In 1980, these two helped to form the organization, Friends of Opera. Their friendship and shared interest continued after she graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1977 (the first class to graduate on the downtown campus). Her knowledge and love of opera developed with Dillon’s guidance. In the very first class, he played a few selections and she was hooked forever.
Dillon’s course, Opera as Literature, changed her life. Like so many of her classmates, Caulkins was a housewife and a mother who decided to continue her undergraduate studies. (She also occasionally performed as a member of the chorus.) By honoring her accomplishments, the university honors all those students who found a second chance to complete their college education at CU Denver and who discovered in the process a new direction for their lives. In his classroom was Eleanor (Ellie) Caulkins, BA ’77.Ĭaulkins has been active on the board of Opera Colorado since its beginnings almost 30 years ago, having served several terms as chair of its board and now lifetime honorary chair. In 1969, when English Professor Dick Dillon began teaching opera in his department, he sparked an interest that would transform the cultural scene of Denver. Ellie Caulkins elevates Denver’s arts to the national scene
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