| Charles M. Denny, Jr., Named 2007-08 Hill Fellow
 The University of Minnesota's Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs
has selected Charles M. Denny, Jr., as the fifth Louis W. Hill, Jr., Fellow in
Philanthropy. The one-year fellowship, housed within the Institute's Public
and Nonprofit Leadership Center, provides financial and administrative support
to an outstanding community leader for the study of important issues in philanthropy.
The year culminates with a public symposium during which the fellow presents his
or her findings.
Denny joins the Humphrey Institute as a seasoned corporate citizen and philanthropist.
From 1959 to 1970, Denny worked through the ranks at Honeywell, starting as
a personnel assistant and finishing as vice president of marketing for the computer
controls division. In 1971, he joined ADC Telecommunications, Inc., a manufacturer
of communication equipment for telephone companies and large private networks.
As president, chief executive officer, and ultimately chairman, Denny successfully
revived the fledgling company and transformed it into what is today a billion-dollar
global enterprise.
Since retiring in 1991, Denny has remained very active in civic and nonprofit
organizations. Among his many activities, he is a board member of the Science
Museum of Minnesota and a member of the Humphrey Institute Dean's Advisory Council,
the Caux Round Table, the Minnesota Civil Liberties Union Foundation, and the
Mayo Clinic Regional Council. He has received many honors and awards for his
commitment to service, including the Tekne Award for Lifetime Achievement in
2001, a Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa, from both St. John's University and the
University of Minnesota, and a Doctor of Humane Letters from the College of
St. Catherine.
“A public affairs school often finds itself at the intersection of the
public, nonprofit, and private sector, and Chuck has been examining this kind
of leadership throughout his career,” said Humphrey Institute Dean J. Brian
Atwood. “His corporate experience greatly will benefit our students and
the Institute's highly ranked public and nonprofit management program.”
As the 2007–08 Hill Fellow, Denny plans to draw from his years of corporate
service and volunteerism as he looks at corporate citizenship in modern America.
What is the corporation's role in the triad of business, government, and the
non-profit community? Within that role, what constitutes responsible corporate
behavior? What is the role of corporate philanthropy? And how does our society develop leaders who will manage in the best
interest of the public?
“I have known Chuck Denny for many years and have admired him as the consummate
corporate and community leader. I am certain he will make a great contribution
to the study of philanthropy through the Louis W. Hill Jr. Fellowship Program,”
said Ellis Bullock, executive director of the Grotto Foundation, which along
with the Northwest Area Foundation funds the fellowship.
The first Louis W. Hill, Jr. Fellowship was awarded to Joe Selvaggio, founder
of Project for Pride in Living and the One Percent Club in Minneapolis. Dr.
Reatha Clark King, retired General Mills Foundation president and board chair,
was the second fellow. Sage and John Cowles, Jr., shared the fellowship in 2005,
and Native American leader Laura Waterman Wittstock held it in 2006.
“I commend all the selection committees for their outstanding work in
bringing so many experienced, highly regarded, and multi-diverse community leaders
to explore the field of philanthropy from various perspectives,” said Bullock.
“I believe the fellowship program has provided an enlightening range of
views of philanthropy and its impact.”
The Hill Fellowship selection process is confidential, and candidates are unaware
of their nomination until the decision is announced. The Northwest
Area Foundation and the Grotto
Foundation established the fellowship in 2002 to commemorate the 100th birthday
of Louis W. Hill, Jr., who founded the Grotto Foundation. His father, Louis
W. Hill, Sr., son of James J. Hill, established the Northwest Area Foundation.
The $1,000,000 gift from the two foundations has supported the fellowship program
for five years.
July 17, 2007 |
