The Board of Trustees at Southern Vermont College (SVC) has appointed David J. Newell of Shaftsbury, Vt., as a new Board member at their recent meeting in September. Newell, a well-respected and active member of the Bennington community, is president of Wills Insurance, Inc.
A native of Pittsburgh, Pa., Newell received a BA degree in Political Science and American Studies from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa., and an MA in Governmental Administration from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pa.
Newell moved to Bennington in 1976 as the executive director of the Bennington Area Chamber of Commerce. In 1979, he joined Wills Insurance, Inc., where he now serves as a principal and president of the firm.
“The Southern Vermont College Board of Trustees is excited to have David as a part of our team,” said SVC Board Chair Ira Wagner. “David is not only a highly regarded businessman in southern Vermont, but also an active participant in many of the organizations which work to bring vitality and growth to our state and region.” “David Newell’s reputation as a leader will help SVC achieve its goal of greatly enhancing our involvement with the Bennington community,” noted SVC President David Evans.
Newell has served as director of the Better Bennington Corporation and has served as director of Southwest Vermont Heath Care (SVHC) and the Bennington Rotary Club. He is currently chair of the SVHC Foundation Board and vice chair of the Bennington Free Library Board.
Founded in 1926, Southern Vermont College offers a career-enhancing liberal arts education with 16 academic degree programs for approximately 460 students. SVC recognizes the importance of educating students for the workplace of the twenty-first century and as successful leaders in their communities. SVC’s athletic teams are part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III and the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC). The College is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and has been designated by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a Community-Engagement Classification institution.