Three were elected through the nonprofit’s ongoing nominations process, and three by appointment of Gov. John Hickenlooper. A seventh board member has accepted reappointment to the board of the statewide humanities education organization. Providing expertise and relationships throughout the state, board members monitor the Colorado Humanities’ mission, provide fiscal oversight, approve programs, make personal contributions, and participate in conferences and continuing education activities.
Vectra Bank Colorado Market President for Roaring Fork Valley Charles T. Bantis, of Carbondale, was elected in July; University of Colorado-Denver Sr. Project Manager in the Office of the Provost/Chancellor Michel R. Dahlin of Lakewood, and Law Partner for Holland & Hart LLP Attorneys Thorvald Nelson of Greenwood Village were elected in June. Newly appointed in July by the governor are The Durango Herald publisher (retired) Richard G. Ballantine, of Durango; David M. Smith, of Rangely; and NEX-U President Paulette Grant Tate, of Denver. Retired Law Partner of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP Geroge B. Curtis, of Englewood was reappointed by the governor for his second term on the board.
David M. Smith, as Colorado Northwestern Community College chief instructional and student services officer, oversees all instructional activities, including faculty hiring and review, course development and scheduling, accreditation and new program development.
Having also served as Lamar Community College’s chief administrative officer, and, in California, as founding director for the Columbia College campuses at Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore and Cuesta College, in San Luis Obispo, Smith considers his position on the Colorado Humanities board to be a natural complement to his career as an educator.
A dedicated proponent of humanities education, he is particularly interested in bringing quality programs to the Western Slope as well as under-served, rural communities statewide.
“I’m greatly honored by the appointment,” Smith said. “Colorado Humanities is a unique organization that strives to preserve and advance the most essential aspects of our culture and history,” he said.
University of Colorado-Boulder Professor of History William Wei, who is the chair of Colorado Humanities’ 20-member board, applauded the new board members. “Once again, Colorado Humanities has attracted stellar board members who are committed to its mission of promoting the humanities in the Centennial State. I look forward to working with them to do so,” he said.
Colorado Humanities, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit nationally affiliated with the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, Letters About Literature, Motheread, Inc., River of Words and the Smithsonian Institution, is the only Colorado organization exclusively dedicated to support humanities education for adults and children statewide.
To learn more, contact the office at 303-894-7951.
