independent institution founded in 1864 as Colorado Seminary. Its founder was John Evans, the second governor of the Colorado Territory, who also founded Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. The 125-acre (50-hectare) campus is located 6 miles (10 kilometers) from the heart of Denver, Colo. Enrollment is about 8,400 students, about a third of whom are undergraduates. Underclassmen must live in campus housing during their first two years of study. Although the school maintains an official connection with the United Methodist church, it welcomes students of all faiths. The academic calendar is divided into quarters. Students from across the country come for such programs as arts and sciences, business administration, education, engineering, international studies, law, and social work. The National Endowment for the Humanities has praised the school's core curriculum, which is required for all majors and is taught by senior faculty. It includes a Freshman Experience seminar that serves as an introduction to college life and pairs students with a faculty mentor for advisement. More than half of the graduate courses are also open to undergraduates. About 90 percent of faculty members hold doctorates. The University of Denver offers students more than 80 extracurricular organizations, including student government, recreational activities clubs, and numerous communications and performing arts groups. A high percentage of undergraduates participate in fraternities and sororities. The women's gymnastics team and the men's ice hockey team compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Other varsity sports teams compete in Division II. School colors are crimson and gold. A popular annual event is the three-day Winter Carnival, featuring skiing, skating, and ice sculpting. |