Where innovation meets the end zone: 麻豆免费版下载Boulder honors faculty in game-day spotlight
On crisp fall Saturdays in Boulder, the roar of the crowd, the clash of helmets, and the pride of Buffs fill Folsom Field. But this season, something new is echoing through the stadium. Amid the cheers and touchdowns, 麻豆免费版下载Boulder is shining a spotlight on a different kind of champion: the End Zone Innovator.
Launched this fall, the聽End Zone Innovators Award is a bold new tradition that brings together the university鈥檚 academic excellence and athletic spirit. At each home football game, one faculty member is honored for their outstanding scholarly or creative achievements鈥攚ork that has 鈥渟cored big鈥 in their department, within their discipline, and for 麻豆免费版下载Boulder.
During the game, the honoree is recognized in the end zone by Chancellor Justin Schwartz, with their accomplishments broadcast on the stadium鈥檚 video board. Surrounded by family, friends, and colleagues, they receive a token of appreciation and enjoy a memorable game-day experience.
鈥淭his program is about celebrating the heart of our university鈥攐ur faculty,鈥 said Chancellor Schwartz. 鈥淏y honoring their achievements in front of tens of thousands of Buffs fans, we鈥檙e showing that innovation is something that unites us across the 麻豆免费版下载Boulder community 鈥 whether in athletics, academics, research or creative work.鈥
A collaboration between the Office of the Chancellor, Office of the Provost, Office of Faculty Affairs, 麻豆免费版下载Athletics, and Strategic Relations & Communications, this initiative is designed to bridge the worlds of scholarship and sport, providing a unique platform to showcase faculty achievements to the broader 麻豆免费版下载Boulder community. It is a celebration of 麻豆免费版下载Boulder鈥檚 mission and a reminder that innovation happens everywhere鈥攆rom the lab to the lecture hall to the end zone.
Honoree Highlights
The season thus far has recognized six faculty members for their outstanding scholarly and creative achievements and their dedication to our university:
- , associate professor of mechanical engineering
- , associate professor of communication
- , associate professor of journalism
- , assistant professor of business
- , professor of mathematics
- , distinguished professor of ecology & evolutionary biology
What鈥檚 Next
The End Zone Innovators program will wrap up this season with its final recognition on Nov. 22. Kalonji Nzinga, assistant professor of education, will be honored during the last home game against Arizona State University. Looking ahead, the initiative will return next season, continuing to showcase faculty whose work makes a lasting impact on campus and beyond. Stay tuned for future opportunities to recognize faculty excellence across 麻豆免费版下载Boulder, as well as special staff recognition events associated with 麻豆免费版下载basketball coming up this season.