Humanities Council Elects Four At-Large Board Members
 The Michigan Humanities Council has elected four at-large members to the Board of Directors.
The Honorable Leo Bowman (Bloomfield Hills), Thomas M. Garikes (Chesaning), Gloria White Gardner (Norton Shores), and Susan Higman Larsen (Grosse Pointe Park), began their three-year terms Jan. 1.
The 24-person board was established in 1974 to oversee the Michigan Humanities Council, a nonprofit, grant-giving organization that awards more than 300 grants a year to nonprofits such as schools, libraries, museums and historical societies. The grants support high-quality cultural and educational experiences for students and families throughout the state.
Eighteen of the board members are elected based on letters of interest submitted to the board by the public at large, and six board members are appointed by the Governor. Board members are responsible for overseeing major grant awards, finances, strategic direction for programs, fundraising, advocacy and hiring of the Council executive.
The Council serves as the state-level affiliate to the National Endowment for the Humanities and coordinates traveling exhibits (Museum on Main Street) in Michigan on behalf of the Smithsonian Institution and the National Archives. The Michigan Humanities Council also develops and offers free programs to communities throughout the state such as the Great Michigan Read and Prime Time Family Reading Time.
Additionally, the Council partners with the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs to administer Poetry Out Loud, a national high school competition, and the Michigan Arts & Humanities Touring Program.
“The Michigan Humanities Council has been fortunate to have a strong board of highly dedicated and talented members as part of its legacy,” said board chair Timothy Chester. “As we welcome a very promising team of new members, we recognize that we are also losing a treasure trove of talent and expertise as five members were term limited, and one member passed away earlier in the year.”
“Serving on the Michigan Humanities Council is a special honor, particularly as we reflect on the difference our programs make in the quality of life for families and students of all ages around the state,” added Chester. “On behalf of the board and the people of Michigan, I applaud our outgoing board members for their passion, professionalism and dedication they have each demonstrated in serving on the Council.”
Michael Margolin (Detroit), Erik Nordberg (Calumet), Amy DeWys (Grosse Pointe), Christine Albertini (Grand Rapids) and Maralyn O’Brien (Canton) were term limited as of Dec. 31, 2011. Chris Nern (Grand Rapids) passed away in February 2011.
Steven Brisson (Mackinac Island), Stuart Grigg (Southfield), John Hiner (Auburn) and Marge Potter (Grand Rapids) have been re-appointed to second terms on the board. Newly confirmed office holders comprising the board executive committee include chair Timothy Chester (Grand Rapids), vice chair Pat Waring (Grand Rapids), treasurer Karen Smith (Traverse City), and secretary Kathleen Mullins (Grosse Pointe Woods). Richard Dunlap (Shelby Township) and John Hiner (Auburn) have been confirmed as at-large members on the executive committee as well.
New At-Large Members
The Honorable Leo Bowman, a judge of the Sixth Circuit Court of Oakland County, received his B.A. from Oakland University and Jurist Doctorate from University of Detroit Law School. Prior to his appointment to Oakland County Circuit Court, Judge Bowman was elected to the 50th District Court in 1988 and re-elected in 1994, 2000 and 2006. He served as Chief Judge of the 50th District Court for eight years.
Thomas Garikes earned his Master of Arts in Latin American Affairs from University of California at Santa Barbara, and his B.A. in History and Political Science from Aquinas College. He currently serves as the director of major, corporate and foundation giving for Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing. Garikes has more than 21 years of extensive experience in fundraising, public relations and special events.
Gloria White Gardner currently serves as president and CEO of G.W. Gardner and Associates Consulting. She previously held positions with the Urban League of Greater Muskegon, U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. Department of Interior. Professional affiliations include the NAACP, Gerber Foundation, Westshore Symphony and Fair Housing Center.
Susan Higman Larsen is the director of publications for the Detroit Institute of Arts and an adjunct faculty member of The John Hopkins University in Baltimore. She has served as editor of the National Gallery of Art and Washington Review of the Arts, both in Washington, D.C. She earned her master’s in Art History from University of Pittsburgh and bachelor’s of Art History from Georgetown University.
If you have interest in serving on the Board of Directors for the Michigan Humanities Council, please submit a letter of interest to:
Michigan Humanities Council
119 Pere Marquette Drive, Suite 3B
Lansing, MI 48912-1270
For more information on the Michigan Humanities Council and its programs, visit www.michiganhumanities.org.
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