Chilean LLM Graduates Meet at Dinner in Santiago

Left to right: Ricardo Ihnen and wife, Francisco Corona, Don Smith,
Fernanda Bravo, Carla Araya, Bernardo Correa B, and
Alejandro Canut de bon 

Five Santiago, Chile alumni of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law and Policy Graduate Program at Denver Law recently gathered in Santiago to have dinner with Don Smith, the program's director.

The Graduate Program has been quite popular with Chilean lawyers. As of May 2012, 14 lawyers from Santiago have earned Master's in Law degrees from Denver Law.

The graduates work for a range of top law firms and mining companies.  In addition, many of the graduates teach about natural resources or environmental law in Santiago.

"It was a great pleasure to have dinner with such a wonderful group of University of Denver alums," Mr. Smith said.  "Looked at broadly, the contributions that this group has and will continue to make to Chile and to South American law is impressive and inspiring.  We are looking forward to watching this group of professionals develop and contribute even further to Chile, one of the world's real success stories."

Brunch Honoring May 2012 ENRL Graduate Program Graduates

Graduates and friends celebrate May 2012 graduation.

This past Sunday, May 20, graduates from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law Environmental and Natural Resources Graduate Program were honored at a brunch at the home of Don Smith, the program director.

Professor Smith and Lucy Daberkow, Administrative Director, welcomed more than 20 students and their families to an event that marked the end of the students' graduate studies. It is evident that these talented students have formed what will truly become life-long friendships with their classmates; we will for sure miss them!

International graduates from Brazil, China, Japan, Ghana,
Peru, and Saudi Arabia.

Counter Points: The New Energy Economy

The University of Denver's Institute for Public Policy Studies held a panel discussion recently: the topic was the energy economy. The event was moderated by Richard D. Lamm, the Co-Director for the Institute for Public Policy Studies and the former three-term Governor of Colorado. 

The panel consisted of four individuals each had a unique perspective on the issue: Lee Boughey is a Senior Manager for the Tri-State Generation and Transmission and is also the Co-chair of the Colorado Energy Coalition; Professor K.K. DuVivier specializes in energy law and teaches right here at Denver Law; Alice Madden is the Wirth Chair in Sustainable Development for CU Denver, she also served four terms as a Colorado State Representative as well as four years as House Majority Leader; Christopher Votoupal serves as the Deputy Director of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association.

The impressive backgrounds of each of the candidates created a well-rounded discussion about the energy economy. Each panelist opened by sharing the nature of their interest in energy and renewable energies. The panelists then discussed the future of energy and striking a balance between renewable energy and fossil fuels. Mr. Boughey emphasized that services must remain affordable, reliable and available.

Professor Duvivier and Mrs. Madden discussed public opinion as a means to effect change. Mrs. Madden shared her view that we must continue to educate people and advocated for the use of better messengers to do so, such as the military. The military is estimated as the biggest user of energy, if they made a statement about using renewable energy, people would listen.

Mr. Boughey then shared interesting information about energy co-ops existing in remote locations where energy transport is difficult. He praised these co-ops, specifically Recharge Colorado for building capacity and for creating innovative uses.

Mr. Votoupal discussed his company, Colorado Cleantech Industry Association. He hopes Colorado Cleantech will be a template for the nation. They also want to help CO achieve its 30% renewable energy standard by 2020, which is the 2nd most aggressive standard in the nation.

The panelists were hopeful about the future of energy. Mr. Boughey stated, “It's an exciting time to grow in this sector.”

Jared Derrick, a 2012 MRLS Student attended and shared his thoughts: "Although the event was labeled, "Counterpoints: The New Energy Economy," the panel generally emphasized a balanced portfolio approach for Colorado that promoted energy solutions that included traditional, clean, and renewable energy sources. While this language of balance no doubt placates to constituencies of traditional energy sources, some of the panelists emphasized that not all energy sources are equal-- some renewable energy sources need to lower costs before deployment while traditional energy sources need to cut emissions in order to maintain a footing in Colorado's energy mix in the future. I especially appreciated Professor DuVivier's thoughts as a panelist, as she was able to represent Denver Law and not just a particular constituency."

Angelica Oman

Graduate Program Assistant

Dean Martin Katz and Associate Dean Fred Cheever Congratulate New LLM Graduates

From left to right: Min Xiao, Tamiko Watanabe, Don Smith,
James Obeng-Sakyi, Dean Martin Katz, Lucy Daberkow,
Dela Obeng-Sakyi, Veronica Morelli, Eduardo Paseta, and

Associate Dean Fred Cheever

Several of the graduates of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law Environmental and Natural Resources Law and Policy Graduate Program were congratulated after yesterday's graduation by Dean Martin Katz and Associate Dean Fred Cheever.

Dean Katz and Dean Cheever have been ardent supporters of the Graduate Program and often take time out of their schedules to visit with the students.

"One of the great things about the Graduate Program at Denver Law is the fact that our leaders -- Deans Katz and Cheever -- greatly value the program and the diversity of students that are associated with the program," Don Smith, Director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law and Policy Program (ENRL), said.

"Dean Cheever formerly directed the ENRL and so he knows first-hand the value of having such a wide-range of students, all of whom are studying about the key environmental and natural resources issues of our time."

Lucy Daberkow, Administrative Director, said, "We are particularly proud that this year's graduating class included students from Brazil, China, Ghana, Japan, Nigeria, Peru, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and the United States. The diversity in our program is a key factor in the recruitment of top-notch candidates in our program."

May 19, 2012: Graduation Day!

Law School Dean Marty Katz (left) and Don Smith
(next to Dean Katz) congratulate Alphonsus Ihuoma on
earning his LLM degree in Environmental and Natural
Resources Law.  The others in the picture are friends
of Father Ihumomoa (who is also a Catholic priest).

Today, May 19, 2012, marked the completion of studies and graduation for nearly 30 students from the Environmental and Natural Resources Law and Policy Graduate Program at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. 

Despite the damp weather outside, the smiles of accomplishment were warm and inspiring at the graduation ceremony at the Ritchie Center and then later at the College of Law where a reception was held for the graduates and their families and friends.

"Graduation day is a wonderful day in the life of the law school," Don Smith, Director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law and Policy Program said.  "It is a day of celebration that marks the end of one aspect of life as well as the beginning of the next step.  It was filled with joy for all of those who have worked so hard as well as those who have supported the students, sometimes at great sacrifice."

Left to right Amelie, Lucy, and Emma Daberkow, Noran
Alahmadi, Don Smith, Min Xiao, Annie Oman,
Tamiko Watanabe, Dela Obeng-Sakyi, and Veronica Morelli.

World Renewable Energy Forum

The Environmental and Natural Resources Law and Policy Graduate Program at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law was a sponsor of this week's World Renewable Energy Forum (WREF). The WREF took place at the Denver Convention Center from May 13th-17th.

The event is significant because it combined the biennial World Renewable Energy Congress and the American Solar Energy Society's National Solar Conference. The WREF featured speakers from around the world including industry professionals, renewable energy laboratories, and university academics.

Sturm College of Law's Professor Don Smith chaired a discussion on Monday the 14th. The topic for discussion was: Can U.S. Renewable Law and Policy Catch Up?  Professor K.K. DuVivier, who was on the panel, also used the conference to talk about her book, The Renewable Energy Reader.  The book was a popular attraction at the Program's booth.

"The WREF was a great opportunity for the ENRGP program to share information with professionals interested in attending the program. The forum also served as a way to help professionals become aware of the type of education our students recieve and increase their interest in hiring those who have obtained the LLM or Masters degree in Environmental and Natural Resources Law," said Professor Smith, who also directs the Graduate Program.

Angelica Oman

Graduate Program Assistant

Outstanding Environmental and Natural Resources Students Named

Anthony Austin and Jessica Allan have received the honor of being named Outstanding Environmental and Natural Resources Students! Congratulations to them both! This award is given to the students who achieve the highest GPA's in our program.

Anthony Austin received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and The Study of Religion from the University of California, San Diego. He received his JD degree from Golden Gate University School of Law.
Anthony expressed his gratitude when he stated: “It's a real privilege to be bestowed with this award, especially given how talented and accomplished this class is. I am extremely pleased to have had the opportunity to attend DU Sturm College of Law for my LL.M. It is a wonderful program and I could not have earned this honor without the support of the faculty and staff at Sturm and within the Environmental and Natural Resources Graduate Program."

Jessica Allan received a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies from University of California in Santa Barbara.
Jessica commented:   "It is such a honor to receive this award for MRLS Outstanding Student. I have worked very hard this year and it is encouraging to know that this hard work has been recognized. I want to thank Lucy and Professor Smith for this award and for all of their support throughout this program. My classmates in the MRLS program are very intelligent and driven people who I feel lucky to call friends. I will miss everyone very much next year."

Associate Administrative Director, Lucy Daberkow, commented: "it is a great honor to have Jessica and Anthony in our graduate program. They are extremely talented students who have enriched our program and our lives tremendously." Congratulations to both Jessica and Anthony! Their commitment to the program and their confidence in their classmates is evident.