Honoring the 2010 Governor’s Humanities Award Winners

The State of Missouri and the Missouri Humanities Council recognize four individuals and two organizations for their exceptional contributions as ambassadors of the humanities. The 2010 Governor’s Humanities Awards will honor Missouri individuals and organizations for excellence in education, exemplary community achievements and distinguished literary achievements on Oct. 13 at Stephens College in Columbia, Mo. These awards are based on nominations from colleagues, students, associates and the general public

“The Missouri Humanities Council commends the honorees for their commitment to making the humanities meaningful and accessible to the people of Missouri,” said Geoff Giglierano, Missouri Humanities Council executive director. “The work of these honorees inspires all of us to apply ourselves in finding fresh and exciting ways to bring the humanities to broader, more diverse audiences.”

One individual was honored with the Excellence in Education Award, which recognizes one or more teachers of English, history, languages or social studies, grades K-12, in Missouri’s public or private schools. The following individual was recognized for her accomplishments with an Excellence in Education Award:

• Jean Turney, a teacher at St. Johns the Baptist, for her dedicated work in broadening education for her students, including pioneering a program that uses Forest Park as an outdoor classroom, through involvement with Forest Park Forever’s Voyage of Learning Teachers’ Academy and sharing her experiences as a teacher at a Youth Building Peace Camp the past two summers in Jinja, Uganda, Africa.

Three individuals and two organizations were honored with the Exemplary Community Achievement Award, which recognizes an individual or group that has made a special contribution to a community’s understanding of and support for humanities-related endeavors on the local or state level. The following were recognized for accomplishments with Exemplary Community Achievement Awards:

Andrew County Museum and Historical Society • Andrew County Museum & Historical Society for preserving the history of the rural lifestyle through their latest exhibit, A Rural Way of Life: Andrew County Missouri, 1841-2001. The exhibit looks at the evolution of agricultural technology, small town businesses, and divisions in the local community during the Civil War, the impact of changing modes of transportation and the cycle of life in town or on a family farm.

Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum • Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum for keeping the legacy of Mark Twain alive and thriving, by helping people get to know what he stood for and what he still has to share with generations to come. The Home & Museum offers a variety of activities and workshops for students, teachers, community members and youth and adult visitors to explore the life of Mark Twain.

• Dr. Reynaldo Anderson, a professor at Harris-Stowe State University, for his work with students in and out of the classroom, community groups and individuals to further their understanding of history, language and philosophy. Dr. Anderson is an executive member of the Missouri Arts Council with the Minority Arts Panel and Arts Education Panel. He is also a member and an advocate for C.U.R.E. International, a prison reform organization, in addition to working with various other community organizations.

James Becker • James Beckner for his contribution in Civil War reenactments and educational opportunities to help the public experience and understand the war better. Beckner is an active member and often an executive member of four Civil War round tables, has appeared in and consulted for more than 30 movies, documentaries and plays and has helped organize and enact some of the best Civil War reenactments in the five-state area.
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Dr. Kathleen Nigro

• Dr. Kathleen Nigro, professor at University of Missouri, St. Louis, for her work to share the humanities with the community and the state through a multitude of literary discussions, speeches, exhibits and cultural events. One of Dr. Nigro’s largest accomplishments is spearheading ReadMOre, a program that encourages reading, discussing and communicating about one chosen novel on both a community and state-wide basis.

One individual was honored with the Distinguished Literary Achievement Award, which recognizes an individual or group whose book or publication has increased understanding and appreciation of Missouri’s history and culture. The following individual was recognized for her accomplishments with a Distinguished Literary Achievement Award:

• Gladys Coggswell, an award winning fulltime professional storyteller, for her portrayal of both her own life and the untold stories of African Americans across the state in her latest book, “Stories From the Heart: Missouri’s African American Heritage.” For the past 20 years, Coggswell has been traveling throughout local communities collecting stories to give insight to the African American experience in Missouri.

The 2010 Governor’s Humanities Awards are from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 13, at the Kimball Ballroom at Stephens College in Columbia. The cost is $35, and reservations must be made via the Missouri Humanities Council at 314-781-9660 or 1-800-357-0909.

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