Whether competing on the cheer mat, advancing research in environmental and health sciences or securing prestigious fellowships, Roadrunners are making their mark. This month’s Kudos highlights the Cheerleading Club, Aerobatics Team and Mock Trial Association as well as Advancement and academic excellence. Roadrunners are shining with dedication, innovation and perseverance.
Cheer squad heads to national championships
The MSU Denver Club Cheerleading squad showcased its tumbling, stunts and synchronized dance moves at the USA Collegiate Championships in Anaheim, California. This marks the team’s fourth consecutive appearance at the prestigious competition.
The 12-member squad, led by Sydney McCullum and Chris Flores, debuted its routine at the Men’s Basketball game against Chadron State before heading to California. The hardest part? Perfect synchronization.
“Everyone has a job to do, and you support each other,” McCullum said. “The few minutes on stage fly by, but every moment is worth it.”
8-bit Rowdy wins silver for fundraising video
Roadrunners leveled up in 2024 with a Silver Award in the Circle of Excellence for their Day of Giving video. The campaign transformed Rowdy the Roadrunner into a nostalgic 8-bit character, replacing Super Mario in a classic Nintendo-inspired scene.
The creative concept was a viral sensation, even catching the attention of Super Mario’s creator, who retweeted the video and wished MSU Denver luck. The result? The University’s most successful Day of Giving ever, raising over $275,000 — a 24.3% increase from the previous year.
Aerobatics Team dominates national championship
MSU Denver’s Aerobatics Team has once again soared to victory, clinching its fifth national title in eight years at the 2024 Collegiate National Aerobatic Championship.
Going head-to-head with top aviation programs, including the runner-up University of North Dakota and third-place Air Force Academy, MSU Denver pilots swept the top three individual awards, with Tien Luu, Braeden Giltinan and Alex Trautmann taking first, second and third place, respectively.
“Everything we do as aerobatic pilots is a complex dance between preparation, execution and awareness,” said Luu, this year’s national champion. “But when everything clicks, it really is one of the most satisfying experiences ever.”
MSU Denver Mock Trial teams shine at regionals, secure individual awards and law-school offers
MSU Denver’s Mock Trial Association competed in the American Mock Trial Association Colorado Springs regionals Feb. 1-2. Team 1 had a winning record of 5-2-1. Team 2 attorneys Jennifer Arreguin and Ashley Torrez won individual awards as attorneys. Among this year’s Mock Trial teams, at least five seniors are expected to attend law school next year and are deciding among scholarship offers from the University of Colorado, Nebraska (full tuition), Oregon, Lewis and Clark, Marquette, DePaul, Wyoming, Drake and more.
Brendan Fry, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Fry co-authored a research article titled “Using a theoretical model to assess the impact of vascular risk factors on autoregulation in the retina,” published in the 2025 edition of Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science. The study, conducted in collaboration with researchers from Indiana University Indianapolis and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, explores the effects of vascular risk factors on retinal autoregulation through advanced theoretical modeling.
Sung Hee Joo, Ph.D., director of the Environmental Engineering program
Joo co-authored a research article published in the Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering examining how plastic waste in freshwater ecosystems creates a habitat that fosters antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes that promote antibiotic resistance. The study highlights the potential public-health risks of plastic pollution and its role in accelerating antibiotic resistance, which could contribute to future pandemics.
Rosemarie Allen, Ph.D., and Dorothy Shapland Rodriguez, Ph.D., faculty members in the Department of Special Education, Early Childhood, and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education
Allen and Shapland Rodriguez have been named 2024-25 Bell Economic Mobility Fellows by the Bell Policy Center. As fellows, they will examine the effectiveness of federal stimulus funding in retaining and advancing early-childhood educators, analyzing its impact on teaching quality and accessibility for educators of color. The yearlong fellowship project will conclude in November.