Askew Institute director to chair Federation of State Humanities Councils

November 25, 2009

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — David Colburn, provost emeritus at the University of Florida and executive director of the Askew Institute on Politics and Society, was elected chairman of the board of directors of the Federation of State Humanities Councils at the organization’s annual business meeting earlier this month.

Colburn, also a history professor emeritus, was elected to the board of directors of the federation in 2007 and was nominated for the position of chairman of the board by the Florida Humanities Council. He was unanimously elected at the annual business meeting held in conjunction with the organization’s national conference in Omaha.

In nominating Colburn for chairman, Florida Council Executive Director Janine Farver and Chairman Frank Billingsley cited his distinguished career as a historian with a particular focus on politics, race and ethnicity in 20th century America. They noted that he was recently selected as a distinguished lecturer by the Organization of American Historians. They described him as “strategic, dynamic, politically astute, and diplomatic.”

Federation President Esther Mackintosh said, “The federation could not hope to have a more distinguished and skilled leader to guide us through these next two years, as we work to support the councils in their crucial work of involving the public with the humanities.”

He will serve a two-year term and remain on the board as immediate past chairman for an additional two years.

As the membership association of the state humanities councils, the federation serves as their national voice. Through its program of research, conferences, and communication to members, legislators, and others on issues of public interest, the federation provides support for the state humanities councils and strives to create greater awareness of the importance of the humanities in public and private life.

The state humanities councils are independent nonprofit organizations that fund and conduct humanities programs for the public in every state, the territories, and the District of Columbia. The councils receive operating funds through the National Endowment for the Humanities and raise additional funds from other sources within their states.