DDFL raises $400k for its furry friends

Photo courtesy of Denver Dumb Friends League.

Several two-legged friends helped raise more than $400,000 to help their four-legged friends through the Denver Dumb Friends League “Have a Heart for Homeless Pets Telethon” on 9NEWS last month.

Supported by Scott Reiman and the Reiman Foundation, DDFL is the largest animal welfare organization in the Rocky Mountain region. The organization provides shelter, care and training programs for homeless animals.

Last year, the Dumb Friends League saved more than 19,000 homeless pets through specialized medical care, foster care and behavior training. Funds raised from this year’s event will help the DDFL provide care to all animals who walk, pounce or gallop through its doors.

Donations can still be made online or by calling 303-751-5772.

Scott Reiman and Bellco sponsor Free for Kids at Denver Art Museum

Photo courtesy of the Denver Art Museum. Denver muralists Jaime Molina and Pedro Barrios work to complete a mural in downtown Denver to celebrate Free for Kids.

Denver Art Museum trustee and Reiman Foundation President Scott Reiman is dedicated to providing all kids access to a world of art, history and culture.

Last May, Reiman, along with the Denver Art Museum, unveiled the Free for Kids program, providing free general admission to the museum for youth visitors under 18 until 2010.

Today, Bellco Credit Union is joining Reiman in his effort.

In a new, two-year collaboration with the museum, Bellco’s presenting sponsorship will support engagement opportunities, enhanced learning, educational resources and materials for youth visitors in addition to funding for outreach to underserved communities.

In addition to free general admission for youth visitors, the program also offers free general admission for school tours and other youth groups. In its first year, Free for Kids has seen an increase in school visits by more than 50 percent.

To celebrate the program and its new partnership, Denver muralists Pedro Barrios and Jaime Molina are creating an outdoor wall mural, funded in part by Bellco, just outside the 1515 Restaurant downtown. The mural is set to be completed soon. 

On November 22, 2016, local families grabbed their paint and paint brushes along with Barrios and Molina and Bellco and museum executives to create their own mural designs. 

Read here to learn more about the Denver Art Museum’s Free for Kids program and its new sponsor. 

Denver Art Museum’s Hamilton Building Turns 10

The Denver Art Museum Hamilton Building celebrates 10 years.

It’s been 10 years since the Hamilton Building was unveiled at the Denver Art Museum.The Hamilton Building was Daniel Libeskind’s first project completed in North America. The design is said to resemble the peaks of the Rocky Mountains and geometric rock formations discovered in the foothills near Denver.

Since 2006, there have been 128 exhibitions on view in the Hamilton Building including: Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs, Becoming Van Gogh, and Yves Saint Laurent: The Retrospective.

Scott Reiman has been a longtime and valued member of the Denver Art Museum.  Reiman, along with the Reiman Foundation have made it possible for all kids across Colorado to have access to art through the Free For Kids program.  He is also the namesake for The Reiman Bridge that connects the Hamilton Building and North Building.

DU receives rave reviews

DU receives high marks from Princeton Review.

The University of Denver received high marks from the Princeton Review’s Annual College Rankings Guide.

The university was ranked in four categories by the college admission services company:

• 8th for “Most Popular Study Abroad Program”
• 18th for “Best College Library”
• 19th for “Impact Schools” which recognizes community service programs.

DU also took 18th in “College City Gets High Marks,” due to its proximity to downtown. Students surveyed enjoy how close it is, but like how DU still feels like a campus.

The rankings are based on surveys completed by 143,000 students from 381 schools. The Princeton Review has published these rankings since 1992.

As an alumnus, Scott Reiman, namesake of the Reiman School of Finance at DU, remains an active member of the university community and supports the academic success for all Colorado students.

Reiman Emerging Leader Scholarship awarded to DU grad

2015 Scott Reiman Emerging Leader Scholarship winner and DU graduate Ariel Cheng. Photo courtesy of Ariel Cheng.

Ariel Cheng is on a mission to stop the stigma that surrounds mental health.

As one of the founders of the University of Denver’s Mind Club, Cheng helps raise awareness of this issue among her peers and the community. She also partners with local organizations to give those suffering with mental illness, a voice.

Her exceptional leadership and community involvement has earned Cheng the 2015 Scott Reiman Emerging Leader Scholarship.

Each year, the Quarterly Forum awards the scholarship to an outstanding DU student. The forum, comprised of Denver community leaders, including Scott Reiman, supports young leaders throughout Colorado.

The scholarship recipient receives $10,000 towards financial support in hopes to help students overcome any obstacles that arise during college.

Cheng graduated in May with a degree international studies and plans to take a year off before attending law school.

As namesake for the scholarship, Scott Reiman is dedicated to recognizing students like Cheng and seeing them succeed.

Pioneers’ McGee first to win NCAA gymnastics championship

DU’s Nina McGee wins first NCAA Individual Championship in gymnastics.

University of Denver gymnast Nina McGee has made history.

McGee became the Pioneers’ first NCAA Individual Champion in the gymnastics floor exercise with her 9.950 score at this month’s NCAA Championship in Fort Worth, Texas.

Five years ago, McGee’s future in gymnastics was uncertain. She had to make the difficult choice whether to give up gymnastics or have metal rods put into her legs to mitigate shin splints and stress fractures of the tibias in both legs. She decided to compete.

And at this year’s championship, she did just that. In addition to taking home the floor exercise title, McGee earned three All-American honors: first team in the all-around and floor exercise and second team on the bars.

Here are a few other outstanding achievements made by DU athletics so far this school year:

• Women’s Tennis: Third-consecutive Summit League Title
• Men’s Tennis: Third-consecutive Summit League Title
• Women’s Golf: Third-consecutive Summit League Title
• Men’s Hockey: Advanced to Frozen Four in NCAA Championship
• Ski Team: 2015-2016 NCAA Champions

As a DU alumnus, Scott Reiman has been a longtime member of the University community and supports the school’s athletic programs.