The Community College of Denver Foundation and WB2 Charities will pay tribute to the Honorable Mayor John Hickenlooper, Denver Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jerry Wartgow and DPS Board Member (past Board President) Elaine Gantz Berman at the second annual Champions of Education event on Tuesday, Feb. 3.

This year’s event takes place on a Tuesday evening at the downtown Adam’s Mark Hotel. The after-work event starts at 6 p.m. with a reception and the second annual Student/Faculty/Alumni Art Show, an exhibit of more than 50 works of fine art and photography. Dinner begins at 7:15 p.m., followed by the tribute program. The evening’s dress code is business attire. The event will end by 9:30 p.m.

The Champions of Education event will celebrate the partnership among Denver city government, the local school district and the city’s only community college. Together, they are rebuilding the educational model for the 21st century to guarantee access to and success in education for all through: appropriate funding and educational accountability; collaborative literacy and skills development of high school students; development of middle and early college options; and increased graduation from high school and enrollment/success in college.

The mayor came into office in 2003 with a goal to help raise Denver’s educational prowess. Instead of using city funds to host inaugural activities, Mayor Hickenlooper and the DPS Foundation teamed up to raise money for the foundation and the mayor’s introductory festivities. The goal was to raise $250,000 and put a $50,000 cap on inaugural costs. Together they raised $285,000 in just 18 days, and the foundation received nearly $250,000. CCD Advisory Council member Cole Finegan, who also sits on the DPS Foundation, was vice chair of the effort.

“Mayor Hickenlooper, Jerry Wartgow and Elaine Gantz Berman set a precedent for creating new ways to tap into community resources, develop relationships and invest in education,” CCD President Dr. Christine Johnson stated. “The 2004 CCD Champions of Education tribute will recognize their creative efforts and extend the partnership to include higher education.”

The Feb. 3 event benefits both the Community College of Denver Foundation Inc. and WB2 Charities, a fund of the McCormick Tribune Foundation. All are committed to accessible, quality higher education in Denver. Funding supports Community College of Denver academic programs, student services and the President’s First Generation Scholarship program, along with numerous nonprofit organizations supported by WB2 Charities in the Rocky Mountain Region. The McCormick Tribune Foundation will augment the WB2 Charities share of the Champions of Education revenue at a significant percentage, increasing the amount of dollars available to support community agencies such as Community College of Denver. Since its inception in 1993, WB2 Charities has distributed more than $33 million to Colorado charities.

The goal of the 2004 event is $300,000 and an attendance close to 500 individuals. CCD’s first Champions of Education event welcomed 340 guests and grossed $182,883. Champions 2004 sponsorship levels include: Vanguard Title Sponsor, $50,000; Champion, $25,000; Advocate, $10,000; Pioneer, $5,000; and Stakeholder, $1,500.

Per person seating is $150. No portion of the funding that benefits WB2 Charities can be restricted.

For more information and to reserve seats, call the Community College of Denver Foundation at 303-556-3587 or 303-556-4089.