2009 Hubert H. Humphrey Public Leadership Awards Recipients

Dean's Award recipient Mike McCurry served as press secretary to President Bill Clinton (1995-1998). McCurry began his career on the staff of the United States Senate, working as press secretary to the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources and to the committee's chairman, Senator Harrison A. Williams, Jr. (1976-1981). He also served as press secretary to Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan (1981-1983). McCurry also has held leadership roles in several national campaigns. He currently is a partner at Public Strategies Washington, Inc. where he provides strategic communications counsel to an impressive roster of corporate and nonprofit clients.

Lou Bellamy is the founder and artistic director of Penumbra Theatre in St. Paul. During his 32-year tenure, Penumbra has evolved into one of America’s premier theaters dedicated to dramatic exploration of the African American experience. Under his leadership, Penumbra has produced 23 world premiers, including August Wilson’s first professional production, and has produced more of Wilson’s plays than any theater in the world. Bellamy is an OBIE Award-winning director, an accomplished actor, and sought-after scholar.

James R. Campbell is a well-known financial services professional and business leader. He began his 38-year career in financial services in 1964 as a bank trainee with Norwest Bank. Upon his retirement in 2002, Campbell was Group Executive Vice President for Wells Fargo & Company, the company that resulted from the 1998 merger of Norwest Corporation with Wells Fargo. From 2003 to 2006, he served as co-interim dean of the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management. In 2004, Campbell launched The Itasca Project, a private initiative to find solutions to major public policy challenges facing the State of Minnesota.

Mary Lee Dayton is a passionate advocate for women and children. Formerly a kindergarten teacher, Dayton has served on the boards of several service organizations, including serving as president of the board of the Minneapolis YWCA, chairing the World Service Council of the national board of directors of the YWCA, and leading the board of Planned Parenthood Minnesota. In 1983, Dayton made a founding gift to the Women's Foundation of Minnesota, the first statewide women's fund in the nation. To honor her, in 2008 the foundation created the Mary Lee Dayton Catalyst for Change Award to recognize philanthropists who have used their resources and leadership to advance gender equality in Minnesota.