The 10 most-read CU Connections features of 2025
News of prestigious accolades for University of Colorado faculty and staff drew readers to CU Connections throughout 2025. Details of impressive measures of CU’s impact within the state and across the nation also proved popular reading. Revisit these highlights by exploring our Top 10 list of the most-read features from the past year.
1. CU designates seven new Distinguished Professors
Nov. 6 – Seven educators at the University of Colorado are being added to the roster of Distinguished Professors, CU’s highest honor for faculty across the four-campus system. CU Distinguished Professors are tenured faculty members who demonstrate exemplary performance in research or creative work; a record of excellence in promoting learning and student attainment of knowledge and skills; and outstanding service to the profession, the university and its affiliates.
2. Drive student success with a new CU license plate
Jan. 16 – What if your next trip across town could help a CU student reach graduation? With a new CU-branded license plate, your daily drive can support the next generation of scholars while showing off your school pride. Made possible by the efforts of CU Denver alumni volunteers, the new design represents all four University of Colorado campuses with its iconic, interlocking CU logo. The plate supports student success by funding programs and scholarships that help offset the cost of college.
3. CU system climbs to $12.2 billion in economic impact across state
Oct. 30 – The University of Colorado system generated $12.2 billion in economic impact across Colorado last year, highlighting CU’s growing role in the state’s economy through education, research, innovation and health care, according to a new economic study. This is growth of more than half a billion dollars over 2024.
4. Going above and beyond: CU staff members honored for excellence
May 1 – The University of Colorado Staff Council (UCSC) honored 10 exceptional employees across the CU system with the 2025 Staff Excellence Awards. Two CU staff members from each campus and system administration received the honors, which are presented annually in recognition of those who go above and beyond their job duties and consistently surpass expectations.
5. CU sees systemwide record enrollment this fall
Sept. 19 – The University of Colorado experienced record enrollment systemwide with some 67,843 students enrolling across the university’s four campuses, according to final fall census numbers. The primary driver of the record was an increase in resident students at all four CU campuses, with increases of 28 at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, 59 at the University of Colorado Anschutz, 426 at the University of Colorado Denver and 642 at the University of Colorado Boulder.
6. Regents honor exceptional achievers with annual awards
Feb. 6 – The University of Colorado Board of Regents announced the 2025 list of individuals receiving Honorary Degrees, Distinguished Service Awards and University Medals. Honorary Degrees recognize outstanding achievement in one or more of the following areas: intellectual contributions, university service, philanthropy and/or public service. Distinguished Service Awards recognize those persons whose achievements and contributions are particularly associated with the state and/or nation. University Medals recognize those persons whose achievements and contributions are particularly associated with the university.
7. University of Colorado ranks among Top 20 U.S. universities for granted patents
May 8 – The University of Colorado secured the No. 18 position on the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) 2024 Top 100 U.S. Universities Granted U.S. Utility Patents list, reinforcing CU’s standing as a national leader in research, innovation and real-world impact. With 114 patents across its campuses — 71 from CU Boulder, 44 from CU Anschutz and one from CU Denver, and including 104 recognized by the NAI — CU has solidified its role in advancing technology and fostering industry collaboration.
8. In nation’s capital, President Saliman advocates for CU, higher ed
Feb. 20 – CU President Todd Saliman traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with Colorado’s congressional delegation and to advocate for higher education and the university. Saliman’s two-day visit to the nation’s capital included meetings with Sen. Michael Bennet and Reps. Diana DeGette, Joe Neguse, Jason Crow, Lauren Boebert, Jeff Hurd and Jeff Crank.
9. Three regents take their oaths of office
Jan. 9 – Three members of the Board of Regents took their oaths of office during a ceremony at CU Denver’s Student Commons Building, formally beginning their six-year terms. Taking part were the victors of three races decided in November 2024: Board of Regents Vice Chair Ken Montera, who was reelected to his seat in District 5; Elliott Hood, elected by voters statewide as the board’s at-large member; and Ray Scott, elected in the 3rd Congressional District.
10. Faculty Council celebrates annual award winners
June 26 – Faculty Council wrapped up its meeting schedule for the academic year by celebrating the recipients of its annual awards. The governance group honored council members Cindy O’Bryant and Vicky Grove with awards for Distinguished Service, while Anne Fleming received the award for Administrator of the Year. Faculty Council Chair Alastair Norcross presented the awards during the group’s meeting at 1800 Grant St.