2012 Volunteer of the Year

2012 Volunteer of the Year Award
Citation for Daniel W. Dietrich II ’64

Whether life imitates art or art imitates life has long been the subject of debate. Most agree, however, that the two are intricately intertwined, and you have committed yourself to ensuring that art — in all its forms — remains accessible for current and future generations to experience, ponder and enjoy.

Since earning your art history degree at Hamilton, you have devoted yourself to supporting aspiring artists, as a benefactor and friend, and to acquiring and sharing your own collection and expertise. A number of your pieces reside at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, one of several organizations for which you have served as trustee, and you have been involved with the planning and construction of visual and performing arts facilities throughout the country.

Your generosity of spirit is endless. As director of the Dietrich Foundation, you have provided Hamilton with financial support that has enhanced programming across the arts curriculum. You serve on the College’s Visual and Performing Arts Advisory committees and the trustee Subcommittee for Arts Facilities Planning. You are always one of the first to welcome new members of the arts faculty. You open your home, make available your extensive collection and share your extraordinary knowledge about art and artists.

For two decades, you have championed the idea that Hamilton should address the need for new arts facilities. From the outset, you envisioned a museum and other spaces designed to draw the community together and make the arts accessible. You once remarked, “Possibly what led me to art history in the first place was that one could look deeply into a painting and trust it as deep as one wanted to look.” Similarly, your alma mater has had the incredible good fortune to place its trust in your insights and wisdom.

Dan Dietrich, in recognition of your steadfast dedication to the arts at Hamilton College, the Alumni Association takes great pleasure in presenting to you the Volunteer of the Year Award. How fitting it is to honor you on the day when we mark the official opening of the beautiful Wellin Museum of Art.

Presented by John F. Hadity ’83
President, Alumni Association
October 5, 2012

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