DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Bonfils-Stanton Foundation today celebrated its 29th Anniversary of the Annual Award Program by announcing the 2014 recipients of the Bonfils-Stanton Awards: Eleanor N. “Ellie” Caulkins for Arts and Humanities, David Ethan Greenberg for Community Service and Dr. David A. Schwartz for Science and Medicine. Each year, the awards recognize individuals advancing excellence in these three areas of society.
“Bonfils-Stanton selected these three inspiring individuals for their outstanding leadership and significant contributions of excellence to our great state of Colorado,” said J. Landis Martin, Chairman of the Board, Bonfils-Stanton Foundation. “Our three honorees demonstrated leadership and are a true inspiration for Coloradans and we honor them today for their continued commitment, dedication and overall innovation in their respected fields.”
Award recipients for 2014 include:
Eleanor N. “Ellie” Caulkins– Arts and Humanities Honoree
Eleanor “Ellie” Caulkins has been a passionate and dedicated supporter of the arts, education and children’s welfare for more than 30 years. She is perhaps best known in association with the Ellie Caulkins Opera House; a fitting tribute to a woman who has devoted so much of her time and resources to ensuring grand opera is an integral part of the Denver community. Mrs. Caulkins’ influence and impact extends far beyond the scope of opera by serving as an exemplary role model in service to the arts and humanities, and the broader community.
Mrs. Caulkins has served on countless Opera Colorado committees and the Board of Directors (three times as Chairman). As a leader, advocate and contributor, Mrs. Caulkins has been instrumental in the financial and artistic success of Opera Colorado, helping the organization grow in stature regionally and nationally. Mrs. Caulkins is a Lifetime Honorary Chairman of the Opera Colorado Board of Directors. Mrs. Caulkins and her husband George were honored with the Mayor’s Cultural Legacy Award in 2006.
David Ethan Greenberg – Community Service Honoree
David Greenberg’s extraordinary vision and leadership in education reform have been nothing short of transformative for Denver and Colorado. Mr. Greenberg is the Founder of the Denver School of Science and Technology (DSST), and was the first Board Chair of its successor organization, DSST Public Schools. Launched in 2004, the Denver School of Science and Technology focuses on STEM education and 21st century learning skills to prepare students for success in college.
Currently Vice Chancellor of Institutional Partnerships at the University of Denver, Mr. Greenberg’s impact on education reform has spanned early childhood development to K-12 to higher education. In addition to his continued commitment to the board of DSST Public Schools, Mr. Greenberg is a board member on the Governor's Education Leadership Council, and the Keystone Center for Science & Public Policy. He has also served as a member of the Colorado Commission on Higher Education, a trustee of Clayton Early Learning, Board Chair of the Children’s Museum of Denver, and Board President of the Colorado League of Charter Schools. Mr. Greenberg was co-founder and managing partner of GBSM, a public policy and strategic communications consultancy. A graduate of Columbia University and the Harvard Law School, he was legal advisor and speechwriter to Colorado Governor Richard Lamm and served as a White House Fellow.
Dr. David A. Schwartz – Science and Medicine Honoree
Dr. David Schwartz is an internationally recognized scientist and physician, and one of the foremost experts in the genetics of pulmonary disease. He has served in leadership roles at prominent institutions across the country, has trained numerous successful physician-scientists, is widely published, and sought-after as a speaker. Throughout his career, Dr. Schwartz has made numerous contributions toward understanding the role that biological and genetic determinants play in the onset of diseases like asthma and other chronic pulmonary diseases influenced by environmental exposures. His longstanding interest and research in the causes of pulmonary fibrosis have led to seminal discoveries that have revolutionized our understanding of this disease, and its potential treatment. Regarded as an excellent clinician, teacher and mentor, Dr. Schwartz has been instrumental in developing training programs for physician-scientists through his leadership at National Institutes of Health and University of Colorado. He has helped to build a pipeline of physician-scientists and a framework for increased collaboration between clinicians and researchers.
Dr. Schwartz is currently the Chair of the Department of Medicine, and Professor of Medicine and Immunology at University of Colorado with appointments at the Veterans Administration Medical Center and National Jewish Health. His previous academic appointments include the University of Iowa College of Medicine and Duke University Medical Center. He served as Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the National Toxicology Program between 2005 and 2008.
About the Bonfils-Stanton Awards
The Bonfils-Stanton Awards honor outstanding Coloradans for significant contributions in the fields of art and humanities, community service, and science and medicine. This annual award program was established in 1984 in recognition of Charles Stanton’s desire to bring acclaim to their efforts, and motivate others to greater accomplishments. Please visit www.bonfils-stanton.org for past honorees and additional information.
About the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation
At Bonfils-Stanton Foundation, we believe that extraordinary arts and leadership are key to building a vibrant Colorado. Every day, we strategically invest in imagination and innovation, because cultivating the creative spark is vital to making our community an exciting place where people want to live, work and thrive. Since its founding, the Foundation has distributed over $56 million in charitable contributions.