100 Years Old, just like CMU
It is not only exciting when a university turns 100, like Colorado Mesa University, but the milestone is made even more special when the people in its history reach a similar milestone. One member for example, is Don MacKendrick, who turned 100 years old with a birthday party hosted on campus on November 8, 2025. The celebration was joyous and a reminder of how much impact someone can have in their lifetime. MacKendrick's life is mirrored by the resilience and heart that come with the Maverick spirit, and it is significant to know his life is that of impact in regards to CMU's history.
CMU Professor Emeritus of History Don MacKendrick characterizes his academic career as “an accident.” A veteran of World War II, all MacKendrick knew was that he wanted to go to college on the GI Bill.
“I went over to Colorado A&M (now Colorado State University) not knowing what I was going to study. A couple of the professors there who taught history were really dynamic and good teachers. That was when I decided to be a teacher,” he explained.
MacKendrick earned both a BA and MA in history. His first teaching position was in Delta, near his hometown of Hotchkiss. But he “really wanted to try the college level,” so he applied to Mesa College in 1956. He interviewed with Horace Wubben, the college president, and they struck a deal where MacKendrick would make 50 dollars more than his high school salary. He was hired to teach political science and economics. There was just one wrinkle: MacKendrick didn’t know much about economics, so Wubben required him to study economics over the summer. “I was just one step ahead of the students at times,” recalled MacKendrick with a laugh.
When Mary Rait retired in 1960, MacKendrick became a history instructor, specializing in the Southwest, the Far West, and Latin America. He served as chair and dean of the Social and Behavioral Sciences Department. “But I always taught,” he explained. “I always taught at least two classes even after I went into academic administration.”
MacKendrick saw a lot of change at Mesa both during his career and after his retirement. In the 1950s, the focus was on providing students with an excellent two-year head start on a four-year degree.
“We wanted our students to go out and be on a par with people who started at a university or a four-year baccalaureate college. Be on a par with them or better,” MacKendrick said.
Vocational programs came to the fore in the 1960s with new programs and the creation of a separate vocational campus. When the college transitioned to a four-year school in the 1970s, MacKendrick had reservations.
“I had to be convinced that the vocational programs wouldn’t be suspended,” he shared. “And there were a lot of people who thought that we were trading a first-class two-year college for a mediocre four-year college. Other opposition came from people who didn’t want to lose local control.”
Looking back, MacKendrick believes that Mesa was a pioneering institution, willing to take risks and absorb change to best meet the needs of students — a culture that informs CMU today.
In 2001, MacKendrick was inducted into the Maverick Hall of Honor for his dedication and hard work as an official scorer for men’s basketball, a role he enthusiastically filled for forty-four years, from 1956 to 2000. MacKendrick also served on the CMU Foundation Board of Directors and was a member of the Maverick Club.
When asked to recall a favorite memory from his career, the nonagenarian professor shared this: “The whole career was a favorite. I can’t think of a single year when I didn’t look forward to going back to work. I really liked working with the students.”
A Story 100 Years in the Making
Want to learn more about CMU's history? Purchase Colorado Mesa University - A Century of the Maverick Spirit, written by Amber J. D'Ambrosio and Kristen Lummis. The 192-page book chronicles CMU's 100-year journey of growth, resilience, and community impact, celebrating the people and moments that shaped our Maverick history.
CMU's Century Project honors one hundred years of Colorado Mesa University's rich history - celebrating the people, milestones and spirit that have shaped our enduring legacy. As we reflect on this meaningful milestone, proceeds from the commemorative Century Book and events throughout the year will benefit the Century Scholarship, ensuring that future generations of CMU students can continue to grow, learn and carry the CMU legacy forward.