Colorado Mesa University

Last updated
Colorado Mesa University
CMUseal.png
Former names
Grand Junction Junior College (1925–1937)
Mesa College (1937–1988)
Mesa State College (1988–2011) [1]
MottoSuccess Starts With Heart
Type Public university
Established1925;99 years ago (1925)
Academic affiliations
Space-grant
Endowment $42.19 million (2022) [2]
President John Marshall
Students9,110 [3]
Undergraduates 8,945 [3]
Postgraduates 165 [3]
Location, ,
United States

39°04′50″N108°33′16″W / 39.08061°N 108.55456°W / 39.08061; -108.55456
CampusUrban, 104 acres (42 ha)
NewspaperThe Criterion
Colors     Maroon, white & gold
Nickname Mavericks
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division IIRocky Mountain
Website www.coloradomesa.edu
A university sign at North 12th Street and North Avenue Colorado Mesa University sign.JPG
A university sign at North 12th Street and North Avenue

Colorado Mesa University (CMU or Mesa) is a public university in Grand Junction, Colorado. The university's other locations include the Bishop Campus, which houses Colorado Mesa University Tech in northwestern Grand Junction, and a regional campus in Montrose, approximately 60 miles south of Grand Junction. CMU grants associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, and master's degrees.

Contents

Previously Mesa State College, the college attained university status in August 2011 and changed its name to Colorado Mesa University.

Board of trustees

The Board of Trustees has 13 trustees (11 voting and two non-voting). The voting members are appointed by Colorado's governor and confirmed by the Colorado State Senate and serve staggered terms. The Colorado Mesa University Student Trustee is elected by the student-body and is considered one of the most influential positions in the university and college system. The Senatus Academicus names a member from its ranks to serve as the eleventh member. [4]

Academics

Colorado Mesa University offers programs leading to awards in five levels: technical certificates, associate degrees, baccalaureate degrees, master's degrees and professional doctoral degrees. The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

As of 2023, half the student body were first-generation college students. [5]

Residence life

Garfield Hall CMU.jpg

Colorado Mesa University offers options for students to live on campus. Over 2,000 students live on campus in 11 residential buildings, consisting of traditional rooms, suites and pods, and apartments.

Residence halls and apartments are governed by the Residence Hall Association (RHA). The Residence Hall Council (RHC) is an extension of RHA and acts as the governing body for each residence hall. The RHC of each building is composed of an elected executive board and an RHA representative.

Notable facilities

Houston Hall

Houston Hall has the reputation of being the first building on campus. Built in 1940, it is named for the college's first president, Dr. Clifford G. Houston. Before its construction, the college had occupied an abandoned school building (the old Lowell School) in the city's downtown area. During the 2011 expansion and renovation project, delicate care was taken to match the new wing's ornamental brick facade with that of the original building.

Dominguez Hall Academic Classroom Building, Mesa State College (April 30, 2011).jpg
Dominguez Hall

Dominguez Hall

Dominguez Hall was built in 2011 and is home to the Davis School of Business and the Center for Teacher Education. This building has several classrooms, including four large semi-circle lecture rooms, computer labs, small study rooms, study open spaces (indoors and outdoors), faculty offices, a coffee shop, and a boardroom.

Lowell Heiny Hall

Originally built in 1967 to house the college library, previously located in Houston Hall, Lowell Heiny Hall now houses University Authorities offices, Registrar's Office, President's Office, HR, Marketing, and faculty offices.

University Center University Center CMU.jpg
University Center

The University Center

The University Center was built in 2010 to replace the aging W.W. Campbell College Center. It houses the main campus dining facilities, including Dining Hall, Bookcliff Cafe, Starbucks Coffee, and a small convenience store. The center also houses the Associated Student Government, The Criterion campus newspaper, KMSA 91.3FM, Bookstore, Ballroom, student lounges, MAV Card Office, and the Student Life office, which contains some club offices.

The Maverick Center

Formerly known as Saunders Field House, The Maverick Center houses all athletic facilities in one building, except for football and baseball. Facilities include Brownson Arena, El Pomar Natatorium, Hamilton Recreation Center, and Monfort Family Human Performance Lab. Adjacent to The Maverick Center are Walker Field soccer and lacrosse stadium, Elliot Tennis Complex, Bergman Softball Field, and the Maverick Pavilion.

Moss Performing Arts Center

The Moss Performing Arts Center, named for local Colorado Mesa University supporters John and Angie Moss, provides music, dance and theatre students with the facilities needed to let their creativity shine. The center, which recently underwent a $5.1 million renovation and expansion, is home to the 600-seat William S. Robinson Theatre, a 300-seat recital hall, the Walter Walker Reception Area, the Mesa Experimental Theatre, a design studio, numerous music practice rooms, smart technology classrooms, faculty offices and a dance studio.

Moss is the home to the Theatre and Music Departments which offer a variety of entertainment for the campus and local community throughout the year.

Tomlinson Library Tomlinson Library.jpg
Tomlinson Library

Tomlinson Library

By 1984 the library's collection had outgrown Lowell Heiny Library and plans were made to build the collection a new home. The new library was dedicated in 1986. Recognized as an architectural gem in American School and University magazine[ citation needed ], the library was named for outgoing college president John U. Tomlinson in 1988 to honor his commitment to improved library services at the college. Tomlinson Library contains over 190,000 volumes, including a large government documents collection, and a geology library. It also houses the Ethridge Pottery Collection of prehistoric southwestern ceramics.

Forensic Investigation Research Station

Known by the acronym "FIRS", this facility consisting of a laboratory building and a fenced-in body farm is located just outside Grand Junction. [6] As of January 2018, the decomposition of 11 bodies was under investigation with a focus on identification of microbial clocks, collections of microorganisms that appear and change in a predictable manner during the course of human body decomposition. [6]

Athletics

CMU's athletic teams are known as the Mavericks; their mascot is symbolized by a rearing bull's head with flaring nostrils. Official colors are maroon, white, and gold. Student body fans are known as The Herd.

The Colorado Mesa Mavericks have 28 varsity teams [7] that compete in NCAA Division II athletics, as part of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. CMU fields teams in men's football, men's baseball, men's and women's basketball, women's volleyball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field, men's and women's golf, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's lacrosse, women's softball, men's and women's swimming, men's and women's tennis, and men's and women's wrestling.

Sustainability

Geothermal Energy Program

CMU is one of the first adaptors to utilizing Geothermal energy throughout their campus. The project known as "CMU Geo-Grid" is currently underway. [8] The system heats and cools for 1.2 million square feet of academic and auxiliary buildings, reduced CMU's carbon footprint reduced by 17,742 metric tons of CO2 per year, and provides CMU cost predictability allowing CMU to offer the second lowest tuition rate in Colorado. [8] Currently, CMU Geo-Grid is connected 16 of the campus' buildings. [8] The university is planning to geothermal system to 9 addition buildings. [8] The latest expansion is expected to happen from Colorado General Assembly bill SB23-250, passed by Barbara Kirkmeyer, Kyle Mullica, Marc Catlin, and Shannon Bird, which secured $6 million for further implementation CMU's geothermal exchange system. [9] The bill was signed into law by Governor Jared Polis on April 28, 2023. [10]

In 2021, Western Governors Association launched the Heat Beneath our Feet initiative at CMU's Campus. [8] The initiative purpose is to "examine opportunities for and barriers to the increased deployment of geothermal energy technologies for both electricity generation and heating and cooling systems in western states, which contain the vast majority of high-yield geothermal energy capacity in the U.S." [11]

Compost Program & Facility

CMU's Compost Facility is student-run organization providing education, training, and selling compost to the public. [12] The program takes university generated food-waste and converts it nutrient-rich soil additive, thus, reducing the universities overall waste product. [13] The compost facility is run by CMU's Sustainability Council founded the Dr. John Heideman in 2013. [14]

Student media

Notable alumni

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roanoke College</span> Private liberal arts college in Salem, Virginia, USA

Roanoke College is a private liberal arts college in Salem, Virginia. It has approximately 2,000 students who represent approximately 40 states and 30 countries. The college offers 35 majors, 57 minors and concentrations, and pre-professional programs. Roanoke awards bachelor's degrees in arts, science, and business administration and is one of 280 colleges with a chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colorado College</span> Private liberal arts college in Colorado Springs, Colorado, US

Colorado College is a private liberal arts college in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It was founded in 1874 by Thomas Nelson Haskell in his daughter's memory. The college enrolls approximately 2,000 undergraduates at its 90-acre (36 ha) campus. The college offers 42 majors and 33 minors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seton Hall University</span> Catholic university in South Orange, New Jersey, US

Seton Hall University (SHU) is a private Roman Catholic research university in South Orange, New Jersey. Founded in 1856 by then-Bishop James Roosevelt Bayley and named after his aunt, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Seton Hall is the oldest diocesan university in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Oregon</span> Public university in Eugene, Oregon, U.S.

The University of Oregon is a public research university in Eugene, Oregon. Founded in 1876, the university also has two Portland locations, and manages a marine station, called the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, in Charleston; and an observatory, called Pine Mountain Observatory, in Central Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Truman State University</span> Public university in Kirksville, Missouri, US

Truman State University is a public university in Kirksville, Missouri. It had 3,636 enrolled students in the fall of 2023 pursuing degrees in 55 undergraduate and twelve graduate programs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of North Carolina Wilmington</span> Public research university in Wilmington, North Carolina, US

The University of North Carolina Wilmington, or University of North Carolina at Wilmington, is a public research university in Wilmington, North Carolina. It is part of the University of North Carolina system and enrolls 17,499 undergraduate and graduate students each year. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State University of New York at Canton</span> State University of New Yorks public college in Canton

The State University of New York at Canton is a public college in Canton, New York. It is part of the State University of New York. The college offers 30 bachelor's degrees, 20 associate degrees, three one-year certificate programs, and 23 online degrees.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern Arizona University</span> Public university in Flagstaff, Arizona, US

Northern Arizona University (NAU) is a public research university based in Flagstaff, Arizona. Founded in 1899, it was the final university established in the Arizona Territory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minnesota State University, Mankato</span> Public university in Mankato, Minnesota, US

Minnesota State University, Mankato is a public university in Mankato, Minnesota, United States. It is Minnesota's second-largest university and has over 145,000 living alumni worldwide. Founded in 1868, it is the second-oldest member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and is commonly referred to as the flagship institution. It was established as the Second State Normal School in 1858 and officially opened as Mankato Normal School a decade later. Minnesota State University, Mankato is a significant contributor to the local and state economies, adding $827 million annually.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Colorado Colorado Springs</span> Public research university in Colorado, US

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is a public research university in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It is one of four campuses that make up the University of Colorado system. As of Fall 2023, UCCS had over 11,431 students, including 9,540 undergraduates and 1,891 graduate students. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercyhurst University</span> Catholic college in Erie, Pennsylvania, US

Mercyhurst University is a private Roman Catholic university in Erie, Pennsylvania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florida Gulf Coast University</span> Public university in Fort Myers, Florida, U.S.

Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) is a public university in Lee County, Florida near Fort Myers. It is part of the State University System of Florida and is its second youngest member. The university was established on May 3, 1991, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). It offers 58 bachelor's degree programs, 25 master's degree programs, 6 doctoral degree programs, and 12 graduate certificates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Franklin Pierce University</span> Private university in Rindge, New Hampshire, US

Franklin Pierce University is a private university in Rindge, New Hampshire, United States. It was founded as Franklin Pierce College in 1962, combining a liberal arts foundation with coursework for professional preparation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Diego Mesa College</span> Community college in Clairemont Mesa, California, US

San Diego Mesa College is a public community college in Clairemont Mesa in San Diego, California. It is a California Community College and one of four colleges in the San Diego Community College District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benedictine University</span> Private Catholic university in metropolitan Chicago, Illinois, U.S.

Benedictine University is a private Catholic university in Lisle, Illinois. It was founded in 1887 as St. Procopius College by the Benedictine monks of St. Procopius Abbey in the Pilsen community on the West Side of Chicago. The institution has retained a close relationship with the Benedictine Order, which bears the name of St. Benedict, the acknowledged father of western monasticism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salem State University</span> Public university in Salem, Massachusetts, US

Salem State University is a public university in Salem, Massachusetts. Established in 1854, it is the oldest and largest institute of higher education on the North Shore and is part of the state university system in Massachusetts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western Colorado University</span> Public university in Gunnison, Colorado, US

Western Colorado University is a public university in Gunnison, Colorado. It enrolls approximately 2,600 undergraduate and 400 graduate students, with 25 percent coming from out of state.

Missouri Baptist University (MBU) is a private Southern Baptist university in Creve Coeur, Missouri. It is one of three universities of the Missouri Baptist Convention. The main campus is located on a 68-acre site near Creve Coeur and Town and County in West St Louis County, off highway 64-40. There are currently 12 MBU locations including its regional learning centers throughout the St. Louis region and Illinois. The school enrolled 5,309 students in 2019.

Colorado Mesa University Tech is a division of Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, Colorado specializing in vocational studies. Students take core curriculum courses at CMU's main campus, but complete their program of study at CMU Tech. Associate degrees from CMU Tech are awarded by Colorado Mesa University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buena Vista University</span> Private university in Storm Lake, Iowa, US

Buena Vista University is a private university in Storm Lake, Iowa. Founded in 1891 as Buena Vista College, it is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. The university's 60-acre (240,000 m2) campus is situated on the shores of Storm Lake, a 3,200-acre (13 km2) natural lake.

References

  1. "A Century of College". coloradomesa.edu. Colorado Mesa University. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
  2. As of June 30, 2022. Foundation Annual Report 2022 (PDF) (Report). CMU Foundation. June 30, 2022. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 "College Navigator - Colorado Mesa University".
  4. http://new.mesastate.edu/trustees/index.html.mesastate.edu%5B%5D. 2010. Board of Trustees. Retrieved 2010.09.14
  5. "CMU supporting first-generation students". 2023-03-08. Archived from the original on 2023-03-08. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  6. 1 2 Beans, Carolyn (2 January 2018). "Can microbes keep time for forensic investigators?". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 115 (1): 3–6. Bibcode:2018PNAS..115....3B. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1718156114 . PMC   5776831 . PMID   29295964.
  7. "About Colorado Mesa University" . Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 "Geo-Grid System | Colorado Mesa University". www.coloradomesa.edu. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
  9. "Funding bill for Colorado Mesa and Western universities advances, Gov. Polis expected to sign". www.kjct8.com. 2023-04-18. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
  10. Catlin, Marc; Bird, Shannon; Kirkmeyer, Barbara; Mullica, Kyle, Transfer From Severance Tax Operations Cash Fund , retrieved 2024-01-13
  11. "The Heat Beneath Our Feet | WGA". westgov.org. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
  12. "Compost Facility | Colorado Mesa University". www.coloradomesa.edu. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
  13. "Sustainability Council | Colorado Mesa University". www.coloradomesa.edu. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
  14. "From kitchen to garden". www.coloradomesa.edu. Retrieved 2024-01-13.