The New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE) honored Champlain College President David F. Finney, Vermont State Rep. Martha P. Heath and the Quantum Leap program at Bennington College at its 2010 New England Higher Education Excellence Awards earlier this month.
Each year, NEBHE presents Regional Excellence Awards to individuals and organizations that have shown exceptional leadership on behalf of higher education and the advancement of educational opportunity. The organization also presents State Merit Awards to honor the innovative work of organizations, institutions or individuals in each New England state. The awards were presented March 5 at The New England Higher Education Excellence Awards dinner at Boston's Longwharf Marriott Hotel.
David F. Finney, president of Champlain College received the Robert J. McKenna Award for program achievement. The award is named for the former Rhode Island state senator and Newport mayor. Under Finney's leadership, Champlain College has committed to keeping the Vermont economy robust, establishing the Bring Your Own Business (BYOBiz) program to attract entrepreneurs in 2006 as well creating the New Americans Scholarship program to reach Vermont refugee students and the Vermont First Scholarship program to serve first-generation college-goers.
Rep. Martha P. Heath, chair of the Vermont House Appropriations committee, and former University of Vermont trustee received the David C. Knapp award for trusteeship, named for the former University of Massachusetts president. As chair of the Vermont House Appropriations Committee, Heath has advocated for the value of higher education and consistently supported efforts to increase educational awareness and aspirations beyond high school.
The Quantum Leap program at Bennington College, led by directors Daniel Michaelson and Susan Sgorbati, received the Vermont State Merit Award. The Quantum Leap program helps children who seem least likely to succeed-who often come from chaotic home lives, extreme poverty and traumatic histories-to return to school and discover a love for learning. NEBHE President and CEO, Michael K. Thomas commented, "President Finney and Rep. Heath are truly distinguished leaders, their work on behalf of Vermont's students, its economy and the region is exemplary. The Quantum Leap program's innovative approach to turning around the future of young Vermonters has become a respected model for schools across the state, and the nation. NEBHE is proud to honor these winners."