In the College of Liberal Arts, we take the opportunity to celebrate each of our Outstanding Graduate nominees. Throughout the semester leading up to commencement, staff, faculty and mentors have the opportunity to nominate students who have accomplished remarkable things throughout their academic career.
This year’s nominees have been recognized for their excellence in creative artistry and undergraduate research, rigorous coursework, and involvement on campus. We are honored to celebrate them with our community.
Read more about each of their experiences below.
Bridget Poulter
Degree: Theatre Design and Technology
“I am most proud of being assigned the role of the Scenic Designer for our theatre’s production of Into the Woods. This is an incredibly technical production, and it was such an amazing experience to get to see my design go from a sketch to a realized production.”
Reaghan Fields
Degree: International Studies
“With the help of my team and colleagues at SoGES, we created a space that fills the gap in education with hands-on sustainability action on campus and in Fort Collins that built leadership skillsets for those who have dedicated their time to the SSC. It has truly filled my cup seeing students from all areas of campus become inspired and passionate about sustainability actions and watch them grow as individuals.”
Hector Gandara
Degree: Dance
“Right after graduation, in January 2025, I will be auditioning for Koresh Dance Company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and begin my journey in pursuing a professional dance career. Long-term, alongside auditioning and performing opportunities that may arise, I will continue enhancing my technique and pedagogical abilities to share with the world.”
Ruby Duka
Degree: Theatre Design and Technology and Musical Theatre
“Double concentrating in Design & Technology and Musical Theatre allowed me to partake in the multifaceted art of storytelling… I was able to accomplish [some incredible things] with my passion and dedication to the arts, the never-ending inspiration from my peers and their work ethic, and my professors for guiding my growth as an artist.”
Bridget Poulter
Degree: Theatre Design and Technology (Scenic Design Concentration)
Minor: Film Studies
Bridget Poulter has been nominated as an Outstanding Graduate for the College of Liberal Arts by Associate Professor Roger Hanna who describes Poulter as setting the bar for enthusiasm, talent, and support for her peers. “With internships, professional work in theatre, and always saying ‘yes, and…’ Bridget has produced more excellent work than many students who have had twice the time,” said Hanna.
“I originally came to CSU as a Biology major planning to study to become a doctor. However, after a year in the Pre-med program and taking an introduction to theatre course, I realized that my passion lies within Scenic and Props Design. I feel so lucky to have found this program and met all of the incredible students, staff, and faculty. My older sister also went to CSU and from a very young age I always loved the campus and environment here at CSU.”
“I am most proud of being assigned the role of the Scenic Designer for our theatre’s production of Into the Woods. This is an incredibly technical production, and it was such an amazing experience to get to see my design go from a sketch to a realized production. I was able to accomplish this production through the help of the production staff here at CSU since all their hard work and guidance made this show a reality.”
“I am currently involved in the student run film festival here at CSU “Through the Student Lens” and I am both their graphic designer and one of the festival judges. This festival has been a great way for me to get involved within the film world here on campus and I have gotten to meet some awesome student filmmakers.”
“I have an answer for both my major and my minor! For my major my favorite course has been Set Design I taught by Roger Hanna since it was where I was able to learn and practice my craft as a designer. Also, since there was only 8 people in the class, we formed a great community where we all got really close and had a blast during every class period. For my minor, my favorite course has been Gender and Genre in the Horror Film taught by Riana Slyter. My favorite genre of film is Horror, so I was thrilled this class was offered! Also, the professor of this course is so passionate about the topic, so she always ensured that each day in class was equally as academically stimulating as it was fun! This has been my favorite course I’ve taken for my minor, and I will forever cherish the friends I have made in this class.”
“Since I have one more semester here at CSU I am unsure of my exact plans following graduation. I am planning on interviewing for multiple positions, but I am overall just excited to see what the future brings me! I hope to end up within the world of production design either within theatre, film, or haunted house attractions.”
Reaghan Fields
Degree: International Studies
Minors: Global Environmental Sustainability, International Development, and History
Reaghan Fields has been nominated as an Outstanding Graduate for the College of Liberal Arts by Instructor Meagan Todd who says Fields “exemplifies how international studies and sustainability values go hand in hand.” Todd describes Fields as a powerful campus leader for environmental issues with her role as Director of the Student Sustainability Center and volunteering with the FOCO Food Cafe and the nonprofit Defend Our Future.
“When I was touring schools, I fell in love with the Oval and the vibrant community in Fort Collins. I knew this would be a place I would enjoy throughout my academic career.”
“My greatest accomplishment and legacy that I will leave at CSU is my time working as the Director of the School of Global Environmental Sustainability’s (SoGES) Student Sustainability Center (SSC). With the help of my team and colleagues at SoGES, we created a space that fills the gap in education with hands-on sustainability action on campus and in Fort Collins that built leadership skillsets for those who have dedicated their time to the SSC. It has truly filled my cup seeing students from all areas of campus become inspired and passionate about sustainability actions and watch them grow as individuals. During my time here, I created the Native Plants Project, that was started with the intention of incorporating indigenous ideologies and practices on campus to better align with the land grant institute. I am incredibly proud of how the SSC has grown, and I know it will continue to expand in the years to come.”
“I started working at CSU as an Ambassador of a nationwide organization called Defend Our Future. Defend our Future has the mission of uplifting young voices to climate action through the lens of environmental justice, community building, and growing a green economy. Through this time, I held meetings with our Colorado representatives, including Senator Bennett, Senator Hickenlooper, Senator Hansen, Mayor Jeni Arndt, and House Representative Gonzales-Gutierrez. These meetings were held to understand how legislative work happens, understand each individual’s focus on environmental sustainability, and share students’ concerns.
From there, I began getting involved with the SSC as the Logistics Coordinator, assisting in event planning, marketing, and club structure. I continued to work as the Director of the SSC, where I served as the bridge between CSU students and faculty to help understand student goals for sustainability on campus. As Director, I created a team of strong individuals who worked to better project planning, events, volunteer work, and run club meetings. The SSC is an incredible space that is unique on this campus, as it is the only student-run center that aids in supporting students across campus in starting up projects and initiatives that they are passionate about. This position has opened many doors for me, including collaborations with the City of Fort Collins Utilities and Environmental Services, Larimer County’s Climate Smart Future Ready Initiative, and even aided in my success in being a finalist for the Harry S. Truman Scholarship for dedication to public service.”
“My favorite class was Dr Ken Shockley’s Environmental Ethics class (PHIL345). This class opened my eyes to the importance of indigenous ideologies in sustainability and frameworks that altered my thinking about climate action. It guided my efforts with the SSC and created many core values that my work now reflects. This class covered kinship with nature, the seven generations theory, ecofeminism, etc. It was such a fundamental course for my personal and professional goals. I hope everyone at CSU has the chance to take it.”
“I aim to continue my dedication and passion for sustainability work in Fort Collins. I am applying for several jobs, but if that plan falls through, I hope to teach English in a foreign country. After a year of gaining experience, I will continue my education with a master’s in foreign policy focusing on environmental policy, and I will follow that with law school.”
Jackson Tucker Carpenter
Degree: History (French Language Concentration)
Tucker Carpenter has been nominated as an Outstanding Graduate for the College of Liberal Arts by Professor Robert Gudmestad. “Tucker is doing research in Civil War naval pension records. He is examining how military service affected formerly enslaved men and immigrants in post-Civil War America,” said Gudmestad. “He has been selected to present his research at a History conference at the US Naval Academy. It’s quite an achievement for an undergraduate student.”
“After a difficult time at my local community and online college, I wanted to go somewhere I could interact with lots of optimistic people. After multiple college visits, CSU seemed the most happy and hopeful. It was a place where I could wave, and people would be happy to wave back. Paired with what seemed to be an incredible history program, the choice was easy. CSU encapsulates the sought after ‘college experience.’”
“My proudest accomplishment academically was my acceptance to present my paper and sit on a panel of experts for the Civil War Bluejackets Conference in Annapolis, Maryland. This started my freshman year when Dr. Robert Gudmestad hired me to do research for his upcoming book. He continued to work with me and offered me an Independent Study with him where I could work on a paper to possibly present and publish in this field. This ties to another of my proudest accomplishments. Creating friendships with my professors was essential to my success. Every professor has been nothing but kind, while pushing me to progress. While I consider it an accomplishment, it was not something that required hard work. I’m sure they would concur that being friends with me is one of their greatest accomplishments.
However, my proudest accomplishment from my time at CSU is when a young kid saw me hit a home run at City Park during a baseball game with my friends. I will fondly remember him yelling, ‘Holy Mackerel’ for the rest of my life.”
“While I was not involved in any clubs or organizations through CSU, I was very involved with the CSU community. My friends and I loved interacting with random students, and playing sports on the IM fields. We went to many CSU games, plays, concerts, and the history club’s trivia nights. Most of all I loved joking and talking with people I didn’t know.”
“One of my favorite classes was The Civil War Era with Dr. Everett. It was the first history class that I took at CSU and it taught me that I was going to like college much more than High School. The Civil War era is already my favorite topic but Dr. Everett’s jokes and enthusiasm made it even more fun. Despite believing I already knew everything, I learned even more about the Civil War.”
“My post-grad plans are to go on a world-tour with my girlfriend (perhaps fiancée) Caroline. History has showed me just how unique and beautiful the world is, and I can’t think of anything more exciting than being a part of it. After traveling I hope to get my PhD in history, and become a professor.”
Hector Gandara
Degree: Dance
Hector Gandara has been nominated as an Outstanding Graduate for the College of Liberal Arts by Assistant Professor Grace Gallagher. Noting Gandara’s status as a first-generation student with only two years of dance training prior to enrolling as a dance major sophomore year, Gallagher describes how Gandara “put in countless extra hours both in and outside the studio, seizing every opportunity offered by CSU and the surrounding community.”
“Despite balancing his studies, a full-time job, and serving as assistant coach for the Rocky Mountain HS dance team, Hector also made time to travel back to Pueblo to support his family through a year of immense challenges,” said Gallagher. “His hard work, positivity, and bright energy are an inspiration, and he will be deeply missed after graduation.”
“Having attended a high school that was in Alliance Partnership through CSU, the university was all that was talked about around me. After having the opportunity in taking part of some amazing summer programs at CSU, such as the National Hispanic Institute (Lorenzo De Zavala- Youth Legislative session), I was drawn to the campus and beautiful Fort Collins, CO. Until finally getting my acceptance, relocating and declaring the major of my dreams, I fell in love with CSU even more!”
“The experience that I get so thrilled to speak about during my time at CSU was studying abroad in Ghana, Africa. This comes with two encounters, participating as a student and teaching assistant, grounding myself and cultivating a consciousness that builds into a sense of the responsibility through field experience, understanding the implications of education abroad in developing countries through the feminist lens, and, of course, learn the fascinating origins of war and storytelling through West African music and dance. There truly is no proper way in describing this experience, other than encouraging others’ to see for themselves!”
“One of my favorite classes would have to be Advance Modern Dance Technique. Although it was a pretty intense class, I enjoyed how rigorously pushed I was and discovered that I am capable of so much more than I thought, with the connections we make with mind/body.”
“Right after graduation, in January 2025, I will be auditioning for Koresh Dance Company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and begin my journey in pursuing a professional dance career. Long-term, alongside auditioning and performing opportunities that may arise, I will continue enhancing my technique and pedagogical abilities to share with the world.”
Ruby Duka
Degree: Theatre (Double Concentration in Musical Theatre and Lighting Design and Technology)
Ruby Duka has been nominated as an Outstanding Graduate for the College of Liberal Arts by Assistant Professor Noah Racey. Duka has been recognized for her lighting design excellence with a national Kennedy Center Award and has performed multiple lead roles in CSU’s competitive theatre program.
“She has overcome all the normal concerns that come with choosing a career in the arts and others that are specific to her. She is an Asian woman going into Musical Theatre, an identity that has historically provided fewer opportunities than other ethnicities,” said Racey. “But in the face of this, she has done her own research and focused her energy, tapping into a changing current of casting and story telling in todays theatre industry that has increased those opportunities many fold.”
“I chose to study at CSU because I was recruited for their Performance Program and to join the new Musical Theatre program!”
“Double concentrating in Design & Technology and Musical Theatre allowed me to partake in the multifaceted art of storytelling. I am incredibly proud of the story I told through my sound design for the show “The Normal Heart” that placed top 3 best sound designs nationwide by the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. I also had the honor of being nominated for the Iryne Ryan Acting Scholarship for my performances in “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” as Marcy Park and “Into the Woods” as Cinderella. I was able to accomplish these things with my passion and dedication to the arts, the never-ending inspiration from my peers and their work ethic, and my professors for guiding my growth as an artist.”
“I am currently on the board for the USITT student chapter which recently started its journey! It has challenged me to find creative solutions with the board when navigating the logistics of running a new club.”
“One of my favorite classes would be the Theatre in London Study Abroad. We got to see what the theatre culture was like in the UK and it was truly eye opening! We saw so many beautifully innovative productions that broadened my horizon in the world of design and performance.”
“Post-graduation I plan on finding my way into touring, whether it be onstage performing or offstage mixing audio!”
