Denver Bound scholars delight in being No. 1
Once upon a time a beautiful dark-haired young woman named Camellia Stearns decided she wanted a change. She’d applied to and been accepted to many of the universities in her home state of California. But, as she told her mother, they just didn’t feel right. And so it was that as Camellia’s mother leafed through the mail that day, a postcard from Denver Bound’s “Above the Ordinary” program caught her eye. "What about this?" Camellia’s mother asked. The rest is history: the beginning of Camellia’s career at UCDHSC’s downtown Denver campus and one of many success stories in its transition from commuter to residential campus.
"The places I’d been looking at before were so impersonal," Camellia said. "I’m 18, I’m self-centered. I didn’t want to be one of the numbers; I wanted to be the number!"
Through Denver Bound, Camellia arrived at DIA three days after receiving the postcard and joined faculty and staff on campus for her scholarship interview and campus tour. The vast wasteland surrounding the airport at first made the teen from Los Angeles wonder if Denver was right for her. Then, as she drove down Speer Boulevard, it became clear. "This is the most beautiful place ever," Camellia told a group of about 30 at the Tivoli. "I’m so glad I made the decision to come here. This is making my college experience great." Camellia is one of three students who spoke Feb. 16 at the Denver Bound non-residential student recruitment program update. The personal attention she received from the offices of admissions, scholarships and financial aid in addition to the campus setting made her decision easy. Her sentiments were echoed by her fellow classmates.
Josh Champeau
and his partner needed a change. "The people here made me feel I mattered as a student and that I could contribute," said the political science major. "I feel really valued." Champeau, also from California, decided UCDHSC’s downtown Denver was a much better fit than Berkeley, where he’d also been accepted.
Will Moran, from Hawaii, credited the university with seeing his potential because his grades did not match his test scores. (Mary Francavilla, director of the scholarship resource office, was quick to add that Will’s current grades are outstanding.) The diversity of the campus, he said, is impressive. "I like the independent feeling. You’re not forced into an environment where you’re uncomfortable," he said. "The diversity is definitely a plus."
Barbara Edwards, director of admissions, said 91 students applied for the Denver Bound Scholarship. Seventy-one scholarships, averaging $5,600 each, were offered and 20 Denver Bound Scholars were enrolled. Nine additional students chose to participate in the WUE program.
In addition to testimonials from students and Edwards, speakers at the update included, Cynthia Gayles, associate director of admissions, Frank Sanchez, associate vice chancellor for enrollment and student affairs, Obe Hankins, director of student life, Larry Loften, student housing coordinator, and Provost Mark Heckler.
"It’s phenomenal to think about what has transpired in the space of 12 months," Heckler stressed. "We want people who want to come to the city and strike out on their own. We’ll continue to keep the character of the campus as we add the student housing."
Heckler credited the downtown Denver campus community, from admissions to financial aid to staff and faculty, in helping these students and all incoming students in their transitions. "This is one more indication of the hard-working and dedicated team," he said. "In the cultural transformation of the institution, I’m champing at the bit to see where we’re going next."
Edwards agrees, noting, "We truly are above the ordinary."