, where he worked at the Daily Press for 16 years. Over the years, Sasman was involved in many projects, including writing novels and movie scripts,

advocating for People First of the Northwoods, teaching for the Ojibwe tribe and helping the people he loved stay positive.

MSU Denver student ROBERT SMITH died May 24 at age 36. Raised in Georgia, Smith attended the University of Georgia before relocating to Denver in 2008 and earning his associate degree in Accounting from the Community College of Denver. At the time of his death, he was pursuing his B.S. in Accounting at MSU Denver and working as a freight broker for VersaFreight. Smith was an avid sportsman with an affinity for golf and playing baseball, softball, soccer and kickball. Involved in the community, he organized and coached a coed softball team and volunteered with foster children. Above all, Smith loved his family and friends and was happiest while traveling, listening to music or enjoying a concert.

JAMES WHITCOMB (B.S. Management, ’77) died June 27 at age 72. Whitcomb graduated from Denver South High School in 1967 and went to work for Denver General Hospital, where he became a radiographic technician and X-ray specialist. After serving in the U.S. Army from 1969-72, he returned to Colorado, started working at St. Joseph’s Hospital and earned his degree. Following the birth of his sons with his wife, Susan, Whitcomb began a 30-plus-year career with the U.S. Postal Service, retiring in 2013. Even after enduring years of health problems following retirement, Whitcomb maintained his sense of optimism and humor.

ROADRUNNER RESOLUTIONS

The new year is a good time to reconnect with the people and things that matter most. Some people vow to spend more time with family. Others resolve to focus on their health or support the causes that reflect their values.

For the more than 100,000 Roadrunner graduates, the turn of the calendar is also a popular time to reconnect with Metropolitan State University of Denver. Whether you want to relive your favorite memories, build your professional network or get to know like-minded people, the University’s Alumni Association offers countless opportunities to engage.

Here are five ways to reconnect in 2022:

ATTEND AN EVENT

There is always something happening at MSU Denver. Want to have a beer with faculty members and other alums? Join the Mug Club. Love sports? Check out a Roadrunners game. Live for movies? Join the Social Justice Movie Club. Update your contact information with the Office of Alumni Relations to receive its bimonthly e-newsletter and get info on events.

reconnect

BUILD YOUR PROFESSIONAL NETWORK

The Alumni Association offers a range of support to help take your career to the next level. Online skill-building resources, career coaching and industry networking groups are just a few of the many opportunities available to Roadrunners at msudenver.edu/alumni/career-support.

BECOME AN ADMISSIONS AMBASSADOR

Looking for a fun way to get to know your alma mater and make an impact on the University’s future? As a volunteer Admissions Ambassador, you’ll learn about MSU Denver’s initiatives and programs and speak with potential students about your college experience.

5 ways to reconnect with your alma mater in 2022.

BY DAN VACCARO

JOIN A SHAREDINTEREST GROUP

Indulge your passions with other Roadrunners. Check out the alumni book club. Roll with the Road Rider Cycling Club. Or get an inside look at higher-ed advocacy with the Champions program.

MAKE A GIFT

If you’re looking to make a real difference for today’s students or the program that got you started on the path to success, consider making a gift to MSU Denver at msudenver.edu/giving.

Learn more about these opportunities and others at msudenver.edu/alumni.