[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 146 (Tuesday, October 6, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1425-E1426]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       METROPOLITAN STATE UNIVERSITY OF DENVER'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DIANA DeGETTE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 6, 2015

  Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Metropolitan 
State University of Denver, or MSU Denver, on its 50th anniversary. The 
extraordinary faculty and staff at MSU Denver have had an incredible 
impact on the lives of students in my district and on the Denver 
community as a whole.
   Since its founding in 1965, MSU Denver has been known as a gateway 
to opportunity. The University opens its doors to students from all 
walks of life and provides rigorous academic coursework relevant to the 
Colorado economy. The University formed out of an idea for a new, 
different type of college, dedicated to supporting hard-working, 
scrappy students who might not otherwise have an opportunity to attend 
an institution of higher education. As a sign of its future success, 
MSU Denver enrolled double the number of students than anticipated when 
it first opened its doors on October 1, 1965.
   Today, MSU Denver is Colorado's urban land-grant university, 
offering individualized, relevant bachelor's and select master's 
degrees to more undergraduate Coloradans than any other four-year 
university in the state. It has served as a leader in diverse 
enrollment among Colorado's four-year universities with 35 percent 
students of color and 32 percent first-generation students this year. 
The University has been a leader in educating students to think 
critically, solve problems, address community concerns, and meet 
Colorado's

[[Page E1426]]

workforce needs. Most of the school's 85,000 alumni have stayed within 
our state and continue to contribute to the economic and cultural 
vitality of Colorado.
   I am not the only one that has recognized the value of the education 
MSU Denver provides to its students. Recently, the Military Times named 
MSU Denver the best college in the state for veterans. Further, MSU 
Denver strives to keep tuition affordable while providing a quality 
education. It has consistently been recognized in numerous rankings and 
articles for its affordability, its return on investment, and its 
incredible value in education. We are truly fortunate to have such a 
valuable resource in the First Congressional District.
   For the last five decades, Metropolitan State University of Denver 
has transformed the lives of countless students, served as a courageous 
leader in higher education, and boldly advanced the well-being of 
communities throughout the State of Colorado. I congratulate each and 
every member of the MSU Denver community on this 50th anniversary. I 
wish MSU Denver continued success and growth for many years to come.

                          ____________________