2013 Large Club of the Year:
Dartmouth Association of the Rocky Mountains

A local Denver real estate agent, on her website, provides a list of "Interesting Facts" about the city. Some of them may actually provide clues as to the success of the Dartmouth Association of the Rocky Mountains. For instance:

  • Denver has 300 days of annual sunshine, more than San Diego or Miami
  • Denver boasts the largest city park system in the country.
  • The city is home to the second largest performing arts complex in the nation
  • Denver brews more beer than any other city with 80 different beers brewed daily
  • There are 200 named peaks visible from Denver; a mountain panorama 140 miles in length

The Rocky Mountain Club takes advantage of each and every one of these attributes, offering in 2013 a comprehensive and diverse program of 26 events with over 600 alumni attending. Four annual events were supplemented by activities such as a cross-country skiing hut trip, a skating party, a reception for Native American students doing community service on spring break, and the quarterly "Mature Alumni" luncheons. Successful educational events centered around the Denver Art Museum and the Big Green Bus annual summer tour. All club activities are promoted through a comprehensive and imaginative communications plan which includes print, electronic, social and video media. Check out the You Tube videos on their website--you'll be impressed.

The driving force behind the Club's community service efforts is literally pedal-power. The DARM Cycle Team, resplendent in their beautiful DARM cycle team shirts, ride in three charity races each year raising money for a local children's hospital and a scholarship program. This is not for the faint of heart as it involves riding up MOUNTAINS! In between hikes and such, 23 alumni volunteers also interviewed 185 prospective students and the club honored 44 high school juniors with a Book Award.

None of this would be possible without strong leadership and President Mike Miller `74 and his executive committee of 23 members provides the energy, enthusiasm and dedication required to win "Large Club of the Year" two years in a row. Please join me in congratulating the 2013 Large Club of the Year, the Dartmouth Association of the Rocky Mountains.