Dropping names ...

Benavidez Mei-Dan

Josephine Benavidez, general professional, Pre Collegiate Development Program at UCCS, received the Cynthia Gayles Award on March 14 at the College in Colorado Ninth Annual Pre-Collegiate Conference at the Tivoli Center in Denver. The award recognizes dedication to student achievement and includes a $1,000 award. It is presented annually in memory of Cynthia Gayles, a highly respected admissions advocate who dedicated her work to recruiting students, especially underrepresented students, to Colorado colleges. … Omer Mei-Dan, School of Medicine assistant professor of orthopedics and an extreme sports enthusiast, is featured in “Cutting Edge MD,” a program on Fox Sports network. Each week, the program will highlight a common sports injury, include interviews with well-known athletes who have had those injuries, and feature surgeries at the University of Colorado Hospital and Children’s Hospital Colorado. Other members of CU’s School of Medicine faculty will appear on the show. Mei-Dan’s recent publications have focused on climbing and BASE jumping injuries as well as observing the mental characteristics and hormonal changes exhibited by extreme sports athletes. … Three UCCS staff members were named 2014 Rising Stars by the Colorado Springs Business Journal. The staff members are: Megan Bell, director, University Center; Samantha Bruner, alumni relations, College of Business; and Jessie Pocock, development and events director, Galleries of Contemporary Art. The three were recognized for their roles in improving the quality of life in Colorado Springs during a March 13 reception at the Hotel Elegante. The awards were presented by Jennifer Furda, associate publisher, Colorado Springs Business Journal. CU Regent Kyle Hybl was the keynote speaker.

From left, Samantha Bruner, Jessie Pocock and Megan Bell.