By the time the Rock Bottom Ruckus rolls around, the office of the Alumni Association’s Julie Mullin is brimming with a wide range of gifts to be auctioned. Among the many offerings this year is an acrylic panda bear painting on canvas, an antique bread bowl, a buffalo throw pillow and a handmade gold scarf.

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Well, by golly, who’d have thought that raising a ruckus could be a good thing? The downtown Denver campus’ Alumni Association thought it just might – and they were right. After 15 years, the annual Rock Bottom Ruckus Dinner and Auction at Rock Bottom Brewery on Feb. 27 promises to be even more fun, festive and philanthropic as ever.

Carol Heller, Alumni Relations director, said proceeds from the auction will go to the Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, which last year awarded 42 students $1,600 ($800 per semester) each to offset the cost of tuition, books and supplies. Students at the downtown Denver campus come from diverse backgrounds: some are supporting families and working full time, others are right out of high school, and still more are working part time to attend classes. Regardless of their situation, the need for financial assistance so these students can complete their degrees is compelling, Heller said.

Local businesses have answered the call for support by donating goods and good times. From sweaters signed by Joe Sakic, to meals at five-star restaurants, to trips to golf course or day spa, there are auction items to please everyone. And from 5:30 p.m. ‘til whenever, folks adorned in western wear will be kicking up their heels, bringing down the house and out the checkbooks for auction items in support of the scholarship fund.

This year’s festivities offer a little – and often not so little – something for everyone, from an antique bread bowl, to outdoor gear such as snowboards or golf bags to tickets to see the Denver Nuggets, the Rockies or a movie, to sake or a denim shirt signed by blues legend B.B. King. Those who love the night life can feast their eyes and eventually their stomachs on gift certificates from swanky establishments such as The Broker, to the down-home cookin’ at the Texas Roadhouse. And that’s just a few of the offering this time ‘round.

Over the years, there have been some big donors at the event, Heller said. But Rock Bottom Brewery, on the 16^th Street Mall and Curtis Street, has been the biggest donor of all. Since it’s inception, the restaurant has closed it’s doors one night a year and provided its facilities, wait staff, drinks, hors d’oeuvres and a three-course gourmet meal at no cost to the Alumni Association.

The Alumni Association is composed of more than 50,000 alumni and is guided by a volunteer board of directors consisting of 25 people representing each school and college on the downtown Denver campus. For tickets, more information, or to make a donation contact Julie Mullin at 303-556-2549 or stop on by the Alumni Association office on the 13^th Floor of the Lawrence Street Center.