Montshire Museum of Science Executive Director David Goudy has announced his plans to retire in March 2015, following 34 years as the Museum's executive director. During his tenure, Goudy led the Museum from a fledgling enterprise to a nationally recognized center for science learning. He has taken special interest in developing the Museum's capacity for high-quality science education particularly in the context of the special challenges of serving a rural region. Montshire has become a national model, attracting research and program support from numerous private foundations and federal agencies including the National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Education (DOE), National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA), National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Goudy was instrumental in creating the Dartmouth-Montshire Institute for Science Education in 2002, a collaborative effort drawing upon the resources of these two leading institutions to better serve the educational needs of Vermont and New Hampshire.
Shortly after being appointed as executive director in 1981, Goudy negotiated the acquisition of 100 acres bordering the Connecticut River in Norwich, Vermont, and in 1989 the Museum moved from the former Golfside Bowling Lanes in Hanover, New Hampshire, to its current location. Under Goudy's leadership the Montshire has continued to expand its learning environment, becoming an official interpretive site for the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge in 1995, and adding the Quinn Preserve in 2001, the Leonard M. Reiser Learning Center addition and outdoor Science Park in 2002, the Woodland Garden in 2008, and the James A. and Elizabeth S. Hughes Pavilion in 2010.
Goudy has served on the executive committee of the New England Museum Association, and key committees of the Association of Science and Technology Centers. He serves as an evaluator for the Museum Assessment Program of the American Alliance of Museums. He also chaired the Visiting Committee established by the trustees of Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. He recently served as sponsor for two senior members of Montshire’s staff who were selected as fellows in the international Noyce Leadership Institute.
He received the first annual New Hampshire Corporate Fund Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management, and represented Montshire at a White House reception with President Clinton recognizing Montshire as the first recipient of the National Award for Museum Service.
“David Goudy has made the Montshire Museum his life’s work. Over the three decades of his vigorous and enlightened service, his stewardship has made a lasting mark,” remarked Senator Patrick Leahy. “And under David’s guidance, the museum has promoted conservation of the Upper Connecticut River and its watershed, especially through the Montshire’s partnership with the Conte National Wildlife Refuge.
“The Montshire Museum is one of Vermont’s great treasures. The Montshire offers exhibits that are both educational and interactive, for children and adults alike. Every time I have visited with Marcelle and, especially, our grandchildren, we have left thrilled and fulfilled.”
Goudy has held other community leadership positions including serving on the boards of directors for Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, Howe Library, and the Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce; the board of overseers for Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital, and a member of the Science League Advisory Committee of Hampshire College, Amherst, MA. He was a founding director of the first local Internet provider, ValleyNet.
Goudy is leaving Montshire at a time of growth and financial stability for the organization. Montshire ended 2013 with close to 150,000 visitors, including more than 20,000 students.
Upon announcing his retirement, Goudy said, “I have been immensely privileged to work with superb staff and trustees as well as an engaged, supportive community. No executive director could ask for a more creative environment to support development of a community cultural and educational asset like Montshire. The Museum today is in a position of great strength, with excellent internal staff leadership capacity, creative momentum, and healthy finances. It is an ideal moment to secure new leadership to carry Montshire to yet greater levels of excellence and community service.”
“David has provided the Montshire with many years of remarkable service and his lasting legacy is immediately clear to anyone who visits the museum. While we will miss his exemplary leadership, the Board of Trustees is fully committed to maintaining the high standards that he has established for the Montshire's educational programs, exhibits, facilities and visitor services,” said Cinny Bensen, Chair of Montshire's Board of Trustees.
During 2014 and early 2015, Goudy will actively lead several new and ongoing initiatives at the Montshire including enhancing and expanding the learning opportunities on the Montshire's 100-acre landscape, preparing for the exhibition A T. rex Named Sue and what may be the Museum's busiest summer ever, growing the School Partnership Initiative, and developing new programs which support low-income families.
In anticipation of a national search for Goudy's replacement, Montshire's Board of Trustees has engaged Kittleman & Associates, a firm specializing in executive searches for the nonprofit sector, and specifically in museum leadership transition.
An award-winning science center, the Montshire Museum of Science provides both permanent and visiting interactive exhibits, educational programming, and hands-on activities that engage visitors of all ages in the joy of science.
The Montshire's unique, 100-acre riverfront setting includes outdoor exhibits, scenic trails, water features in Science Park, and the new Hughes Pavilion. Conveniently located in Norwich, Vermont, just off Interstate 91 at exit 13, and across the river from Dartmouth College, the Montshire is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., (except Thanksgiving and Christmas), and offers free parking for all visitors.
