To: CAM Faculty and Staff
From: Larry Kaptain, Dean
Subject: Dean’s Message

Dear Colleagues,

1) It was wonderful to see so many of you at Tuesday evening’s reception to honor Cecilia Wu’s permanent installation in the Asian Collection of the Denver Arts Museum. The short program began at 5:25 pm, with a brief message from Chancellor Marks, and then we heard from our Director of Global Education, Ambassador Catherine Ebert-Gray, Hyonjeong “HJ” Kim Han, Curator of Asian Art, and finally—Cecilia gave a description of the trajectory of how this remarkable work came about. It was wonderful to see a room filled with our faculty, staff, alumni, community supporters, governmental leaders—and students of Cecilia’s who attended and were beaming with pride. Thank you again for attending and showing your support for a colleague. There is no doubt in my mind that she will be at the next event that honors a fellow colleague.

2) Two delegations of CAM participated in travel to Europe and SE Asia:
a) 1st Cross Atlantic Creativity Congress in Salzburg: Theo Edmonds led this exciting and informative collaboration with CU Denver and many leading institutions. CU Denver representation was strong with Kate Goodman (Inworks/CEDC), and distinguished CAM faculty members Rebecca Heavner, Roma Sur and Sam McGuire. Here is a YouTube summary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejBffoihwuI. The Salzburg congress is companion event to the Imaginator Academy Summit planned for July 21-22 at Jake Jabs Center. The proceedings of both will be codified into a book and used to launch a robust program of culturally responsive research and revenue producing business ventures at the intersection of courageous imagination, wellbeing, and inclusion to make the Future of Work, work for all.
b) I continued onto Singapore from Salzburg and meet up with Mark Rabideau, Denise Larson, Amanda Barrell, and CU Denver’s Director of Global Education, Ambassador Catherine Ebert-Gray. We spent considerable time at LASALLE College of Arts Singapore, and the Singapore Raffles School of Music. We also saw student housing and an organization that is going to assist our students on the ground. Ambassador Ebert-Gray arranged a meeting with the recently appointed US Ambassador to Singapore, Jonathan Kaplan.
c) We then shifted to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and were welcomed by the President of Sunway University, Sibrand Poppema. The housing for Sunway students is regal (by US residence hall standards). Great rooms and many amenities—that our students will enjoy. Speaking of our students, Diana Lee (BS, Music Business, ’20), has a full tuition scholarship to work on her MA in Creative Media. We had dinner with her and 3 of her faculty and she is doing very well. So well, that her thesis (in preparation) is going to be used for a book chapter. She is doing pioneer work in music business in SE Asia. Ambassador Ebert-Gray arranged for us to visit US Ambassador to Malaysia, Brian McFeeters at his official residence. Several prominent staffers were in attendance—and on their present and next postings, they will carry with them knowledge of CAM.

3) We have an outstanding faculty at CU and in CAM. When a talented professor moves—we are extending our reach as a college. Jessica McGaugh has accepted a tenure track position at San Diego State University. Jessica has been an outstanding colleague on all levels—teaching, creative work, and service. I know you will join me in wishing Jessica and her faculty well in this move.

When I joined CAM in 2014, one of the three primary interests of the faculty, staff and students was to increase the reputation, name and reach of CAM. This desire of enhancing reputation is not my perception, was what people said and voted (via sticky notes). The past several weeks did just that, as our faculty and staff met ambassadors, provosts, presidents, deans, professional staff, and students from leading international institutions.