Jack DuBrul Named Champlain Distinguished Citizen

Shelburne (Vt.) Man Honored for "Hands-On" Community Support

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Jack DuBrul and Champlain College President David F. Finney (photo by Stephen Mease)

BURLINGTON, VT (09/01/2009)(readMedia)-- Champlain College named Jack DuBrul of Shelburne its 2009 Distinguished Citizen for his long-time behind-the-scenes support of community and educational programs.

The award was presented to Dubrul, 75, at Champlain College's 2009 Convocation ceremony on Aug. 28 as part of the welcome for the incoming class of 2013. Champlain College President David F. Finney told the gathering, including 550 freshmen, that "Jack DuBrul long ago figured out that combining his passions with his work was the formula for both a successful business and a rewarding role in the community."

DuBrul, owner of the Automaster car dealership on Shelburne Road in Shelburne, talked to students about his early days in the business and how he grew from a Rambler dealer to offering some of the top prestige cars in the industry - Honda, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Porsche and Land Rover. He cited his ability to "change with the wind" in adapting and growing his business as both cars and the market changed over the past 40 years. When he started selling cars, he had 5 employees, Automaster now has more than 100 employees, he said.

The Distinguished Citizen Award acknowledges DuBrul's many roles in the community, from serving 18 years on The Merchant's Bank board of directors to helping countless civic and charitable organizations, including Shelburne Farms, Champlain College, The Visiting Nurse Association, Fletcher Allen Health Care, United Way, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Vermont Mozart Festival and The Flynn Center for Performing Arts. His philanthropy is often "behind the scenes," supporting individuals in need without any fanfare or recognition.

Finney noted DuBrul's "devotion to encouraging educational excellence can be seen in his providing internships and eventually many jobs to area vocational trade school students. He has also supported higher education at Champlain College through Support a Student since the 1970s."

DuBrul's passion for motorcycles, unusual cars and planes helped drive his career path. Friends noted his skill as a pilot of hot-air balloons, often providing rides for charitable donors or kids with cancer.

"Throughout his life, family is where he has anchored much of his energy on a day-to-day basis," Finney said. "His sons, John, Steele and Kyle, work with him at the Automaster dealership. He is in strong contention for the coolest Grandpa around since not many other grandpas have a fleet of antique sports cars, motorcycles, airplanes and hot-air balloons and is still enjoying all of them."

The formal Champlain College Convocation held at Skiff Hall this year because of construction at the Perry Hall Student Welcome Center, includes a procession of Champlain's 100-plus faculty and staff in full academic regalia led by The St. Andrew's Pipe Band of Vermont. Champlain College expects enrollment of traditional undergraduate students to settle in around 1,950, down slightly from last year, and of those, about 1,120 are residential students. Champlain offers 30 undergraduate programs, five graduate programs and offers more than 20 online continuing professional studies programs.

More Champlain College students will also spend part of their year studying abroad at Champlain's campuses in Montreal, Quebec and Dublin, Ireland. Some 100 undergraduate students are expected to study at one of these two sites and about 40 students are expected to participate in outside international academic programs.

Returning Champlain students found work is progressing on the $15 million Perry Hall Student Welcome Center on South Willard Street that includes extensive historic renovations to the circa 1859 building, the construction of two contemporary office wings, extensive landscaping and new promenades connecting the Welcome Center to other parts of the campus. The Center, which will be home to Admission, Financial Aid, Advising and Student Accounts, is expected to open in August 2010. The "green" project is registered for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, with features such as an innovative geothermal heating system, day lighting and green roofing.

In August, Champlain College was recognized as one of America's "Top Up-and-Coming Schools" in U.S. News & World Report's newly released 2010 edition of "America's Best Colleges.""Champlain has experienced tremendous transformation and innovation over the last decade, and these rankings recognize and reinforce our many successes," says David F. Finney, president of Champlain College. "The rankings also reflect the hard work of our faculty and staff as well as recognition by our peers for the cutting-edge approaches that have made us a national leader in professionally-focused education enhanced by a comprehensive and interdisciplinary core liberal arts curriculum."

This is the first year that Champlain has made the "Top Up-and-Coming Schools" list - one of only 77 colleges and universities given this designation. The category, which began last year, recognizes institutions that "have recently made striking improvements or innovations" in areas such as academic programs, faculty, students, or facilities. Champlain is ranked in the top tier of Best Baccalaureate Colleges-North Region rankings.

Champlain College, founded in 1878, offers "Education in Three Dimensions" -- a distinctive educational approach to professionally focused majors, developing life skills and leadership based on critical and creative thinking. To learn more about Champlain College, visit www.champlain.edu.

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