Published: May 9, 2024

On May 8th, we came together as a community to eat, present awards, and recognize our MS and PhD graduates. Many INSTAARs attended, along with the families of our graduates and award winners. Congratulations to all! And thank you to the organizers and photographers (Patti Newton, Marisa Seitz, Mallory Barndollar, Nikki Lovenduski, et al.).

Congratulations to our award winners

2024 INSTAAR Celebration Luncheon. Natalie Aranda and Jed Lenetsky recieve their INSTAAR Summer Scholar awards from Julio Sepúlveda

Natalie Aranda & Jed Lenetsky
Summer Scholars

Q&A with Natalie Aranda & Jed Lenetsky

 A room full of people at tables watch Professor Bob Anderson show a large projector screen announcing Wendy Roth as the winner of the Professional Research Assistant Award.

Wendy Roth
Professional Research Assistant Award

Q&A with Wendy Roth

 Tina Geller receives her Graduate Student Community Award from Bob Anderson

Tina Geller
Graduate Student Community Award

More about Tina Geller

 presentation slide showing that Katie Gannon is the winner of the Sarah Crump Graduate Fellowship

Katie Gannon
Sarah Crump Memorial Graduate Fellowship

Q&A with Katie Gannon

Congratulations to our INSTAAR graduates

 JARED COLLINS, MS Environmental Engineering; DENISE MONDRAGON, MS Geography; BRIANA PRADO, MS Geography; TESSA GORTE, PhD Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences; HOLLY OLIVAREZ, PhD Environmental Studies

Our graduates
  • Jared Collins: MS Environmental Engineering

  • Denise Mondragon: MS Geography

  • Briana Prado: MS Geography

  • Tessa Gorte: PhD Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences

  • Holly Olivarez: PhD Environmental Studies

2024 INSTAAR celebration luncheon. Graduate Tessa Gorte (PhD Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences) was recognized by her advisor and INSTAAR Interim Director Nikki Lovenduski

After a hooding ceremony, Tessa Gorte (PhD Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences) is recognized by her advisor and INSTAAR Interim Director Nikki Lovenduski.

2024 INSTAAR Celebration Luncheon.  Graduate HOLLY OLIVAREZ (PhD Environmental Studies) is hooded by advisor and Interim INSTAAR Director Nikki Lovenduski

Holly Olivarez (PhD Environmental Studies) is hooded by her advisor and INSTAAR Interim Director Nikki Lovenduski.

Ìý

Special thanks

Thanks to Sarah Crump’s familyÌý(John Crump, Liz Anderson, andÌýNodin de Saillan) for attending the event and continuing to honor her legacy and memory, and creating this fellowship to continue fostering bright, scientific talent well into the future. Learn about the Sarah Crump Graduate Fellowship

 A group photo for Katie Gannon, the 2024 winner of the Sarah Crump Graduate Fellowship. Gannon is flanked by Sarah Crump's parents, Liz Anderson and John Crump, as well as Sarah's PhD advisor Giff Miller (far left) and Sarah's partner, Nodin de Saillan (top).

A group photo for Katie Gannon, the 2024 winner of the Sarah Crump Graduate Fellowship. Gannon is flanked by Sarah Crump's parents, Liz Anderson and John Crump, as well as Sarah's PhD advisor Giff Miller (far left) and Sarah's partner, Nodin de Saillan (top).

Ìý

Thanks and congratulations to Jose Constancia, our INSTAAR front office intern, for his years of dedicated service to the institute and his completion of his graduate degree in Business Management. We wish you good luck and all the best!

 A room full of people at tables watch Operations Manager Patti Newton recognize front office student intern Jose Constancia.  Jose has been an amazing intern for several years and is graduating in the class of 2024 with a degree in Management from Leeds School of Business.

Operations Manager Patti Newton recognizes front office student intern Jose Constancia. Jose has been an amazing intern for several years and is graduating in the class of 2024 with a degree in Management from Leeds School of Business.

 "No institution has impacted my life more than CU Boulder. Ten years ago, I came to CU as a recycling collector. Since then, some of my most significant milestones have taken place on this campus. The opportunities and kindness I have received have...

 Chrystal Pochay (former staff), Marisa Seitz, Jean Lindahl (front), Lindsay McCandless (behind), Jose Constancia, Patti Newton, Chad Stoffel, Heather Stoffel (front), Becky Miller (behind), and Mallory Barndollar.

Front office staff photo after the luncheon, including a former member! From left: Chrystal Pochay (former staff), Marisa Seitz, Jean Lindahl (front), Lindsay McCandless (behind), Jose Constancia, Patti Newton, Chad Stoffel, Heather Stoffel (front), Becky Miller (behind), and Mallory Barndollar.

Learn more about Joe/Jose

Ìý

Thank you again to all the wonderful students, faculty, and staff who make INSTAAR such a fantastic place to learn and work. As our Director Nikki Lovenduski said during the luncheon:ÌýINSTAAR is about people, and it was great to have the opportunity to celebrate the people who make INSTAAR such a unique research institution. We hope everyone has a wonderful summer!

Ìý

 A room full of people at tables watch Interim Director Nikki Lovenduski give kudos to the institute's faculty, staff, and students.  She's pointing to a large projected screen showing the text "INSTAAR is really about people" combined with a half dozen group photos of INSTAARites.

Ìý