Celebrating 50 Years
of Naropa
Welcome from President Charles G. Lief, JD
It is a joy to welcome you all to celebrate Naropa’s 50th anniversary in 2024. I was most fortunate to have participated in the opening Summer Institute in 1974. I was particularly moved by the loud and clear proclamation of our founder, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, that our challenge was to reignite the pilot light and create a new form of higher education, one that integrates the contemplative practices of mindfulness and compassion with the liberal and creative arts.
The pioneering faculty and staff took up the challenge and welcomed the first cohort of students. Since then, generations of teachers and students, supported by a dedicated administrative team, have not only shared the founding energy but confidently evolved, changed, and challenged our community to be both relevant for our times and cutting edge in our outlook and our offerings.
My family has gone all in for Naropa. My wife Judy was our first Dean (President in today’s language), our daughters are Naropa alumnx, and I was blessed to have been asked in 2012 to serve as President. And we are not alone. “Community” is not a casual descriptor of who we are as a living body of scholars, students, philanthropists, alumnx, and support staff.
You are warmly invited to connect to Naropa at 50 in any and all ways that move you. Our team is planning a vast array of opportunities. We will nostalgically remember and appreciate the past and, without limit, envision the future we will create together.
Then & Now Photo Project
Welcome to a celebration of Naropa University’s rich history and vibrant future! We are thrilled to unveil the installation of our Then-and-Now photo project, a fitting tribute as we approach our 50th year milestone. This project adorns the Wulsin building on our Arapahoe campus, offering a visual journey of the past and present.
The lower section showcases black and white photographs of the pioneering faculty and luminaries who helped build the foundation for Naropa. In contrast, the upper section features vibrant color photos capturing contemporary moments that reflect Naropa’s enduring mission.
Then & Now Photo Project II
The celebration of Naropa University’s rich history and vibrant future continues with the installation of the photo project at the Nalanda Campus, offering a visual journey of Naropa’s past and present.
The lower section showcases black and white photographs of the pioneering luminaries who left an indelible mark on Naropa, including Naropa’s World Wisdom Chair Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi. The upper section features color photos capturing contemporary moments that reflect Naropa’s enduring culture and community.
A Visual Journey of Then & Now
Envisioning the Next 50 Years
As you walk around our beautiful campuses, know that nearly every building, classroom, or contemplative space resulted from the generosity and vision of our alumnx and friends. We rely on your support to help us maintain the outstanding and innovative education we offer.
As we approach our fiftieth year, Naropa University continues to be a place where students have been inspired to make the world a better place. It is where our students learn, live, and gather, where we practice mindfulness and compassion, and the hub of our creativity, innovation, artistic expression and social engagement.
This is just the beginning! Naropa’s first fifty years were focused on preparing the ground for the even greater things to come. Your donations to the 50th Anniversary Campaign support the future of our university and investments in student success.
Your gift helps create the conditions for the “sparks of wisdom to fly in all directions.”
Pamela Krasney Giving Circle
At Naropa’s opening in 1974, the founder, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche who was Pamela’s spiritual teacher, called it a 500 year project. Many heard that as exaggeration, Pamela was in the small circle who knew it was reality. In the spirit of her commitment, and in celebration of Naropa’s 50th Anniversary, we invite you to do the same by joining the Pamela Krasney Giving Circle in her honor. Our goal is to raise the much-needed funds that will ensure that Naropa thrives for the next 50 years and beyond.
Additional Resources
Get Involved
Here are some of the ways you can engage with Naropa and help celebrate fifty years of contemplative education and the role of mindfulness and compassion to build a more sane, vibrant, and generous world.
1. Join One of the 50th Anniversary Committees and Share Your Wisdom
Donors and other friends, please email Sharla Owens. Naropa alumnx, please email Kelly Watt.
2. Attend One of the Numerous Celebrations to Mark the Occasion
3. Make a Gift to the 50th Anniversary Fund
Join a 50th Anniversary Committee
Schedule a Chat with Sharla Owens
50th Fundraising Gala (Fall 2024)
Members: Sharla Owens (lead), Kendra Sandoval, Jessica DelCastillo (project manager), Martha Husick, Rachel Solum
50th Kickoff Events with Summer Writing Program (2024 & 2025)
Members: Jeffrey Pethybridge (lead), Stephan Taylor (project manager), Alanna Marks, Caroline Swanson (Swanee), Regina Smith
Conference: Joanna Macy Center for Resilience & Regeneration
Members: Michael Bauer (lead), Stephen Polk, Peter Grossenbacher, Regina Smith, Cory Potash, Joseph Grobelny (project manager)
Academic Program–specific Alumnx Reunions
Members: Kelly Watt (lead), Kendra Sandoval, Jessica DelCastillo
50 Students/50 Years Project
Members: Jeremy Moore (lead), Alanna Marks, Lexi Watkins, Zeek Miller (project manager), Karen Wills (project manager)
Years of Service Celebration Honoring Faculty & Staff (Fall 2024 with Gala)
Members: Bob Brown (lead), Jessica DelCastillo (project manager), Stephan Taylor
Student Design Competition/Collaboration for 50th Swag (Summer/Fall 2023)
Members: Tonni Tis (lead), Stephan Taylor, Marcos Perez
Commemorative Coffee Table Book (completed by Fall 2024)
Members: Cassie Smith (lead), Ben Williams, Danielle Poitras, Marcos Perez
Afrofuturism Event
Members: Regina Smith (lead), Jeffrey Pethybridge, Monera Mason, PJ Gunter
Interactive Programming around Founding Vision of Contemplative Education
Members: Carolyn Gimian, Irini Rockwell, Zeek Miller (project manager), Karen Wills (project manager)
Family/Community 50th Celebration Event/Cookout
Members: Tonni Tis (lead), Bob Brown, Stephan Taylor (project manager), Jialin Chu, Kelly Watt, Cory Potash, Rachel Solum
Highlighting Important Faculty and Their Contributions
Members: Cassie Smith, PJ Gunter
Special Concerts, Events, Conferences, Symposiums
Members: PJ Gunter (lead), Carolyn Gimian, Kendra Sandoval, Lexi Watkins, Jialin Chu, Martha Rome, Cory Potash, Rachael Gula, Zeek Miller (project manager), Karen Wills (project manager)
Poetry Competition and/or 24-hour Poetry Marathon
Members: Jeffrey Pethybridge, Jialin Chu , Stephan Taylor (project manager)
Designating Boulder as a Literary City
Members: Caroline Swanson (lead), Alanna Marks
Video Project: “I am here because…” “To me Naropa is…”
Members: Bob Brown (lead), Lexi Watkins
Native American Film Festival
Members: Seann Goodman (lead), Regina Smith
Bhutanese Connection Day
Members: Jane Carpenter (lead), Dr. Anne Parker, Tashi Browder, Rinchen Love, Janneli Chapin
Art Installations and/or Beautification Project along 21st & Arapahoe
Members: Cory Potash, Rachael Gula
Save the Date
- Summer Writing Program // June 9–29, 2024
- Interfaith Dialogue with Judith Simmer Brown and Netanel Miles-Yépez // August 28, 2024 // 2:00–3:30 PM
- Maker Day // September 2, 2024 // 1:00–6:00 PM
- Family Reunion // September 7, 2024 // 12:00-4:00 PM
- CACE: Practicing Right Speech Workshop // September 11, 2024
- 50th Anniversary Gala // September 21, 2024
- 24-Hour Sitting Meditation // October 1, 2024
Chögyam Trungpa Institute
The Chögyam Trungpa Institute serves a diverse worldwide community of those inspired by the work of Chögyam Trungpa, by the practice of meditation, and by the Buddhist tradition and teachings, historically and in contemporary times.
Naropa Tea House
In the early 1980s, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche designed a Japanese-inspired tea house which his students then built for his birthday. Originally located at Trungpa Rinpoche’s Boulder home, the tea house was moved to Naropa’s Arapahoe Campus in 1989, two years after his passing.
Alaya Preschool
