Patty Limerick, an iconic professor, author and scholar whose Center of the American West at the University of Colorado has helped shape and guide Col

Patty Limerick fired from CU Center of the American West she co-founded 36 years ago

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2022-10-02 12:30:16

Patty Limerick, an iconic professor, author and scholar whose Center of the American West at the University of Colorado has helped shape and guide Colorado’s cultural identity for nearly 37 years, has been fired from the center she founded.

An email sent to supporters of the center Wednesday announced that the center’s annual “Fandango” fundraising event set for Oct. 7 was canceled because Limerick had been “unexpectedly removed” from her role as faculty director and board chair for the Center of the American West.

“The Fandango is a celebration of the center and its work,” read the announcement. “There is little to celebrate at the moment.”

The announcement urged the center’s supporters — a heavyweight list of donors and Colorado luminaries — to contact the new dean of CU’s College of Arts and Sciences, Glen Krutz, with any thoughts or concerns about the center’s leadership.

“At this point I can only say this: My removal from the position of faculty director of the Center of the American West was very unexpected,” Limerick said in a text message. “I am considering my options.”