Around the Block Campus News – Giving Students Extraordinary Expieriences

Stroud Scholars Preview Life at CC During Summer Experience

ID: a group of students stnaind in a classroom looking at something to the left of the camera

Photo by Lonnie Timmons III
By Caryn Maconi
More than 60 students from 18 Pikes Peak region high schools got a taste of life on the CC campus during the Stroud Scholars summer experience, which ran July 11 through July 29.
The Stroud Scholars program honors the legacy of siblings Kelley Dolphus Stroud ’31 and Effie Stroud Frazier ’31, two of the earliest Black students to graduate from CC. As part of the college’s antiracism commitment and access and affordability focus, the program prepares talented local high schoolers for selective college environments through academic preparation, mentorship, and guidance navigating the college admissions process — culminating in admission to CC. 
To be accepted into the program, students must be intellectually curious and growth-minded, with the potential to thrive in rigorous academic settings if given the opportunity. Students may be the first in their families to graduate from college, and many come from a low-income family, self-identify as students of color or another socially marginalized identity, or attend an under-resourced high school.
Stroud Scholars take part in a three-week residential experience for three consecutive summers, starting after their first year of high school. Living on the CC campus on weekdays, they take immersive writing and quantitative reasoning courses co-taught by CC faculty and local high school teachers. This year, six of the 12 Stroud instructors are CC alumni. 

A Journey Through Paradise – Our Trip to San Sebastián

ID: a person with long hair wearing a white long sleeved shirt sitting on the grass with their back to us, the ocean to the right and a hill with houses in front of them ID: a group of young people standing in a church talking
By Zeke Lloyd ’24
Zeke Lloyd ’24 studied in Spain during Summer 2022 as part of CC’s Summer in Spain program, based in Soria. Students lived with host families and participated in city life during two summer blocks. In addition to immersive language learning, the program incorporated multiple cultural activities and excursions to places, such as Madrid and San Sebastian, to learn about the history and cultures of Spain. Zeke shared stories and images of his summer experience throughout the course.
San Sebastián is a paradise. Compared to Soria’s golden farmlands, the foggy, forested northern landscape appeared almost magical when we arrived on Wednesday, June 29. An afternoon walk along the ocean shore further contributed to the sense of novelty when we saw white crested waves crashing against the sandy beaches. But the roaring Atlantic was only the first sign we had left the inland village of Soria behind. Signs now read in two languages: Spanish and Basque. The small platters of food we enjoyed that first night were called “pintxos,” the Basque word for “tapas.”
We deepened our knowledge of Basque culture on Thursday during our visit to the Musea de San Telmo. Artifacts from antiquity adorned the walls alongside artifacts from great Basque scholars from the 20th century, illustrating the region’s long history of self-sufficiency and prosperity.
They also make a mean cider. We started Friday off with a tour of the Museo de la Sidra, the museum of the cider, where we learned how over the course of several centuries, the Basque region perfected the art of cider-making. Lunch at Alorrenea, a genial Basque restaurant, offered the fermented-apple beverage along with thick steaks and delicious fish. The day ended at Albaola, a museum which emphasized the rich history of wharfing and whaling in northern Spain. From beach to beverage, San Sebastián did not disappoint.

Correction regarding tickets for inauguration: A limited number of tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. To reserve tickets, visit the Worner Desk and show your CC Gold Card. 

Ryan Haygood ’97 Earns National Bar Association Award

ID: an African American man in a black suit and burgundy tie, with short hari, speaking into a microphone on a podium in front of a navy blue curtain
The NBA’s Vince Monroe Townsend, Jr. Legacy Award was established in 1998 and is presented to individuals who exhibit historic and continual leadership in the civil rights arena.
Haygood received the award on July 28, during the National Bar Association’s 97th Annual Convention.
As a nationally respected civil rights lawyer and president and CEO of the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, Haygood advocates on behalf of urban communities to increase access to opportunities. He received his bachelor of arts in American history and political science from CC and his law degree from the University of Colorado. Haygood is also vice chair of the Colorado College Board of Trustees.

Fitness Program for Retirees Exceeds Expectations

ID: elderly people wearing masks and work out clothes with weights in their hands facing right, working out

Photo by Lonnie Timmons III
By Julia Fennell ’21

When Chris Starr, director of recreation and the Adam F. Press Fitness Center, realized that there was a demographic they weren’t reaching — CC retirees — she knew she needed to establish classes for them. Brad Raines, a former Fitness Center coordinator, started the program, and after he left, Wes Kosel, assistant director of the Fitness Center, ran with it. The functional fitness class for older adults, called Fit4Life, now takes place three days a week and has surpassed expectations. 

The program started with about five students a class and today, it ranges between 15 to 23 participants. Fit4Life focuses on four components: functional fitness, strength, endurance, and balance, but physical fitness is not the only outcome of the program.

Eryn Murphy, assistant professor of Human Biology and Kinesiology, conducted balance and fall assessments for some class participants. During the testing, several attendees told Kosel that the paraprofessional wasn’t counting correctly. “They really care about it and want to see their improvements,” says Kosel.

Attendance is free and all workouts can be adjusted for each person’s abilities.

Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College Wins Five Henry Awards

ID: 3 people on a stage set that looks like an apartment, a Caucasian man wearing khakis and a green shirt with a paper in his hand standing next to a Caucasian woman in cropped jeans, sandals, and a lavendar shirt. The third person is sitting on a sofa. ID: a Caucasian woman and an African American woman in dresses, side hugging, smiling at the camera
Photos by Jeff Kearney
The theatre company at the Fine Arts Center recently took home five Colorado Theatre Guild Henry Awards. The awards, named after legendary producer Henry Lowenstein, honor outstanding achievement among the Colorado Theatre Guild’s member companies.

Outstanding Play: “Guadalupe in the Guest Room”
Direction of a Play, James Bruenger-Arreguin: “Guadalupe in the Guest Room”
Actress in a Play, Elise Santora: “Guadalupe in the Guest Room”
Supporting Actress in a Play, Rebecca Myers: “By the Way, Meet Vera Stark”
Ensemble Performance: “Guadalupe in the Guest Room”

In addition, Erin Rollman ’98 won Supporting Actress in a Play for her role in “<3 Richard” with Buntport Theater, in the Tier 2 award category for smaller budget theatre companies.
The Colorado Springs Gazette featured the FAC’s awards in a recent article.

Colorado Springs Happenings

Labor Day Lift Off: This year will be the balloon festival’s 46th annual launch, and organizers Hot Apple Productions and the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation have added new activities and events to make it the most extensive lineup of programming and partnerships yet.

The Labor Day Lift Off festivities will kick off on Sept. 3 at Memorial Park and will see the return of such beloved traditions as the balloon lift-offs and balloon glows, hot air balloon ride by Rainbow Ryders, and the annual Krispy Kreme donut eating contest. Attendees will also see the additions of a 5K race, a second festival at Banning Lewis Ranch, VIP ticketing, and more amenities and attractions. Check out what’s new at this year’s Labor Day Lift Off.

Commonwheel Artists Festival: The 48th annual Commonwheel Artists Festival is one of the best art festivals in Colorado. The work of many local artists, as well as out of state favorites, will display their creations for purchase from Saturday, Sept. 3 through Monday, Sept. 5, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

In addition to magnificent art, there will be music, food, and activities for kids of all ages. The Festival is open rain or shine and will be a weekend for a family fun.

25th Annual Downtown Partnership Breakfast: The premier event for all who believe in downtown Colorado Springs and its future, this event will highlight the exponential growth of our city center and unveil upcoming development.

With a reputation as the liveliest and most information-packed business event of the year, this year’s event promises to entertain, inspire, and enlighten.

Location: Ed Robson Arena at Colorado College

Time: 8-9 a.m. (doors open at 7:15 a.m. for networking)

Individual tickets: 

  • $45 for Downtown Partnership members
  • $50 for non-members

Tables of 10

  • $450 for Downtown Partnership members
  • $500 for non-members

The Quad Innovation Alliance Program Registration is Open

The Quad Innovation Alliance is a joint initiative between Colorado College, Pikes Peak Community College, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, and supported by the U.S. Air Force Academy (insofar as authorized by federal law*). Students participate in problem-based consulting projects for our community or local organizations. Each project team is comprised of four to seven interdisciplinary students representing at least three of the Quad’s partner institutions. Students are given meaningful direction and assistance by professional management staff, and faculty advise with relevant subject matter expertise. 
The program offers students opportunities to develop professional experience, technical skills, and leadership abilities in a diverse, professional team environment. Research conducted through the Quad has catalyzed community impact ranging from affordable housing development to business growth. Over half of the companies and organizations who have hired the Quad have committed to additional work, indicating the value these organizations receive from their teams.
Program dates: Sept. 19-Dec. 9
Eligibility: open to any student or recent grad of CC, PPCC, UCCS and USAFA.
Other info: Approx. 10-15 hours weekly commitment; Program delivered in a hybrid format. Work sessions will be held over Zoom as well as in-person. $1,350 award included with admission.
Website: quadcos.org
Application: Apply here
Early admissions deadline Sept. 1; regular admissions deadline Sept. 7.
Questions: Please contact Associate Director Belle Cotton McDonald at icotton@coloradocollege.edu.
* The Quad is not an organization of the Federal Government and USAFA provides no underwriting or implied endorsement of the activities.

Photo of the Month

ID: Young man wearing blue shorts, a grey tshirt, and blue sunglasses on a skateboard surrounded by grass, trees, and an old tudor style building.

A student skateboards past Cutler Hall on August 17.
Photo by Lonnie Timmons III
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