MAY 2014
Alumni E-newsletter header

In This Issue
Call to Action
Alumni Events
Annual Fund 2014
Alumni Highlights
Shadow Program
 
University Events 

If you'd like to be notified of upcoming Naropa events, 
please click here.

 

Thursday, May 1 - Sat., May 3

Friday, May 9, 2014
 
Saturday, May 10, 2014

Monday, June 2 - Saturday, June 28, 2014

University News

Lincoln Building at Naropa University in autumn



 
Contact Us

Director of Alumni Relations
303-546-3597
 
Director of Career and Community Engagement
303-245-4863


Alumni Communications Coordinator
303-245-4670

 

Quick Links

Save the Date

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"Adapting Compassion Training from Tibet" with John Makransky
Friday, September 12

Naropa Week
Friday, Oct. 10 - Sunday, Oct. 19
 
Call to Action 

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We invite you to...  
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Livestream Naropa University Commencement  

Join us online for Spring Commencement, Saturday, May 10 at 3 p.m. We are very excited about this year's commencement speaker, Pema Chodron. As seats are limited, everyone is invited to share the experience with this year's graduates through a Livestream event. Simply click here to tune in! 

Naropa Magazine: Spring 2014

The newest edition of Naropa Magazine is here! We invite you to read about the ways Naropa students, alumni, and faculty are influencing the past, present, and future in Naropa's 40th Anniversary year. Find the full online edition here. 

 

Alumni Voices Project

Share your story in celebration of Naropa's 40th anniversary! We are gathering stories from our amazing alumni through video in hopes of capturing a glimpse of what life after Naropa has been like for you, and how the impact of your Naropa experience continues to unfold in your life. Read more and share your voice here. 

Alumni Events
Grounding Your Dreams: Career Manifestation Through The Chakras 
Tuesdays, June 17 - July 22, 2014
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Naropa Paramita Campus, Virya Classroom
Registration Required; $25 materials fee
All Naropa alumni are invited to join us for this six-week workshop using the architecture of the chakra system to give your career dreams an energetic power punch to success. Led by Sarah Gibson, MA '13, the group will meet Tuesday afternoons, starting June 17th. Learn more and register. 
 

ASK: Alumni Sharing Knowledge

"New Grads: How to Make Ends Meet Until the Big $"

Thursday, May 29, 2014

12:00 p.m. MST- Meet online and by phone 

In this free webinar, alum Jessica Hagemann, MFA '12, will share her experiences with the transition from Naropa and how to make the most of the skills you have now. Learn more and RSVP. 

 
All-Colorado Alumni Career Fair
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Denver Marriott Tech Center, 4900 S. Syracuse St., Denver, CO
Alumni from around the state are invited to this Alumni-only career fair in Denver. Whether you're looking to network, for a new career, or other chances to engage, you will find a myriad of opportunities at this Recruit Denver event. Learn more and register.   
Annual Fund 2014

For forty years Naropa has had a profound impact on the creation and quickly evolving field of contemplative education. The true test of our success manifests in the creative, insightful, and effective actions of our thousands of alumni, including you! Marking our 40th anniversary has inspired all of us to consider what Naropa has done for our lives, our creative work, and our relationships. We invite you to join us in this contemplation and consider giving back to Naropa.
 
Naropa's long-term sustainability depends on the support of alumni and donors. Giving each year to Naropa's Annual Fund is an excellent way to demonstrate your commitment to Naropa's legacy and future. In fact, many donors and foundations focus on the percentage of alumni who give annually as a reliable means of measuring Naropa's credibility, well-being, and alumni satisfaction. Naropa's Annual Fund, the cornerstone of our giving program, supports student scholarships, academic programs, and new initiatives. 
 
Please know that your gift, regardless of size, has a direct impact on current students and Naropa's future. Make your gift today! 
Alumni Highlights
Rachel Weaver, MFA '10, published her first novel, Point of
 Direction, which has been chosen by American Booksellers Association as one of the "Top Ten Debuts" of Spring 2014, and by Indie Bound as an "Indie Next Pick." The novel is also featured in the May issue of Oprah Magazine, named in the "List of Ten Titles to Pick Up Now." Read a JKS interview with Weaver, and learn more about her work. 

 

Nicole Rodriguez, BA '99, and Claire Duplantier, BA '02, celebrated the fifth anniversary of their artistic venture and performance space, Subterranean Arthouse, in March 2014. The space hosts a mix of musical shows, dance classes, dance and theater performances, and visual arts exhibits in Berkeley, CA. Read more about Rodriguez and Duplantier here. 
 
Shirley Rivera, MA '08, is now a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist, sharing her talents involving grief work at the Women's Community Correctional Center, as well as with adults at a local church center. Currently, in addition to teaching Peace Education for 5th graders at the Mid-Pacific Institute, she also does counseling  for preschool through grade 5, and facilitates an after school support group called "Heart-to-Heart with Kids" for children grieving a temporary or permanent loss. 
 
Alums Carrie Brown, MFA '08, and Karim Muasher, MFA '08, make original devised theatre as a part of Animal Engine Theatre Company. Their newest work is Petunia and Chicken, "a two person turn of the century epic prairie drama based on the works of Willa Cather". Since 2011, they have created 4 works, winning last year's FRIGID Participants Pick Award. Read more about Brown and Muasher here. 
Shadow Program
Sophomore Shadow Program Participants
From L to R: Amy Winchester, MA '05, Emily Shuff (student), Rebecca Guidera (student), Amy Hartman, MA '08, Rachael Bonaiuto, MA '07, Lisa Wilkie (student). Not pictured: Maggie Kerrigan, MA '04 and Jade Beatty (student).
Photo by Lindsay Michko, BA '12, Content, Editorial, and Digital Assistant.  

Naropa launched a new pilot program, the Sophomore Shadow program, to support sophomores of the university in their academic, personal, and professional journeys.  A number of students applied and four were selected to be matched with an alumni professional; the student and alum created an opportunity to meet one another, allowing the student to shadow the alumni professional and share a meaningful, professional conversation. The program was deemed a success and will continue next year!

 If you are interested in being a part of the program as an alumni professional, please contact Melissa Holland, Alumni Relations, for more information.