Benson names Horrell CU Denver chancellor

University of Colorado President Bruce D. Benson today named Dr. Dorothy Horrell chancellor of the institution’s Denver campus.

Horrell’s appointment is effective Jan. 4, but she will serve as a special adviser to the president beginning Oct. 15. She will work on a transition with outgoing Chancellor Jerry Wartgow, who is retiring in January.

“Dorothy Horrell has deep roots in Colorado higher education, our community and our state, and she has the insight, expertise and experience to build on the considerable success of our Denver campus,” Benson said.

Horrell was appointed to the Colorado State University Board of Governors by Gov. John Hickenlooper in 2009 and served as board chair from 2013-15. She was president of the Colorado Community Colleges System, the state’s largest higher education system, from 1998-2000 and was president of Red Rocks Community College from 1989-1998. She previously held several positions for the community colleges system, including vice president for educational services and director of the occupational education division.

Most recently, Horrell served from 2001-13 as president and CEO of the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation, Colorado’s leading foundation supporting the arts and non-profit leadership.

“I’m honored to be part of a university community that makes a difference in so many lives and in our community,” Horrell said. “I’m also excited to work with CU Denver’s excellent faculty and staff to help further that work.”

Benson selected Horrell after receiving overwhelmingly positive response from campus leadership and governance groups that met with her last week.

Horrell earned her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from Colorado State University.

Contact:   Ken McConnellogue, 303.815.8481, Ken.mcconnellogue@cu.edu

      Photo available upon request