Section: Metro State News
Corporate partners announced at “Apprentice Challenge” launch
Dec 12, 2007

Ten Metro State students experienced the life of a successful apprentice as they towered over downtown Denver from the 32^nd floor of the Molson Coors Brewing Company on Dec. 4. Close to 100 people, including family members, alumni association board members and corporate sponsors, attended the official launch of the “Apprentice Challenge @ Metro State.” (To read more go to http://www.mscd.edu/~collcom/artman/publish/
apprentice_twv5120507.shtml.)

Alumni Relations Director Cherrelyn Napue announced the four project sponsors: Kaiser Permanente, UMB Bank, CH2MHIll, and the Alliance for Sustainable Colorado.

It’s an exciting opportunity for the students, the College and the project sponsors, said Cherrelyn Napue, assistant vice president of Alumni Relations. “The Apprentice Challenge @ Metro State will empower students to excel and achieve success through experiences that are relevant, high quality and diverse. The student named the Apprentice will win the top award, but all of the participants will take away invaluable experiences and friendships.”

A broad range of students is participating in the challenge and for different reasons. For Heidi Harrold, a biology major with a chemistry minor, solving problems is important. “I’m the type of person who will not stop searching until that solution is found.”

Ashley Gilchrist, an English and secondary education major with a Spanish minor, has a “plan to be a teacher in the Denver Public School system, so what I learn will be transferred to my students.”

Completing the task at hand is key for David Foos, a finance major and military veteran. “I am capable of handling challenges that are put in front of me, whether mental or physical, and I will work my hardest to come out on top.”

The project sponsors are Kaiser Permanente, UMB Bank, CH2M HILL and the Alliance for Sustainable Colorado. Each is sponsoring a month-long challenge for the student teams and that will benefit a nonprofit organization or initiative. Below is a snapshot of the issues the students will address:

More than 100 guests attended the launch for the Apprentice Challenge @ Metro State.

The Kaiser Permanente Smart Meal Challenge benefiting the Smart Meal Program: Apprentice teams will identify and work with restaurants within a certain geographic area to create menu items that meet specific nutritional guidelines for healthiness. The Smart Meal program is a restaurant initiative developed by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and is supported by LiveWell Colorado, a statewide initiative aimed at reducing overweight and obesity rates and related chronic diseases.

The UMB Homeless Challenge benefiting Denver’s Road Home: Apprentice teams will assist local grassroots nonprofit organizations working to help homeless families access affordable housing and other services they need to return to self-sufficiency. In 2005, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper and the Commission to End Homelessness created Denver’s Road Home, a 10-year plan to end homelessness in the City and County of Denver. Since implementation, Denver has seen an 11 percent reduction in overall homelessnessand a 36 percent decrease in chronic homelessness. There are more than 3,900 homeless people living in Denver.

The CH2M HILL Dreamers Math and Science Challenge, benefiting the Colorado I Have a Dream Foundation: Apprentice teams will work to develop math and science projects and introduce future career opportunities to middle school students in selected Denver Public Schools. The Colorado I Have a Dream Foundation strives to assist children (called Dreamers) from low-income communities to achieve their educational and career goals by providing mentoring, academic assistance, life-skills development, enrichment and tuition assistance for higher education from 3rd to 12^th grade.

The Alliance for Sustainable Colorado Business Eco-Audit, benefiting the Alliance Center:Apprentice teams will partner with local businesses toward improving sustainability in the areas of waste, energy and water efficiency. The Alliance Center is home to more than two dozen nonprofit organizations that have missions including education and policies in Colorado that promote social, economic and environmental sustainability.

President Stephen Jordan captivated the crowd with his imitation of Donald Trump.

Jordan transforms into 'the Donald'
One of the surprising highlights of the evening occurred when Metro State President Stephen Jordan entered the boardroom as "the Donald" with his "Taj ma-helmet of hair." In the role of one of the richest men in America, Jordan said, "I like thinking big. If you're going to be thinking anyway, you might as well think big. And the Alumni Association was clearly thinking big when they came up with the Apprentice Challenge at Metro State."

To much laughter and appreciation, but staying in character, he continued with, "The Apprentice Challenge fits in with your President Stephen Jordan's description of Metro State's role as an urban land grant college, involved in meeting the needs of businesses and the community by solving problems and creating strategies for future growth and sustainability. The projects you are undertaking represent an entrepreneurial, outside-the-box approach, of which, you can probably guess, 'the Donald' approves."

To learn more about the “Apprentice Challenge @ Metro State” visit www.mscd.edu/~alumni/apprenticechallenge.