2019

The College of Arts & Media celebrates students, faculty, staff, and community leaders who are making a difference on campus, in the community, and in the creative fields.

SPRING 2019 OUTSTANDING GRADUATE AWARDS

Among an exceptional class of College of Arts & Media graduates, four students have been exceptionally recognized for their contributions as artists, academics, creatives, and researchers.

FILM & TELEVISION: BREANNE WILSON

Breanne Wilson not only graduates a remarkable student, but as filmmaker and performer who shows great promise. Her professionalism extends to projects inside and out of the classroom. Breanne has contributed to the narrative film project of David Liban, Chair of the Film & Television Department. Her versatile work on Feral made her an integral and valuable member of the team.

Landing her first post-graduation job at STARZ, Breanne Wilson looks forward to not only working for an international network, but also continuing her own work as a writer,producer, and actor. While a student at the College of Arts & Media, Wilson produced professional commercials for Southwest Airlines and the Denver Leadership Foundation in the advanced “CAM Productions” class, building a strong professional portfolio. She has partnered with classmates and faculty on a variety of  projects demonstrating  her creativity, leadership, and talent .

MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY STUDIES: BELLA MUSSER

Bella Musser and her undeniable raw talent already have the attention of Denver music fans. As a songwriter her style evolved as she explored and experimented during her time at CU Denver and as a performer her confidence and stage presence make her a force in the local scene. Her experiences working and interning in music and event promotion, music publishing, and recording have well prepared for a versatile and successful career. Bella is not only a leader of her band, Redamancy, but on campus and the airwaves.

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN RECORDING ARTS, MEDIA FORENSICS: CRAIG JANSON

Craig Janson's passion for media forensics and computer technology has been evident as he excelled academically and was integral in the advancement of software development to support the NCMF’s sponsored project with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). His work has greatly strengthened the platform for current and future research projects for the NCMF. Craig’st hesis is in the development of a forensic database for multimedia and has already proven to be an important contribution to the field. This fall–even before completing his Master’s degree–Craig accepted a position with the Lakewood Police Department.

VISUAL ARTS: SHARIFA MOORE

Sharifa Moore is an exemplary student, artist, and leader, graduating on the Dean's List (4.0) with a dual emphasis degree in Photography and Art History. She is an energetic participant in the arts community on campus and Denver, and has been an incredibly valuable member of the Emmanuel Art Gallery team, assisting in major exhibitions and visiting artist arrangements. Sharifa's impressive Senior Art History thesis project, curating the exhibition Whichcraft at The Next Stage Gallery, resulted in a impressive catalog and body of work celebrating woman and Month of Photography. As a recipient of a 2018 EURēCA! Fellowship, Sharifa received a $3,000 grant to conduct independent research, completing  an extensive project on the historic photographic cyanotype process and her research received first place recognition at the 22^nd annual Research and Creative Activities Symposium.

2019 CU DENVER FACULTY AWARD WINNERS

Each year CU Denver honors one of the university’s greatest assets—the remarkable faculty—with the faculty awards. These accolades recognize superior accomplishments in teaching, leadership and service, research and creative activities, librarianship, faculty mentoring, and practices related to non-tenure-track faculty. 

The awards are special not only because they acknowledge outstanding performance in our core areas as a university, but also because they are recognition by colleagues and students of this exemplary work. The College of Arts & Media is proud of these winners past and present.

EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING

Maria Elena Buszek
Visual Arts

Jessica McGaugh
Film & Television

EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH AND CREATIVE ACTIVITIES

Hans Rosenwinkel
Film & Television

RESEARCH AND CREATIVE ACTIVITIES SYMPOSIUM AWARD WINNERS

The 22^nd annual Research and Creative Activities Symposium (RACAS) held on April 26, 2019 showcased the scholarly activities of CU Denver undergraduate and graduate students. Over 200 student researchers participated in the event, presenting their work present to an audience of peers, faculty, family, and community leaders. Congratulations to all those who shared their scholarship and fostered a sense of community collaboration, outreach, and creativity. The exceptional work of College & Arts Media student presentations received top designation in the Arts and Humanities category.

Arts and Humanities RACAS Awards

1st Place (tie):

Sharifa Moore, College of Arts and Media
Mentor: Carol Golemboski
“Contemporary Applications of the Cyanotype”

Emily Owens, College of Arts and Media
Mentor: Carol Golemboski
“What Are You Going to Do With 390 Photographs of Discarded Christmas Trees?"            

2nd Place:

Melissa Jacobi, College of Arts and Media
Mentor: Rebecca Heavner
“The Importance of Children’s Picture Book Character Development and the Use of Anthropomorphism”

3rd Place

Samantha Manion, College of Arts and Media
Mentor: Melissa Furness
“Rituals as Art”

FACULTY INNOVATION GRANTS

The College of Arts & Media Faculty Development Innovation Grant provides funding to support innovation and discovery within faculty research, teaching & learning, and creative activity. CAM is proud to have awarded the faculty listed below funding for projects that pushed creative boundaries and forged relationships in the community.

FACULTY SEED GRANT

The CAM Faculty Development Seed Grant provides immediate support of existing and developing faculty research and creative activity through research, creative and scholarly work, professional development and teaching activities.