Regents honor past service of outstanding CU leaders
The CU Board of Regents on Friday acknowledged university employees who are no longer in their roles. Passing resolutions of appreciation, the board honored two former CU vice presidents, two governance leaders and a provost who is changing positions to work exclusively at CU Anschutz.
The resolution for Vice President Emerita Ken McConnellogue notes that, having been at CU for 15 years serving three presidents, 26 regents and nine chancellors, he put his Irish gift of gab – as well as his CU Boulder journalism degree and reporting experience – to good use.
The former vice president of university communication thanked the regents, noting he has long admired the public service they provide.
“I attended CU Denver when I came to school for a couple of years before transferring up to CU Boulder and earning my degree. It changed my life and improved my life,” McConnellogue said. “And there are hundreds of thousands of people like me. So this work is crucial.”
Vice President Emerita Kathy Nesbitt was recognized for overseeing a broad range of critical services at the university, including payroll, employment policy, compliance education, leadership and organizational development, benefits design, information security and more.
As vice president for administration, she oversaw the CU Health Plan offered through the University of Colorado Health and Welfare Trust, and led numerous upgrades to technical infrastructure.
Nesbitt voiced her gratitude to the university community for its continued support – especially through an extremely difficult 2020.
“I had an employer who respected me and appreciated me, gave me space,” she said “And for that I'm eternally grateful. I appreciate all of you. Although many times our interests were different, I respect all of you. I consider all of you my friends.”
Roderick Nairn had served with distinction as the provost and executive vice chancellor for academic and student affairs for the consolidated University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus since 2008. The regents honored Nairn for his role at CU Denver, having now moved exclusively to CU Anschutz, where he will assume a new position to assist Chancellor Don Elliman in the academic mission of the campus.
“I’m especially appreciative of the many great colleagues that I have had a chance to work with over the years,” Nairn said. “Of course, it’s their work that’s been recognized as well. One of the great things about these positions is you get thanked for things that everybody else helps to get accomplished. I’m especially grateful for the opportunities and challenges that they created that made the time fly by.”
Resolutions for former governance leaders who could not attend also were unanimously approved by the board. They are:
Former Faculty Council Chair Joanne Addison, who provided consistent, dynamic and action-oriented leadership for the CU Faculty Council from 2018-21. Addison was a strong advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion and for academic freedom for faculty, the resolution stated.
Former Chair of the Intercampus Student Forum Isaiah Chavous, who consistently provided an important voice for CU students for the 2020-21 academic year. The resolution notes that during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, he continued to represent students’ interests and to advocate for their needs.
The resolutions are posted with the board’s meeting minutes.