Notes from Our Dean: November 2025
From the dean's desk. Photo by Hannah Fulk.
Dear Colleagues,
As we move together toward the end of the fall quarter, I’d like to thank all of you for your extraordinary contributions. I am struck, daily, by your creativity, scholarship, resourcefulness and dedication to a multifaceted educational experience aimed at preparing tomorrow’s leaders to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Highlights of the season include Media, Film and Journalism Studies (MFJS) Professor Sheila Schroeders’s Livingston Lecture, a vibrant multi-media presentation capturing her 20+-year journey exploring the Vietnam-era DU student protest “Woodstock West.” Many alumni I talked to shared that it was the most meaningful DU event they have ever attended.
Additionally, it was a pleasure to share the breadth and depth of our college with our new Provost, Elizabeth Loboa, during her initial visit to our college. The Provost was impressed by our Museum of Anthropology and School of Art & Art History's exceptional spaces and collections. While touring the Media, Film & Journalism Studies building she commented on the passion of students at work in the studio as well as the many awards our faculty and students have garnered for their remarkable work over the years.
She observed several classes in session at the Lamont School of Music within the beautiful Newman Center and stopped by an inspiring literary reading by Assistant Professor A. Rafael Johnson from the Department of English & Literary Arts. Members of our CAHSS Student Leadership Council also met with the Provost, sharing heartfelt thoughts about how the financial environment in higher education has impacted them personally and shared what matters most to them — the meaningful and supportive relationships with faculty and staff that have been built as they move through their academic journeys. The Provost was moved, as I am, by these student leaders’ care and commitment, and she plans to meet with them again soon.
Later in October, I was honored to deliver opening remarks for the poignant performance “Nothing Lives Long, Only the Earth: Cheyenne’s Chief White Antelope’s Honor Song” at the Newman Center, in recognition of Indigenous People’s Day. The event featured the wonderful Indigenous performers Amick Birdshead, Greg Hart, O.T Sankey and Kendall Kaule. I am grateful to Kelly Fayard for hosting such a beautiful event and for the many contributors who made this event possible, especially Dan and Beth Whittemore.
Our university and the city of Denver reside within the traditional territories of Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Ute Tribes. I encourage you to read, if you have not already done so, the Evan's Report, which provides a historical account of the role of John Evans in the November 29, 1864, massacre at Sand Creek. In addition to these teachings, the report reminded me of the importance of paying close attention to the implications and consequences of every decision we make as leaders.
It wouldn’t be fall without Homecoming. Highlights associated with the weekend included Wolzien Professor of the Practice Laura Frank’s panel of outstanding students participating in MATCH Lab, which brings students and Colorado media organization executives together to solve real-world challenges that local news outlets are experiencing. Visiting alumni were impressed by how the MATCH Lab provides students with valuable career experience while helping to bolster the local news outlets that play a key role in upholding democracy. Other events included attending the Friday night hockey game with Lamont Alumni Michael McBride (BM '65, PhD '79) and Veryl McBride (BM ‘64), and participating in a thought-provoking conversation between our Student Leadership Council members and Amy Nisenson (BA ‘92), who generously supports the program.
Finally, this can be a busy and often stressful time of year— please remember the support available for students from DU’s Health & Counseling Center, as well as the resources offered by the university’s department of Community Support and Engagement.
With gratitude,
Sahara Byrne
Dean, College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Dean Sahara Byrne continues to savor getting acquainted with all people and things DU, CAHSS, Denver and Colorado, and welcomes recommendations for restaurants, hikes, cultural and artistic venues and neighborhood wonders. You can contact her at sahara.byrne@du.edu
