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V.I.PARTY: Brown tribute raises green for agribusiness, medical scholars

Brown tribute raises green for agribusiness, medical scholars

The Rocky

Published January 28, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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Event chairman Marne Davis Kellogg and her husband, Peter Kellogg.

Photo by Photos by Steve Peterson © Special to the Rocky

Event chairman Marne Davis Kellogg and her husband, Peter Kellogg.

Colorado state Sen. Peter Groff, left, Denver Mayor John Hicken- looper and guest of honor Hank Brown, the 2008 Citizen of the West award winner.

Colorado state Sen. Peter Groff, left, Denver Mayor John Hicken- looper and guest of honor Hank Brown, the 2008 Citizen of the West award winner.

Miss Rodeo America Amy Wilson, left, of Kansas, with Pete Coors and Stacy Jo Johnson (Miss Rodeo Wyoming).

Miss Rodeo America Amy Wilson, left, of Kansas, with Pete Coors and Stacy Jo Johnson (Miss Rodeo Wyoming).

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What: Citizen of the West Dinner, held Jan. 16 at the Adam's Mark Hotel

About the event: The dinner, which honors modern pioneers in celebration of our Western heritage, benefits higher education for youth in agribusiness and rural medicine. Seventy-four scholarships to schools in Colorado and Wyoming will be awarded by funds raised through the dinner; generally the event raises nearly $200,000. Around 40 scholarship students representing all 10 schools that the trust currently supports attended the dinner. Gov. Bill Ritter and Mayor John Hickenlooper read proclamations during the dinner.

The big award: The Citizen of the West award, now in its 30th year, was given to University of Colorado President Hank Brown. Previous recipients of the award, presented to community leaders who exemplify the spirit and determination of the Western pioneer, include William J. Hybl (2003), Dick Cheney (1993) and William H. McNichols Jr. (1985).

Event leaders: Steering Committee: Chairman William R. Farr. Arrangements Committee: Chairwoman Marne Davis Kellogg. Master of Ceremonies: Coach Bill McCartney. Award presentation: Patrick A. Grant, president and CEO of the National Western Stock Show.

Best dressed: Hickenlooper wore a Denver flag shirt complementing his classic cowboy hat; Pete Coors sported a long suede jacket with a sharp- lookin' gray cowboy hat. And the honoree? Brown, who complimented his lovely wife during a touching speech, was dressed in a black suede jacket over a tan shirt adorned with a bolo tie.

On the menu: Beef, of course. "Fenced in" Espresso Filet in a black pepper sauce, served with mashed potatoes and fresh asparagus.

Big donors: Among the many businesses, families and individuals who donated generously: Sue Anschutz- Rodgers, Peter Coors, Diamond Trail Ranch, Cortland S. Dietler, the Farr family, Carla and Pat Grant, Jamie and Buck Hutchison, Will Nicholson Jr., Marcia and Dick Robinson.