Every year, the CU Denver Regent Awards showcase individuals who—through their contributions to the CU community, state, nation, and world—help support the university as a place where students can meet their moments. This year, two individuals earned honors at a ceremony on Thursday, April 16, hosted by CU Denver at The Slate Hotel in downtown Denver.
Leaders from the CU system and CU Denver, including CU President Todd Saliman and CU Denver Chancellor Kenneth T. Christensen, spoke on the impact of the awardees. “As Regent Award recipients, they are the embodiment of meeting your moment and creating lasting impact in our community,” Christensen said at the ceremony. “They have opened doors and provided incredible opportunities for our CU Denver students, serving as educators, mentors, and leaders.”
University Medal
Clyde Zaidins, PhD: Zaidins is a distinguished physicist and the founding faculty member of CU Denver’s Physics Department. He has built an extraordinary legacy of service, scholarship, and philanthropy that spans more than five decades.
Zaidins joined CU Denver in 1967 and served as the chair of the Physics Department multiple times, including a return from retirement from 2015 to 2019. A dedicated educator, he received multiple teaching awards. He is renowned for his innovative, National Science Foundation-funded modular science curriculum and his commitment to science communication through his “Just Ask Clyde” platform.
Beyond academia, Zaidins has been a tireless advocate for CU Denver’s growth and independence. His philanthropic efforts include establishing the Zaidins Family Endowed Undergraduate Research Award Fund and supporting student scholarships and emergency funds.
Distinguished Service
Lorii Rabinowitz: Rabinowitz is the CEO of the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF), a crucial resource for many CU Denver students’ education. She’s known for her transformative leadership and dedication to educational equity in Colorado. Since joining DSF in 2017, Rabinowitz has expanded DSF’s reach to serve more than 16,000 Denver Public Schools students and graduates annually and increased scholarship funding to a record $8.9 million in 2025.
A recognized leader, Rabinowitz was named Denver Business Journal’s Most Admired CEO in 2023 and the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce’s Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Business in 2019.
Beyond DSF, Rabinowitz is a passionate volunteer. She has served on boards and committees for organizations over the past several years, including the CU Denver Business School, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Rose Community Foundation, Swedish Medical Center, and Project Angel Heart.