The Daniels Newsroom shares its favorite stories from the past year
As the new year approaches, the Daniels team took a look back at the 153 blogs it posted in 2024 and selected some of its favorites in a variety of categories.
Daniels news
New Daniels Dean Ready to Disrupt Higher Education
“Disruption” may seem like an abrasive word, but there aren’t many others Naomi Boyd can use to describe the challenges facing the business world—and the solutions needed to overcome them. In her new role as dean of the Daniels College of Business, Boyd sees the perfect opportunity to shake things up. Boyd brings a balanced, well-rounded approach to the dean’s suite. Her background includes work in finance, economic development and ballet.
Runner up: Race and Case Celebrates 20th Year
Research Stories
Daniels Alumnus Shares the Value of Undergraduate Research
Faculty aren’t the only ones on the University of Denver campus conducting research. Students like Chase Brosig have a seat at the table too. In his time as a finance student, Brosig joined DU’s Undergraduate Research Journal and collaborated teaching associate professor Irina Khindanova on a paper that studied the financial impacts of mobile banking on banks in Colorado.
Runner up: Research: The Diversity Danvers of Speech Technology, featuring assistant professor Lily Morse
Stories of faculty expertise
Cindi Fukami Honored as University Lecturer
Robert Frost stood in front of two forest roads, pondering which he should take, regretting he couldn’t travel both. Cindi Fukami sat in her department chair’s office and mulled a similar question. Ultimately, Fukami, a management professor, paved a road of her own, one that bridged the traditional, exclusive paths to research or teaching. Fukami outlined her work and the development of many Daniels programs while delivering DU’s University Lecture. She is the first Daniels faculty to receive the distinguished honor.
Runner up: Q&A: Bringing Sports Analytics Into the Classroom, featuring Andrew Urbaczewski and Ryan Elmore, faculty in the Department of Business Information and Analytics
Undergraduate student stories
With Sneaker Business, Daniels Student ‘Wears His Heart on His Sole’
Isaac Mbereko has always been an entrepreneur, whether it was making duct tape wallets in first grade or stringing lacrosse sticks to his high school teammates. His latest venture, This is Art?, has taken off with help from the Entrepreneurship@DU program. Mbereko’s company produces custom painted shoes that have been worn by DU Chancellor Jeremy Haefner, the DU women’s gymnastics team, and University of Colorado athletic director Rick George.
Grad student stories
On Global Trip, MBA Cohort Gives Back to South African NGO
A hot shower under running water may be a given for the 26 Daniels students in Professional MBA Cohort 32, but for many South Africans in developing townships, there is little to no infrastructure for plumbing. When the cohort visited nonprofit Love to Give in Stellenbosch, students were so touched by the organization’s mission that they created an impromptu fundraiser on the bus to their next meeting. The result was $1,000—money that will teach women jobs like plumbing, water conservation and English that can lead to stable employment.
Alumni stories
Professor Officiates Alumni Wedding in Taiwan
Being invited to the wedding was special. Changing the date so he could attend was a big deal. But being asked to officiate the marriage ceremony between two of his former students was almost too much for Phil Beaver to describe. Standing in front of 300 people in Taiwan, Beaver pronounced Roger Lin (MS 2015) and Angela Liu (MS 2017) husband and wife, years after introducing them and teaching them in the Department of Business Information and Analytics.
Voices of Experience podcast
Mile High AI: How Denver is Using Emerging Tech
A special edition of the VOE Podcast, recapped the Daniels College of Business’ signature speaker event: “Voices of Experience: Denver’s AI Future.” The discussion explored the future of AI in Denver, where city and county leaders shared how emerging technologies are already aiding residents in the Mile High City. They discussed things like immigration and asylum, housing, permitting, infrastructure, workforce development and the economy.
Runner up: How Humans Fit Into an AI Future, featuring Binh Diep (MBA 2012), general manager at Slalom
Philanthropy
Alumni Advisory Board Scholarship Opens Doors for Daniels Students
A scholarship from the Daniels College of Business Alumni Advisory Board (AAB) is helping two master’s students expand their professional networks, deepen their industry knowledge and prepare for new careers. The AAB’s Professional Development Scholarship was created in 2022 and has benefited eight students to date. Thanks to the generosity of Daniels alumni, the fund doubled to $100,000 in the last two years.
Best Visuals
Super Market: Stanley Marketplace Has Daniels DNA
The easiest way to describe Aurora’s Stanley Marketplace might be a “mall,” but it doesn’t feel like a mall. Intertwined in the 57 local, independently owned retailers, service providers and eateries is a web of Daniels connections. Its founders have Daniels College of Business degrees; so do many of the tenants. Take a quick tour and get to know some of the alumni who are making Stanley “no ordinary marketplace.”
