The CU Denver Business School hosted its annual Scholarship Luncheon on February 21, bringing together donors, students, faculty, and university leaders to celebrate the transformative power of philanthropy and education. The event honored scholarship recipients and the donors who help make their academic journeys possible. Featuring inspiring speeches from donor Bob Wolfson and scholarship recipient Katie Hughes, the lunch underscored the profound impact that contributed support has on the lives of our students.

Bob Wolfson: The Power of Giving Back

Bob Wolfson (pictured at right), whose connections to CU run deep, including as a student, alumnus, faculty member, Advisory Board member, and donor, delivered an inspiring address that highlighted the role of education in shaping lives. “Education is a huge, powerful, transformational force in people’s lives and communities, and really believing in somebody and empowering them to get through an education amplifies that transformational force,” he said. “I remember when people who believed in me through all these different phases in my life—a teacher, a mentor, fellow student, maybe an admissions committee. Just believing in somebody can change their life, and donating to scholarship funds is a way of enabling and operationalizing that belief.”

Reflecting on his own journey, Wolfson remarked on how the University of Colorado transformed his life “many times over.” He shared how his time as an undergraduate at CU Boulder was a turning point, starting out as a music major (even today he plays the drums in two bands) and shifting his aspirations from music to medicine when he recognized that the “real rock stars” were pre-med students. His experiences at CU Boulder and later in medical school transformed his life, giving him a sense of purpose and direction. However, his path was not linear. 

After earning his medical degree from CU and well into his career as a vascular surgeon, Wolfson faced a new turning point when he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Unsure of his next steps, he found new inspiration at a conference in South Carolina where he met a CU health care administration professor. This encounter led him to pursue a master’s degree in business and health administration, once again demonstrating how education can reignite purpose.

For Wolfson, giving back to CU Denver is a way to honor the institution that he says gave him so much. Addressing scholarship recipients, he encouraged them to seize opportunities, aim high, and strive to be at the “front of the room,” where leadership and ambition thrive. He also urged fellow donors to reflect on the impact their contributions can achieve. “Do something positive at a time when I think a lot of us are struggling and have moments of being discouraged,” he said. Quoting former President Jimmy Carter, he encouraged people to look inward. “It’s up to every one of us to make a basic decision: ‘what kind of person do I want to be?’,” he said. “And the kind of person we are is often determined by what we do, so doing something good can determine the kind of person we become.” In closing, he referenced a scene from The Untouchables, in which the character played by Sean Connery posed the question: “What are you prepared to do?” His message was clear—everyone has the power to make a difference.

Katie Hughes: A Journey of Determination and Gratitude

Scholarship recipient Katie Hughes (pictured at left) exemplifies resilience and determination. A non-traditional student, Hughes is set to graduate with a degree in financial management this summer while balancing the responsibilities of being a mother to two young children. Her journey has been anything but conventional.

The oldest of five homeschooled siblings, Hughes is the only one of them who has attended college. “My parents were extremely traditional and believed that education was a waste of time for women,” she explained. “They rather taught us to focus on learning to keep house, get married, and have children.” She worked various jobs, including as a tax professional, bookkeeper, and receptionist. In 2020, Hughes took stock of her life as a stay-at-home mom, foster parent, and parttime bookkeeper and realized that in order to pursue her dream of becoming a financial analyst she needed a degree. “Deep down I also knew I wanted a college education to empower myself despite all the negativity I’d grown up hearing about women in higher education.”

Taking her first step, Hughes enrolled in a single summer course at Arapahoe Community College in 2020. Her eventual transition to CU Denver was both challenging and transformative. “Going back to school later in life is difficult, not just in terms of time management but also in the unique struggles of being an older student mostly surrounded by those fresh out of high school,” she explains “In all honesty, it felt very intimidating walking onto a campus full of much younger students, especially given the fact that I had never set foot into a traditional school my elementary or high school years.” Because her classes in community college were online owing to the pandemic, CU Denver became her first real in-person school experience.

Receiving the Dean’s Transfer Scholarship was more than just financial support for Hughes—it was a validation of her worth and potential. “The gesture of being chosen for the scholarship by this wonderful school did more for my confidence than I can ever say,” she said. “Thank you for the future students that you will help by not only meeting their financial needs but also their need to feel like they belong, are sought after, and valued,” she said, expressing deep gratitude to the donors who believed in her. Inspired by their generosity, Hughes is determined to pay it forward, ensuring that new generations of students receive the same opportunities she did.

A Celebration of Possibilities

The Business School Scholarship Luncheon was a testament to the impact of education and philanthropy. Hosted by Scott Dawson, dean of the Business School, the event was not only a celebration of academic achievements but also a call to action for continued support. As students like Hughes work toward their dreams, and donors like Wolfson continue to invest in the future, CU Denver remains a place where aspirations take flight, and lives are transformed. The event served as a powerful reminder that scholarships are more than just financial aid—they are a vote of confidence, a belief in potential, and a catalyst for success.