CSU-Pueblo students checking out the Tesla Model S at the involvement fair. Photo courtesy of Tyler Shomaker

Joey Shaw, a Colorado State University-Pueblo graduate, returned to campus to show students the Tesla Model S at the Automotive Industry Management Booster Club booth during the involvement fair.

“It has no engine,” Shaw said to a passing student’s question. “It’s electric.”

Shaw graduated from CSU-Pueblo in May of 2013, and has been working for Tesla Motors since graduation, as an ownership adviser.

“I help educate people about the car, go to test drive events, get people excited about the car and help people with the ordering process,” Shaw said.

Shaw added that Tesla is releasing an SUV crossover built from the same platform as the Model S.

The Tesla Model S starts at about $69,000, according to Shaw, but the car he showed at the involvement fair is priced at $120,000. This Model S has the performance package, an 85-kilowatt battery and a performance inverter that can deliver 416 horsepower and 443 foot-per-pound of torque. The Model S also has a 50-50-weight distribution, according to teslamotors.com.

The Tesla Model S qualifies for a $7,500 tax deduction from the federal government as well as $6,000 from the Colorado government, Shaw said.

“Tesla Motors is the only manufacturer to not owe the government any money, and all the cars are manufactured in the United States,” Shaw added.

The Tesla Model S is marketed against luxury cars such as Audi and BMW in price and features. The performance model of the Tesla is priced to compete with such luxury brands, but competition is different because it is electric.

“If you drive 15,000 miles a year it will cost you a little under $300 a year in electricity.” Shaw said.

Shaw added that the car can be charged with normal 110-volt household outlet and it charges your car at the rate of 3 mph. On teslamotors.com, it says anyone who installs a 250-volt outlet can charge the car at a rate of 29 mph.

“At 250 volts the Model S will be charged in about 8 hours,” Shaw said.

The Model S also shows a 300-mile range in the city.

“We recommend that you change the radiator fluid at 100,000 miles,” Shaw said.

He added that the battery warranty is eight years, but the 60-kilowatt is 125,000 miles and the 85-kilowatt is unlimited miles.

“We (Tesla) expect them to last you 10-15 years and they cost around $10,000 dollars to replace,” Shaw said.

The booth was well received, as was the Tesla Model S.

“I call it the nighthawk, because it’s fast and extremely quiet,” said Anthony Scott, a senior automotive industry management major.

Scott said that before the Tesla, he did not like electric cars.

“Before this we only had the Prius and that was not all about torque,” Scott said.

Professor Bencini of the automotive industry management program said he enjoys how the car is able to sink you in your seat and be extremely safe.

“This is probably one of our best attention getters we have had for the AIM program,” Bencini said.

Ross Dausin drops back for a pass during the 2012 season. Photo courtesy of gothunderwolves.com

Former Colorado State University- Pueblo quarterback Ross Dausin to receive Rookie Minicamp invite with the Tennessee Titans.

Dausin, a three-year starter from Butler County Community College in El Dorado, Kan., led the ThunderWolves to a 32-4 record in his time as a starter. He finished the 2012 season with more than 3,000 yards passing, 25 touchdown passes and only 10 interceptions, contributing in a second straight undefeated regular season for the ThunderWolves.

“It’s a pretty unbelievable feeling,” Dausin said of his shot with the Titans, in a press release by the CSU-Pueblo Department of Athletics.  ”Growing up this was a dream, but it’s just a tryout and doesn’t mean a whole lot yet.  I need to work hard and take advantage of this great opportunity.”

With the invite to camp with the Titans, Dausin becomes the fourth ThunderWolves football player to receive a shot in the NFL, since football came back to the university in 2008.

Dausin joins Augustine Agyei, who got a shot with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2010, Lee Meisner, with the Atlanta Falcons in 2012 and Ryan Jensen, who was drafted in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens.

Dausin will be present for when the Titans take the field at the Rookie Minicamp on May 9.

Ryan Jensen was drafted No. 203 overall to the Baltimore Ravens on April 27. Photo courtesy of http://www.gothunderwolves.com.

Former Colorado State University-Pueblo offensive guard Ryan Jensen was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round, No. 203 overall, of the NFL Draft on April 27.

Jensen, a four year starter out of Fort Morgan, Colo. was a 2012 Gene Upshaw Award finalist for the top Division II lineman of the year, a 2012 Daktronics first team All-American and a 2012 www.d2football.com second team All-American.

Jensen, who did not attend the NFL Scouting Combine, ran his quickest 40-yard dash in 5.23 seconds, had a 25 1/2-inch vertical jump, an 8-foot-2 broad jump and bench pressed 225 pounds 30 times, according to NFL.com.

In being drafted, Jensen becomes the first CSU-Pueblo player to be drafted in the NFL Draft since running back Herman Heard was drafted in the third round, by the Kansas City Chiefs, in 1984.

Jensen was projected by NFL.com to have been drafted as high as the third or fourth round.

Dr. Carl Wright. Photo courtesy of http://www.colostate-pueblo.edu

On April 9, Colorado State University- Pueblo named Dr. Carl Wright the new provost and Vice-President for Academic Affairs, starting July 15.

Wright, who was previously the dean of the College of Business at Grambling State,  in Grambling, La., was one four finalists from a national search.

As provost, Wright will be responsible for all aspects of the academic mission and will collaborate with university leadership to guide the institution in advancing its strategic plan while considering the evolving role of the public university in the 21st century, according to a CSU-Pueblo press release.

“I truly believe that Dr. Wright is the best person to serve CSU-Pueblo because of the combination of his academic background and business and finance experience, which will be a tremendous asset as we move forward with efforts to better align university programs with identified budget priorities,” CSU-Pueblo  President Lesley Di Mare said in the press release.

Wright will be taking over for Dr. Rick Kreminski, who served as the interim provost since 2011.

Due to inclement weather, as of 10 a.m., all day and evening activities at all Colorado State University- Pueblo locations are cancelled.

File photo.

Every Wednesday at 6 p.m. for the remainder of the semester, the Today will be holding a Facebook contest where the readers of the Today will have a chance to win prizes.

The contest will consist of questions that are based on content that has been published in the Today.

The contest questions will be posted on the Today Facebook page. Participants must answer on Facebook to be eligible for the prize.

Visit the Today on Facebook for more information.

The Harlem Shake internet video became a hit in February 2013.   Photo courtesy of http://mashable.com

During halftime of the Colorado State University- Pueblo men’s basketball game, on Feb. 22, in the Massari Arena, the Associated Students’ Government will be organizing a “Harlem Shake” recording event.

The following do’s and don’ts are recommended by ASG.

Do: wear body paint and CSU-Pueblo clothing

Don’t: be nude, bring weapons, wear a swimsuit or banana hammock.

Join President Lesley Di Mare at noon on Feb. 21, for the second Pizza with the President session. Photo courtesy of colostate-pueblo.edu

Join Colorado State University- Pueblo President, Lesley Di Mare and members of her administrative team on Feb. 21 at noon, at the Hearthwell Lounge in the Occhiato University Center for the second Pizza with the President session of the spring.

Topics will consist of the Financial Aid/scholarship deadlines and guns on campus.