Graduation

ɫ��ֱ�� alum surprises student with debt payoff at grad ceremony

Caroline Harrah — Tue, 27 May 2025 20:05:55 +0000

ɫ��ֱ�� alum surprises student with debt payoff at grad ceremony Caroline Harrah Tue, 05/27/2025 - 14:05

At ɫ��ֱ��s recognition ceremony for graduating civil, environmental and architectural engineering students on May 8, speaker Marco Campos (CivEngr��98) surprised the crowd by offering to pay off a graduating senior��s remaining student debt. The unexpected act of generosity turned the celebration into an unforgettable afternoon.

Dr. Karl Linden, department chair, civil, environmental, and architectural engineering, and alumnus Marco Campos (CivEngr��98), take a selfie with graduating students.

The announcement came toward the end of his speech, when Campos, a ɫ��ֱ�� alumnus and founder of Campos Companies, paused to ask graduating students a series of questions: Who among them were the first in their families to attend college? Who had received a Pell Grant? And finally, who still carried student debt?

One by one, students sat down until only one, Travis Starling (CivEngr��25), remained standing.

Without hesitation, Campos pledged on the spot to pay off Starling��s remaining debt. The crowd cheered as Campos snapped a celebratory selfie with the audience, capturing a moment that embodied the spirit of the day �� hope, generosity and community.

��I felt like I had a lottery ticket and the numbers lined up �� it didn��t make any sense!�� laughed Starling, a U.S. Army veteran and civil engineering graduate who also earned a minor in business this spring. ��It wasn��t until I sat back down and started thinking about what he was offering and how significant it was that it started to set in.��

From rural roots to an engineering future

Starling grew up in rural South Carolina, raised by a single mom along with his two other siblings. After graduating from high school �� one of the first to do so in a family who often had to leave school early to pursue work in difficult industries �� he knew he wanted to follow through on his dream and seek an engineering degree.

Marco Campos and Travis Starling after ceremony.

��My grandfather always told me, ��Get a job where you get paid for what you think and not what you do,�� he said. ��As a kid, I always knew that civil engineering was the route I wanted to take, but I never knew how to get there.��

He eventually decided to take the leap. He enlisted with the Army, completing a stint with the National Guard followed by full-time active military duty. After completing his service, Starling used his GI Bill benefits to enroll at ɫ��ֱ��. Then, an unexpected health issue during his sophomore year set him back, and he had to take out loans to keep working toward his degree.

Now, with Campos�� surprise loan payoff, Starling said his future success is closer than ever. This summer, as he settles into post-grad life in Denver, he��ll also be volunteering with the Campos Foundation, supporting students with life experiences similar to his own.

��Now I can start to get into a condo sooner, start building equity �� and start doing all the things my family could never do,�� he said.

Paying it forward

In his remarks at the graduation ceremony, Campos �� a first-generation college student himself �� spoke about his own humble beginnings on the west side of Denver.

Marco Campos prepares to speak before the class of 2025.

His first experience at ɫ��ֱ�� included a bridge program that introduced him to friends, professors and other resources he could lean on as he began his engineering education. This support turned out to be essential as he navigated the unfamiliar landscape of higher education.

Years later, after graduating and working in the industry for a number of years, he decided to start his own company. Working from his basement, he eventually built Campos EPC into a successful engineering firm with global reach and impact.

��I was a first-generation engineering student who received a Pell Grant for the duration of my studies at CU,�� Campos said. ��It��s a tremendous challenge getting a degree under financial stress, much less an engineering degree at a top institution.

��It��s my duty to pay it forward and help (students like Travis) graduate debt-free.��

In his speech, Campos urged students to move through the world without fear, reminding them of the training they��d received at ɫ��ֱ�� and the support networks they can lean on.

His announcement at the engineering ceremony aligned with Campos�� broader mission through the Campos Foundation, which supports educational and workforce development initiatives.

As ɫ��ֱ��s newest engineering graduates head into the future, Campos�� unexpected generosity offered a powerful reminder: Success isn��t just about what you achieve, but how you lift others along the way.

At ɫ��ֱ��s May 8 recognition ceremony for civil, environmental and architectural undergraduate engineering students, alumnus Marco Campos (CivEngr��98) surprised the crowd by offering to pay off a graduating senior��s remaining student debt, transforming the ceremony into a genuine celebration of generosity and hope.

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Q&A with Joelle Westcott: Celebrating ethical connections

Anonymous — Mon, 02 May 2022 23:09:33 +0000

Q&A with Joelle Westcott: Celebrating ethical connections Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 05/02/2022 - 17:09

Grace Wilson

Graduating senior and BOLD Scholar Joelle Westcott (CivEngr'22) has been recognized by the College of Engineering with a Global Engagement Award and a Research Award for her engineering photography and research projects.

What is your major? What interested you in that major?

My major is Civil Engineering with an emphasis in geotechnical engineering and a minor in global engineering. I chose to study civil engineering because I felt that it was a field in which I could make a tangible and positive impact on society in general and particularly on people who have been previously disadvantaged. Various case studies show the importance of ethical and thoughtful engineering and it was something I couldn��t wait to be a part of.

Were you involved in any BOLD student societies, if so what was the experience like?

I was involved in the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and I really enjoyed my experiences as a member of SWE. Through the society, I was able to meet a range of people who identified as women or allies and I enjoyed getting to know each and every one of them!

I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to attend the SWE Local conference in my first year and the SWE national conference in my fourth year. Attending these conferences was really inspiring and it also gave me the confidence and perspective that having perfect test scores is not all that important in the grand scheme of things.

How did it feel to be recognized for the work that you��ve done?

Being recognized for the work I have done feels amazing because I feel like it honors my innate curiosity, drive, commitment, and passion for engineering. I am truly honored and grateful.

What is the most important lesson you learned as an engineering student?

I think the most important lesson I have learned is that you must be an active learner. It is critical to ask questions, engage with the material, and truly understand the concepts.

You can gain an immense amount of experience and even learn about new opportunities by asking questions.

What was a struggle you went through as an engineering student? What helped you persist?

Throughout engineering school, I struggled through tough courses. Sometimes it seemed that no matter how hard I tried and no matter how many office hours I attended, I just couldn't wrap my head around certain concepts.

Throughout my engineering career, I had various mentors that told me to just keep pushing and to learn as much as I could along the way. Eventually, with time, this mindset helped me continue to learn and grow which really helped me eventually overcome the challenge of certain courses.

Additionally, my countless peers also helped me persist by always being willing to discuss concepts or homework.

What��s next?

After I graduate with my Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with a Global Engineering minor, I will complete the rest of my Master��s of Science in Geotechnical Engineering where I will be following the thesis track.

Following that, I will begin working at the Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory (GSL) at the Department of Defense��s Engineering Research and Development Center (ERDC).

As far as an end goal, I am not exactly sure yet but I do know that I want to work on challenging projects that truly make a difference while finding a balance between working with my hands and also critically thinking about problems that require me to apply my engineering skills.

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Q&A with Jacqueline Rodriguez Mora: An advocate for inclusion

Anonymous — Mon, 02 May 2022 22:12:14 +0000

Q&A with Jacqueline Rodriguez Mora: An advocate for inclusion Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 05/02/2022 - 16:12

Graduating senior and BOLD scholar Jacqueline Rodriguez Mora (ChemBioEngr'22) has been recognized by the College of Engineering with the Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI) Award. She has acted as a peer mentor for students in BOLD and in the department of Chemical and Biological Engineering. She also served as a leader in the ɫ��ֱ�� chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) and supported the college's celebration of International Women's Day in 2021 by interviewing assistant professor Kayla Sprenger.

What is your major? What interested you in that major?

I am majoring in Chemical and Biological Engineering. I developed an interest in Chemical and Biological Engineering after losing my grandpa to lung cancer. Losing my grandpa to lung cancer inspired me to want to help develop innovative treatments that have the potential to save lives or improve patients�� quality of life. My high school chemistry teacher, Mr. Knight, also served as a mentor and he helped me develop my passion for chemistry.

How were you involved with BOLD? What was that experience like?

I was involved in BOLD as a scholar and as a BOLD peer mentor. I loved being a part of BOLD as it allowed me to help students and build a fostering community in engineering. BOLD allowed me to have opportunities to grow as an engineer and individual. If I hadn��t had the support and advocacy from BOLD, I don��t think I would have stayed in engineering. BOLD allowed me to gain a sense of belonging and allowed me to create initiatives to help future students succeed. The support and compassion from the BOLD staff allowed me to gain confidence as an engineer and helped me achieve my goals.

How does it feel to be recognized for the work that you��ve done?

It feels amazing to be recognized for the work I have done! I am glad to have been able to create initiatives to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in engineering. I still plan to continue my efforts and work on improving diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout my career. I will continue to help advocate for underrepresented students as I want more students to succeed in engineering and have the opportunity to achieve their goals.

What is the most important lesson you learned as an engineering student?

The most important lesson I learned was to be fearless in pursuing my passions and to never give up on myself or my goals.

What was a struggle you went through as an engineering student? What helped you persist?

As a first-generation student, there were many obstacles I encountered throughout my undergraduate journey. At times it was very difficult as most of my peers did not share my struggles and at times, they did not understand them. My biggest struggle was finding a sense of belonging in engineering. I was fortunate enough to find communities like BOLD, that helped me gain a sense of belonging and helped me build confidence in becoming an engineer. I also constantly reminded myself of the reason behind my desire to become an engineer which encouraged me to keep pursuing my goals.

What advice would you give to someone considering engineering?

Your engineering journey may not be like everyone else��s and that is okay. We all will have a unique experience and will face different challenges. Just remember to follow your passions, be fearless, and push yourself to learn and grow.

What��s next for Jacky? (This could be professional, personal, or both, and it can be concrete or more of a goal or dream)

As of right now, I am exploring going into industry or pursuing a PharmD degree. Whichever pathway I take, I hope to work on developing innovative treatments for diseases like cancer while advocating for changes in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry. I will continue to advocate for the Latino community and find ways to give back to the community.

Graduating senior and BOLD scholar Jacqueline Rodriguez Mora (ChemBioEngr'22) has been recognized by the College of Engineering with the Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI) Award for her peer mentorship involvement with the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) and support of International Women's Day in 2021.

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Katelynn Thammavong: A Community Leader

Anonymous — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 20:18:44 +0000

Katelynn Thammavong: A Community Leader Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 04/29/2022 - 14:18

Grace Wilson

Graduating senior Katelynn Thammavong (ChemBioEngr '22) has been recognized by the College of Engineering and Applied Science with a Community Impact award for her work to connect and empower Asian-heritage STEM students through the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE) at the university and national level.

She also worked to disrupt anti-Asian racism during the COVID-19 pandemic and became a peer mentor for other engineering students finding their way in the college.

Crossing Bridges

Thammavong came to ɫ��ֱ�� as an Engineering GoldShirt student. The Engineering GoldShirt program supports the success of highly capable engineering students from historically underrepresented communities through connection to resources and mentorship.

"The GoldShirt program definitely helped me become more comfortable with the campus, especially through the Summer Bridge Program. I got to live on campus and work with coding and circuits for the first time,�� Thammavong said ��We had a good community �C my cohort and the cohort before me. It was so nice to have people I already knew when I moved into the dorms."

As a first year, Thammavong's peer mentors guided her to SASE.

"Growing up, I didn't have that many Asian-American friends or people of the Asian and Pacific Islander communities outside my family to look to,�� she said. ��It was interesting and fun to see other people with similar cultural beliefs as me and a similar background as me doing STEM together."

Thammavong was so impressed by the support that she received from her GoldShirt mentors that she became a mentor herself.

She also took on a leadership role in SASE, helping to organize a regional SASE conference with more than 150 attendees in early 2020.

Stopping Stigma

However, just as the conference ended, the bleak beginning of mass shut-downs in response to COVID-19 began.

The pandemic brought with it a rise in anti-Asian violence and stigma, and Thammavong joined her friends Kimberly Fung(MechEngr'23) and Jaheen Ahsan (MechEngr'21) in crafting the Unmask the Racism campaign.

Unmask the Racism started as a social media campaign that aimed to interrupt anti-Asian misinformation and grew into a celebration of Asian and Pacific Islander communities that helped support local Asian businesses through the depths of the pandemic.

"When the pandemic first started, I experienced racist encounters, and I wanted people to be aware, because most people didn't really know about what was happening across the United States."

As the pandemic continued, the desire to share hope and healing also led the Unmask the Racism group to lead the More Than 1,000 Cranes community art project.

Crafting Hope

A string of 1000 folded paper cranes "senbazuru (ǧ��Q)" is said in Japanese folklore to bring happiness and good luck. They are sometimes given to someone who is seriously ill by their classmates or coworkers as a collective effort.

At BOLD Center power hours, community gatherings and SASE meetings, Unmask the Racism team members led people in folding origami cranes.

Students, faculty and staff together folded over 2,000 cranes, working to help heal the collective hurt and suffering of the pandemic. At the culmination of the several-year project, the cranes were displayed at the Museum of ɫ��ֱ��, and the group gave a well-attended presentation in early April 2022.

"I was so happy to see the community come and support us, after the long years we'd been working on this," Thammavong said.

Leading Community

Thammavong led the ɫ��ֱ�� chapter of SASE as president for two years, but then felt it was time for a change.

"I felt I needed to pass on the responsibility to give other people a chance to show their greatness" in the ɫ��ֱ�� chapter, and so she applied for the national team.

Thammavong is now a national volunteer for the west regional team and supports all four Colorado chapters, including ɫ��ֱ��, Regis University, Colorado School of Mines, and a new chapter at Colorado State University Fort Collins.

In her role, Thammavong functions as a mentor, helping guide the chapters through their academic year, supporting chapter retention, board conflicts and fundraising efforts.

Facing the Future

Thammavong is graduating with a degree in chemical and biological engineering and is interested in either working with the pharmaceutical industry or cosmetics.

Cosmetics intrigue Thammavong because many daily products have environmental consequences.

"When we use soap with harsh chemicals, that could pollute the wastewater system. I think we can be more sustainable and eco-friendly in our daily products," she said.

Thammavong's community leadership will continue after her graduation. She is dedicated to the success of Colorado's SASE chapters and will continue in her role as regional coordinator next year, despite graduating.

Graduating senior Katelynn Thammavong (ChemBioEngr '22) has been recognized with a Community Impact award for her work to connect and empower Asian-heritage STEM students and disrupt anti-Asian racism during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Nielson earns Silver Medal Award from the Colorado Engineering Council

Anonymous — Tue, 26 Apr 2022 18:09:28 +0000

Nielson earns Silver Medal Award from the Colorado Engineering Council Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 04/26/2022 - 12:09

Jonathan Raab

The Colorado Engineering Council selected Jenna Nielson, a senior majoring in chemical and biological engineering, as this year��s Silver Medal Award recipient. The Silver Medal Award is one of the highest honors an engineering student in Colorado can receive. Nielson also earned an Academic Engagement Award this semester.

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Haas earns Outstanding Undergraduate of the College and Research Awards

Anonymous — Tue, 26 Apr 2022 17:40:44 +0000

Haas earns Outstanding Undergraduate of the College and Research Awards Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 04/26/2022 - 11:40

Jonathan Raab

Cyrus Haas is the Outstanding Undergraduate of the College for the 2021-2022 academic year and a recipient of a Research Award for his work with the Whitehead Research Group.

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Three from electrical, computer & energy engineering earn graduating student awards

Anonymous — Mon, 25 Apr 2022 21:20:34 +0000

Three from electrical, computer & energy engineering earn graduating student awards Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 04/25/2022 - 15:20

Congratulations to Phaedra Curlin, Padmakshi Dahal and Will Pryor!

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Graduation

ɫ�����ֱ�� alum surprises student with debt payoff at grad ceremony

From rural roots to an engineering future

Paying it forward

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Q&A with Joelle Westcott: Celebrating ethical connections

What is your major? What interested you in that major?

Were you involved in any BOLD student societies, if so what was the experience like?

How did it feel to be recognized for the work that you��ve done?

What is the most important lesson you learned as an engineering student?

What was a struggle you went through as an engineering student? What helped you persist?

What��s next?

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Q&A with Jacqueline Rodriguez Mora: An advocate for inclusion

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Katelynn Thammavong: A Community Leader

Crossing Bridges

Stopping Stigma

Crafting Hope

Leading Community

Facing the Future

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Nielson earns Silver Medal Award from the Colorado Engineering Council

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Haas earns Outstanding Undergraduate of the College and Research Awards

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Three from electrical, computer & energy engineering earn graduating student awards

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ɫ��ֱ�� alum surprises student with debt payoff at grad ceremony