Mesa State College
Encyclopedia
Colorado Mesa University is a public comprehensive university in Grand Junction, Colorado
. The university has its primary campus in central Grand Junction. The university also has other campuses as well; Bishop Campus, which houses Western Colorado Community College
in northwestern Grand Junction and a regional campus in Montrose, Colorado
. Colorado Mesa University grants two-year associates degrees, four-year bachelors degrees, and master's degrees. The school is in the process of developing its first doctorate program.
Previously called Mesa State College (MSC), the school attained university status in August 2011, changing its name to Colorado Mesa University.
Colorado Mesa University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association. Accreditation by this agency places credits earned at the university on par with those earned at other similarly accredited institutions throughout the United States. In 2010, Forbes
magazine listed Mesa State College at No. 555 on their 610 "Best Colleges" list.
Residence halls and apartments are governed by the Residence Hall Association (RHA). RHA focuses a large portion of their effort toward being the residents' voice and advocating residents' issues to the Housing department and the campus. RHA works closely with housing administration to produce positive changes in campus living. In addition to their governmental and liaison roles with the college, RHA plans and executes events, programs and community service projects for residents' enjoyment.
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 (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Publicist), RHA Representative and Floor Representatives.
The Colorado Mesa Mavericks have 19 varsity teams that compete in NCAA Division II athletics, as part of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference
. CMU fields teams in football, baseball, men's and women's basketball, women's volleyball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's outdoor track and field, men's and women's golf, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's lacrosee, women's softball, men's and women's swimming, men's and women's tennis, and men's wrestling.
In addition to varsity sports, CMU has a large number of club sports including cheerleading, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's rugby, men's volleyball, water polo, cycling, rodeo, skiing, and formerly hockey, as well as active outdoors and intramural programs. The intramural sports include flag football, ultimate frisbee, indoor soccer, dodgeball, tennis, volleyball, and basketball, among many others.
CMU plays host to several summer sports camps and clinics including baseball, football, cross country, cheerleading, lacrosse, swimming, soccer, track and field, volleyball, and wrestling, as well as the largest summer basketball camp west of the Mississippi River.
Since 1958 CMU has co-hosted the Junior College World Series at Suplizio Field
.
Grand Junction, Colorado
The City of Grand Junction is the largest city in western Colorado. It is a city with a council–manager government form that is the county seat and the most populous city of Mesa County, Colorado, United States. Grand Junction is situated west-southwest of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. As...
. The university has its primary campus in central Grand Junction. The university also has other campuses as well; Bishop Campus, which houses Western Colorado Community College
Western Colorado Community College
Western Colorado Community College is a branch of Colorado Mesa University specializing in vocational studies. Unlike other institutions deemed "community college," the WCCC is not a separate entity from its parent institution. A student takes core curriculum courses at CMU but completes his or...
in northwestern Grand Junction and a regional campus in Montrose, Colorado
Montrose, Colorado
The City of Montrose is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Montrose County, Colorado, United States. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the city population was 15,479 in 2005. The main road that leads in and out of Montrose is U.S...
. Colorado Mesa University grants two-year associates degrees, four-year bachelors degrees, and master's degrees. The school is in the process of developing its first doctorate program.
Previously called Mesa State College (MSC), the school attained university status in August 2011, changing its name to Colorado Mesa University.
History
- 1925 - Founded as Grand Junction Junior College with 39 students enrolled
- 1932 - Name changed to Grand Junction State Junior College
- 1933 - Enrollment exceeds 200 for the first time
- 1937 - Name changed to Mesa College
- 1957 - Mesa College accredited by North Central Association
- 1961 - Enrollment exceeds 1,000
- 1974 - Mesa College authorized to offer baccalaureate degree programs
- 1988 - Name changed to Mesa State College
- 1994 - Mesa State authorized to offer graduate degree programs
- 2003 - Independent Board of Trustees created by H.B. 1093
- 2005 - Formally created two-year, open admission division Western Colorado Community College
- 2010 - Enrollment exceeds 8,000 for the first time
- 2011 - June 6, 2011 Governor John Hickenlooper signed the bill to approve name change to Colorado Mesa University.
- 2011 - August 10, 2011 Mesa State College becomes Colorado Mesa University.
Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees consists of eleven trustees (nine voting and two non-voting members). The voting members are appointed by the Colorado Governor, 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 to be one of the most influential positions in the University and College System. The Senatus Academicus names a member from their ranks to serve as the eleventh member. The Board meets regularly throughout the year and is charged with the task of hiring the President, guiding the mission, and overseeing the budget.Academics
Colorado Mesa University offers programs leading to awards in four levels - technical certificates, associate degrees, baccalaureate degrees, and master's degrees. The college is currently developing a doctorate program in nursing.Colorado Mesa University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association. Accreditation by this agency places credits earned at the university on par with those earned at other similarly accredited institutions throughout the United States. In 2010, Forbes
Forbes
Forbes is an American publishing and media company. Its flagship publication, the Forbes magazine, is published biweekly. Its primary competitors in the national business magazine category are Fortune, which is also published biweekly, and Business Week...
magazine listed Mesa State College at No. 555 on their 610 "Best Colleges" list.
Financial aid
During the 2010-2011 school year, Colorado Mesa University distributed over $48 million in financial aid to 75% of the student body population through scholarships, grants, loans and student employment. In addition to funding from the college, the Mesa State Foundation awarded more than $300,000 in private scholarships to over 300 students.Housing
Colorado Mesa University offers many options for students to live on campus. There are currently over 2,000 students living on campus in one of eleven residential buildings consisting of traditional rooms, suites and pods, and apartments. A twelfth building, Bunting Avenue Student Housing, was constructed in the 2010-2011 school year and was completed in time for the Fall 2011 semester.Residence halls and apartments are governed by the Residence Hall Association (RHA). RHA focuses a large portion of their effort toward being the residents' voice and advocating residents' issues to the Housing department and the campus. RHA works closely with housing administration to produce positive changes in campus living. In addition to their governmental and liaison roles with the college, RHA plans and executes events, programs and community service projects for residents' enjoyment.
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 (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Publicist), RHA Representative and Floor Representatives.
Residence Halls
- Albers Residence Hall
- Bunting Avenue Student Housing
- Elm Residence Hall
- Four Point Apartments
- Grand Mesa Residence Hall
- Monument Residence Hall
- North Avenue Student Housing
- Pinon Residence Hall
- Rait Residence Hall
- Tolman Residence Hall
- Walnut Ridge Apartments
- Orchard Avenue Student Housing (Fall 2012)
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. Prior to 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 seamlessly match the ornamental brick facade of the new wing with that of the original building.Lowell Heiny Hall
Originally built in 1967 to house the college library, previously located in Houston Hall, Lowell Heiny Hall now houses faculty offices.The University Center
The current University Center building was built in 2010 to replace the aging W.W. Campbell College Center. The new University Center houses the main campus dining facilities including: Resident Dining Hall, Bookcliff Cafe, Mesa Grill, Jazzman's Cafe and Bakery, and a full service convenience store. The center also houses The Criterion campus newspaper, KMSA 91.3FM campus radio station, Bookstore, Grand Ballroom, student lounges, Art Gallery, Well's Fargo bank branch, MAV Card Office, and all the offices for all campus clubs.The Maverick Center
Formerly known as Saunders Field House, The Maverick Center houses all athletic facilities under one roof, except for football and baseball. Facilities include: Brownson Arena, El Pomar Natatorium, Hamilton Recreation Center, Health Sciences Center, and Monfort Family Human Performance Lab. Adjacent to The Maverick Center are Walker Field soccer stadium, Elliot Tennis Complex, Bergman Softball Field, and the Maverick Pavilion.Moss Performing Arts Center
Dance Studio, Mesa Experimental Theatre (MET), Recital Hall, Robinson TheatreTomlinson 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 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 now contains over 190,000 volumes, including a large government documents collection, and a world class geology library. It is equipped with state-of-the-art computer technology and is considered one of the finest small college libraries in the state.Other major buildings
- Academic Classroom Building
- Moss Fine Arts Building
- Little Mavs Learning Center
- Wubben Hall and Science Center
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 black. Student body fans are known as The Herd.Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference
The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference is a college athletic conference which operates in the western United States, mostly in Colorado with some members in Nebraska and New Mexico...
. CMU fields teams in football, baseball, men's and women's basketball, women's volleyball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's outdoor track and field, men's and women's golf, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's lacrosee, women's softball, men's and women's swimming, men's and women's tennis, and men's wrestling.
In addition to varsity sports, CMU has a large number of club sports including cheerleading, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's rugby, men's volleyball, water polo, cycling, rodeo, skiing, and formerly hockey, as well as active outdoors and intramural programs. The intramural sports include flag football, ultimate frisbee, indoor soccer, dodgeball, tennis, volleyball, and basketball, among many others.
CMU plays host to several summer sports camps and clinics including baseball, football, cross country, cheerleading, lacrosse, swimming, soccer, track and field, volleyball, and wrestling, as well as the largest summer basketball camp west of the Mississippi River.
Since 1958 CMU has co-hosted the Junior College World Series at Suplizio Field
Suplizio Field
Sam Suplizio Field is a stadium in Grand Junction, Colorado, United States. It is named after former Denver Bears right fielder, New York Yankees prospect and MLB Coach Sam Suplizio.. Starting in June 2012, it will be the home of the Rookie-level Grand Junction Rockies of the Pioneer League.The...
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Athletic facilities
- Athletic Practice Fields
- Baseball
- Football
- Bergman Field – softball
- Elliott Tennis Complex – tennis
- Two intramural athletic fields
- Brownson Arena – basketball
- El Pomar Natatorium – swimming and diving
- Maverick Pavilion – indoor athletic courts (Fall 2011)
- Ralph Stocker StadiumRalph Stocker StadiumRalph Stocker Stadium is owned by the city of Grand Junction, Colorado. Its current tenants are Colorado Mesa University Mavericks football, District-51 high school football, and the semi-pro minor league football team, though it hosts other local events as well including track and field and both...
– football, track and field - Suplizio FieldSuplizio FieldSam Suplizio Field is a stadium in Grand Junction, Colorado, United States. It is named after former Denver Bears right fielder, New York Yankees prospect and MLB Coach Sam Suplizio.. Starting in June 2012, it will be the home of the Rookie-level Grand Junction Rockies of the Pioneer League.The...
– baseball - Walker Field – soccer, lacrosse
Domestic Relationships
- - Adams State College
Adams State CollegeAdams State College is a small state-supported liberal arts college in Alamosa, Colorado, U.S., in the San Luis Valley.-History:Adams State was founded in 1921 as a teacher's college but now offers a variety of programs including masters degrees in many fields...
, Colorado Mountain CollegeColorado Mountain CollegeColorado Mountain College is a network of seven junior college campuses in western Colorado. Three of the campuses are residential campuses with student residence halls and cafeterias, and are located in Steamboat Springs, Leadville, Edwards and Glenwood Springs...
, The Metropolitan State College of Denver (Metro State), Western State College
Notable alumni
- Donnelly, BrendanBrendan DonnellyBrendan Kevin Donnelly is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He bats and throws right-handed.-Career:Donnelly was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 27th round of the 1992 amateur draft...
- Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
relief pitcher and World SeriesWorld SeriesThe World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
Champion (2002). - Schroder, RickyRick SchroderRichard Bartlett "Rick" Schroder, Jr. is an American actor and film director.He debuted in the 1979 hit film The Champ, going on to become a child star on the sitcom Silver Spoons...
- ActorActorAn actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
known for roles in NYPD BlueNYPD BlueNYPD Blue is an American television police drama set in New York City, exploring the internal and external struggles of the fictional 15th precinct of Manhattan...
and Lonesome DoveLonesome DoveLonesome Dove is a 1985 Pulitzer Prize–winning western novel written by Larry McMurtry. It is the first published book of the Lonesome Dove series, but the third installment in the series chronologically...
. Degree in Farm and Ranch Management. - Stanley, WalterWalter StanleyWalter Stanley is a former professional American football wide receiver for Ten seasons in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers, the Detroit Lions, the Washington Redskins, the New England Patriots, and the San Diego Chargers...
- former NFL wide receiver. - McInnis, ScottScott McInnisStephen Scott Emory McInnis is a lawyer and former Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Colorado. In August, 2010, McInnis lost his bid to be gubernatorial nominee after a plagiarism accusation and apology hurt his standing.-Education and professional history:Born in...
- former member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Colorado. - Romo, SergioSergio RomoSergio Francisco Romo is a American right-handed professional baseball pitcher for the San Francisco Giants of Major League baseball.-Early life:Romo was born in Brawley, California to Mexican immigrant parents...
- current Major League Baseball pitcher San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco GiantsThe San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
. - Ferguson, MarilynMarilyn FergusonMarilyn Ferguson was an American author, editor and public speaker, best known for her 1980 book The Aquarian Conspiracy and its affiliation with the New Age Movement in popular culture....
- Influential American author, editor and public speaker. Most known for her book, The Aquarian Conspiracy. - Martin, Tony - former NFL wide receiver.
- Penry, JoshJosh PenryJosh Penry is the former minority leader of the Colorado Senate. Elected in 2006, Penry was the youngest member of the Colorado state Senate. According to The Denver Post, Penry played a leadership role in opposing regulation for the oil and gas industry and a labor bill. Penry has been...
- Colorado State Senator. - Nourse, DickDick NourseDick Nourse is a retired award-winning Salt Lake City, Utah television news anchor. He most recently worked for KSL-TV 5 Television. Nourse joined the KSL news team in 1964 as the station's weekend anchor/reporter. Six months later, he was named the station's weekday anchor...
is a retired award-winning Salt Lake City, Utah television news anchor. - Steele, BenBen SteeleBenjamin Joseph Steele is a former tight end in the National Football League who played for the Green Bay Packers. Steele played collegiate ball at Fort Lewis College and Mesa State College, and played professionally for 6 seasons in the NFL.-References:...
- former NFL Tight End for Green Bay PackersGreen Bay PackersThe Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
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