Reaching for the Stars
April 30, 2008 | 
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The Fifth Annual Colorado Springs Undergraduate Research Forum, a venue that celebrates college students’ academic work within the area of Letters Arts and Sciences, made a galactic impression on the community scene on April 12th at the United States Air Force Academy Fairchild Hall. Students from UCCS, Colorado College, and the United Stated Air Force Academy took center stage as recipients of an invitation from their mentor/professors who deemed their work worthy of a larger audience.
The journey from nominee to actual participant was not a walk in the park. The selection process began in fall, 2007, when students submitted proposals for consideration in many disciplines. A committee of university faculty reviewed the proposals and selected what they considered to be the best examples of academic research from each college. UCCS students joined their peers from Colorado College and the United States Air Force Academy exhibiting their work in poster sessions, oral sessions, and gallery entries.
Margie Teals-Davis (see Colorado Springs Record+ special article in this issue) spearheaded the UCCS involvement from start to finish. “I’m busy this month,” Margie told us. “Not too much time to sleep since we are coming down to the wire.”
Early-morning sessions ranged from political economy, terrorism and executive privilege, the functioning of the brain, to the artist and his influences on society. Undergraduate talent was palpable and visible in the halls and during the poster session from 11:00 AM to 12:00 Noon, as students displayed and explained their studies from biology, chemistry, psychology, geography, virtual communication, physics, and kinesthetic activity.
The gallery connecting oral and poster sessions to afternoon oral sessions housed contributions in sculpture, painting, and more. Each artist in the gallery provided an overview of how s/he came to create the work, its construction, and personal as well as communal significance. The Air Force Academy’s venue provided a rich backdrop of immaculate glass windows, splendid mountain views, and a pristine blue sky to complement the art works.
United States Air Force cadets regaled the participants with song during the lunch break, and the afternoon oral sessions provided additional food for thought with topics such as waves of ideas, literary conflicts and deaths, crime and punishment, South American realities, women, the military, and society, forming leaders, and physics and chemistry.
Colorado Springs Record+ wishes to commend the undergraduate students who chose to take a risk and submit their work for public view. We also salute the mentor-faculty who took the time to shepherd these students through the process. Once again, members of the academy, wherever they teach, continue to pass the torch to those who will follow in the footsteps of scholars who have made their passion for thinking about academic+community involvement a household word in Colorado Springs.
Colorado Springs Record+ was honored to have been a part of this most prestigious academic endeavor.
- M
A Colorado Springs Legend in Progress
March 31, 2008 | Email This Post
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Martin Troy, Assistant Manager of Jack Quinn Alehouse and Irish Pub, is not your average restaurateur. He is a combination of regular guy, organizer, initiator, and man about town who understands what his clientele wants and how to give it to them. When you walk into Jack Quinn Irish Alehouse & Pub establishment on 21 South Tejon Street in Colorado Springs, you will see the results of Martin’s organization, class, and attention to ambiance.
Martin and his crew have prepared a truly Irish style celebration for Quinn’s 10th anniversary, which just happens to coincide with St. Patrick’s Day. Preparations have been made to create the best Irish bash ever. The Quinn “family”, among them local fire fighters, young professionals, college students, and members of the military, make this unique Irish Pub their exclusive meeting place and watering hole. Here are the reasons why.
First and foremost, Martin ensures that Quinn’s Irish fare is authentic. He’ll have no beef in the Irish stew, to be sure. It is lamb, or nothing. And that is freshly made soda bread, if you please. The Alaskan cod in beer batter is a real tradition, and beef boxty, a kind of Irish finger food, makes the clientele’s mouths water nightly. You will have to sample these delicacies on more than one visit in order to enjoy the subtle flavor differences of each dish.
The beverages available are as authentically Irish as one will find in the Emerald Isle. The ever-present Guinness is served at exactly the correct temperature. An army of Irish whiskies lines the downstairs and upstairs bars. You may require some time to take in the eye appeal of Quinn’s Irish ambiance whether you sit in the more private, wooden “parlors” or the hand-rubbed wooden bars on both floors. Make sure you look on the walls, where mementos of the best football (soccer) teams decorate the walls. And then you have the lovely Irish colleens whose portraits grace the stairwells. They are sure to bring back memories of days gone by.
If you are over 21 years of age, you will be welcome to partake of authentic Irish libations. If you are not, you can still enjoy the traditional Irish step-dancing tunes, Sean Nôs (old style) music, and the ever present fiddle and bodhrân (Irish drum). Quinn’s advocates celebration of culture through music, dance, food, and conversation for those who enjoy camaraderie as a lifestyle.
Thank you, Martin. You have made our day, and hopefully many more!
- M
