The Lynx community welcomed its new chancellor, Kenneth T. Christensen, at a lunch on Thursday, March 6. Many students, faculty, and staff engaged in informal conversation, took photos with Milo, and connected over eats like elote and peach cobbler. Several people expressed their appreciation to Christensen for his grounded approach to the transition and the effort he put into listening to the community. They also shared with CU Denver News what they hope for most in CU Denver’s next chapter.
Christensen addressed the crowd with a message of gratitude to the Lynx community. “I really do thank you very much for your patience, your kindness, and really helping me learn about what’s special about our institution,” Christensen said. He went on to express his vision and hope for the future of CU Denver. “We want to be an economic development engine for our community,” Christensen said. “I really feel privileged to be a part of this community, and I really look forward to the next several years of us all working together to ensure that CU Denver maintains and enhances its mission to this community.”
Christensen also highlighted students and opportunities for Lynx. “Whether you’re faculty, staff, or students, all of you have great pathways of success and impact, and we want to be a place that really supports that and supports your growth,” he said.
Read highlights from some of the attendees below.
“I don’t think I’ve ever really heard a chancellor speak,” said Jade Keomanivong (second from right), who expects to graduate with a BS in bioengineering in 2028. Sydney Graybill (right) had a similar sentiment to share. “There just aren’t very many opportunities as students day-to-day to meet people who are making a lot of my decisions for us,” Graybill, a biology student at CU Denver who hopes to graduate with a degree in nursing from Anschutz in 2028, said. “It’s nice to kind of meet someone from the start and see what he’s practicing.”
“I’m excited for the next chapter and to see where everything goes,” said Jacqui Gatlin, bursar (right), who appreciated that CU Denver hosted the event. “Being visible, being present and being willing to meet people face to face and have those conversations—I appreciate that,” she said.
