Jump to main content

Features

Feature Stories

April 28, 2025

Celebrating 2025 Honored Alumni

Inspiring Stories of Leadership, Innovation and Impact

April 28, 2025

Being First Is Something to Celebrate

UNC recently earned state and national recognition for serving first-generation students. Here’s what that looks like.

April 28, 2025

Helping Cancer Patients Exercise Their Way to Longer, Better Lives

Once known as a hidden gem, UNC’s student and staff-led Cancer Rehabilitation Institute now has a long waiting list for patients

November 13, 2024

From UNC Bears to L.A. Lakers Transfer Student Starts NBA Career

From wearing blue and gold as a UNC Bear to purple and gold as a Los Angeles Laker, Dalton Knecht, ’23, (pronounced ‘connect’) has hit the jackpot with the opportunity he’s walking into to begin his professional basketball career.

November 13, 2024

Breaking New Ground

The logistics of creating UNC’s proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) are falling into place, thanks to the tremendous efforts of university leadership, donors and supporters. The feasibility and economic impact studies are complete, state legislation has been passed, funding has been secured, a dean and two associate deans have been hired and now another significant milestone — the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) advanced UNC’s proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine from Applicant to Candidate Status in August.

November 13, 2024

From Poison to Panacea: Three Decades of Venom

Hundreds of venomous snakes. King Cobras. Spitting cobras. Mambas. Gaboon vipers. African vipers. South American vipers. North American vipers. Every type of snake imaginable. That’s what fascinated Steve Mackessy, Ph.D., from an early age, thanks to his part-time job in high school — working at a reptile supply company. He’s been enthralled with these venomous creatures ever since. Now, he is a professor of Biology in UNC’s College of Natural and Health Sciences.

May 23, 2024

A Family of Bears

Three generations and 60 members of the Rangel and Andrade families have built a strong family legacy that continues to thrive.

May 23, 2024

Keeping College Education Within Reach

Keeping a college education affordable and accessible is central to who UNC is. Those attributes represent the university’s core values of students first, social mobility and diversity in action. The increasing struggle of students and families to pay for college, or even to delay or forgo a college education, prompted the university to create a program to remove financial barriers: The UNC Tuition Promise.

May 23, 2024

Recognizing Six Alumni for Distinguished Service Across the Country

In April, UNC honored six alumni who have distinguished themselves as leaders in their careers and communities and whose service and dedication to the university inspires Bears everywhere.

November 27, 2023

Meeting Colorado’s Workforce Needs: It’s All in the Data

With a 20-year-old promise to provide career support to alumni for life, the university launches an extraordinary Alumni Employment Dashboard powered by actual career data.

November 27, 2023

A Single Gift of $25 Million Will Help Train the Next Generation of Physicians in Colorado 

Discover the transformative impact of a $25 million gift from The Weld Trust, propelling our university closer to the realization of its vision – the establishment of the proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine. This unprecedented donation, the largest in our school’s history, is also the single largest gift ever bestowed by The Weld Trust. Join us in shaping the future of healthcare and meeting the urgent demand for doctors across the state.

November 27, 2023

No Limits

Ed Lamb, head coach of the Bears football team, orchestrates the groundbreaking 'No Limits Camp' in June 2023. A catalyst for inclusivity, the event connects individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities with UNC student-athletes for a transformative day. Despite its rapid organization within Lamb's early months, the camp's impact surpasses all expectations.

November 27, 2023

Taking UNC Arts to National, Global Stages

Performing and Visual Arts students take their talents on the road to the delight of audiences in New York City, the Dominican Republic and the Czech Republi

April 28, 2023

Understanding the World, Its Places and People Through Geography

Professor Karen Barton’s unprecedented nine Fulbright awards have taken her across five continents — North and South America, Africa, Asia and Europe — allowing her to bring the world to her students at UNC.

April 28, 2023

Inspired to Pay it Forward

Recent graduate and Phelps CAP award winner, Shukuru Rushanika '22 overcame adversity, explored scientific research and was honored for his achievements as he developed a deep sense of appreciation for the support and guidance he received during his undergraduate education at UNC.

April 27, 2023

The Garvey is Still a Place to Be

One of the oldest cultural centers in the nation, the spirit of Marcus Garvey Cultural Center remains stronger than ever, celebrating and championing Black culture and history.

October 28, 2022

Is There a Doctor in the House?

Fewer doctors in Colorado’s rural communities — combined with increasing demand — creates a health care challenge of growing complexity and may mean reduced care for residents.

October 28, 2022

Hometown Hot Spots

A collection of places to go, sights to see and food and drink to try next time you visit Greeley.

October 28, 2022

Minding the Gap

UNC’s Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education programs help teachers bridge the gap.

May 25, 2022

Learning to Lead

When students take on leadership roles on campus they gain skills for life. Here, three former student leaders share the impacts that those experiences had on their careers.

May 25, 2022

Staging a Comeback

When UNC’s Combined Chorus returned to the stage to perform with the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra this past November, it was a long-awaited opportunity to honor choral director Galen Darrough, D.M.A.

May 24, 2022

The Power of Mentorship

Through UNC’s McNair Scholars program, senior education major Nicola Anglo-Raymundo worked with Assistant Professor Stacy Bailey, Ph.D., on a research project that helped her define her plans for the future.

October 20, 2021

The Bears are Back

The Bears are back on the gridiron this fall with Coach Ed McCaffrey at the helm.

October 20, 2021

Leadership for a Changing World

This year marks 20 years for UNC’s Stryker Institute for Leadership Development, and the program continues to make a difference for students, and gives them leadership skills to go on and make a difference in the lives of others. 

October 19, 2021

New Deans Join UNC

Three new deans joined UNC this summer and share a vision for and commitment to student success.

May 18, 2021

Keys to Success

With the arrival of 96 new Steinway pianos and an All-Steinway School designation, UNC students have the highest quality instruments at their fingertips.

May 18, 2021

Working Toward Wellness

A team of UNC graduate students and their professor are working to understand the challenges UNC students are facing, and finding ways to help students build resilience and wellness.

May 18, 2021

Lessons of a Challenging Year

Three alumni share the challenges and rewards of working through the pandemic.

December 22, 2020

Sharing Uncomfortable Conversations

As UNC considers policy, cultural and systemic changes to address campus climate, conversations bring truth into focus.

December 22, 2020

Defining Moments

UNC has heeded the call of “Rowing Not Drifting” for more than a century through social, political and economic challenges.

December 22, 2020

Back to School 2020

Educators have found themselves adapting and working in settings that have distanced them from students and changed how they teach. Here, they share their thoughts and insights from the past six months.

December 17, 2020

Leading Beyond Crisis

UNC’s newest leaders share their thoughts, goals and visions for the university’s future.

July 07, 2020

A Community Connected

How UNC adapted to changes from the coronavirus and met the challenge with strength, innovation and care.

July 07, 2020

Seeing the Silver Lining

A new Ph.D. graduate shares his thoughts about UNC and describes how he felt about defending his dissertation online.

July 07, 2020

Technology Support During Coronavirus

With the decision to move classes online, technology use — and tech support needs — rose to a new level.

July 07, 2020

Bears Rise Together

Spring 2020 undergraduate student commencement speaker Malaika Michel-Fuller shares her thoughts and insights as May commencement ceremonies were canceled because of the coronavirus.

July 07, 2020

From On-Campus to Online

With campus closing down, two small departments set about the Herculean task of helping faculty move from in-seat classes to remote learning.

July 06, 2020

Riding the Rollercoaster

As the stock market went through its acrobatic reactions to the coronavirus, students in UNC’s SAFF class took the volatile ride in stride — and gained real-world experience in the midst of a financial crisis.

November 25, 2019

A New Normal: Getting More Students to Graduation

Important work is taking place to chart a course for the future of our institution. Through a collaborative process spearheaded by innovators from every department on campus, UNC is transforming our approach to strategically enroll and support every one of our students.

November 25, 2019

Opening Day

Every fall, the UNC community comes together to welcome students back to campus and move new students into their residence halls. UNC photographers captured the big day to give you a feel for this year’s move-in day.

November 25, 2019

Bridging Research and Real Life

The Social Research Lab (SRL) at UNC builds a bridge for students to excel in their careers while connecting the community to professional-level research.

April 26, 2019

Opening Doors for Student Success

The newest building on campus will serve as a centralized gateway to student success and events.

April 26, 2019

Building Better Schools

Bob and Betty Tointon were looking for ways to give back to their community. That vision turned into a life-changing leadership program for principals and their teams.

April 26, 2019

Seeking Solutions and Finding Resolve

Witnessing change on the Antarctic Peninsula

April 25, 2019

Learning to Lead

Assistant Professor Jacob Skousen focuses on educational leadership and social justice in schools.

January 02, 2019

'I'm Andy'

New UNC President Andy Feinstein has had a busy start to his tenure. Get to Know the First-Year President in this Q&A.

January 02, 2019

Sporting New Bridges

Soccer Without Borders Greeley is one of the bridges that helps Greeley’s refugee and immigrant population adjust to U.S. life. And thanks to a partnership with UNC, it’s also one of the ways that UNC students-athletes cross the bridge from high school to college.

December 21, 2018

Pivot Perfect

How four UNC alumni have taken their careers in unexpected directions with the help of degrees that went deeper than job skills.

December 21, 2018

Reality Check

UNC’s Center for Urban Education builds bridges with urban schools.

May 17, 2018

Looking Forward

Football provided a path to college for Samad Hinds, and an escape from the violence of his hometown.

May 17, 2018

Showtime

Musical Theatre students spent spring break in New York City performing and gaining onstage experience.

May 17, 2018

A Steady Hand for 16 Years

Kay Norton will retire as one of UNC’s longest-serving presidents. Here, a look back at the challenges and changes over her 16 years at the helm.

November 21, 2017

Into the Arctic

Professor Jimmy Dunn and a crew of five students head north for summer research and discovery.

November 21, 2017

Testing in Totality

When the moon crossed the sun’s path, UNC students were waiting to shed new light on fast-moving muons.

November 21, 2017

Bears in the Park

UNC’s ties to Estes, Rocky Mountain National Park span generations as today’s students continue to trek west for recreation, education and the Colorado experience.

November 21, 2017

A Career Worthy of Canton

Ed Werder, honored at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, always knew he wanted a career in sports journalism.

May 01, 2017

The Next Chapter of Moneyball

UNC professor offers his sports-science research to Major League Baseball to help project the next great player

May 01, 2017

Bears About Town

UNC alumni create strong ties between campus and the Greeley community as they create buzz and businesses around town.

May 01, 2017

New Roots in Old Traditions

The School of Music welcomes a Bluegrass and Folk program to its notable circle, creating space for a diverse soundscape

May 01, 2017

The Teacher Crisis in Rural Colorado

Cash-strapped small districts that serve 130,000 students struggle to attract and retain educators amid a shrinking pool of candidates

December 01, 2016

Drawing on Hard Work

Colorado’s Art Educator of the Year: From Holland to UNC after 24 years serving, creating art in military

December 01, 2016

The Heart of Business

Associate Professor Keiko Krahnke lives and teaches ethics, sharing her insights with UNC business students

December 01, 2016

Giving Hope

UNC student Megan Lundstrom knows too well the nightmare of sex trafficking — and she’s founded a nonprofit to help children and women who are victims

December 01, 2016

Success Looks Like Them

“Once a Bear, always a Bear” rings true as UNC graduates mentor current students and share wisdom

May 09, 2016

My Journey to Nepal

In the wake of shattering earthquakes and devastating chaos, I experienced glimmers of hope and healing.

May 09, 2016

Moving to Address Childhood Obesity

Taking a close look at the factors surrounding childhood obesity and its stigmas, UNC researchers are taking steps to help children get fit.

May 09, 2016

Bringing it Home

On a perfect fall day in Colorado, the Blue and Gold took center stage as the university community raised the Bear banner high for homecoming.

May 09, 2016

First Draft

UNC's new brewing science program serves up chemistry and beer with an innovative, interdisciplinary approach.

May 04, 2016

Olympic Mettle

Champion Paralympian draws on firsthand experience to teach his physical education students

May 03, 2016

Bringing Talent to Light

The making of UNC’s Performing and Visual Arts Gala

May 03, 2016

Growing Local

UNC Environmental Studies students dig deep to bring local food to the community for the global good

May 03, 2016

Researchers Study School Shooting

Their report offers recommendations for improving school safety

Available Tags:

    North of the Norm

    Contact Us

    970-351-2551
    1620 Reservoir Road
    Campus Box 11
    Greeley, CO 80639

    Contact UNC

    970-351-1890
    501 20th St.
    Greeley, CO 80639

    Social Media

    About UNC

    Quicklinks

    Page Last Updated: Today | Contact for this Page: Gretchen Kershner

    Privacy Policy | Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity/Title IX Policy & Coordinator