DENVER - Last weekend, 18 alumni from the Nursing Class of 1962 were able to visit their former college dormitory thanks to the efforts of Denver City Councilwoman Mary Beth Susman and CU’s Facilities Management.
The alums also had an opportunity to share their memories of nursing school with John Olson, director of preservation programs with Historic Denver. Olson and Historic Denver are working toward getting the building designated as a historic landmark.
The old dorm, which was later turned into a bookstore, was one of the first buildings to be built on what was the 9th and Colorado Blvd. campus, which makes it important to preserve. It is central to many nursing alumni memories. Class of 1962 reunion organizer Karen May really wanted her classmates to be able to visit the dorm. So, after making some calls, she was referred to Susman, who knew who to contact at the university. Susman also hooked the group up with Olson.
Ken Wallace from Facilities Management joined the group to answer questions and share his own stories about the campus—such as when the movie “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” was filmed in the tunnels that connected the dorm with the old psych hospital and Denver General (which became University Hospital). The nursing dorm isn’t safe inside for visitors. So Wallace opened up the front door and allowed the alumni to peek in the windows.
The Class of 1962 had gathered at the new facilities on the Anschutz Medical Campus the day before for reunion activities. They were treated to a tour of the Nursing History Center, visited the Clinical Education Center and Simulation Suites, and attended the Alumni Association’s annual awards and recognition luncheon.
Contact: deanna.geldens@ucdenver.edu
