Denver, CO
LetsGoDU: Denver Launches Billion Dollar ‘The Denver Difference’ Campaign
The University of Denver launched The Denver Difference Celebration on Thursday night. Delayed by COVID-19, the fundraising campaign aims to add $1 billion to DU’s operations and endowment. Currently, the University of Denver’s endowment is estimated to be slightly more than that but no details were provided at the launch regarding the split between campaign funds into the endowment, ongoing operations, or capital projects. DU reported that half the target pledges, $500 million, were made ahead of Thursday’s launch.
A University of Denver announcement called the launch “A $1 billion campaign that is opening opportunities for DU faculty and students to achieve their aspirations. Students bring their ambition to DU and graduate with the skills and ethical mindset to champion a better tomorrow.”
The campaign is centered on several key areas: Continued support of DU’s research efforts as the sole private R1-designated university in the Rocky Mountain Region, grow academic scholarships to support undergraduate and graduate studies, support ongoing efforts on the Kennedy Mountain Campus, and embed and reinforce the 4D experience (intellectual growth, well-being, character development, and careers and lives of purpose) at both the metropolitan and mountain campuses.
Particular emphasis was placed on the introduction of an Academy of Civil Discourse and Free Speech. The goal of the Academy will be to encourage diversity of thought and pluralism on campus by teaching and encouraging the development of skills that encourage the open exchange of divergent opinions using fact-based discussion. Time will tell what this initiative will look like on campus.
Of particular note, during the Campaign Launch Celebration, Chancellor Jeremy Haefner cited the importance of athletics to the University of Denver, the city, the region as well as the university’s national profile, echoing much of what has been published on this site, contending that Denver Athletics serves as the University’s ever-important ‘front porch.’ Athletics were also said to leverage many of the characteristics outlined by the 4D student experience.
The Denver Difference campaign is expected to be a multiyear endeavor. No details of further capital campaigns were offered during the introductory event.
Curtis Samuel was activated off Injured Reserve on Friday, solidifying the Buffalo Bills’ wide receiver position ahead of a critical Divisional Round matchup with the Denver Broncos.
With Samuel now on the active roster and expected to be part of the team’s game-day plans against Denver, there should be a clear pecking order for targets in this game.
Buffalo Bills activate Ed Oliver, WR from IR before Divisional Round vs. Broncos
Top to bottom
Khalil Shakir has been the team’s leading receiver each of the past two seasons and is coming off a performance against the Jaguars this past week in which he hauled in all 12 of his targets. He will be the team’s top option once again vs. the Broncos.
Behind Shakir, Brandin Cooks had a big game against the Jaguars as well, continuing his development into the downfield threat the Bills have been searching for throughout the year. He needs to be incorporated into the passing game early if Buffalo hopes to find the consistency required to push past one of the league’s top defenses.
Then you have Keon Coleman and Samuel, who will be jockeying for the leftover targets on the outside. Samuel’s history against the Broncos, which included a 55-yard touchdown in last year’s Wild Card game, may play in his favor. However, Coleman recorded an impressive 36-yard catch and run against the Broncos, and the Bills could elect to give him the leg up in terms of snap share on the critical postseason affair.
Mecole Hardman was elevated from the team’s practice squad on Friday but it remains unclear if he will suit up to play on Saturday.
MORE: Bills suddenly need forgotten WR ‘in right head space’ with season on line vs. Broncos
Tough matchup
It will be interesting to see how the Bills define the pecking order when the two teams take the field at 4:30 p.m. But regardless of which players see their fair share of targets, they will be going up against a talented Broncos’ secondary highlighted by reigning Defensive Player of the Year, cornerback Patrick Surtain II, paired with one of the league’s most fearsome pass rushes.
It’s going to take a heroic effort from the Bills’ pass catchers to help sustain a Buffalo passing game that took positive steps a week ago.
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Denver, CO
Second victim dies over a week after shooting at Denver party celebrating Maduro’s capture
A second person who was shot at a party in Denver celebrating the arrest of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro nearly two weeks ago has died.
Police are still searching for the person responsible for the shooting on Jan.3, which left two people dead and two others wounded. The Denver Police Department said a large crowd gathered in a parking lot near South Galena Street and East Hampden Avenue late that night, and an argument broke out. Someone fired into the crowd, striking 16-year-old William Rodriguez Salas and three adults.
The adults were taken to local hospitals for treatment. Police said a private vehicle also attempted to drive Salas to a hospital, but he died near South Havana Street and East Iliff Avenue.
On Friday, the DPD announced that one of the adult victims has died.
Authorities are still working to discover who was responsible for the shooting. They asked anyone with information on the case to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at (720) 913-7867 or through their website.
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