Vermont College of Fine Arts, a graduate school for visual art and writing based in Montpelier, Vermont, today announced that Cornelius (“Con”) Hogan has been named chairman of its Board of Trustees. Hogan, a well-known figure in Vermont, has served on the Board of Trustees since 2007. He is currently a senior fellow with the Center for the Study of Social Policy, and he is recognized nationally for his work in public and human service, including engagements with the Annie E. Casey and Robert Wood Johnson foundations and the National Center for Children in Poverty. Hogan has been a director of Fletcher Allen Health Care and secretary of Vermont's Agency of Human Services. In addition, four other renowned individuals have joined the VCFA Board of Trustees: M.T. Anderson, Chris Graff, Governor Madeline Kunin and Bill Schubart.
M. T. (Tobin) Anderson is a New York Times bestselling writer of young adult novels. Anderson taught in the Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults program from 2001 to 2006, and he served as chair of the program for four years. His book The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Volume 1: The Pox Party (2006), the first in a two-part novel, won the 2006 National Book Award for Young People, the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award, as well as a Printz Honor in 2007. His latest book, The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves, was just awarded the Printz Honor for literary excellence in young adult literature. Anderson lives in Boston.
Chris Graff is vice president of National Life Group, a financial services company based in Montpelier, Vermont. Graff is a former journalist with The Associated Press and is the author of Dateline Vermont, a memoir of his 30 years in journalism. For 15 years, Chris hosted “Vermont This Week,” a public affairs program on Vermont Public Television. He is a contributing editor of Vermont Business Magazine and a member of the Council on the Future of Vermont. Graff resides in Montpelier, Vermont.
Madeleine Kunin is the first female Governor of Vermont, 1985–1991, and the fourth female governor elected in the U.S. In the Clinton administration, she was Deputy Secretary of Education, 1993–96, and Ambassador to Switzerland, 1996–99. In 1991 she founded The Institute for Sustainable Communities and is a Marsh Professor at the University of Vermont. She is the author of Pearls, Politics and Power, How Women Can Win and Lead (2008), Living a Political Life (1994), and The Big Green Book (1975). Kunin’s commentaries can be heard on Vermont Public Radio and she has a blog on the Huffington Post. Kunin lives in Burlington, Vermont.
Bill Schubart, a writer who cofounded Philo Records and Resolution, Inc., recently published a book of stories called Lamoille Stories. Schubart writes and speaks extensively on the media and other civic issues and is currently a commentator for Vermont Public Radio. Schubart has previously chaired the boards of the Vermont Arts Council, Vermont Folklife Center, Vermont Board of Libraries, Vermont Bicentennial Commission, Circus Smirkus, Vermont Public Radio, and Fletcher Allen Health Care. Schubart lives in Hinesburg, Vermont.
In addition to the above five directors, the VCFA Board of Directors includes:
Robert H. Atwell (Sarasota, FL and Stowe, VT), former President of the American Council on Education and former president of Pitzer College in Claremont, California.
Tami Lewis Brown (Washington, DC), an ’06 graduate of the MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults program, a published novelist, and an attorney.
Dr. Letitia Chambers (Lighthouse Point, FL), Managing Director with Navigant Consulting, Inc., and former chair of the New Mexico higher education system.
Kathleen Dolan (Woodstock, VT), a ’95 graduate of the MFA in Visual Art program, founder and director of Purple Crayon Productions, and member of the Dolan Family Foundation.
Gail Gregg (New York, NY), a ’98 graduate of the MFA in Visual Art program, and a New York City artist, writer, and arts educator.
Joan Grubin (New York, NY), a practicing artist and ’03 graduate of the MFA in Visual Art program. Mary Hooper (Montpelier, VT), the mayor of Montpelier and a Vermont State Representative.
Sydney Lea (Newbury, VT), a Pulitzer prize–nominated poet who taught at VCFA’s MFA in Writing program.
Susan M. Newbold (Fairfield, CT), an artist and educator who graduated in ’00 from the MFA in Visual Art program.
Katherine Paterson (Barre, VT), author of more than 30 books, including Bridge to Terabithia and 14 other novels for young people.
Peter Richardson (Charlotte, VT), president of Housing Strategies, Inc.
Richard H. Saudek (Montpelier, VT), a distinguished Vermont attorney and principal in the law firm of Cheney, Brock & Saudek.
Peter Smith (Lighthouse Pt., FL), a former congressman from Vermont who founded two colleges: the Community College of Vermont, and the University of California at Monterey Bay.
Linda Stillman (New York), an ’03 graduate of the MFA in Visual Art program and an artist in New York City.
Trustee Emeritus: Harry Groome (Villanova, PA), an ’00 graduate of the MFA in Writing program, and retired chairman of SmithKline Beecham Consumer HealthCare.
