Celebrating the Golden Years at Regis University

Throughout the weekend of July 10, 2026, a golden group of alumni returned to campus to celebrate and remember Regis University and Loretto Heights College history. The Golden Years alumni are the Regis graduates who celebrated their own graduations 50 or more years ago. Now, these alumni returned to campus to recognize the Regis and Loretto Heights experiences of both yesterday and today.

The weekend of events began on Thursday, July 8, with the class of 1976. The class reunited with drinks at Rocky Top Tavern (formerly the Hilltop Tavern decades ago), reconnecting in a Regis neighborhood staple. The next day, the class of 1976 held dinner at the local Willis Case Golf Course, another landmark of the Regis neighborhood.

Joining in the celebrations, the alumni of Loretto Heights College gathered this same weekend in Denver to celebrate.  Loretto Heights College was founded in 1864 as a boarding school for girls, which transformed into a fully accredited college just west of Denver by 1926. In 1988, Loretto Heights shut its doors, but Regis enveloped three of its degree programs and welcomed all Loretto Heights alumni into the Regis community.

From revisiting the Loretto Heights campus for a tour and viewing items from the archives to a reunion lunch in the historical Administration Building, memories were shared from every facet of campus. Alumna Cynthia Barenberg Stadig, class of 1973, shared that her favorite memory of her education at Loretto Heights was in fact singing in the Loretto Choir. 

“We sang the song ‘Lumen Christi’ while directed by the songwriter for the Christmas programs of 1969 and 1970,” said Stadig. “I am so grateful to have gone to Loretto Heights.”

On Saturday, July 11, the celebrations continued for the class of 1976 and other Golden Years alumni. The night began with a tour of Main Hall with former University President Rev. Michael Sheeran, S.J. For these Golden Years alumni, Main Hall was mostly inaccessible to them during their time at Regis. This tour was a chance to explore the iconic “pink palace,” setting up the evening.

Following the tour, the Class of 1976 connected and relived memories during a cocktail reception in Main Hall. From there, all Golden Years Alumni gathered on the newly renovated fourth floor of Main Hall for dinner that evening. Both former Regis president Rev. Sheeran and current president Shawna Cooper Whitehead, Ed.D., joined in the festivities. Whitehead opened the evening with a welcome, speaking to Regis’ legacy and its future.

“The history and traditions of these alumni are something we need to celebrate with great gratitude and humility,” said Dave Law, Director of Alumni Engagement. “In her comments to the group on Saturday night, President Cooper Whitehead highlighted this when she looked into the eyes of those alumni in the room – representing thousands of their peers – and shared that we all stand on the shoulders of giants in the work that we do now."

Alumni again shared memories of their years at the university with one another, reconnecting over the 50 years of experiences. Alumnus Dan Dalpes, class of 1963, shared a list of his favorite memories of Regis: 

“My favorite memories are of the people, the priests, my classmates and my lifelong friends,” said Dalpes. “We are blessed.”

For Regis, commemorating the iconic traditions, history and memories of the past 50 years not only celebrates the alumni; it’s a duty of preservation for the institution. Dave Law described how the heritage of Regis thrives in the lived experiences of alumni.

“When we walk through the doors of this place, we do so having inherited the hopes, lessons, experiences, traditions and contributions of the faculty, staff and students that came before us,” said Law. “Our Golden Years Alumni are an important part of that legacy – the time they’ve given us, the traditions they have left us, the treasure they have shared with us all make it possible for our students to experience a uniquely Jesuit and Regis education.”

Want to stay connected with alumni events at Regis? Visit https://www.regis.edu/alumni/.