Sugarbush President and Owner Winthrop H. Smith, Jr. honored as 2012 Champlain College Distinguished Citizen

Burlington, VT (September 10, 2012) – Champlain College recently named Sugarbush Resort Owner and President Winthrop Smith the Champlain College 2012 Distinguished Citizen.

The honor stems from Mr. Smith’s and Sugarbush’s commitment to civic engagement and philanthropy in Vermont. Champlain has named a Distinguished Citizen annually for 51 years. Recent recipients have included former Bear Stearns executive Bruce M. Lisman and Deputy Commander of the US Northern Command Michael Dubie.

Under Smith’s leadership, Sugarbush has provided support for a number of cultural and civic organizations including the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, Burlington City Arts, the Vermont Foodbank, the Mad River Valley Rotary, Quench Art Space, the Mad Marathon, and the Green Mountain Opera Festival.

Smith and his wife Lili Ruane jump-started a donation campaign to the Mad River Valley Community Fund for Flood Relief in the wake of Tropical Storm Irene with a $100,000 donation. Smith also hosted a fundraising concert at Sugarbush Resort that raised over $250,000 for the fund. The campaign netted over $1 million for the fund that has helped alleviate the impact of the storm for Valley residents.

“It’s a privilege and honor to be recognized by Champlain College,” said Smith. “I am also happy to have been able to address the incoming Class of 2016 at their Convocation.”

Smith is a member of Champlain College's Bring Your Own Business (BYOBiz) Executive Advisory Board , is the Chairman of the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce, and is a member of several other boards including the Vermont Ski Areas Association, the Vermont Business Roundtable, and the National Ski Areas Association.

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